WALPOLE WILDERNESS DISCOVERY CENTRE

We started our day at Swarbrick where we strolled the art loop which features thought provoking art pieces like the 39 m long Wilderness Wall of Perceptions.

Wayne reading the quotes, thoughts on the wall.  Leaves have them on also. Just beautiful with the mirrored effect.

These are some of the art work along the walk.

We continued up the North Walpole Road to Mt Frankland.  Here we decided to make the strenuous climb to the top where a fire lookout post is used by DPaW (fire dept.) in summer.  OH BOY.  Magnificent views of forested hills and valleys once one finally gets towards the top and then climb 310 stairs.  Some are in a ladder form!!!!!

Saw this black snake sunning itself beside the path to the top!!

This tower mans hut is at the bottom of Mt Frankland as they had to climb to the top every day during the hot summer days.

As fires are still clearing at this time of year, we did not get clear views to the south coast and the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges north of Albany.  After descending we collected our lunch and strolled to the "Wilderness View" on the spectacular raised walkway completed in 2013 offering folk panoramic views of core wilderness.

Looking below into the forest floor.

We drove on amongst more karri forest along another metal road to see Fernhook Falls where we strolled the boardwalks and a stairway (as if we hadn't had enough of those for one day?) into the river where one can swim or launch a canoe if so inclined!  Pretty quiet and serene with no one else around today.

Mandalay Beach lies on the Southern Coast where in 1911 the Norwegian barque 'Mandalay' became shipwrecked on this beach and survivors waited 3 days before they received help to get out and taken on to Albany where they caught a ship home.  Hence - Mandalay Beach.

The wreck of the Mandalay still visible 

Mandalay Beach looking out to Chatham Island.

 Did not descend all the stairs to the beach as the legs would not handle anymore walking full stop!!

Oh what a wonderful six hour adventure exploring this area.