My 17 Days Down On The South Coast Of WA

Duh · Guru

My 17 Days Down On The South Coast Of WA

Duh · Guru

(Continued.....hope you haven't fallen asleep yet.....).

On my return to the Bushlands caravan park and my cabin for the next week (whoopee, fridge, microwave, convection oven etc and sharing with two resident lake lizards who were reluctant to leave, I generally took in the local scene, including visiting the local beaches and the town jetty where the resident sea lion shades himself on the beach under the jetty, and on the day I visited the jetty the Lions Club had a stall and were giving out free sausage rolls complete with onions and sauce/mustard etc. Being a Sunday, there was a local market going on also in the grounds near the Tourist Bureau. The Pink Lake had only patches that were pink, I was told by a local that it was because of salt pan mining that was going on at the lake which had changed things somewhat.

I also decided to visit the town cinema and saw Zero Dark Thirty, about the search for and death of Osama Bin Laden, a very good movie. The Bushland Caravan Park is in a large area what they call Pink Lakes and while there they had a large bush fire which burnt out one home and did other damage in the area generally. The local fire brigade did an excellent job of containing the fire and saving a number of homes. Due to the wind direction the caravan park was not threatened and we did not have to evacuate before the fire was brought under control.
One family who had to evacuate their rural property were given an onsite caravan next to my cabin which had a small fence around it, to house them and their five dogs they had to bring from the property. Several horses on the property could not be moved in time so gates were left open for them to escape if the fire reached their paddocks. Fortunately for the owners, other than fences and power lines being destroyed, the fire vollies were able to save their home and shed and they returned the next day when given the all clear. All the horses were home and safe.

When it was time to leave my cabin and resident lizards, I decided to take a route home via Ravensthorpe, Lake King, Hyden (Wave Rock area) , Corrigin, York etc and other than checking out some free camps along the way, arrived back in Perth the same night, a distance of 700 kms. A very satisfying getaway, despite school holidays being on in the earlier part of my trip.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Sounds a greats trip Vic, a big adventure for you and your home on wheels.

I am out and about as well testing out all my 12v rewire job and all is well. So keep having fun and,

Duh · Guru

Thanks Doug, I would have avoided the school holidays at the beginning of my trip but time was against me so went when I could.

I can't believe some of the rip offs some parks charge during the holidays, must be hard for young families having to pay not just top dollar but more for each child etc during the holidays......

Glad your improvements are working well,

Happy travels

Vic

Duh · Guru

No worries June, hope you get another RV soon! All of these places are in Camps Australia Wide, Camps 7 edition due out this month.

These are photo's of Shelley Beach (near Cosy Corner - East of Denmark off lower Denmark Road on the way to Albany), it is also used for hang gliding off the nearby hills. A fresh water creek runs onto the beach and has a bathing pool behind the shrubbery. The camping area is on the right as is the unisex long drop toilet further in.

Also photo's of Quaalup Homestead http://www.whalesandwildflowers.com.au/quaaluphomestead.htm which is in Fitzgerald National Park near Bremer Bay. Mrs Emu wouldn't keep still, neither would the lizard. The bird in the tree is a Night Heron.

-- Edited by Duh on Saturday 9th of February 2013 03:55:12 PM

Duh · Guru

Here's a few more Gary, Lucky Bay Campground (see Camps Australia Wide book), camping area can just be seen in the bush, caravan area further around towards Mathew Flinders monument area;

-- Edited by Duh on Saturday 9th of February 2013 05:43:51 PM

Duh · Guru

Also Thistle Cove (whistling rock), Frenchman's Peak and Hellfire Bay;

-- Edited by Duh on Saturday 9th of February 2013 05:49:42 PM

capricorn and pisces · Senior Member

Thank you so much Vic, thoroughly enjoyed reading of your adventures, we lived in WA for a while, love the place particularly the area of which you wrote.

cheers Capricorn

Duh · Guru

Ooooops......found a few more pic's of the campground at Shelley Beach in my first post with pictures....

(These are photo's of Shelley Beach (near Cosy Corner - East of Denmark off lower Denmark Road on the way to Albany), it is also used for hang gliding off the nearby hills. A fresh water creek runs onto the beach and has a bathing pool behind the shrubbery. The camping area is on the right as is the unisex long drop toilet further in.)

-- Edited by Duh on Saturday 9th of February 2013 06:40:23 PM

scotia59 · Senior Member

hey Vic, you went to all these lovely places and didn't show us any photos.......shame on you! lol

Glad to hear you had a good time, I agree about the school holiday rip off, why are people so greedy? These young families that probably can't afford flash hotels try to take their kids away for a break and get slugged these stupid prices at some campsites, it is so wrong.

look forward to some photos of your travels. :)

regards
Jean

Duh · Guru

Thanks Cappy and Jean,

I haven't sorted/resized my pic's yet, the beaches and coast in the Esperance area are just amazingly beautiful, will post some pic's later.

Unfortunately my camera battery went flat (no spare) and I had forgotten to take my recharger with me, but got most of what I wanted except for the main coastal area between Esperance and Pink Lake, although I got a couple.

June · Senior Member

Your journey down the south coast of WA is great reading. You gave really good information about the places you visited, everything that people like me appreciate so very much. You covered all the things that I need to know about everything you saw, you covered it all. I've made notes in my book accordingly, and my feet are soooo itchy to get on the road again. Sold my camper ages ago and madly saving for another. Did a trip around USA, Canada and parts of Mexico some years ago and have yet to see more of our great country. Keep hoping my numbers come up on the Lotto draw. Please keep sending your descriptions of your trip, looking forward to reading more. Big hug, June biggrin

Duh · Guru

These photo's are of the Camp and Day area at Cape Le Grand, East of Esperance, with Frenchman's Peak in the background. Also some of the beach area and sunsets. A freshwater creek runs under the beach sand to the ocean. The camp has a camp host (charges apply google Cape Le Grand) and has his and hers flush toilets and showers. Bore water available but must be boiled for drinking or BYO. Camp kitchen on site. Tip, their is a ranger station on entry to the various spots in this area, so best to get an annual pass from the DEC office in Esperance or other town as it is cheaper than day or shorter term pass, otherwise entry fee is charged, camp fees are separate from park entry.

Duh · Guru

More pic's of previous post at Cape Le Grand;

GaryKelly · Guru

I'm just a month or two from starting my big adventure, Vic. Reading about your trip as well as looking at the pics makes my travel buds salivate (if such a thing is possible). I've been trying to imagine what it's like for years, and waiting impatiently for the dream to come true. Thanks for posting your journal and photos.

Duh · Guru

Main Town Beaches at Esperance including Jetty with resident Sea Lion and Port;

Duh · Guru

Pink Lake and 10 mile beach just west of Esperance, wind turbines in the background of one photo, unfortunately my camera battery "died" at this point, so didn't get the rest of the beaches along this fantastic drive. On the same drive at the Esperance end is also the Rotary Lookout tower which is fantastic for photo's of the town and surrounding beaches etc;

yeoeleven · Guru

Well you have taken me a trip down memory lane, I have been thinking of the times when we travelled together to some of those places that you visited recently. That would have been in 2011 during my round Australia trip, there are so many great places to visit especially on the south coast. I really enjoyed Esperance and the National Parks that you visited.

You have done a fine job of describing your trip with excellent photos. Not sure why you went into 'I digress" when the topic is clearly relevant to the travelling lifestyle and not a digression from it.

John

Duh · Guru

You'll enjoy it if you get your timings right Jules, pick Yeo's brains and study his blog for that section when you do decide to come over.

Tell Billeeee his rear end is not a pretty sight, can't get away with anything when you have our camera handy Jules! wink biggrin

Glad you are all enjoying Tassie! aww

Vic

So, not Billeee's rear end after all........looked similar from that angle! hmm ashamed

-- Edited by Duh on Sunday 10th of February 2013 10:43:57 PM

Duh · Guru

yeoeleven wrote:
Well you have taken me a trip down memory lane, I have been thinking of the times when we travelled together to some of those places that you visited recently. That would have been in 2011 during my round Australia trip, there are so many great places to visit especially on the south coast. I really enjoyed Esperance and the National Parks that you visited.
You have done a fine job of describing your trip with excellent photos. Not sure why you went into 'I digress" when the topic is clearly relevant to the travelling lifestyle and not a digression from it.
John

Looking at the date of your blog when we were at Cosy Corner, it was almost exactly 12 months ago from the time of our stay there.

Compared to when we were there, Cosy Corner was packed out with people camped on top of one another, glad I moved on to Shelley Beach, much nicer, but not a very big camping area. It was ok on the day I arrived until the Hang Glider club arrived the next day for an Australia Day weekend club meet, they just took over the whole area, so I moved on for greener pastures...I will ask Cindy if she can move this to General....

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Glad you had a good trip Vic - and your photos are wonderful - hoping to get over that way - maybe next year!

GaryKelly · Guru

More great pics, Vic, and I can't get over how blue the water is, and how white the sand. Picture perfect. I won't be seeing any of those things for a while... I'm on the east coast in NSW.

Duh · Guru

Not very exciting pic's, but using Esperance as a base, I stayed at the Bushland's Holiday Village for 9 days, two in the camping area (great campers kitchen) and 7 in a cabin, although pretty basic, gave me a reasonably cheap alternative with all facilities and TV with good reception and private outdoor ensuite (shower/toilet/hand basin) and yard for approx $43 per night ($50 a night for 6 nights, 7th night free) providing I used my own linen (could be hired for extra if required) and I had my own for camping anyway. It was not my original intention, but for a few home comforts at that price couldn't resist.

Although the place is old, I found everyone there including the management very friendly and helpful and it was in a very quiet bushland setting about 5 kms from the centre of town and away from traffic noise etc.

-- Edited by Duh on Monday 11th of February 2013 06:34:15 AM

Duh · Guru

GaryKelly wrote:
More great pics, Vic, and I can't get over how blue the water is, and how white the sand. Picture perfect. I won't be seeing any of those things for a while... I'm on the east coast in NSW.

I think they did a scientific test on the sand in the region and it turned out to be the finest and whitest beach sand in Oz.

Your time will come Gary, some nice places all round Oz, lucky for us we have members like Yeo and others who have great blogs to give us some insight of places to go and see. I have been around Oz a few times (except Tassie which I hope to see one day) although impossible to see it all in one lifetime, but fun trying to. smile

GaryKelly · Guru

You're like me... photograph everything. Nice accom for $43 a night though. But being a pensioner I could use that money for something else. I'm getting a bit tight in my "senior" years out of necessity. I heard a pollie on telly the other night talking about the increase in private health insurance fees. She compared the increase to the price of a cup of coffee. Oh yeah? Where? At home or in a cafe? It's all a matter of perspective.

leevin · Senior Member

We were charged $60/night powered site at Coalmine Beach Caravan park (camp ground).
We have a 22' ensuite "van.

The RCD in the electrical box was overheating and cutting out. The manager said that the electrician was on holidays and they couldn't contact him. Get another electrician. Why, he said!!!!!! His solution was to take the door off the box and put a wet sugar bag over it!!!!!!!!

Kids left to play in toilets! Rubbish blowing through camp sites!

What a dump!

Left 2 days early, just couldn't live in a pig sty any longer for that price.

Will be writing to Top Tourist very shortly.

-- Edited by leevin on Monday 11th of February 2013 03:59:48 PM

Duh · Guru

I have stayed there previously Leevin, all up hill and down dale and not my choice of park, can't remember what they charged then, they seem to have mixed reviews, I sometimes wonder with some of the good reviews whether they are written by friends or rellies of a park owner.

You could add your review here, need to register with Trip Advisor though, see;

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g488368-d1595789-Reviews-Coalmine_Beach_Holiday_Park-Walpole_Western_Australia.html

There is another caravan park on the other (west side) of Walpole town, Rest Point. Also has mixed reviews, see;

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g488368-d2633578-Reviews-Rest_Point_Holiday_Village-Walpole_Western_Australia.html

Peaceful Bay on the way to Denmark from Walpole seems to be very popular and has good reviews, although I have never stayed there, I don't think it is very big though from memory of a visit there once, see;

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g488338-d2707317-Reviews-Peaceful_Bay-Denmark_Western_Australia.html

-- Edited by Duh on Monday 11th of February 2013 07:42:51 PM

Duh · Guru

Don't usually take pic's of cabins Gary, but someone asked to see pic's of it when I was there, so took them.

I'm also on a pension and I hadn't intended spending money on this type of accommodation but at this price thought it too good to pass up, had the surplus funds to do it so did, I can't take the money with me when I go so might as well enjoy it when I can when I do have it.

Money well spent in a beautiful location and town and a much needed break! aww

Scotty01 · Senior Member

Sounds like you picked better timing than I did. Was pretty good till I got here to Albany, have had almost gale force winds for the past 4 days! Havnt really got to see all that much just too dam windy.

going to have a look at Cosy Corner in the morning they tell me its more protected than here, I hope so. If not will head inland a bit I think see if i can get away from the wind and get some of the Perth heat,

Duh · Guru

I think high winds are forecast for the south and Esperance for tomorrow, if your going to Cosy Corner (yes, some protection but still close to the beach) also have a look at Shelley Beach (see Camps book) which is nearby although it is even more exposed with no protection, but a much nicer area.

I would not go inland too far as I did that on the way home and the flies were in plague proportions in the free camp areas, although towns may be ok. The free camps along the South Coast highway may be ok though. Pity about the wind, as if you don't see the coast your missing out on a lot.

Good luck with whatever you decided...