Exploring WA’s South Coast
8 September 2018
Today we finally arrived at Esperance on WAs South Coast. Whilst we were exploring around town we met Jane and Ken Ponchard. They own a SLRV Adventurer and as it is a small family of owners we discovered we both knew of Neil and Connie with their SLRV Adventurer.
After catching up on washing, filling up on food and fuel we found a quite campsite for the night.
9 September 2018
As we did some more site seeing around Esperance today we met Brett and Jemma (and family) with their Unimog. Brett is into droning and Jemma is into the snapchat and facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pg/trucking.good.holiday/posts/ . Together we saw whales in the bays and many beautiful beaches. They also showed us more of the beautiful coastline west of Esperance. It is truely beautiful. There were some sections we could not follow as it was simply beyond the ability of our Amesz. But Brett threw the Unimog through its paces beautifully.These guys also were lovely enough to invite us back to their place for the night, such generous people, Thank you!
10 September 2018
Today we headed off to the east of Esperance to explore Cape La Grand National Park. This is truely a beautiful National Park. Visited Hellfire and Lucky Bays.
11 September 2018
Last night we slept amongst the dunes in not so nice weather. Thankfully, the due protected us from the rain and wind, and we were back far enough to avoid the high tide that consumed the beach.
Today we decided to just sit put for the day and let the poor weather pass us by.
12 September 2018
It was a bid driving day today as we bid goodbye to Cape La Grand and headed westwards towards Mason Bay.
13 September 2018
We visited Fitzgerald River and Stirling Ranges National Parks today. The weather is still overcast, cold and generally unpleasent.
14 September 2018
With the weather so very average we had another good day driving.
Finished up at Kendenup camping ground for a really good hot shower and clean up.
15 September 2018
Our arrival at Albany started overlapping parts of our 2006 trip with a us sight seeing Torndirrup National Park. In particular Natural Arch. Back in 2006, people were actually allowed to walk across the arch. You really get a amazing insight into how big it is. Can you see the person in the photograph below? The new viewing platform also gives a different perspective to the view.
An interesting part of history we never saw in 2006 was the wreck of the whales chasing ship Cheynes II. This 440 ton steam vessel was built by Smiths Dock and Engine Company in, Middlesbrough. It was engaged in whaling operations in Albany until the company ceased operations in 1978. In 1992 after having been stripped of fittings and lying derelict at the Albany Town Jetty, the Cheynes II broke loose from its moorings in a gale, and grounded on a sandbank in Princess Royal Harbour in 3-4 metres depth.
Also came across an amazing RV with a car on the back – very cool.
