My god! April already

1st April 2002: Warren National Park – Shannon National Park

Easter is over and it appears there is a movement of people, either back to Perth or onto other touring spots. We make our way about 55kms south-east to Shannon National Park, stopping along the way to walk along the Tone River to the Chidilup Pool.

We enjoy the walk which is 13kms in total, though the river is now essentially a series of pools, Chidilup the biggest. Lovely forest.

2nd April 2002: Shannon National Park – Nornalup

While our tent dries, we do a 5.5km walk around the Shannon Dam & Mokares Rock. Along the way we stop briefly at Fernhook Falls on the Deep River and then at Mt Frankland to do a 2kms walk up the path to the summit & down via loop track. Good views of the surrounding countryside.

We continue through Walpole/Nornalup to base ourselves at Parry’s Beach for a few days, some 45kms from Walpole. Still busy with Easter crowds so we backtrack to Walpole and set ourselves up in a small, quiet caravan park near the Valley of the Giants.

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Lots of short walks and drives exploring the region, including the Giant Tingle Tree, Circular Pool, Tree Top walk in the Valley of the Giants, 4WD adventure near Peaceful Bay to Conspicous Beach, Nuyts Wilderness walk (17kms).

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5th April 2002: Nornalup – Albany

Broke camp and continued the drive east. Stopped at the delightful William Bay National Park for a look at Madfish Bay, Elephant Rocks & Greens Pool, These are sensational beaches/coastal spots. Set up camp in Albany, for the next 6 nights in the “Happy Days” caravan, recommended by fellow campers we met in Esperance. While 10km out of town, the owners were very hospitable, even cutting our fire wood each night.

We visit Torndirrup National Park to look at the Gap, Natural Bridge, Salmon Holes, Stony Hill and Misery Beach. All short walks providing excellent coastal scenery with clilffs, rocky outcrops and bays/inlets, reminiscent of the coast north of Christchurch, New Zealand.

We bump into the Swiss couple we camped with at Warren National Park over Easter, Harry & Roselyne. We catch up on our travels and arrange to meet up again in Kalgoorlie.

Visit Whale World, the wind farms, 12 of them, and walk part of the Bibbulmum Track towards Cozy Corner. Drive 50 or so kilometers to Shelley Beach within West Cape Howe National Park to do a 7km walk to the sheer cliffs within the park.

Drove to Two Peoples Bay National Park which looks like a nice spot. Did the Heritage walk and visited Little Beach and Sink Reef Beach.

Beautiful part of Australia!