Thursday 28th February
This morning we took the miniature train along the 1.8 km long jetty at Busselton. It was originally built for loading timber onto sailing ships as they could not come close to shore because the water is too shallow.

At the end of the jetty is a very good underwater observatory with lots of windows looking out onto the jetty supports at several levels.

We walked back to the shore enjoying the views and the beautiful weather.

After lunch we drove to Cape Naturaliste where we followed a trail around the headland.

We took a side track to an observation platform to look out onto the ocean. Six months ago we would have seen migrating whales from here.

We drove on to Sugar Loaf Rock as the sun was getting low.

This is the bay just north of the rock where we spent some time enjoying the view.

We returned to the villa just as the parakeets were noisily enjoying their final feed of the day.



Wednesday 27th February
We tried to look for dolphins in the bay again but they were still being elusive.
We headed east to Donnybrook, the apple growing centre of Australia.

Everything in this town is apple related, the playground, the signs and even the street lamps.

Just outside we stopped at a fruit farm and bought a selection of apples, Pink Lady, Royal Gala, Fiji and Lady Williams. The person who sold us the apples had an English accent and we found that she came from Great Ayton, having backpacked around Australia in the 70's and stayed. The apple warehouse was about zero degrees and the fruit sorting and packaging process was very automated.

We travelled back towards the coast to our next base, Busselton, where we have rented a studio villa 100 yards from the beach.

Later in the afternoon we walked along the nearly deserted beach. The sand is white and very soft.

Just before dinner we relaxed by the pool, only to be disturbed by about a dozen ducks. We didn't fancy going into the water after that.



Tuesday 26th February
First thing this morning we drove to Koombana Bay, but still no dolphins.
We then drove to Marlston Hill Lookout and climbed to the top for views over the town and coastline.

A little further down the coast we explored Wyalup-Rocky Point Basalt Rock formations. This is an extensive volcanic deposit created by flowing lava . We spent some time here under shade as the temperature reached 38 degrees C (100 degrees F).

 



 Later in the day, when it was a bit cooler, we followed the Tuart Walk which meanders through a rare stretch of original Tuart tree forest.

We rounded off the day with a return visit to the Big Swamp Reserve to explore the boardwalk on the other side.







Monday 25th February

We began the day by driving to Koombana Bay where we hoped to see dolphins but after an hour, no luck. We enjoyed hot sunshine and a walk along the beach instead.





 

Later we visited the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery which was originally a convent. We were very impressed by the artwork displayed inside which was for the annual art competition.

We drove inland to Harvey where we spent some time in the heritage gardens that border the Harvey River, named after John Harvey, a naval captain.

We returned via Cathedral Drive and passed about a dozen kangaroos eating and relaxing in the fields by the side of the road.

We stopped at Australind for a walk out along the estuary jetty which was 1.5 km there and back.

About half-way along we had a good view of many different types of birds on an island just off the jetty.

This heron kept pace with us as we walked towards the far end.

We relaxed on the seats provided before walking back.



Sunday 24th February
We headed inland for a few miles passing through National forests.

Further on the land became very flat and very dry.

As we headed back towards the coast we visited Lake Clifton which is inhabited by Thrombolites which look just like rounded rocks in the water. These are living structures built by micro organisms and are related to one of the earliest forms of life. It is said that their ancestors oxygenated the air on the Earth over 600 million years ago. The whole scene felt very primeval as we stood on our own looking across the water at them.

As we returned to the car we noticed a movement in the bush and saw that it was a wild kangaroo. We walked quietly towards it and watched it for several minutes.

We are presently staying for three nights in Bunbury and, after checking in, drove to the nearby 'Big Swamp', which is a large area of wetland in the centre of town.

We then  drove a short distance to the beach to watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean.







 

Saturday 23rd February

This is the beach directly behind our appartment at Mandurah.

 



We walked along the beach and paddled in the Indian Ocean but Alan didn't see the big wave rolling in.

After our walk we sat, relaxed and dried off by the pool.





 

Friday 22nd February

We had a good flight to Perth, collected the car, a 4WD Mitsubishi Outlander, and drove straight to Mandurah, about 80km south of Perth.





 

We checked into our appartment and this is the view from the balcony.

Thursday 21st February
This is an early Blog since we shall be catching the plane to Perth this afternoon and will arrive after midnight.
This morning we visited the Gardens by the Bay to look around the gardens themselves.

We spent an hour exploring the lush gardens on foot but it was very hot and humid .

This is the base of one of the Supertrees which are structures that represent the old growth trees which have been lost in this area.

At the Red and Gold Garden we started a minibus tour of the areas that we could not see on foot.