Thurs, 23rd Feb, 2017 Millers Point Reserve, west of Bremer Bay to St Marys Campground, Fitzgerald River National Park, WA

No wind this morning, still cloudy but the sun is peeking through. The inlet looks so calm.

The water appears to be dropping or maybe it is just low tide as more rocky bars are appearing. The cars are back on the point. Frank said some people were surfing the wave rolling into the inlet.

So nice this morning we had our cup of tea outside enjoying the view. The birds were happy singing and the flies/march flies were busy buzzing around – sounded like a Grand Prix with all the zooming around us.

Packed up and headed back up the dirt road – water still across the road. Onto the bitumen for a bit towards Bremer Bay then we turned north to Gairdner then headed east towards the Fitzgerald River National Park. Stopped for a cuppa at the National Park info area.

Then onto corrugated dirt road through the park to Point Ann and St Mary Inlet. Turned into the campground just back from the beach and found a perfect spot. Nice flat spot and we can see the sea from inside the van which is lovely. Further along the beach are more hills in the national park. From the NP brochure - The park covers an area of 297,244 hectares. It is one of the largest and most botanically significant national parks in Australia, with approximately 15 per cent of the State’s described plant species growing amid the magnificent landscapes. So far, 1883 plant species have been identified, 75 of which are found nowhere else. More species of animals live here than any other reserve in SW Aust. They include 22 mammal species, 41 reptile species and 12 frog species. There are also more than 200 bird species including rare species such as the western ground parrot, the western bristle bird and the western whipbird.

Two men pulled in and gave Steve an Australian Salmon as they had caught too many to eat this morning. So Steve got to filleting it so we could have fish for lunch.

Walked down to the beach to feed the fish carcass etc to the birds. We are in Point Charles Bay – the point being further along the beach under the mountains, with Point Ann to our right.

Further along the beach to where St Marys Inlet entrance is. It is fed by the St Marys River. Very wide area. The water is a long way back from the ocean so would need some good rain to get it to the ocean again. Steve tasted the water and it was very salty – much more than the salt content of the ocean. In the distance is Poorijumgup (Mt Bland) that we passed coming here.

Lovely and clear though. Looking back towards the beach.

Enjoyed our lunch of fish and salad then headed back along the road to Quaalup Homestead, an outstation for the Wellstead family of Bremer Bay. Queelup (West Mount Barren, 372m) and Poorijungup (Mt Bland, 258m) stand out from the low scrubland.

Quaalup Homestead is now a wildlife retreat and has some accommodation and room for vans and camping. The homestead is open for day visitors to look at with a request for donations to replace the roof. The old barn built in 1858 has seen better days.

Looking back to Queelup (West Mount Barren) which has a walk up to the summit, 1.7km return (allow 2 hours) but it is straight up!!

Lovely looking building.

The history of the homestead and area.

Wandered around inside.

Lots of old photos.

Steve found an old magazine on the table, printed on his birthday but four years before he was born. Now that’s old!!

Interesting plant.

Continued down the track past a couple of other houses – one with a very serious fence, not sure if it is to keep animals in or pest out as there is some serious wire on the fence.

Across a causeway over the Gairdner River.

Followed the track for a bit, a few more houses hidden in the bush then decided to turn around as there were lots of different tracks heading back towards Bremer Bay or down to Gordon Inlet near the coast.

Back past the homestead where there was a lot of these unusual looking plants everywhere. They are called Royal hakea (Hakea victoria).

Also lots of banksias.

Headed back to camp then turned down the 4WD track to Trigelow Beach. Hazy view across Doubtful Island Bay to Doubtful Islands – the site of WA’s first whaling station 1836 to 1867. Every winter small wooden boats would leave the sheltered bays of Doubtful Island to hunt both humpback and southern right whales. Now the island is a nature reserve.

Tooragullup Beach on the other side of this bay.

Conveyor belt protects the hillside dunes from the vehicle traffic though the beach side the track is solid.

Soft sand on the beach though so more air out of the tyres.

Another long beach with clear blue water. Can’t spot any fish though. Found a couple of pretty shells then had a cuppa watching the waves.

Nearly back at camp – on the high ridge above Point Ann lookout. Top view.

Drove down onto the beach and right along to the rocky headland then up onto the headland and along the top through the scrub (more bush pin-striping for the truck). Stopped at the top – looking left towards Point Charles, the rocky headland, then down the beach to Point Ann.

Passed some people doing the walk to Point Charles then onto to Fitzgerald River Inlet, called the Mamang Walk Trail, approx 31km return – good on them!!

Turned back – Steve trying to spot good gutters to catch some fish. Back to camp and we grabbed a drink and our chairs and joined the two chaps who gave us the salmon. Got the low down of where to fish etc. They are volunteer fire-fighters from Nannup so we heard all about all the fires etc.

The wind has picked up though we are protected here with the low scrub. Nice to see some stars out though it is still a bit chilly.