Fri, 23rd Dec, 2016 Bob & Margaret’s, Florida Beach, Dawesville, WA (exploring Mandurah)

Started our Christmas calls, Malcolm then Jeff. So lovely being able to chat whenever.

Lovely morning and calm sea on the Indian Ocean.

Drove into Mandurah for a cuppa with ex Cairns couple, Shane & Doreen. A couple of black cockatoos were having a feast on the pine nuts of this tree – they will have it stripped by the afternoon they rate they are going, snapping off the branches then chewing the little pine cones.

We had a wonderful time catching up that we ended up walking around the marina area to have lunch at Ninos Fish & Chips. Steve is amazed at the amount of boats.

Said farewell and headed north to Silver Sands Beach. Great view back to Mandurah then north up the beach.

Back into town for some history. Mandurah was settled and named by Thomas Peel. In 1850 the town was connected to Perth by a coastal road and in 1876 an inland road was completed. During the 1950s Mandurah grew with tourism and the development of the Kwinana industrial area (north of Rockingham). From there canals were created and the town has prospered.

We marvel at how truck drivers have to get around these towns but this poor chap didn’t have a good day. Turning the corner he took out the traffic light – backed up and slowly managed to get around the corner – OOPs.

Thomas Peel is buried in Christ’s Church’s burial ground which looks like a park rather than a cemetery. It is in the middle of town too.

The church was completed in 1871 and has since been restored and added to.

Lovely shady tree with history.

Around the other side were more memorial plaques and a huge anchor.

Crossed the old Mandurah Bridge (new one being built beside it) into Halls Head. Found Hall’s Cottage, built in 1830s by Henry Edward Hall. Made of limestone it is typical of the homes built here in the early days. It was restored in 1975 and is now a museum of local history – but closed today. Surrounded by old wooden fence posts but I don’t think the canal was beside it back then!!

Continued along to Robert Point and along the Halls Head Parade looking over the Indian Ocean trying to find a place for a cuppa. Turned back and went into Henry Sutton Grove (another early settler) where we had a lovely seat overlooking the Mandurah Estuary and out the mouth to the ocean. There are lots of dolphins living in the waterways.

The huge old tree we checked out on our last visit here is dwarfed by the huge hotel.

Across to the other side to check out Peel Inlet – it is 2 times bigger than Sydney Harbour. The Serpentine and Murray Rivers flow into it – very confusing having two Murray Rivers in Australia.

Found the site of The Chimneys – no longer standing but they were a landmark the fishermen used back in the day.

Looking across the Inlet to a couple of islands.

Around the point – looking at the Mandurah Estuary Bridge which carries the Bypass Road and back over the wetlands on the edge of the Peel Inlet.

Back over The Dawesville Cut – created to allow another area for water to flow in and out of the Peel Inlet as there was a blue green algal bloom infesting the area. Then more canal-style sub-divisions were created.

Time for drinks with Bob and make our plans for Christmas lunch. Such a shame Margaret isn’t here to join us but we can have another Christmas when she gets back.