Sun, 15th Jan, 2017 Conto Campground, Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, WA (exploring Prevelly area)

Lovely morning, temperature just right, 24 degrees at 8am. Leanne rang for a chat which was lovely. She suggested getting some venison from the farm but I said we couldn’t eat that after seeing all the bambies. Just as we were finishing up I spotted some Splendid Wrens heading towards us so had to say bye quickly saying I would post her some photos on facebook.

They are so cute and these wrens the male is all blue. Bouncy little things but I managed to get a few photos.

Drove around to Lakes Cave for a look. Lots of info and they have a replica cave to walk through and a balcony looking down into the opening of the cave.

The Suspended Table.

Extract from the botanist who came with Captain Stirling in 1827. Such beautiful handwriting.

Brides Cave – I think that is near Giant’s Cave further south. It said 120 caves have been found and 11 recommended for tourism – there are only 6 actually open.

Ellen Bussell found the cave originally.

These are her two homes - we visited Ellenbrook (photo 1926). Walcliffe was built 1866 (photo taken about 1960) near the mouth of Margaret River.

Outside onto the balcony.

Watched the tour group descend the 300 steps into the big hole and down to the entrance of Lakes Cave.

There are see-through holes in the balcony to peer down – a long way down!!

I hung over the balcony for a shot of the actual entrance.

Good specimens of Karri trees – still towering over us.

Back north along Caves Road past Mammoth Cave then Calgardup Caves. Called in here as it wasn’t part of the Caves Works (run by Margaret River Tourism). Calgardup ones are run by the NP & Wildlife but are still $18 to enter.

Turned west to Redgate, then down a dirt track to Boodijidup - a popular surf spot. Not much happening this morning.

Around to Redgate – lots of people here. Bit of walk to the beach again though lots of people are enjoying the pools around the rocks.

Walked down towards the beach. Don’t know how they are swimming as the wind is freezing.

Back up to the carpark and out onto the point to the information (needs a clean) about the ‘Georgette’ which was wrecked here. It is the shadow left of the smaller rocks.

Good view from here too – south then north to Boodijidup Beach.

From here we headed back east then turned up a dirt road – Stevens Road, to one of wineries Jan recommended we visit because of the grounds and buildings - Leeuwin Estate (it was bitumen again just before the winery – obviously everyone comes in the other way!) Long drive in with vines on one side and cleared pasture going down to a brook on the other and a big line of majestic trees to guide us in.

 Beautiful setting for the winery with a restaurant overlooking the lush lawns where the popular annual Leeuwin Concert Series is held. 

Further up the road was Voyager Estate. Grand entrance with the biggest flag I have seen. It is renowned for its Dutch architecture and rose gardens. You park right beside the vines.

This row was planted in 1978.

Wandered around the garden admiring the roses – lots of bees too. Tried out the ‘flower’ setting on my camera.

Even a bell but we weren’t game to ring it.

Continued down the path.

Lovely building – not going in to try the wines though.

Headed around to the rose garden. A sign advised that the sprinklers came on at 1pm – so I had 5 minutes to walk around.

Next level down was a herb and vegetable garden.

The Globe Artichoke has a beautiful flower. Got the bee in flight.

The bees were enjoying the flowers on the Fennel too.

Strawberries, zucchinis and so much more. At least you know the vegies & herbs are fresh in the restaurant.

Back to Caves Road then up to Prevelly on the coast. Drove up to Gnarabup Lookout for lunch.

The Margaret River mouth is further up the coast under the cliff face.

Walked further around to peer under the point at a cave.

Walked along the Cape to Cape track to the other side of the point looking over more popular surf spots – Grunters, Gas Bay then Boodijidup. Big flat rock ledges out the front of the point. Popular for crayfish by the number of pots out.

The limestone makes lots of great shapes.

Out onto the point.

Another great shape.

Down through the village – home for lost boards!!

Along Surfers Point Road – bit of art on the way.

Fabulous new carpark, toilets, boardwalks and information for this very popular surfing area.

The kite surfers are enjoying the good wind today.

Looking over ‘Bombie’ to Gnarabup Beach, then ‘Southside’ and ‘Surfers Point’.

A shell wall with shells in the concrete.

Took a photo for a couple so they took ours.

More info along the boardwalk.

The next area north towards the river – ‘Main Break’, ‘Fraggle Rock’.

Can just see Margaret River.

More info.

Sadly it doesn’t end well for some.

Around to the mouth of the Margaret River – but it hasn’t broken through at the moment. They like it that way to keep the water in the river during the summer to protect the ecosystem.

Surfing info.

A few surfers were out waiting for the right wave. One guy was impressive doing a 360 on the top of the wave then riding it in doing twists and turns etc.

Walked back up to ‘Fraggle Rock’ viewing spot.

Drove back down to a carpark near a big open park area – well it wasn’t that near as it took me a few minutes to walk in. Left Steve making the cuppas. It is known as Riflebutts and established in 1909 as a rifle range, recreation ground and cemetery – no sign of gravestones here. A sign said no competition sport can be held here due to the potted ground caused by rabbits – we saw a bandicoot run across the road so I reckon most of the damage would be from them too.

Another ‘art’ piece called ‘The Stick’. Big playground and BBQ facilities too. Access to the beach is nearby.

Back along the main road to another Lookout over the area of the mouth of the Margaret River and upstream.

I think this is the ruins of Ellen Bussell’s other home, Walcliffe (built 1866) comparing with the photo I took before at Lakes Cave.

Took a shortcut back to Caves Road via a dirt road – Wilderness Road, lots of bush style homes up here. Passed Terry Drive then spotted Brotherton Place. Must have been the holiday place for Mr Brotherton of Australind!!

Drove down then across to Witchcliffe to get some fuel but it was already closed, only 4pm but it is a Sunday!! Two other cars pulled in for fuel. Old witchy didn’t have much to say but I found somewhere to park my broomstick.

The businesses here have taken on the witch theme, Witchy Pies and the Flying Wardrobe.

Headed back home down Forest Grove Road – the emus were out so stopped for a photo. There was more in the next paddock.

Further along is a huge paddock with a miniature railway, complete with houses and a big station (though only little). Might be an attraction one day or someone just has loves trailsets – he had laid a lot of track.

It has been a lovely day though that cold wind didn’t encourage us to have a swim so the togs go back into the cupboard. Drinks then early dinner so we can go out to the coast for the sunset. 

Unfortunately all that wind has brought in the clouds so the sunset was a fizzer – wanted to try out the sunset mode on the camera.

The stars were out again by 10pm.