Thurs, 26th Jan, 2017 Cosy Corner East Campground, west of Albany, WA (Shelley Beach and South Point of WA)

Australia Day and it looks like it is going to beautiful. Much warmer last night though we still had to close up before bed. Summer has arrived (Perth forecast is for 40 degrees) as it was 21 degrees when we got up at 7am. By 9am it had climbed to 29 so will be a great day for a swim as there is no wind.

I prepared a lamb stew in the Ecopot – very Australian!! Packed some sausages and onion and went to the Café/Shop to get some bread but they don’t have the shop anymore. Headed down Torbay Road to a lookout over Torbay (I first wrote it as Torbay Bay then realised it is only Torbay).

Looking down on Richard Island.

Back a bit we turned down a steep drive to the beach opposite Migo Island. Lots of people parked up on the beach for a day in the sun.

The water is so clear.

Wandered along the water’s edge till we hit the rocks. Can’t see anyone fishing. 

Back up on the ridge we continued along the road till we hit a 4WD only sign down to Forsyth Bluff and Dingo Beach. No view here so decided to keep going to Shelley Beach.

Down Shelley Beach Road into West Cape Howe National Park (another pay to enter NP). Through Karri Forest.

As we headed towards the beach we turned and climbed up to the lookout where we spotted some hang gliders hugging the hills.

Fabulous view down over Shelley Beach.

Cute little lizard.

View back over drive and Torbay.

The hang gliding departure ramp at the lookout.

We will try and get down to the most southerly point of WA which is around that point past Dunsky Beach. There is a track down to the beach too.

The kids are having a ball riding their boards on the creek water flowing into the ocean.

Very hazy in the distance due to all the sea spray.

Headed down the narrow road – sign saying ‘no vans’. View over another little beach – hang glider still gliding.

Down to the beach where the Camp Host introduced himself. We chatted about the track to the south point – he said ok but the one to Dunsky Beach is overgrown and might scratch up the truck. He has been catching herring here which we aren’t interested in. Made a cuppa and sat on the fence enjoying the perfect weather.

Back up the road to the turn off onto the 4WD track. While Steve let some air out of the tyres I chatted with some guys just coming out. They had caught some tailor and silver bream which we would like.

Through the low scrub and a lot of very soft sand though there was a lot of conveyor belts to provide grip. On top of a hill gave us a great view down to the point of West Cape Howe. There are three points – this one is the westerly one and Torbay Head is the most easterly. Looking at our map I think Torbay Head is the most southerly one.

Wound our way down to West Cape Howe Point. 

  

Great view of the cliffs. 

Long way down.

Walked further along to some big flat rocks which made a great seat to get close to the edge safely.

I spotted a seal frolicking in the water below us. I even got him on video.

Looking back to our truck and view up the coast to the west.

Our track to here.

Steve found a track that he thought would take us to the end of West Cape Howe Point. It did but then we were in higher trees so couldn’t see and the track further was overgrown. This will do us for the most southerly point of WA.

Back up the track a bit then to the east down Dunskys Road. The chap was right as the track is no too good and got harder as we went further. Stopped at a 3 track intersection and decided to turn around.

Zoomed in on the track heading to Torbay Head.

Back along the track to another turn off that had a sign ‘Seasonal Closure’ – better track though it was slowly going down to another bay on the other side of Torbay Head.

Walked further down for a good view.

Got my smart phone out and opened up Wikicamps – the blue spot showing where we are. Should have had it out before.

Back tracked then turned to the west down Golden Road. Much wider though it was straight down.

Turned around in the ‘carpark’ so we could make some lunch. The black sand is very hot. A chap was sitting in his car watching the waves hoping for a surf. He said the waves were too straight so he just went down for a swim instead.

Nice view.

Pulled out our awning – first time since we left home!! Cooked up our sausages and onion for our Aussie lunch and we only had cheese to go with it since we didn’t get any bread. Oh well – still was tasty.

The chap left so we put our togs on and got our fishing rods and headed down the track. The guy said it was ok but he didn’t say we had to clamber down a big boulder to the beach. I went down on my bum as I can’t handle that sort of thing though Steve handles that so well. Doesn’t look that bad in the photo but believe me!!

Fresh water was flowing out of the hillside and onto the beach.

Steve headed back to get the fishing rods ready.

I walked further along the beach which was full of big boulders. Some made a great shelter.

What a perfect spot to spend Australia Day.

We caught one fish each but nothing worth keeping. Steve found another way up the hillside – not over the big rock but straight up the dirt which wasn’t much better for me!! Back along the 4WD track with only meeting one 4WD near the end. Back to Shelley Beach for a swim and cuppa. Mum had tried to ring to make sure we weren’t near the fires in WA. I rang her back saying we were fine and having a perfect day.

Down for a swim which was cool but very refreshing after standing in the sun fishing. Steve went in first so I could photograph our swim in the Southern Ocean. 

After a while he got out to get a photo of me.

Washed off using the truck’s shower then Steve pumped up the tyres while I made a cuppa. Headed back to our campground but turned off before it onto the 4WD section across to Torbay Inlet campground. Nearly got bogged in a very sandy intersection as the tyres were full again!! Only a small campground with the sites tucked into the trees. We could get the van into a couple of them but I like our spot better.

Walked down to the water where there used to be a bridge. No info about it. Looking up the inlet then down towards the ocean.

Nice paperbarks.

Walked through the camp site and along the track. Ended up walking a long way till we reached the end of the inlet where it can’t get out to the ocean. Lots of people enjoying Australia Day.

The water in the inlet is tannin-stained but that doesn’t worry anybody.

Continued to the end – the sand is cool here. Needs a lot of water to get over the sand to the ocean.

Down to the ocean edge – looking around to Shelter Island.

Then back along Perkins Beach. Around the point to our beach.

Looking back past Forsyth Bluff then to Torbay Head in the distance.

Back to the van for drinks outside as it is still lovely and warm. Rang Mum and Dad for a longer chat.

Started to cool off as we had our lamb stew then sticky date pudding & icecream. Good finish to our Australia Day. Still had to close the windows for the night.