Sat, 15th Feb, 2025 Memorial Park RV Stop, Boddington to Blythwood Rest Area, south of Pinjarra, WA (Boddington & Dwellingup)

15.7 degrees min, clear sky and light breeze.

After breakfast we went for a wander to find the other ‘artworks’ created by the resident artist, Len Zuks. First were a couple of murals near the open air stage near the old school and then Len’s work on the back wall.

Not sure about this one near some older creations.

This one is better.

Down past the old school to the wise old owl and some other pieces beside the building.

Past another amazing playground in Hotham Park.

Beautiful mosaic.

Across the road was an Emu made from chains by another artist.

A bit of history about the Town Hall and another art work by Len beside it.

A rose garden outside celebrates the pioneer women.

A big crab (no sign on this one) near the old Road Board office. A lady came out to chat - she prints a local paper here.

Some ‘birds’ sitting on telegraph poles.

A sculpture from a different artist.

This was here last visit.

New mural on the toilet block.

Good sculpture of famer and tractor.

Walked along past the caravan park to the entrance to the Rodeo Grounds. Another great chain creation. A lady came past and said people get up on it for a photo - good handlebars to hold onto. We decided it was safer to stay on the ground.

Found another artist’s work. Big tower in the background is behind the Police station. Looks more like a fire tower which would be needed around here with a lot of native and planted forests.

Back to the main road to meet the Knight, another of Len Zuks. The style is similar to the hawker one in Wandering (there was no mention of the artist on that one).

A couple more of Len’s sculptures.

A bin with the pictures of Tullis Bridge. Will try and find that later.

The Hotel has a lovely big tree out the front. The old bakery across the road.

A young artist’s work - very good.

This would certainly clear the ground when dragged along.

More murals on another toilet block.

I thought this was a display of dynamite going off but it is showing the different minerals found around here.

Across the road was a magnificent mural completed last year.

Headed back to the RV Park and found a new addition to the Big collection - a Rooster.

Beside it was a lovely portrait in memory of Bozo the Clown who entertained everyone at many rodeos over the years.

Through the Memorial Park - new sculpture here too.

Back to the camper for a cuppa then we packed up. Looked up Wikicamps to see how to get to Tullis Bridge (a timber trestle railway bridge building in 1912) - not very distant roads but the map on the Info Board pointed this way. We headed to Farmer Avenue which runs beside the old rail line but it didn’t continue to the river. No signs here either. Looked up Google maps and it said to turn off onto a side road so we followed that through sheep and forests to a sign for the bridge. Unfortunately the bauxite mine has taken over the hill and road so we can’t go any further. Back towards town where we noticed some emu sculptures then realised it was Len’s place. He had lots of bits about and a big plane in the middle of the yard. Might be a self-portrait.

Stopped at the dump point so I left Steve to do the job while I walked across a park to a big Scorpion.

I saw there is another road out near the gold mine to the bridge so we headed back through town to try that out. Across the bridge then around to Gold Mine Road. Passed the mine village - lots of demountables and vehicles here. Continued on about 5km to the mine site entrance then we turned left onto Siding Road (that’s a good sign though no mention of the bridge). Followed the gravel road - mine land on the right and some forest then farm land on the left. A flock of sheep took off when they heard us creating a heap of dust behind them. The bauxite mine area we couldn’t get through is on the other side of that hill.

At last we found the Hotham River where a pumping station etc was located. We parked then followed a foot track down to the river and under the bridge. Doesn’t look like the ‘bin’ photos anymore - the supports have fallen away. A fabulous bridge any case when you think of when it was built.

We walked back then up onto the old track - looking across the top. The track continues through the bush here.

Followed another road track down to the water. Nice spot for a picnic.

Back to the truck and headed back. We could see a tailings ‘mountain’ of the gold mine and Steve said, “look a new mountain - that’s why the company is called Newmount” - lame, I know. Back out to the main road heading back to Boddington. As we neared bridge I could see parts of the river below us - looks like a stream of water. Across the bridge - looking back towards the stream. The main pool is to the right.

Tooted bye again to the others still relaxing in the shade of the trees. Back through town to head to Dwellingup. Just got a photo of the ‘helicopter’ in the paddock through Steve’s window then the entrance sign.

Passed the turn off into the information bay for the Bauxite mine which I think we looked at previously.

Across the Hotham River again - only a narrow water channel here with lots of paperbarks. Through farmland then into state forests. Having fun working out which towns people are from by looking at their number plates. MH for Mandurah, WL for Williams etc.

Into Dwellingup and parked near the railway line and the Information Centre which is also the Trails Centre. We explored here with Bob & Margaret end of Dec 2017. Had lunch then I heard the tourist train whistle so went to the tracks to look for it - just coming into the station.

Walked over to a sculpture at the entrance - The Sleepercutter.

Into the Info Centre - when we were here last I think the history was in old forestry buildings which have been replaced with this new centre. A small history display compared to what we say back in 2017. Now there is an 85 year old truck, saws and a few photos from the 1961 bushfire.

There was a display for the Alcoa Bauxite Mine. Some don’t believe the mine’s rehabilitation is working.

The rest of the building was for the bike trails and a cafe. Outside is the ‘Window into the Forest’ sculpture and information about the trails.

Around to the railway station and the diesel engine - fire ban now so no steam engines allowed. Walked across the line - spotted the steam engine.

Mr Emu beckoned for us to head to the Forest Discovery Centre - hope it’s not that far that we need a backpack!

It is also a art gallery.

Up the road then we followed the track through the trees. Looks like a fire went through here recently.

Found the buildings, up a ramp and inside to watch our donation travel down the emu.

Chatted with the lady and wandered around checking out the exhibits and items for sale. Into another room for information about the forest, 1961 fire etc. Lots of read so just took a few photos.

Outside to do the walks. Bet the guy in the sawpit didn’t get any extra pay!

Up the stairs of the treetop platforms. A bit of info and tree tops!

Back into the centre, thanked the lady and headed back along the track. There had been some old wooden carvings along the way - looking worst for wear but this seahorse one wasn’t too bad.

Some banksia flowers.

Back to the truck then passed the area where the woodchopping occurs to check out a big log and a ‘jinker’ used to transport the logs. My grandfather saved a big Kauri in Millaa but it has since died so they brought it into town to display and named the little street to it, Brotherton Close.

Back to the truck, no wind and it has warmed up a lot. We headed down the Darling Scarp to Pinjarra. Pulled into the RV Stop we have stayed at before but it was full up and overflowing! I asked a couple what’s happening and they said the races were on and there is a big music event at the hotel. I looked at my map and there is a rest area down the highway near the old Blythwood homestead so we went to check it out.

It is off the road so we pulled in under a tree for the afternoon - big trees on the otherside between us and the highway so that will stop the afternoon sun too. Farmland on the other side.

We had a cuppa looking into what vehicles we can hire for our NZ trip next year and checking out the map I got with the info booklet.

Heard some noise outside and saw the ‘locals’ were wandering by.

David texted about one of the Wiemers family members so I rang back and we had a long chat about things.

4pm up to 34 degrees but a breeze has started up from the west which is cool so won’t stay hot for long.

Another van pulled in ahead of us - a few cars stopped then went again. The highway is busy but they whiz by quickly so it isn’t too noisy. Would be much noisier at the RV Stop tonight.