Parry Beach

Day 48 - Parry Beach

Parry Beach

Thursday, 7 March 2013
Slept in this morning - woke up at 7.30am. probably because of trees making it dark. Took Tuka for a walk and then had breakfast.

Talking to Mal later in the morning about places to free camp. He lent me a free camp book for SW WA and maps. He then invited Tuka and I for lunch at a winery. Lunch with Mal and Liz at Picnic in the Paddock Cafe at the Whitfield Estate Winery at Scotsdale was very enjoyable. First we ordered (Free-range chicken, leek, bacon and chardonnay pie for me) and then we sampled the wine. Then we had our meals and a bottle of the Whitfield Estate 2012 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc and talked to another couple that were there. As the alfresco area of the cafe area is dog-friendly for well-behaved quiet dogs on leads, Tuka was allowed to sit outside with us. Later Kelly, our host, brought her dog, a 60kg Bernese Mountain Dog, to see Tuka. After coffee and tea we headed back to camp.

After we came back I had a look through Mal and Liz's Ultimate Camper. Nice setup for 4WD camping with plenty of room.

Late in the afternoon Tuka and I went for a swim at the each. A bit cool in the water but then I had a warm shower to warm up.

Lot more campers arrived in the afternoon. One of them, Sebastion and Christine, a young German couple are on the last part of their trip around Australia.

	Campsite, Parry Beach [Map]		Parry Beach Camping Ground [Map]
	Chicken Pie at the Picnic in the Paddock Cafe [Map]

Denmark to Parry Beach

Day 47 - Denmark to Parry Beach

Denmark, William Bay National Park, Parry Beach

Wednesday, 6 March 2013
Woke up in the middle of night to the sound of rain hitting the van and awning. Checked that Tuka was dry. Small showers on and off when I got up at 6.30am but was able to pack up in the dry periods. Took Tuka for a walk to Wilson Inlet.

later drove into town to the large Super IGA store I was told about and bought some fruit and vegies. Then drove out of town flanked on either side of the road by karri trees. It felt unusual to have large trees by the side of the road as I have gotten used to the arid areas. Definitely a lot more greener here than SA.

Went into the William Bay National Park and looked at the Elephant Rocks and the Greens Pool. The "famous turquoise waters" of the Greens Pool were hidden today by the overcast day. Still a beautiful area. I had planned to go snorkelling but didn't because of the wind, rain and clouds. The Elephant Rocks are around the corner from Greens Pool and are "Denmarks most iconic attraction". Large elephant shaped boulders rest in the shallow waters of the small cove.

Visited the "The Toffee Factory & a bit on the side" and the "Elephant Rock Cider Company". Both are located in the same building. Sampled most of the range of ciders and bought a mixed six pack of cider for Michael's birthday. Also bought some Apricot & Macadamia Nut Jam for me. Said hello to the little pet pig as I was leaving.

Drove on to Parry Beach, a "favourite camping spot for locals and visitors alike". The camp is owned by Council but entirely run by volunteers. The camping is in amongst the trees so plenty of shade but the dreaded mineral sands blacken the feet. Facilities include solar hot water showers and toilets.
Talked to some of the volunteers and campers (including one couple from Wollongong). Had a long talk to my nearby campers, Mal and Liz, from Perth.

	Campsite, Denmark [Map]		Pelicans and black swans on Wilson Inlet [Map]
	Greens Pool [Map]		Elephant Rock [Map]
	Elephant Rock [Map]		Elephant Rock [Map]
	Elephant Rocks [Map]		Elephant Rock Cider Company (with pig) [Map]
	Tuka at Parry Beach [Map]

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Torbay Inlet to Denmark

Day 46 - Torbay Inlet to Denmark

Torbay Inlet, Denmark

Tuesday, 5 March 2013
Up at 6.15am and had breakfast. Packed up the van. Went for a walk with Tuka and said our godbyes and on the road 7.45. Drove past pastures with cows and sheep.

Stopped at the Denmark Wetlands and walked on the boardwalk and observed the birds and plants. Arrived at Denmark and had a look around. Did some shopping, visited the Environment Centre and bought a guide to identifying Australian mammals. Denmark is a nice small town with a bit of a laid back, alternative lifestyle feel about it.

Booked into the River Mouth Caravan Park which appropriately enough is located at the mouth of the Denmark River and Wilson Inlet. Did washing, had lunch and took Tuka for a walk. I then borrowed one of the Park's sit-on-top kayaks (they are free to use for guests) and paddled down to the Denmark town centre. Afterwards took Tuka for another walk and a swim in the river. Talked to some of the other campers.

	Being watched by a cow [Map]		Denmark Wetlands [Map]
	Denmark River [Map]		Park and highway bridge at Denmark [Map]

Torbay Inlet

Day 45 - Torbay Inlet

Torbay Inlet

Monday, 4 March 2013
Woke up early, Tuka and I had breakfast and then we went for walk and Tuka had a swim. Talked to one of the campers in a tent near the inlet. He told me that he feeds a bandicoot each morning.

As it was sunny and calm at 8.30am I decided to go for a kayak and explore more of Unndiup Creek that flows into the inlet. The bank vegetation along the creek varies from sedges and melaleucas to sedges and eucalypts to cleared farming land. As I came around each bend of the inlet I would here fast paddling in the water and ducks would take off. Then there would be the heavy beating of wings as the cormorants took off from their branches. At one stage there were 30 ducks flying over me.

The creek narrowed and expanded but I didn't see the branch to the eastern inlet so I just kept kayaking upstream. At times I could see a house in amongst the bush with its private jetty and boat ramp. Met a group of five kayakers paddling towards the inlet. They had launched in the creek south of Elleker. Continued upstream for another half hour and then decided to come back as the weather was changing with a buildup of storm clouds. On the way back came upon ten yellow-billed spoonbills roosting in the eucalypts. Then another fifteen landed amongst them. Of course by the time I paddled underneath them they all decided to take off and go somewhere else.

As I was returning the wind increased and was against me. At one stage it was so strong that if stopped paddling I was going backwards. Managed to get back to camp and said hello to Tuka. I had been out kayaking for two and a half hours.

In the afternoon I went for a walk to the beach and then along some of the 4wd tracks through the bush. Saw a few flowering plants that I had not seen in the bush in eastern Australia. Later identified one as a Coastal Woollybush.

Later on I took Tuka for a walk and he went for a swim in the inlet. As it is predominantly fresh water Tuka had a drink as well.

	NW Tobray Inlet (West) (Sedges, Melaleucas, Eucaly [Map]		Inlet [Map]
	Tree lined Unndiup Creek [Map]		Spoon bills in trees [Map]
	Coastal Woollybush (Adenanthos sericeus) [Map]		Campsite [Map]

Torbay Inlet

Day 44 - Torbay Inlet

Torbay Inlet

Sunday, 3 March 2013
Rained again last night and overcast morning.

Tuka and went for a walk in the bush and then onto the beach. As we came around a bend and there was black snake crossing the track. Later in the distance I saw a bandicoot race across the track. Plenty of grass trees (Xyannthorea sp.), Kangaroo Paws, banksias and a few species that I never seen before. Plenty of birds including magpies, ravens, honeyeaters and Western Spinebill.

Peace and quiet today and yesterday disturbed by unregisterd motorbikes racing up and down the beach. Trouble with weekends is that the people aren't working :).

After lunch Tuka and I went for a swim in the inlet. Afterwards I went out in the kayak and paddled up to the other end of the inlet. It was shallow (less than a metre deep) and consequently had a lot of herons, egrets and ibises feeding (about 30). It was very quiet as because of the depth there were no motor boats. I was the only person on the water.

	Southern part of Tobray Inlet (West) [Map]		Unknown plant [Map]

Torbay Inlet

Day 43 - Torbay Inlet

Torbay Inlet

Saturday, 2 March 2013
Woke up to the sound of rain on the van. Tuka slept outside but under the awning so he did't get wet.
Put the kayak together in the morning and went for a paddle on the inlet. Much larger than Initial impression and a lot of birdlife. I saw pelicans, gulls, egrets, herons, ducks, . The inlet is very peaceful and much of its banks are covered in Melaleuca and reeds. It rained on the way back but still warm.

After lunch Tuka and I went for a walk to the beach. Surf too rough for either of us to have a swim. On the way back met a couple that asked about Tuka. The lady said her son was a vet in Perth that operated successfully on hips of large dogs. I got the details and will look him up when I am in Perth.

Back at the van I got the kayak and went for a paddle for a couple of hours. Paddled up the inlet and then into the creek (Unndiup Creek) that joins Torbay Inlet (west) with Torbay Inlet (East) and flows from up near Elleker. At one stage saw about fifty ducks take off in front of me.

Back at camp took Tuka for a walk and talked to some of the other campers most of whom have been here for weeks.

	Beach [Map]		Kayak at beach end of inlet [Map]
	Melaleucas [Map]

Millers Point to Torbay Inlet

Day 42 - Millers Point to Torbay Inlet

Millers Point, Albany, Mount Melville, Torbay Inlet

Friday, 1 March 2013
Millers Point was a nice spot in the morning without the wind. Cormorants, terns, herons, pelicans, black swans, seagulls and sooty oystercatchers were either on the shore or on the lake. Very peaceful except for the March flies. By the time we left at 8am the wind had started again.

Drove onto Albany. Parked in the CBD and had walk around with Tuka. Nice place but busy and hard to find a parking place. Afterwards drove up to Mt. Melville lookout. Climbed up the tower and took some photographs.

Left Albany and drove past farmlands with cows and woodlands for ?? km to Cosy Corner Beach. The camping ground was full so drove back to Torbay Inlet near Perkins Beach.
Talked to one of the campers then set up camp. Camp site is in the shade and sandy. The sand is the grey mineral sand? Had a couple of beers and then Tuka and I had swim in the inlet. Tuka swam out half way across chasing me. I had to come back as his swimming is not good because of his back legs.

Talked to the camper next door. Later on we walked up to the beach about a 5 minute walk (ten minutes with Tuka). Clean white sand and a wide beach. The inlet doesn't drain into the sea at present so it is like a lake next to the beach.

	Earl of Spencer Inn, Albury [Map]		Albury CBD, industrial area and harbour [Map]
	Torbay Inlet [Map]		Kayak and Inlet [Map]