South West Western Australia

By World Wild Places

May 30^th, 2018

Margaret River

South of Perth is Margaret River Area. The climate is more wet and cold here, there are a lot of small farms and vineries. It is the tourist center of Western Australia. While the main attractions are vine tasting and surfing, there are also caves, tall Karri Forrest.

Fish Skeleton at the beach near Cape Leeuwin

Sunrise over Gracetown

Karri Forest

The unique Karri Forest of South West Western Australia is one of the tallest in the world. Karri trees can grow up to 90 m (290 ft) height, and red tingle trees could be up to 24 m (78 ft) wide. There are 3 trees that you can climb to the lookout platform in Gloucester National Park: Gloucester Tree (72m), Diamond Tree (52m) and Bicentennial Tree (75m).

24m wide Giant Tingle Tree in Walpole-Nornalup National Park

Giant karri tree at the entrance to a cave in Margaret River area

William and Peaceful Bays near the town of Denmark

Mount Frankland

Surrounding by karri forest 411 m tall Mount Frankland provide expensive views of Walpole Wilderness in all directions.

Paperbark trees at Goblin Swamp in Greater National Park

Waychinicup River

At Waychinicup river I did some effort scrambling around the inlet for the views. At first, I stumbled upon a big python, and later into another snake that was sitting in a crag of the rock I was scrambling on. The third was finally successful and I get this view:

Albany

Albany is the oldest town in Western Australia, founded in 1826. It sits in a beautiful harbor with massive granite headlands and beaches. The are a lot of amazing areas along the coast with the most striking features been the Gap and Natural Bridge in Torndirrup National Park. The hike 12.5 km return walk to the Bald Head is one of the most scenic trails in Western Australia.

Southern Heath Monitor at Bald Head track on Flinders Peninsula

The Gap platform in Torndirrup National Park

The track to the Bald Head

Porongurup Range

North of Albany there are Porongurup and Stirling ranges. Porongurup Range consists of granite peaks levelled into domes. there are a few short trails with rewarding views and amazing biodiversity.