We’re in Albany for a few nights staying at a place called Chalets on FrenchMan. Lots of local native birds flying around the grounds. We visited another of the beautiful beaches but the wind was blowing a gale from the south so we didn’t stay long.
Late in the day a helicopter arrived to drop off some people who were staying here.
Today we drove along the coast to Albany, staying in a beautiful chalet on the edge of town. At the back is the Bibbulmun Track which starts in Albany and wends its way along the coast to Perth. We walked about 100 metres of it past the bay that lies beyond where our chalets are.
Today we drove east ro Wylie Bay then Cape Le Grand, stopping at Lucky Bay, a stunningly white beach with bright blue water, surrounded by smooth rock hills.
Today we visited a local glass artist, Cindy Poole working with kiln-fired glasswork. Her work is also included in the Whale Tail sculpture on the Esplanade at Esperance.
Today we head south to Esperance past a number of gold mines. Around 5.5 million ounces of gold have been mined around Norseman in the past 90 years. Esperance has beautiful white sand beaches with turquoise waters. It is a major deep sea port for exports of both grain, iron ore and other minerals.
Part of a display of pottery produced by local students and potters
from the local art collective.
A longish drive today from the SA/WA border to Norseman. Little to see on the way apart from untouched bushland, short bushes and the roadhouses every 100km or so. I did have to take a photo of the Big Kangaroo though, to go with the big windmill.
A long unwinding road to the WA border. 4.45 suddenly becomes 2.30. On the way we stopped at Penong to see Australia’s biggest windmill and its windmill museum, we drove along the lower section of the Nullarbor, and yes there was not a tree in sight, then just off the road was a Great Australian Bight viewing platform. The sea was the most beautiful blue and the sand hills were pure white.
Only 500km today, stopping at a few places along the road. Kimba claims to be the halfway mark between Sydney and Perth and features a makers centre with local crafts produced by local artists, both professional and amateur. It was set up in 2019 after the local mechanic closed down his business, making use of his large shed to create a community enterprise. Kimba also boasts a beautiful pice of silo art and a Big Galah.
First to Hahndorf for coffee and bienenstich (beesting cake), a local specialty.
Then on to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens to see an exhibition of glass art by Dale Chihuly, an American artist.
Today was a rest day in preparation for the long drive west. A short drive down along the Coorong, some beautiful native plants and the view across the water. We did also make a visit to a couple of local tourist attractions.
Today we set out on the long trip to Perth; 19 days altogether with a few extended stops on the way. First stop: Meningie, at the top of the Coorong in SA. Home to countless Pelicans and a bit over 1000 people.
One Petrol station two bottle shops and a pub as well as an area school.
