Out West Day 18, 19,20

 Day 18

Diary dated 22 October 2017

We packed up and left the Caravan Park at Albany around 9  am after a great couple of days here.  The weather is still overcast and drizzling but we are ok in the car.  My knee is feeling a bit better but I will keep the knee strap on for a few more days and will take another anti-inflammatory, but I have to be careful of taking them as I have an auto immune disease.  

Almost ready to leave Albany caravan park

Our next stop was at Valley of the Giants and we wanted to do the Tree Top Walk so I was a little concerned if I would make it but didn't want to miss this walk. When we got to the Check In office, they told me that wheelchairs were available so I couldn't say no, and off we went.  Ron managed to push me all the way along the boardwalk but think he was pretty tired afterwards but he didn't complain, he is so good to me, but I didn't complain either because if he let go of the chair it was a long way down.!

Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk

The Valley of the Giants Tree Top walk is near Denmark in WA

The Tree Top Walk is famous for its elevated walkway that extends 40 metres high into the canopy of the ancient Tingle forest.  The Valley of the Giants is in the Walpole Wilderness which is 400 km from Perth, East of Margaret River and west of Albany near the hamlet of Nornalup.

We left the Tree Top Walk and had lunch in our van but it continued to rain so instead of staying off grid we decided to go to Manjimup and stay in the caravan park and got a drive-through site which was good considering it was still raining..

Day 19

The weather is still overcast and we packed up and left the caravan park and drove out to see the King Jarrah Tree near historic town of Dingup.  We had a nice drive around this beautiful area and found many historic buildings, then had lunch at the bakery.

We drove onto Pemberton and booked into the caravan park which was a great spot although it was still raining a bit we were happy to relax in the van.   We had arranged to meet our friends who live in Perth so I rang them and they were on their way so we now have a definite plan and timeframe.

This little family of ducks near our van

A friendly Kookaburra near the van

Day 20

We set off for the Pemberton Tramway to do a 2 hr train trip which was really enjoyable and I didn't have to walk much so my knee got a good rest.

The Premberton tourist tramcar

Ready, set, go!

The train stopped halfway so Ron explored the forest

 The Warren River Bridge, known for being the longest curved timber trestle bridge in Western Australia. 

After our great tram ride through the forests & over bridges with great scenery, we got back to Pemberton and headed off to our next overnight stop.  We found a designated roadside stop at Jarra Picnic Rest area and another van was already parked up so we stayed there and put the kettle on for a cuppa and after a chat with the new neighbours who had been travelling in South Australia and were on their way home and gave us some information about some of the places we planned to visit.  We decided to stay the night as it was fairly quiet.

Overnight at Jarrah Picnic Rest Area

Our next stop was Bridgetown, a lovely town with some interesting shops and window displays.

Display outside a shop

Bridgetown Hotel

Interesting sign!

Totem poles in Western Australia is different

These totem poles were so unexpected but beautiful.

Nannup totem poles

A series of eight 7m high wood carved totem poles. The totems were carved from jarrah trees. The totems include fauna and flora of the region.