Good Friday 6^th April, 2012

In the morning we started to drive to Esperance. First we passed the Stirling Range National Park and stopped at the Bluff Knoll Lookout. There would be a hike to the mountain. We did not hike as the weather was unsure and cold. After we slowly required to refuel. The 3 first petrol stations were closed, it was Good Friday. In Jemarrungup we were lucky and the petrol station was open and it was very busy. We continued with a full tank as we had 300 km to go. To move a bit our legs we made a break in Ravensthorpe. On the last part we saw wide areas with grazing cows or sheeps. Shortly after 4pm we arrived in Esperance and went immediately to the camping. They told us they were booked out, but explained were we could find a site. In Esperance there is a camping which is only used when all others are full. We were lucky and found a place there. I enjoyed the last warm sunbeams as the wind was chilly. In the evening we realized that you can have a fine raclette with Australian cheese.

Thursday 5^th April, 2012

I made a short walk along the Wilson Inlet when the rain stopped for a moment. At the river mouth a couple of pelicans where sitting there. After we continued our journey of discovery. First stop was Swiss Annie's fine Chocolate Lounge. We ordered a hot chocolate and got milk and pieces of chocolate. With a stirrer to we could prepare it by ourselves. The owner asked us where we come from and then told us that his wife is also Swiss. She then joined us and let us test her pralines. She told us how she had came here and that she is glad that it is finally raining. We learnt that there are a few Swiss living in the region of Denmark. Then we went to the William Bay National Park. Here we first watched the Green Pool. The sea is separated through rocks and it looks like a pool. We could observe a kite surfer. Then we walked to Elephant Cove were the sea water flows through an opening in the rocks. Then we drove past Albany into the Torndirrup National Park. We just started to walk to the Natural Bridge when we turn back as it started to rain heavily and we had not put on the waterproof clothes. After the lunch break and with less rain and waterproof clothes we went to see rock formations. The sea was heavy and hit the rocks strongly. That was interesting to watch. We were soaking wet as we were back. It was colder than in the last few days. Then we drove to the blow holes. From 33m distance we tried to see if the spray came from the blow holes or from the surf. It was not distinguishable. We continued to a lookout and looked over to Albany. Shortly after we were in Albany. The town has some charm due to the old buildings. First we bought food, but we were not the only ones. As I wanted to do some sightseeing we departed so I could peacefully watch the old buildings and churches. After we decided to to stay in the proximity. We drove to a camping and paid the Easter tariff of 43 dollars!

Wednesday 4^th April, 2012

The rain was the most faithful company we had today. At times weaker, at times stronger, sometimes a break and then of another time the full programme. Due to the bad weather we saw a few emus and kangaroos on the pastures at the side of the road. We wanted to visit a waterfall at Beedelup National Park. The path led over a suspension bridge from where we did not see any waterfall. Despite all the rain only a little water dropped over the rocks. After this short walk we drove to Gloucester National Park. Here we visited the Gloucester Tree, which is 72 m tall and the worlds tallest fire lookout tree. The platform was used until 1952 and in this area 8 other karri trees where also mounted like that. On a kind of spiral stairs with metal sticks we could have climbed up, but due to the rain it was too dangerous. Armed with rainproof clothes we dared out of the camper and walked a 800 m path to watch karri trees. The karris are a sort of eucalyptus which is only growing in western and south-western Australia. As there is a chain of National Parks in this region we were driving for hours through many karri forests. Our next destination was the Valley of the Giants. Here there are tingle trees, another kind of eucalyptus which can get up to 400 years old. The trees can get 60 m tall and may have a circumference of 16 m. In the trees there is a suspension bridge construction so we could watch the trees from above. The highest point was at 40 m. Then we walked a path leading to old and partially hollow trees. I was impressed how tall and wide the trees can get. As it got soon evening we drove to Denmark and stayed at the water. Next to our camper the Denmark River flows into the Wilson Inlet.

Tuesday 3^rd April, 2012

In the morning we visited the dolphin research center in Bunbury. Here we could watch to films about dolphins, but unfortunately no dolphin could be observed in the bay. So we decided to continue driving southwards. In Brusseltown is an old quay going 2 km out into the sea. At the end you can go below the water, but it was closed due to the heavy waves. So we drove to Cape Naturaliste and made a short hike around the light house. I was still taking pictures as Dominik went back to the camper and met a big kangaroo. Unfortunately it disappeared until I arrived. Our trip led us throut the Leewin-Naturaliste National Park. Here there are many flowstone caves. Some of them were only discovered after a bushfire. The biggest one open for visitors is Ngilgi Cave. First there was a short introduction about the cave and after we could wander around by ourselves. There are many flowstones in different sizes. After we decided to to visit any other caves as this one must have been the most beautiful. Back on the main road we stopped at a labyrith. It was was funny, but unfortunately we did not know that there were also doors. But until the end we found all paths. After we drove until Augusta, the most south-western town of Australia. The town seamed to be very small and thus we drove back to Margaret River. In the last few years the region around Margaret River made a name for good Australian wine. We saw many wines during the drive.

Monday 2^nd April, 2012

After the final common breakfast Sandra accompanied us to Auto Barn. Here Dominik rented the a camper. The instructions were much extensive and kinder than with Apollo. After we drove to the hostel to get our luggage. So we could start towards the south. First we drove to Rockingham. Here it rained so we just went shopping and continued. In Mandurah we went to the tourist information to learn what we could visit. There was nothing we found interest in so we continued driving. At Lake Clifton we stopped to see the thrombolites. This are algae and bacterias which grow together a kind of rock (living rocks). Unfortunately it started also to rain and so we fast returned to the camper. Then we followed a scenic road to Bunbury and looked there for a camping. As it was only before 5pm we walked a bit along the beach and did some sightseeing in the town. We hope that we weather will improve and that it will not rain all the time.