Day 33: Sat 20 Apr 24 - Walpole

Sat 20 Apr 24 - Walpole

16 Deg, clear and sunny and almost no wind all day reaching 30 Deg. Today was the most spectacular weather since leaving home (although don't mention it to the locals - they desperately want rain).

We woke a little tired after such a big day yesterday, but I quickly came good after a short morning walk and strong coffee on return. We did some minor chores, washing and cleaning, before leaving at 09:30 to drive the 5.5km into Walpole to the Jetty. The purpose, was a 2.5 hour WOW Wilderness EcoCruise into the heart of the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park which we booked a few days ago. Before boarding our cruise, everyone was required to clean their footwear at a cleaning station to prevent the spread of Dieback which is having a devastating effect on the WA bushland. Read more about it here: Dieback Hygiene

Shedding light on what we saw today was our amazing guide, Gary Muir, a 7th generation member of the Muir family who have lived in the area since it was settled by Europeans.  As a proud Walpolian, Gary Says: Walpole is the belly button of the world; North Pole, South Pole, and WALPOLE in the middle!

There is nothing about the area's history that Gary doesn't know. He previously worked as an environment and conservation officer, giving him a good background to the natural history of the area. Gary has a very unique and energetic way of telling interesting stories about Walpole, its history, and the biology of the river eco system. After we crossed the Inlets, we stepped of the boat for a walk along a narrow sandy bush path over the headland onto another spectacular WA Beach. This beach however is only accessible by boat. It felt very special.

Our 2.5 hour tour lasted about 2.75 hours, and we both thoroughly enjoyed the morning. Check it out: WOW Wilderness Tour. We arrived back at the caravan shortly after 1:00pm, had a light lunch then spent some time planning and making bookings for the the next few weeks. We  underestimated the demand on caravan parks given the unseasonal warm weather, and ANZAC day falling on Thursday next week which people will use to turn into a long weekend by taking Friday off work. We eventually locked in a plan and bookings that will take us to the 7th of May after a five day stay at Rockingham. 

The afternoon soon disappeared after another short stroll to the jetty with Noel to try and spot  resident Albino Stingray (unsuccessfully), and chatting with a few of our neighbours. We had some added, although unwanted excitement, of watching a very loud, drunk and rude group of ferals get evicted from the caravan park. They were drunk and loud when we arrived yesterday, very quiet overnight, but drunk and loud again by the time we returned from our ecocruise just after midday. We felt saddest for the young children in their care. Dinner tonight was a very enjoyable Fettucine Marinara for me and Fettucine with a tomato and basil sauce for Noeleene. The seafood purchased at the small supermarket in Walpole on the way home from the cruise was superb. Tomorrow, we leave for Bridgetown, although I would be happy to stay a few more days to explore some of the local walking trails. Walpole is a beautiful area. 

Sunrise at the Rest Point Caravan Park Jetty

Sunrise at the Rest Point Caravan Park Jetty

Sunrise at the Rest Point Caravan Park Jetty

Foreshore at the Rest Point Caravan Park

One of 2 Jetties in Walpole

Walpole Jetties

Dieback Cleaning Station

Dieback Cleaning Station before boarding the boat

WOW Wilderness EcoCruise

Our enthusiastic and very knowledgeable guide - Gazza

Our enthusiastic and very knowledgeable guide - Gazza

Our enthusiastic and very knowledgeable guide - Gazza

WOW Wilderness EcoCruise - Stepping ashore

WOW Wilderness EcoCruise - Stepping ashore

WOW Wilderness EcoCruise - Stepping ashore

WOW Wilderness EcoCruise - Stepping ashore

WOW Wilderness EcoCruise - Stepping ashore

WOW Wilderness EcoCruise - Stepping ashore

WOW Wilderness EcoCruise - Stepping ashore

WOW Wilderness EcoCruise - Stepping ashore

WOW Wilderness EcoCruise - Stepping ashore

WOW Wilderness EcoCruise - Stepping ashore

WOW Wilderness EcoCruise - Stepping ashore

WOW Wilderness EcoCruise - Stepping ashore

WOW Wilderness EcoCruise - The inlet on our return

WOW Wilderness EcoCruise - The inlet on our return. What a campsite (although we were told they should not be there camping!)

WOW Wilderness EcoCruise - Gazza


WOW Wilderness EcoCruise - Gazza telling us about how his mother and father met

WOW indeed.


The end of a fabulous morning with Gazza - definitely one of a kind, extremely knowledgeable and very entertaining.

Rest Point Caravan Park Jetty at sunset

The Inlets

The Inlets

Walpole in the distance

Rest Point Caravan Park




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