Day 37: Wed 24 Apr 24 - Augusta

Wed 24 Apr 24 - Augusta 

15 Deg overnight, waking to a clear blue sky and strong winds gusting to around 60km/h in the morning. The day reached 20 Deg, remaining clear and sunny, and thankfully the wind dropped, but picked up again to about 65km/h in the evening. Looking up at the tree tops swaying through the roof of the caravan while laying in bed this morning made us feel a little nervous.

The broad plan for today was to visit another cave, then continue to Margaret River for a look around. Jewel Cave which we visited yesterday is dry cave, so we thought it would be nice to see a wet cave for contrast. Lake Cave, about 40km away, is a wet cave, and after getting organised we arrived in time for a 10:00am tour. When purchasing the ticket(s) Noel was still not sure about joining the tour as it means walking down, then back up 320 steps. Jewel Cave which we did yesterday was a mere 250 steps. With a little reassurance from the tour guide, Noel decided to join the group. 

The descent is via a steep staircase through a spectacular sinkhole called a doline and is fairly straight forward, but gazing up at the towering karri trees from the floor of the sunken forest made Noel nervous with the realisation that she had to walk back up again. She needn't have been concerned as, taking her time, she did it more comfortably than Jewel Cave yesterday. I was so pleased for her. Once we stepped inside the cave we found a beautiful tranquil lake reflecting the delicate crystal formations growing from the cave ceiling. The water level in Lake Cave has reached its highest point in decades, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the cave in its current majestic state. The Calgardup bush fire of 2021 burnt significant areas of vegetation which would normally absorb large amounts of water from the soil. With less vegetation, a greater amount of rainwater has been able to permeate the limestone ridge. Consequently, the increased water flow through the limestone has caused the lake level in the cave to increase to a level that creates stunning reflections of the crystal ceiling above. One of the many spectacular sights inside the Lake Cave is the 'Suspended Table', two columns supporting a sheet of flowstone between them, which is suspended a centimetres above the clear water. 

After another wonderful cave experience, and arriving back at the carpark, we headed for Margaret River for a late morning brew and a look around. The coffee alone was worth the drive as it was very nice. After, we went our separate ways for a look around for about an hour, then returned to the van for the afternoon, where we found another Red Centre Kimberley (albeit an earlier model) parked beside us. After a short rest, I climbed on the bike for another ride around to find out where the ANZAC Day Service will be conducted tomorrow (in Augusta), then rode out to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse with the thick coastal brush occasionally giving me some protection from the strong gusting onshore winds. From the Lighthouse, which we will tour  tomorrow, I continued to the nearby historic water wheel which was built in 1885 to supply water from a nearby natural spring for the builders of the lighthouse. I love getting out and exploring  on the bike. 

Back at the van, after a chat with our Red Centre neighbours, we had dinner, then stayed inside hoping the wind eases overnight.

Approaching the sinkhole which provides access into the Lake Cave

Walking down some of the 320 steps into the Lake Cave

Looking up at the entrance and some of the towering karri trees

At the bottom of the sinkhole (not even in the cave yet)

Looking up at the entrance and some of the towering karri trees


The narrow entrance into the Lake Cave

Inside Lake Cave

Lake Cave

Lake Cave - reflections (The photos don't do it justice though)

Lake Cave

Lake Cave - with occasional droplets of water from the stalactities and straws landing in the clear water

Lake Cave

Straws, thin stalactites with a hollow centre resembling a drinking straw

Lake Cave

Lake Cave

Lake Cave - Reflections

Lake Cave


Lake Cave

A 'Suspended Table' formation, which weighs several tonnes and seems to defy gravity as it hovers above the water.

Another wonderful memory shared - A brilliant experience

Almost back at the top

Looking back down into the sinkhole

Margaret River mural (love the Kelpie)

A Zygomaturus Trilobus - A ginat extinct herbivorous marsupial  that roamed  the forests and swamps in the Margaret River area for millions of years before disappearing about 45,000 years ago.

Margaret River - Anzac Day commemoration

Margaret River - honouring the original settlers

Margaret River - Mural

Margaret River

Margaret River - Mural

Afternoon Bike Ride 

Afternoon Bike Ride - Scoping out the location for the  Augusta ANZAC Day Service 


Afternoon Bike Ride - Scoping out the location for the  Augusta ANZAC Day Service

Afternoon Bike Ride - Scoping out the location for the  Augusta ANZAC Day Service

Afternoon Bike Ride - Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

Afternoon Bike Ride - Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. We''l have an even closer look tomorrow.

Afternoon Bike Ride - Cape Leeuwin Historic Waterwheel

Afternoon Bike Ride - Cape Leeuwin Historic Waterwheel

Afternoon Bike Ride - Cape Leeuwin Historic Waterwheel




Comments

  1. stevenleeApril 25, 2024 at 8:08 AM

    Great cave pics. Congratulation on your wedding anniversary. Hope you both had a fantastic day with many more to come.

    ReplyDelete

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