Australia Road Trip: Denmark, Day 25-26

Feb 25-26

Hi All,

We were up early and off to see the Leeuwin lighthouse which was very enjoyable!

“The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is a lighthouse located on the headland of Cape Leeuwin, Listeni/ˈluːwɪn/ the most south-westerly point on the mainland of the Australian Continent, in the state of Western Australia. Opened with great ceremony by John Forrest in 1895, the lighthouse has since been automated. The historic Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse at Augusta is situated at the tip of a spectacular peninsula where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet. Take a trip through maritime history and learn how this famous landmark was constructed from local limestone in 1895, and is still a vital working lighthouse for vessels navigating the treacherous cape. As the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is a must-see attraction in Your Margaret River Region.”

After the lighthouse we traveled about 4 hours to Denmark on the southern coast. We passed through many Karri tree forests (another form of Eucalyptus tree). Evidently there was a huge fire over a year ago and we could still see lot’s of evidence with blacked tree trunks, but surprisingly many of the trees survived. This was billed as one of the more scenic routes in southwest Australia and we would agree!!

Today we went to the Valley of the Giants, the highlight of the day, as well as to Conspicuous cliffs and beach, Peaceful beach, Green Pools and Elephant Rocks!!

“The Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk is an internationally recognised nature-based tourism attraction. The Walpole Wilderness features a vast, natural and wild landscape encompassing tranquil forests, imposing granite peaks, peaceful rivers, wetlands and breathtaking beaches. It is also home to old majestic tingle forests, which occur nowhere else in the world! The Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk features a stunning walkway positioned 40 metres above the ground amid the spectacular heights of the tingle forest canopy. Experience walking in the tree tops and enjoy views over core wilderness. A walk trail links the Tree Top Walk to the Ancient Empire, where an interpretative trail meanders across the forest floor in between 400 year old red tingle trees. The trail follows the story of the lost era of Gondwana. Much of the plant life in this forest is unique to the south-west of Western Australia. Trees such as the tingle only occur in this small area and as such provide a window to the past. Some of the plants have origins that can be traced back 65 million years to the super continent Gondwana when Australia was joined with what are now Africa, India, Antarctic and South America.

Tomorrow we drive 250 miles back to Perth where we get ourselves sorted for the 2 day Great Southern Railway train back to Adelaide. We have never traveled much by train or stayed in a sleeper cabin (can you say Cary Grant or Sean Connery:)))) and we are very much looking forward to the trip!!

Stats:
Traveled:
Car miles: 200 miles to Denmark; 2525 miles total
Air miles: 1325 miles from Adelaide to Perth
Total traveled miles: 3850 miles
Wrong turns: 0 today; 2 total
Kangaroo/”Roos”/Skippy count: 4 this leg; ~213 total!!!
Skippy roadside warning signs: 3 this leg, 114 total
Koala count: 0 this leg; 34 total
Emu count: 24 this leg; 74 total
One Way bridges: 0 today; 19 total
Speeding Tickets: 0 today; 1 total
Hotel: Chimes Spa Retreat; very nice, 2 sea spa with nice ocean view!!
Food: 1st night Castelli’s; just ok, Kathy had a steak that was over done and old; John had baby back pork ribs with American style BBQ sauce…actually quite good but I haven’t had ribs in a while so probably just average!
2nd day: Boston Brewery for lunch; had a rye pale ale that was excellent; the guy said it won an award for best Australian beer!!! We had a pizza, bad, could not finish, and some decent chicken wings
Dinner: Had the hotel’s dinner plate for 2 as we were tired and decided to stay in!!

LIG!!!! Hope all is well!!

John
Mystic Moon

Leeuwin Lighthouse

Leeuwin Lighthouse

1/2 HP motor turning the optical lens

The Lighthouse keepers quarters on the right

Indian Ocean meeting Southern Ocean

Cumberland Rock – the guide told us if you drilled straight down through the earth you would come out in Washington DC…..whoa we are almost half way around the world!!

Giant Red Tingle

Tree top walk

These trees were huge!!

Grandma

This tree is huge!!

We saw all three

Conspicuous Cliff and beach

Peaceful beach

The Green Pool….to be honest, did not look green to me

Popular beach

Elephant Rocks

Elephant Rocks….neither of us got a great pic and it took some imagination to see the herd of elephants

View from our hotel – Chimes Spa Retreat in Denmark