Travelling north from Walpole to Perth WA

30^th April to 2^nd May 2012:-

Just north of Walpole you arrive in the Shannon National Park. In this park there is 'The Great Forest Trees Drive'. The drive takes you through spectacular old-growth karri forest and stunning marri and jarrah forest, sedgeland, heath and granite outcrops. We drove 23 kilometres of the 45 kilometre drive as the road was slow going.

We continued onto Northcliffe and then Pemberton. Pemberton has quaint wooden workers' cottages and is fast establishing a reputation for its wines and fine foods. An unknown fact is that there are more wine grapes grown in the Pemberton area than that there are in the well known Margaret River wine region. This area also grows most of the avocados in Australia. As lunchtime was upon us we enjoyed a counter lunch at the Pemberton Hotel!

The Pemberton area has the Karri Forest Explorer Drive........a drive that winds through some of the south-west's most magnificent karri forest. We drove parts of this drive seeing Big Brook Dam and Beedelup Falls, where a suspension bridge takes you across the falls. These falls are supposedly spectacular in winter after the winter rains. Then we visited the Gloucester Tree, where if you are fit and fearless you can climb the 153 rungs of a spiral ladder to the top a mere 60 metres high! There are several trees in the area where you can climb to the top via a spiral ladder. The ladders were purposely installed.......... these tall trees were used as fire lookouts. We camped the night in the karri forest at Big Brook Arboretum. It had been a showery day and when night time fell it became very cold and damp. Other campers at the camp site had built a large fire so we sat around the fire staying warm and chatting. The night itself was cold so I'm thinking we should soon head much further north to enjoy the Northern Australian winter.

Next morning travelled onto Manjimup. In WA there are numerous 'up' towns. The name Manjimup is derived from the Aboriginal word 'manjin' – an edible reed found in the area and 'up' meaning place of. We visited the Diamond Tree Lookout – another large tree with a spiral ladder you can climb if you wish! Then onto Donnybrook, known as the Apple Capital of the South West, home of the Granny Smith! We stayed the night at Stockton Lake Recreational Area near Collie, on the bank of the lake. This lake is an old mine site which is now used for recreational purposes such as boating and skiing.

Next morning travelled onto the very beautiful town of Harvey..............today, Harvey has beef production, citrus growing, dairy farming and viticulture. We spent time wandering around the Keith Leece Tourist Precinct, the Heritage Gardens, River Walk and the Harvey Internment Camp Memorial Shrine. Located in the Harvey Visitor Centre is a May Gibbs Display. May Gibbs was born in England and migrated to Australia with her parents when she was four. She lived in Harvey for a few years. It is believed that she drew much of her inspiration for her stories and illustrations from her experiences while living in Harvey (1885 & 1886).

We arrived in Midlands Perth late on 2^nd May and camped at the Advent Campground. The next few days we will take in the sights of Perth then travel south to join a Winnebago RV Safari 'A taste of the Margaret River'.......... Should be fun.