Thread: 1st trip to W.A. - suggestions for things to see/do on this approx route?

Originally Posted by TimberNut

Dennford - School Holidays???

i checked a website before selecting the dates and found

WA School Holidays for 2008
Autumn - 12 April to 28 April 2008


I seriously hope I didn't get it wrong, as we wanted to travel during your school term.

Apologies, I must be cross eyed. Actually it's my wifes fault - she gave me a calender too small to read.

But as Burnsey says, watch for those easter ones.

Denn

A couple of pic's of Jerusalem hollow. Boranup wood gallery is just a few hundred metres from here. I often stay with friends who live just past here in the forest, it's great to watch the cars go by thinking that there are no houses for miles.

To continue on my imaginary trip around the south west, I would be heading from Augusta towards Pemberton, another centre with lots to do/see including Beedelup nat Park http://www.naturebase.net/component/...90/Itemid,755/ , which you would pass shortly before Pemberton on the Vasse hwy. Once in Pemby you may wish to visit some of the many wood galleries there. Maybe ride the Pemberton tram/train http://www.pemtram.com.au/Pemberton%...%20Company.htm being aware that due to fire danger, steam only operates in winter - you will have to be satisfied with diesel. You could even get energetic and climb the gloucester tree http://www.australiassouthwest.com/e...ee&pid=9001662
Here is a link to other attractions in the area http://www.australiassouthwest.com/e...4BC9&c=NATURAL

From Pemby head towards Walpole and from there you will want to allow plenty of time to travel to Albany, there is much to see and do there are plenty of places to stay but I would definitely recomend either Peacefull bay (close to the treetop walk and walpole and on a beautifull sheltered bay) or Parry beach which is very handy for the William bay nat' park (dont miss this one, in particular Greens pool) http://www.australiassouthwest.com/e...ional+Park.htm . Parry beach is also not far from the very pretty town of Denmark http://www.denmark.com.au/en/Natural...rk/default.htm .

I will second Pemberton, make sure you visit the gallery that is off the main road in town, it is up the hill off the main road, don't know the name of it or the road but it has some sensational woodwork in it, a cukoo clock that was made enirely of timber, workings and all, each tooth on each cog cut in individually from what I could see, absolutely amazing.

Originally Posted by Burnsy

I will second Pemberton, make sure you visit the gallery that is off the main road in town, it is up the hill off the main road, don't know the name of it or the road but it has some sensational woodwork in it, a cukoo clock that was made enirely of timber, workings and all, each tooth on each cog cut in individually from what I could see, absolutely amazing.

Could be the Pemberton fine woodworking gallery - they are I believe a co-operative and exhibit the work of many people from different crafts rather than being a private gallery. I do know that they had a wooden clock, but then again there are a few places with them.

Anyhow most of the galleries here are worth a visit.

Denn

...and then there's Nomesville. I can never remember what town its near or the road its on, but somebody here will tell ya.

Rod, what's in Nomesville that is worth a look?

Originally Posted by TimberNut

Rod, what's in Nomesville that is worth a look?

Over a period of time 100's of Nomes have been placed on a section of the road out in the bush. It well worth a look.

Remember the Dardanup heritage park mentioned earlier - that will get you within cooee of gnomesville - I can't remember the road name but if you head from the heritage park back through Dardanup and onto Ferguson valley road, that will take you to the place.

I've been off for a few days, went to the doc's for a minor complaint and it ended up my being in hospital for surgery - all's well now though.

If you want more info I have tons of it on the areas you are thinking of - just shout.

Denn

Denn, sorry to hear about the unscheduled hospital visit, but glad all is OK now.

Thanks for all the detailed info to date. SWMBO and I will be going through all the stuff posted here, and researching it all, to draw up a detailed itinerary before we leave. And so all information is very much appreciated.

It certainly helps, having locals advise on things to see and do, (particularly when they share the same passion for timber that I do).

I appreciate the detailed info you have provided to date, and would love any more you can offer.

Thanks to everyone who's posted so far, it looks like we're gonna have one awesome drive around SW W.A.

Well, I'm not allowed to do any lifting or stretching for some weeks yet, so I may as well spend time on here.

I guess that if as you say you are interested in seeing some scenery, that you will be visiting some national parks so it would be worth considering a monthly park pass to save a few dollars - if you visit ten parks at $10 per park that is $100, wheras a one month pass is only $35 and allows as many entries as you wish.

http://www.naturebase.net/component/...rt/Itemid,763/

Denn

Well! we have you on the doorstep of Albany, but I'm surprised that no one has said anything about what I believe to be Albany's most important attraction - Whaleworld out at Cheynes Beach http://www.whaleworld.org/ , whale world was not too many years ago an operating whaling station, in fact some of the characters who once worked as whalers still live in the area today. In spite of it's gruesome past this whaling station is now a museum well worth visiting for an insight into the past and the future of these great mammals.You can even board the preserved whalechaser "Cheynes 4" and experience a whale chase through audio re-enactment.

Whilst in Albany you may alsowish to visit the brig "Amity" a replica of the first ship to bring convicts and settlers to Albany.

The above are two of my own prefferences for Albany, for more about the town you may find these two sites usefull.
http://www.historicalbany.com.au/
http://www.theage.com.au/news/Wester...609327276.html

After a day or so in Albany I would certainly be heading north towards the Stirling ranges via Porongorups but more on those later.

Denn

Denn, how many nights should I plan on staying in Albany? I was originally planning on 3-4. Is that too many?