On the way down from Windy Harbour to Albany,
first have a short hike up Mt Clare near Walpole, a bare smooth granite
top with views of the surrounding area. Along the way there area a few
giant Dingle trees.
Next is Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, and Ancient Empire Walk. They are next to each other with the Ancient Empire Walk being free, and actually walk pass many more huge old Dingle trees, a delight to see.
However, nothing beat walking on 40m
high platforms looking at a tall tree forest, for once we could see the
top parts of the trees easily.
Last visit of the day is Conspicuous Beach walk. This has to be the beach with the whitest sand and bluest sea. The walkway bring you up to the nearby hill top, for a mesmerising panoramic view of the beach.
Albany is a slighly bigger place, with a city feel, with a small old center, and a beautiful long bay.
It
is so lovely to see a lot of kids playing there with parents or
grandparents, either swimming, playing in the beach or learning to fish.
What a nice place for kids to grow up, non of them needs to play with
their phone or computer games.
Spend the next day touring Torndirrup NP, for the unique rock formations and many pristine beaches.
The granite rocks there have many linear fissures from previous volcanic activities, which are being eroded to become big blocks of rock.
The
Bridge is a giant rock arch left by wave action that hollowed out the
rocks below.
The Gap is when a previous bridge collapsed, leaving behind 2 vertical walls of giant blocks of rocks. Powerful waves crash on rocks surface, making splashes of white water foams like fire work display.A boardwalk leads to various viewing platforms, making the visit easy for any age and physical abilities. This is the site with most foreign tourists I have seen during this trip.
Further
along is Blowhole, that requires a short walk on rocky surface. The
blowhole is a fissure near the edge of the cliff. Waves come in and rush
up the crack making a loud sound, the deep thundering noise is
frightening.
Another short walk there is at Stony Hill, to see big blocks of rocks scattered around various large granite surfaces. There is also a beautiful view of Vancouver Peninsula in the distance.
Further
along is Salmon Hole, where salmons come in to go upstream to hatch.
The sheltered semicircular bay is pristine and very pretty.
Last activity of the red day is to go to Emu Point to fish from the jetty, got taylors and local herrings. Again the water is beautifully blue and calm.
The highlight of the stay in
Albany is to do the hike to Granite Skywalk in Porongurup NP. It is 40km
inland and even though it has been pleasant along the coast, weather
forecast 40degrees at mid day in that area.
Hence started early at 8:30 to do the 2 hours return hike, already bright hot sun 33 degrees, luckily there is shade and wind to make the gentle climb bearable.
The last part of the hike, when reaching the group of giant granite rocks, require a bit of serious climbing. Over and up the rocks, with help of metal handles on the rocks. Then a vertical ladder up Castle rock, where a walkway and viewing platform was built around it.
The 360 degrees view of the surrounding forest and farmland is gorgeous, so as the close up view of giant blocks of granite.
We are pleased to have taken up the challenge, brought plenty to drink, and the decision to get here early. The return trip in hot dry 40 degrees condition is uncomfortable.
Found a fish shop in Albany, most are filleted various fish, bought tuna and scallops.
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