Albany Off The Beaten Path

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The Albany Orchid Society hosted all West Australian Orchid Societies for a weekend of fun and a challenge to see which Society could provide the best display. The display was held at the Esplanade Hotel and was well supported by the public. Many beautiful flowers were on display, the weather was fine and sunny which allowed visitors to enjoy this magnificent tourist town located in the Great Southern.

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A great hike is up to Mt Clarence through the local bush for a few kilometers. It is worth the effort for the breathtaking views of King George Sound and Princess Royal Harbour plus sections of Albany. For those who choose not to walk you can drive your car most of the way.

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Wherever you go you will see Pelicans always tend to linger around boats. I do not think it is because they like people, it is because fisherman always give them fish heads , old bait etc. A good place to hang around for a feed of fresh fish.

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The boat harbour is located in the safe waters of Oyster Harbour very near Emu Point and a few kilometers further along Middleton Bay. When we visited everyone was returning to shore as a serious bad weather report had been issued and the storm clouds were approaching. If you are interested in boats it is well worth the drive as you will see commercial vessels and pleasure boats of all shapes and sizes. In actual fact the bad weather report was accurate with several hundred kilometres of coast taking a hammering, particularly Australind where 30 homes were destroyed and several hundred others damaged. Our holiday home at Mandurah was damaged which spoilt some of the pleasure of our visit to Albany.

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From Middleton Beach you can walk the boardwalk up the hill which follows and looks down on the harbour shore. At some stages you are well above the harbour and can get magnificent views of Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound. If you are lucky you may see a whale. As you continue the walk into the town centre take time to admire the local landscape of native wildflowers which look spectacular during the late winter / early spring flowering season.

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The Blowhole area not far from Albany is a most dangerous area with lives being lost each year. The day we visited the sea was calm and the "Blow" emerging from the rocks was a slight spray, but on a rough day it will spray 3 metres skywards. The blowholes have been formed over thousands of years where the pounding ocean has worn a hole through the rocks and when the huge swell makes contact with the rocks some water continues up through the rocks and sprays into the air. On the 2nd photograph you will see a small notice near the middle, this is where the "blow" will emerge.
Late the next afternoon the southern West Australian coast was hit by savage storms and an unlucky tourist was swept off rocks further up the coast and lost. Be careful even on calm days as King Waves often arrive.

Midshipman Ransonnet brought his exploration party into the sheltered waters of Two Peoples Bay in 1803. They sailed east to explore the this uncharted area. In the 1840s, up to 12 ships anchored in Two Peoples Bay during the whaling season, to hunt humpback and southern right whales in the bay and surrounding waters.

Two Peoples Bay.

The Tree Top Walk is a steel walkway which rises up to 38 metres above the forest. The highest point in the 600 metre loop is about 40 metres. It is wide enough and accessible enough for even wheelchair use. High up off the ground you get a wonderful view of the canopy of the forest.

Tree Top Walk - Walpole.