Having successfully completed the Cape to Cape walk yesterday it was time to pack away the hiking gear and head for home. Before hitting the road we indulged in a full continental breakfast at Bunker Bay’s Pullman Resort. Our hiking gear was loaded into the Prado and we set off at 9:00am on the journey back to Melbourne. We would not be following the same route we travelled to get to Bunker Bay; instead we would stay fairly close to the coast then cross the Nullabor on the Eyre Highway.
Our first stop for the day was Dunsborough, just 12 kilometres down the road from Bunker Bay. We had exhausted our fresh / refrigerated supplies on the journey over and turned off the fridge in the Tvan while we were on the walk. As a result we needed to stock up with enough to get us through to Port Augusta where we know there is a well stocked supermarket.
About an hour later we had purchased everything on the list (which had been compiled over dinner last night) and had it safely secured in the Tvan fridge and pantry. The fridge was turned on and we set off for the drive to our planned destination – St Mary’s Inlet, in the Fitzgerald River National Park.
Out south-west journey took us through green, undulating farmland. Black Augus beef was being fattened for market, grape vines were bursting with spring growth and the further we drove, the more plantation hardwood was seen growing across the hills. This region was originally founded on a strong logging industry, with its once abundant karri and jarrah forests. Strict controls have now curtailed clear felling of old growth forests; plantation-grown timber seems to be the outcome.
We stopped beside the Frankland River for lunch. It was a cool day under cloudy skies when we stepped outside the air-conditioned environment of the car; we definitely noticed the chill in the air. After lunch our south-west journey continued.
We passed by the Stirling Ranges, which seem to burst skyward from the flat wheat fields around 50 kilometres north of Albany. When we were last here in the mid-1970s we climbed two of the peaks, including the infamous Bluff Knoll. Three days ago a wildlife photographer slipped to his death while busy taking photos on Bluff Knoll; the hike to the top remains closed as a result.
The range soon faded into the background as we continued on.
We eventually turned off Highway 1 and entered the Fitzgerald River National Park. This park covers a massive area and is home to a vast array of plants, birds, marsupials and reptiles. Whale spotting from the beaches is also a popular pastime.
Unlike most other National Parks, booking a campsite online wasn’t possible so we drove about 50 kilometres to find all sites occupied. We were also confronted with a stunning view of the beach sweeping of in an easterly direction towards mountains in the distance. it was a pity we couldn’t stay the night and explore the place more in the morning.
With no other camping options within the National Park we continued on, eventually rejoining Highway 1. Another 50 kilometres further on we turned off the highway and drove into a flat shaded area that would be our free campsite for the night. There was a very clear night sky overhead when we came to bed so we are expecting a cold morning tomorrow.