Day 98: Walpole

Today we explored around the Walpole area. First we drove 15km east of Walpole to the 'Valley of the Giants' where we went on the 600 metre long tree-top walk. The walk, on an elevated steel structure passes through giant karri and tingle trees. South-west WA is the only place on earth where tingle trees are found and they are huge. The Red Tingle is one of the tallest trees in Australia and can measure up to 16 metres round at the base and grow to a height of 60 metres and live for up to 400 years.

We also went on a ground level walk through the forest dominated by the tingle trees.

After this, we visited another part of the National Park, where there was the big daddy of the tingle trees - the Giant Tingle Tree - with a girth of 24 metres - the biggest gum tree in the world - a very old, big one. We took a few photos, but as it was raining, we didn't hang around.

Next, we visited a place called Conspicuous Cliffs - there was a short walk up a hill and we were greeted with a fantastic view both east and west along the beach.

Finally, we drove to Circular Pool - a small river flowing into a pool - the interesting thing about the river and pool is that it looked like someone had opened up a few cartons of shampoo in the water - the water contains tannins which froth up like shampoo in the rapids.

It was a big day - we arrived back at the van at 3:15pm - no morning tea or dinner.......

Tomorrow, we head for Albany and we'll look at Denmark (the WA one) on the way.