Tag: Biophilia

Smiths Beach

by John Heyworth, posted in South West

Magpie, cockatoos and surf Smiths Beach, Yalingup

Rating:  300 Frequent Bio Points*

Yalingup is a coastal surfing town located in the south west coast of Western Australia. 01e30d20a7267d6f84650c77942799acf46dd07eeb

It is along the Cape to Cape Walk  which starts at Cape Naturaliste near the magnificent coastline of Geographe Bay.

Smiths beach is a popular swimming spot with Resort style accommodation right on the beach.
Yalingup is part of the Margaret River’s famous wine making region.
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You are currently listening to Old Scruffy, a magpie that sings for his many visitors outside Canal Rocks Beach Resort.
The outdoor beach shower post provides an ideal platform for his operatic performances.
There are a variety of sea birds, local cockatoos and kangaroos that frequent the area.
Apart from the beautiful swimming beaches there are stunning ocean views a short walk away along the Cape Cape Trail
Yalingup is an easy 3 hour drive down from Perth and we spent a very pleasant few days at Smiths beach, enjoying swimming in the crystal clear waters and breath taking walks along the coast. February is usually very warm and dry but we came across some very unusual weather patterns while we were here.
Prior to our leaving Perth, this amazing cloud band (taken  at Peters Pool Cottesloe) was a portend of things to come!
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A low pressure tough from the humid tropics of Northern Western Australia can form cyclonic weather there. In this case it created a rain depression that traveled all the way down to the South West, causing unseasonably humid and wet weather and flooding in some places.
It also presented us with amazing sunsets as can be seen in this picture of my mother and I walking along the coastline one evening. We felt like we were on the edge of the planet Mars looking out at the universe (and everything)!
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Karri Lake Trail

by John Heyworth, posted in Great Southern Walks

Rating:  300 Frequent Bio Points*

Karri Lake TrailQuinninup-48

Distance: 4 km circuit

Easy 1 -2 hour walk

The entrance to the Karri Lake Trail is  off Wheatley Coast Road at the northern end of Quinninup.

 

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The winter of 2016 was a decent season with constant rainfall across the region. They say that frogs are a good sign of a healthy environment (bio-indicators). Wherever I walked I could hear frogs!

On one particularly wet day I walked down to the entrance off Wheatley Coast Road where  I could hear Bonking Frogs sounding like an orchestra of banjos in the rain!

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The walk around Karri Lake is mostly very easy with beautiful and at times stunning views along the way.

Karri Lake is the water catchment area for the town and there is evidence of logging and clearing in parts of the lake.

 

Unfortunately there is  bacteria in the lake and the water is not fit for consumption. Drinking water has to be be constantly trucked in to refill the town’s reservoir tank .

It seems strange houses are allowed to be built around and very close to the lake.

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The closeness of the houses and the human manipulation of the landscape is why the walk doesn’t attract the full 500 Bio points * you would expect.

Never-the-less it is a very satisfying walk and well worth doing for the views,the fresh air and to listen to the birds, frogs and insects everywhere! This recording captures the sounds of the forest as I walk past a stream.

 

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Quinninup

by John Heyworth, posted in Great Southern Walks

RATING: 750 Frequent Bio Points

Every year I try and escape the technologies and demands of city life by going down South for a couple of weeks. In the Great Southern Region of Western Australia I discovered the charms of an old timber town called Quinninup.

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Quinninup is a few kilometres down from the turn off to Pemberton on the South West Highway.

The little town is a hidden gem.  It  is not the place to go to find 5 star accommodation or for any resorts surrounded by sparkling spas, pools, cocktail bars and artificial plants.

 

But it is the place to go for easy, beautiful and restorative walks in our magnificent Karri forests!

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Accommodation varies from old timber cottages, caravan park and cabins as well as holiday homes with beautiful views of the Karri Lake.

 

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Meals are available from a great little country pub.

 

 

 

 THE WALKING TRAILS

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Toadstool Quinninup

There are three easy to moderate walking trails around Quinninup; The King Karri Trail;, Karri Lake Walk and the Orchid Trail.

There is also one lesser known moderate to difficult walking trail called the Ridgebark Trail.

Winter is a great time to walk the Karri forests of the South; the snakes are all asleep and the forests are vibrant with intriguing tapestries of various creepers, fungi, mosses, ferns and lichens.

However to catch the wildflowers and wild orchids then Spring is ideal. The snakes might be awake but they are rarely a problem (they slide away and hide from human footsteps). It’s a good idea to wear appropriate sturdy shoes and long pants. Dress for the weather (rain can come up quickly and unexpectedly).  Always carry water in the warmer months. Avoid walking the forests on stormy, windy or very hot days.