Rest Point, Walpole – 8 & 9 April 2010

From Albany we drove to Rest Point in Walpole. We stopped for lunch at Peaceful Bay. By now we have got over our fears about driving on the beach and happily join everyone else, even bringing the caravan this time for an excellent lunch stop.

We have been told that Rest Point was one of two original farms established in 1904, remaining freehold when the the National Parks were gazetted in 1910.

Rest Point Guest House and Jetty were built in the 1930's. Today they have a mix of accommodation including a campsite. The site is located on the Walpole Nornalup Inlet which is extremely beautiful.

Walpole is completely surrounded by National Parks. People come for recreational fishing.

While here we revisited the Hilltop Lookout with its views of Nornalup Inlet

We visited the largest Tingle Tree (Eucalyptus Jackmanii). Tingle trees burn out in the centre but can survive because the nutrient supply travels near the exterior of the tree. The circumference of this Tingle Tree is 25 metres. The drive then came to the Circular pool, so named because the current flows in a circle.

Next stop was the Tree Tops Walk and the Empire walk in the Valley of the Giants. These are respectively a walk in the canopy and a walk on the ground in a section of the Karri Forest. The tree top walk is spectacular, having a ground footprint of four square meters and being constructed using only pulleys and hydraulic jacks to minimize the impact on the forest.

When Tricia was a child her bedroom floor was Karri and she was assured by her father that it would outlast the house, itself made of double brick.
After the excitement of the tree top walk we visited the Meadery and purchased some Metheglin (spiced honey wine).

We went to Green Pool and Elephant Rocks at William Bay. Green Pool is a beautiful pool and remains warm to swim in till quite late in the season because it is surrounded by a reef. There is just a little exchange of water, enough to keep it clean. All the locals swim there. Elephant Rocks is a nice little cove.