Day 154 - South of Margaret River

Today started with rain and wind but we decided to take a look-see south of Margaret River anyway.  Much to our delight before we got to our first port of call, Augusta, the rain ceased, the sun came out, but the wind did not let up ----- all day.

Augusta is a small village on Hardie inlet and is a few km from the most southern part of WA.  There were a few surfers on the beach which was protected from the howling NW/W wind.  We came across Flinders Bay where the first residents of Augusta set foot on this part of WA.  There is a large marina under construction near Flinders Bay.

070914 Hardie Inlet at Augusta

070914 Flinders Bay

070914 Marina under construction near Flinders Bay

Next port of call was the lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin and this was exposed to the wind bigtime.  We had an exciting time trying to keep our feet on the ground.  The Cape was surrounded by waves crashing into the rocks - spectacularly so.  We walked around the lighthouse precinct.  We were given hand held audio devices.  You pressed the number on the device corresponding to the number on the sign as you approached and received  an explanation of what you were seeing.  Very informative and highly efficient and you could go at your own pace.

070914 Cape Leeuwin from the protected side

070914 Seal Rocks out from Cape Leeuwin

070914 Cape Leeuwin lighthouse up close, built in 1895

070914 The meeting place of two oceans - shame they were each so "angry"

070914 Looking north from Cape Leeuwin

We recovered from the belting we got from the wind by having lunch and a cuppa in the comfort of the car. It was the only place we could get out of the wind.

Augusta Lookout came next.  From the lookout we could see Hardie Inlet and the town of Augusta.  Windy again but joy of joys, no rain.

070914 Hardie Inlet from Augusta Lookout

We headed north again, this time closer to the coast.  We by-passed a couple of caves but saw many beaches and headlands, waves and sand.  The views were spectacular because of the weather, with the incessant wind building up huge waves which crashed on the shore amidst much roaring, splashing and foaming.  The surf spray was so bad in places we could not take photographs, even though we were well away from the surf.  Following is a selection of photographs.  These barely do deference to the size and power of the waves and the tortured appearance of the sea.

070914 Cosy Corner - anything but cosy in real life

070914 Foul Bay - by name and by nature, today anyway

070914 The boat ramp at Hamelin Bay

070914 Looking south from Hamelin Bay

070914 Point Beach

070914 Conto Springs

070914 Marchant Rock

070914 The Beach north of Round Rock

070914 Round Rock

070914 The Point

070914 Trees at The Point - not the first windy day for them

070914 Cape Freycinet

On the drive back we passed through some beautiful country.  The grass is so green and the cattle and sheep are so plump and contented.  There were more wildflowers in the heath country nearer the coast, but behind the coastal high spots, there were karri eucalypt forests, maybe not as big as the ones further inland, but a great change from the stunted tress and shrubs we have been seeing for the last five months.  There were, to our surprise, more arum lilies under these huge trees.

070914 Wild flowers encroaching on the roadway

070914 Karri trees - note the arum lilies in the forground

Tomorrow - vineyards.  This place is so interesting we may stay another day.