Should be an easy day. We’ve only got a little over 120km to do.
As we leave we take a few more happy snaps of the gnomes…..Still Odd.
There’s not a lot between here and Peaceful Bay, in fact the only town we go through is Walpole.
The road is narrow and hilly as we travel through the forest. So it’s surprising we are getting some of the best fuel economy we’ve had on the trip. It’s lousy going uphill, but great on the way down the other side. We end up with a figure of 15.7l/100km that the best by far that I can recall for a day with the van on.
I say Walpole is the only town on the drive, It’s also a very small town. The supermarket IS the petrol station.
About halfway between Walpole and Peaceful Bay is “Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk”. It one of these raised walkways through the forest canopy. We line up and buy our ticket. Out to the start of the walk. The sign at the start of the first elevated section is encouraging “only 20 people per span, and only 10 per Platform”. Looking at the number of people on the walk ahead of us, they can’t count!
The narrow walkway is about 50-60mtrs long and held up on each side by a steel pole with a 2-3mtr platform connecting the two spans. These spans, while trussed underneath, act like a suspension bridge and are resonating as people are walking over them. Top all that with the sign informing us we 40mts off the ground. We both wonder why do we do it to ourselves, and pay for the privilege?
Anyway the view down to the forest floor is absolutely amazing, or so I’m told. I’ve got no idea. To be serious, it wasn’t too bad, but there were a lot of people hanging onto the rails very tightly. On the treetop walk, we catch up with a family we met back in the Quinninup Park, they are as relieved to be back on the ground as we are.
There is a second section of the walk that is on the ground. This is more my speed. To see these trees and how they survive is impressive.
We drive the short distance down to Peaceful Bay, check in to the van park, and are escorted to what is the furthest site possible from the beach. I guess that what you get from booking yesterday. The park is really spread out, and feels like a van park from the 70’s. It feels more like a bush camp, and I have to say the facilities are of the same era. At least we have power.
We pack our lunch (joke) and head for the bay. It’s great, the beach is protected by a natural rock break wall at both ends, so the water is clear and so calm. In the bay there are few small rock islands too. Whilst it’s a bit cold we go for a swim. Might have to see if we can fit another in tomorrow morning.
Love the HUGE trees………but, you can keep the sky-high walk….
PK x
I loved the trees, but would have gone on the sky-high walk as you miss so much just looking up. Great photo of you all in the tree trunk.