Day 103 Albany

Today we drove to Mount Barker, (aboriginal name Pwakkenbak) rises to about 147 meters above sea level and is home to the Mount Barker broadcast tower, one of the tallest unsupported structures in the Southern Hemisphere. Step onto the Rotary Club of Mount Barker Lookout 404mtre above sea level where you can see forever. To the north is the Mount Barker wind farm. Turn to the northeast and the green shadowy long undulating ridges of the Stirling Range disappear into the horizon. With your back to the tower, gazing directly east, you can take in the western ridge of the Porongurups. The southern view rolls across expansive lowlands interspersed with various low mountains.











We then drove along Porongurup Tourist Drive, from Mount Barker to Porongurup and the Porongurup National Park renowned for its giant Karri trees and ancient granite rocks. We climbed 670m to the top of Castle Rock on the Granite Skywalk. The walkways hug the huge granite boulders and that’s where you’ll get views north to The Stirling Range and south towards farmland and the ocean. Our fitness was tested with the 4.7km Class 5 300 mtr elevation steep return walk to the Granite Skywalk. Not only is the walk up challenging then you get to the top and you need to scramble over and under granite rocks, using a few hand holds then a 7mtr high ladder to reach the Sky Walk itself. Once there you are rewarded with breathtakingly beautiful panoramic views. We both felt this was the most challenging walk we have done on the holiday so far.

The path traverses jarrah, marri and karri forest and takes you past the famous Balancing Rock a massive round granite boulder that balances precariously on another rounded rock leaving you wondering how long it has sat there and when it may decide to roll away down the hill. The Skywalk has two lookouts, a lower and upper one. The lower lookout is easy to access with amazing views.




























After some lunch we meet up with Jeanette, Lesley, Kevin & Diane and went to Ledge Beach and searched for orchids along the way.












We drove on to Nanarup Beach, Little Beach & finally Two People Bay as the sun was setting.