Our first stop was Yallingup. We stayed at Yallingup Beach Holiday Park (mid season prices $38 + $10 per child 2+). I found this park to be overpriced and $10 per child a bit rich, as there was nothing for the kids to do here except go across the road to the council playground. From Yallingup we visited Busselton for the day, and walked the 1.8km long jetty. The foreshore playground and reserves in the jetty precinct provide plenty of activities for the family. We also visited Cape Naturaliste N.P., and took in the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, Sugarloaf Rock and Shelley Cove.
Next stop was William Bay National Park, where we stayed at Parry Beach camping ground. This is owned by the Denmark Shire, and payment ($10 p.n. or $50 p.w.) is made to the on-site caretakers. There is a height restriction here due to low branches and tree-lined camping spots, but this is the perfect base from which to explore the Denmark and Albany areas. Most camp sites have a fire surround, but you need to bring your own wood. There are two amenities blocks with toilets and solar showers. They are cleaned daily and toilet paper is provided. There is no power in this campsite.
On our way to Parry Beach we stopped off at the Gloucester National Park, near Pemberton, where Dave and Eliza climbed the Gloucester Tree, which is a staggering 54 metres high. We also stopped at Jewel Cave near Augusta, which is the biggest show cave in Western Australia, with four massive chambers. It is also home to one of the longest straw stalactites found in any tourist cave in the world. (Adult: $22.00 Child (4-16yrs): $10.00)
At the time of our visit to Parry Beach, Albany was holding the Anzac Centenary Celebrations and the town and surrounding area was completely booked out. We took a day trip in to Albany and enjoyed the festivities, also enjoyed a drive to Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, where we walked along Little Beach. This is a spectacular beach, with squeaky white sand and big granite boulders surrounded by crystal clear water. It is a popular kite surfing beach so don’t forget your camera.
Another beautiful beach close to Parry Beach is Green’s Pool, which is a sheltered sandy white beach, also surrounded by granite boulders. It is a lovely spot for snorkelling and is a great spot for the kids to explore.
We took a drive up through the Walpole Wilderness National Park to the Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk, which is a 600 metre long boardwalk, 40 metres above, through the tops of the 400 year old Tingle trees. Tree Top Walk (entry prices:- Adult $15.00, Child: $7.50 (6-15 years), Family: $37.50 (2 adults 2 children).
It was a lovely surprise to come back to our Parry Beach camp site one afternoon to discover the Thompson family had arrived and set up camp next to us. We had previously met Karen, Stuart and their boys Josh and Ashton in Perth whilst visiting the McMath and Beer families. The kids got along like they known each other for years, so us parents settled down to sundowners and to compare our travel plans. I love having the company of another travelling family. It seems to make everything so much better!
We set off for Bremer Bay one day before the Thompsons, but they would join us the next day. Bremer Bay is a small town between Albany and Esperance and has a population of around 250. The town’s electricity supply is generated by a wind-diesel hybrid system. The town is quite spread out, with a general store/post office, dive shop, hardware, hotel, museum and two caravan parks. We stayed at the Bremer Bay Caravan and Camping ground and were pleasantly surprised at the warm welcome we received from Joy at reception. She gave us the run down on Bremer Bay, and we walked out loaded up with maps and tonnes of info, and it only cost $105 for four nights, as we got our fourth night free! The amenities were spectacular and the T.V. in the camp kitchen was handy as we could not get T.V. reception in the van. We toured around the local beaches one day, but mostly spent our time relaxing, which was a lovely change.
Next stop was William Bay National Park, where we stayed at Parry Beach camping ground. This is owned by the Denmark Shire, and payment ($10 p.n. or $50 p.w.) is made to the on-site caretakers. There is a height restriction here due to low branches and tree-lined camping spots, but this is the perfect base from which to explore the Denmark and Albany areas. Most camp sites have a fire surround, but you need to bring your own wood. There are two amenities blocks with toilets and solar showers. They are cleaned daily and toilet paper is provided. There is no power in this campsite.
On our way to Parry Beach we stopped off at the Gloucester National Park, near Pemberton, where Dave and Eliza climbed the Gloucester Tree, which is a staggering 54 metres high. We also stopped at Jewel Cave near Augusta, which is the biggest show cave in Western Australia, with four massive chambers. It is also home to one of the longest straw stalactites found in any tourist cave in the world. (Adult: $22.00 Child (4-16yrs): $10.00)
At the time of our visit to Parry Beach, Albany was holding the Anzac Centenary Celebrations and the town and surrounding area was completely booked out. We took a day trip in to Albany and enjoyed the festivities, also enjoyed a drive to Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, where we walked along Little Beach. This is a spectacular beach, with squeaky white sand and big granite boulders surrounded by crystal clear water. It is a popular kite surfing beach so don’t forget your camera.
Another beautiful beach close to Parry Beach is Green’s Pool, which is a sheltered sandy white beach, also surrounded by granite boulders. It is a lovely spot for snorkelling and is a great spot for the kids to explore.
We took a drive up through the Walpole Wilderness National Park to the Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk, which is a 600 metre long boardwalk, 40 metres above, through the tops of the 400 year old Tingle trees. Tree Top Walk (entry prices:- Adult $15.00, Child: $7.50 (6-15 years), Family: $37.50 (2 adults 2 children).
It was a lovely surprise to come back to our Parry Beach camp site one afternoon to discover the Thompson family had arrived and set up camp next to us. We had previously met Karen, Stuart and their boys Josh and Ashton in Perth whilst visiting the McMath and Beer families. The kids got along like they known each other for years, so us parents settled down to sundowners and to compare our travel plans. I love having the company of another travelling family. It seems to make everything so much better!
We set off for Bremer Bay one day before the Thompsons, but they would join us the next day. Bremer Bay is a small town between Albany and Esperance and has a population of around 250. The town’s electricity supply is generated by a wind-diesel hybrid system. The town is quite spread out, with a general store/post office, dive shop, hardware, hotel, museum and two caravan parks. We stayed at the Bremer Bay Caravan and Camping ground and were pleasantly surprised at the warm welcome we received from Joy at reception. She gave us the run down on Bremer Bay, and we walked out loaded up with maps and tonnes of info, and it only cost $105 for four nights, as we got our fourth night free! The amenities were spectacular and the T.V. in the camp kitchen was handy as we could not get T.V. reception in the van. We toured around the local beaches one day, but mostly spent our time relaxing, which was a lovely change.