WESTERN AUSTRALIA : DAY 3 : CAPE TO CAPE WALK - Gracetown - Margaret River - 22.5 km

DAY 3 : CAPE TO CAPE WALK - Gracetown - Margaret River - 19 km - 6 hours

Mainly fine with intermittent showers. 17o C

 

Surfers out aplenty in the large swell at Gracetown. 

 

 

Seas being whipped up by the wind 

 

 

Evidence of the 2011 bushfire along the track

 

 

Attractive dune plants with a view of the long beach walk ahead

 

 

The Ellensbrook Homestead was owned and built by the pioneer Alfred Bussell , who first settled at Ellensbrook in 1857 to set up a family beef and dairy farm. He named the area after his wife, Ellen and the stream that ran through the property. Between 1899-1917, Alfred's sister,Edith, established an Aboriginal Mission on the property, the "Ellensbrook Farm Home for Aboriginal Children". Nyungar people were able to work on the property in return for food and shelter. 

 

 

The boardwalk between Ellensbrook Homestead and Meekadarbee Cave.

 

 

The cave at Meekadarbee Falls. In Aboriginal legend, the cave is where the spirits of Aboriginal lovers, Mitanne & Nobel live.

 

 

Another 4WD track to test endurance and leg power.

 

 

The limestone formation of 'Joey's Nose' on Kilcarnup Beach.

 

 

Lots of flotsam and jetsam on the beaches from the various craft sailing on the Indian Ocean.

 

 

Large shells

 

 

Busy oyster catchers

 

 

Up from Kilcarnup Beach through a gnarled forest - another good place to get lost and add a few extra kilometres before finding the correct path to Cape Mentelle.

 

 

Our destination was Margaret River mouth. An unexpected swamping by a large wave at the river mouth was a spectacular (and sobering) end to the day. 

 

 

M&M

 

mm_smith@bigpond.net.au