When I mentioned to people in Perth that I was looking forward to spending several days in the Wave Rock and Hyden area, most asked, "Why go there just to look at a large rock?" In fact, there are so many interesting and varied things to do, it could take a week to enjoy the wonders this area hosts, other than just the Wave Rock. Wave Rock Wildlife Park The Wildlife park is a 3 hectare home of native bushland to many Australian birds and animals. Most of the inhabitants are r

The Southwest corner of the Australian continent is a vast granite landscape. Much of the granite is hidden under sandy soils, but there are many hundreds of granite rock outcrops to be enjoyed. The variety of these outcrops is amazing. Wave Rock near Hyden is one of the most well known. The wave is an overhanging wall more than 100m long and 15m high on the northern side of Hyden Rock. Water and weather have caused erosion and undercut the base. This has left a rounded overh

Since 1995 colourful tin horses have continually been decorating the highway between Kulin and Hyden and entertaining travellers. They are well placed back away but still visible from the road. This way passing motorists who wish to take photos can pull in away from main thoroughfare. This 15km stretch of road is now known as the Tin Horse Highway. As you drive this road the horses are a welcome sight from the endless dusty paddocks. These horses are quirky community creation

A 1.5m (5ft) sculpture of a dog sits guarding the entrance to the Corrigin Dog Cemetery, 4km (2.5miles) from the town of Corrigin and 229 kms (142 miles) east of Perth. This farming community is known for raising crops and sheep. Started in 1974 and added to over the years, people can bury and immortalise their four legged friends at this spot. It has become a tourist attraction, with people coming from all over Australia and even internationally to visit this homage to man's

Near the town of Dwellingup, just an hour's drive from Perth are two very different but beautiful places to visit. Marrinup Falls Marrinup was a timber town that burnt down in the 1961 bushfires. Today you can camp here, or visit the foundations of the Prisoner of War campsite. I went on the 2.6km trail loop through native bushland around the Marrinup Falls. Visiting in April meant the water was not flowing as much as it normally would be, but this gave a great view of the ge

The Bibbulmun Track & Munda Bindi Bike Trails pass through the small forested country town of Dwellingup, 100km (62miles) from Perth. The town hosts a permanent population of 560. Around a third of the homes here are weekenders or holiday homes, and a large number of dwellings here are bed and breakfasts or AirBnb. Population numbers mushroom during school holidays and weekends as people venture here for the many activities the area boasts. At the annual pumpkin festival an e

Injidup Natural Spa at Wyadup Rocks, Yallingup is a secret place that usually only locals know about. The name Injidup comes from the aboriginal Nyoongar word for the lovely red pea flower (Templetonia retusa) that grows along the limestone cliffs in spring. From the carpark you clambour over rocks and walking paths formed by the feet of multitudes of people over the years. To the left is the beach that is long and wide enough so that everyone can have their own space. The go

Porongurup Range was a challenging bush walk for me.The range is located 360 kms south east of Perth and 40kms north of Albany in the south west region of Western Australia.The 4.4km return journey from the carpark to the granite skywalk at Castle Rock which rises 670 metres was described as a walk. (insert laugh here). It was a scramble, a climb, an exhausting journey. Oh my, but it was worth it when I reached the summit and looked out over the surrounding countryside. Looki

On a stormy day I visited The Gap and Natural Bridge in Torndirrup National Park near Albany, Western Australia. The cold, wet weather enhanced the dramatically stark and beautiful views. Here you look over the Southern Ocean towards Antarctica, 6,915km (4,296miles) away. A purpose built lookout cantilevers out over rocks, 37 metres above sea level. It is only once you step foot on this solid creation and are able to see The Gap from above that you hold your breath with the b

Nannup is known for its annual Music Festival, annual 4 week flower and garden show, walking trails, mountain or road biking, and art and craft galleries. With around 12 coffee shops and food venues, as well as the Nannup Hotel, there are plenty of places to eat here. A population of 600 call this town home, and it is a 282km (174mi) drive from Perth. These are my top five things to see and do in the gorgeous country town of Nannup, even on the rainy day I last visited there.

Mention the Margaret River region of South West Western Australia and people will tell you about the plethora of wineries and breweries in the area. Sadly, I cannot drink wine. Yet there is so much to see and do in this area that does not involve wineries and is well worth visiting. I spend a lovely few days in Margaret River and enjoyed these ten great venues, in no particular order. 1. Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse This is where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet at the furthest

Albany was the site of Australia’s last whaling station which operated from 1952 to 1978. Fortunately, whaling for profit was banned in 1986. My visit to the whaling station was not entertaining, rather it was educational and taught me a lot about why we need to protect whales. The Cheynes Beach Whaling Company was the longest running and most successful whaling company in Australia. At its peak it supplied up to 60% of the world’s market for Sperm whale oil. It was used for

For many years tourists would come to the Valley of the Giants and take a photo of their car in the middle of a giant Tingle tree. However, with people and cars damaging the shallow root system, the tree collapsed in 1990. The Ancient Empire walk and a tree top walk were envisioned and created so that people could still come and admire the beauty of the forest without damaging the trees. Walking through the Ancient Empire Walk was relaxing. Looking at the beautiful trees, li

Greenough, Western Australia is an historical settlement 400km north of Perth, and 24kms south of Geraldton. 1. Leaning Trees The leaning trees here belong to the species Eucalyptus camaldulensis, River Gum. The strong southerly winds burn off the growth on the windward side. This tree is still growing. 2. Wesley Church The foundation stone for this gothic style church was laid in 1867. Ticket of leave convicts built this limestone church and it was opened in 1870. It is bein

Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier I had the pleasure of taking a tour of the Cathedral in Geraldton, Western Australia with volunteer tour guide Linda. Eight years ago the Cathedral precinct was built. This is not just an area for religious observation. It is a community area, with a sense of community belonging. The Labyrinth is an ancient form of meditation. It is hard to see the lines in the design, but that is the purpose. As you concentrate your thoughts on the design, you

The old Geraldton Gaol was in operation from 1856 – 1985 and is now utilised as a craft centre. In 1989 a group of Geraldton citizens started cleaning up the old gaol. Now the old cells are rented out to crafters who sell their wares here. Some of the old cells are also used to house displays of memorabilia. You can even play prison darts, or have your photo taken in the stocks. The walls are covered with information about previous occupants of the gaol, rules and regulations

The Geraldton Museum is full of interesting artifacts and information. Visiting here was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. SHIPWRECKS The shipwreck exhibit details the wrecks of the Dutch VOC. Their headquarters were in Jakarta and the pride of their fleet was built in 1628 – the Batavia. Like the Titanic in later years, the Batavia sunk on its maiden voyage in 1628 off the coast of Western Australia. Sadly, the similarity ends here. The Batavia had over 300 people aboa

High on a hill overlooking the Geraldton, Western Australia harbor stands a National Memorial dedicated to the sailors and families of the 645 men who lost their lives when the Sydney II sunk on 19 November 1941, 120 kms off the coast of Shark Bay, Western Australia. The Sydney II was a light class cruiser and had seen successful action in the Mediterranean. The crew were young men, the average age of the sailors was just 26. The Sydney II encountered a ship flying Dutch colo

In late 1914 over 41,000 Australians and New Zealanders left Albany, bound for the First World War. The National Anzac Centre overlooks the harbor from where they departed, and now stands proudly at this heritage site which includes the Princess Royal Fortress. I have visited this site twice and found it moving each time. We should never forget the sacrifice so many people made for future generations. As the convoys left the harbor, this is the last sight many of the soldiers

In Kalbarri, I decided to do something new - lobster fishing. It was a fabulous adventure and I am very glad that I got the opportunity to experience it in this part of the beautiful coastline of Western Australia. Meeting Kalbarri Rock Lobster Tours at 7.30am, I was greeted with a smile and a welcoming cup of coffee by Rose. Rose and her husband Vaughn were great hosts. Three other guests were aboard that day as well and we all chatted to each other as if we were old friends