The plan was to do half of the Captain Fawcett 4 x 4 track. The track is not marked from the road and it was only after we deduced what should be the track, and drove in, that we actually found the sign. At the start of the track, they didn’t bother to tell you that the track is closed due to track damage, you find that out after several kms.
It is a jarrah forest interspersed with these Banksia.
We took a side turn which heads back into Lane Poole area to see a original timber cutters bridge which has now collapsed. There was plenty of fast flowing water in the small creek. We then back tracked back to Fawcett's track to continue.
This is a classic example of why tracks get closed off. The tracks are ruined by people who want to play in mud and consequently destroy tracks. After we turned around., three utes with young blokes came in and obviously for a play. Parks will close it rather than waste money repairing it.
We went further down the track but it was deteriorating and there were a few spits of rain. We decided that we had too far to travel on the track and if it did decide to rain, it was going to turn out to be quite dicey. The track was in very poor condition. Our wheels were on the edge of this drop off and a tumble down would not be good, should the edge give way. It would be easier to bury it than recover it.
We, then used secondary forest roads to get to Harvey. That was fun, as our maps didn’t always coincide with all the tracks going every where. We managed to navigate a fairly straight way to Harvey with only one back track.
Bauxite mining is in full swing with Alcoa. This tunnel goes under the bauxite conveyer belt. The processing plant is just outside Harvey.
New Hoffman camp ground (Hoffman’s Mill)
We visited another popular camp site at Hoffman Mill. It would be quite cold camping there. We had jackets on as it quite elevated. There were lots of climbing roses growing everywhere. Obviously brought in by the timber cutters. I have noticed if they move a camp site within an area or renovate it, they call it the same name and add “new” in the front of it.
This camp ground is only open from November to April during their dry season. It was quite damp in any case and would be a nightmare in the wet season.
We then headed into Harvey. Famous for the Harvey Milk, Yoghurt and Cheese. There was a power failure was across the region and a lot of places were unable to trade. The information centre was in total darkness but open. The tea rooms were closed. May Gibbs lived for two years in the area and it was believed to be her inspiration for the gumnut babies. There is a replica house and gardens.
This was the friendliest duck. Check out the little curls at the end of it’s tail. It came up to greet me and looked me in the eye, asking for crumbs. Knows how to work the crowd. It reminded me of the duck from the movie Babe.
Finally, got to see the (assuming it is) cicada which makes the stone in the tyre clicking sound. It is a constant noise here. The strange thing is that they are all in unison and it’s the exact same sound no matter how fast or slow that you are travelling. We are calling them the tyre clickers as the timing seems to be a tyre rotation.
The gardens were really nice cottage style. It is overlooking the Harvey River.
We drove out to the Harvey Milk Factory hoping for a retail outlet at the factory, but they don’t have one, so went drove further out of town to HaVe ([pronounced Harvey) Cheese factory and stocked up on some treats including cold smoked salmon which we had for lunch on fresh bread rolls.
Through the glass viewing area of the cheese making area. With our stash on board we headed to Harvey Dam for lunch. Coming down from Hoffman Mill we came down to the water line almost opposite where we had lunch.
Great picnic spot with barbeques and amphitheatre, nice lawns and even though it is below the dam wall, there is a nice water feature and walk.
Nice aged timber walkway over the weir. The dam wall from the car park.
It was a long way to the top. There wasn’t any water going over the spillway.
Looking across to the picnic area in the distance. The spillway has been cut out of bedrock.
Walking across to above the picnic area. A close up photo showing our car and the picnic grounds layout.
We walked across the dam wall and down the other side completing a circuit.and back down the hill to the car park.
On the road back to Pinjarra we saw a sign for a wetlands walk and headed in to find it. Again poor signage and we had a lot of trouble finding where it actually was.
Glen spotted this bobtail on the road side. I stopped for a photo because of his orange colouring around the face. Glen spotted that he had lots of large ticks on him and he has no way of getting rid of them. We pulled them off with the multi grips, so at least he has a chance now. The number of large ticks would have killed him.
There were about 5 huge ones behind his head, but you can see three small ones grouped together on the right. They look like his scales. Wild life rescue mission accomplished.
Now I know that I have far too much time on my hands these days, so that is my excuse. I have taken a photo of a optical illusion that I could see from the camper bed. I went out side to find it for a clearer shot, but couldn’t find it, as I was sitting much higher in the trailer.
You never know what is watching you in the bush.
Spooky!
ReplyDeleteIt was a long way to the top (of the dam) - did you want to rock 'n' roll (a sausage roll)? - Courtesy AC/DC :)