Join me for Day One of a 5-Day tour to Albany and Esperance in Western Australia, where the first stop was for morning tea at the small township of Williams, 160 kms south of Perth. Then on to Albany for an interesting tour of Whale World which is situated on the site of the old Cheynes Beach Whaling Station, located on the southern coast of King George Sound. The station ceased whaling operations and was decommissioned in 1978. This industrial site has been transformed into a premier heritage tourist attraction taking visitors on a true and often emotional journey, of Australian whaling through the site of Australia’s last whaling station. Complete the day with a visit to the natural granite formations of The Gap and Natural Bridge on the southern coastline in Torndirrup National Park.

The schedule for Day Two of the tour takes us to the magnificent Stirling Range National Park for a close view of spectacular Bluff Knoll which is the highest peak in the south of Western Australia. Then enjoy the mountain scenery along Stirling Range Road before arriving at the nearby town of Mt Barker in the Plantagenet Shire. Enjoy a walk in the tall Karri Forest of the Porongurup Range before returning to Albany where we drive to the top of Mt Clarence to view the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial which overlooks King George Sound.

It was an early start on Day Three for the journey from Albany to Esperance. First stop was at the picturesque Bremer Bay with beautiful azure blue water and white sands. Lunch stop was at the farming township of Jerramungup in the Fitzgerald Biosphere. The short stop in Ravensthorpe was my first return visit since leaving there in 1974, so many changes were noticeable. Arrived in Esperance late afternoon with time for a short walk and a few more photos as a record of Day Three.

The morning of Day Four was spent aboard MV Seabreeze II cruising between islands of the Recherche Archipelago and spotting wildlife before landing on Woody Island for a nature Bushwalk and scenic views. Back to Esperance to see the new Clocktower and Esperance Miniature Railway Society, explore the Adventureland Park, visit Wireless Hill for 360 degree views over Esperance, take a coastal drive to enjoy the pristine azure waters of Twilight Beach and nearby Picnic Beach. Complete Day Four by wandering through  the grounds of Esperance Museum and Historic Village which is a collection of small historic buildings that have been relocated to the site of the town’s original marshalling yards and now house small specialty stores in a tranquil parkland setting.

Departing Esperance on Day Five as we commenced the return journey, the first stop was at Ravensthorpe where I took a few more photos of the small town that I once called ‘Home’ for seven years. Next stop was at the world famous granite formations of Wave Rock and Hippos Yawn near Hyden.  Then came Corrigin and a stop at the Dog Cemetery which is the resting place for many dearly loved pets. Last call was at Brookton which had some lovely wildflowers near the service station, then home to Perth at the completion of an interesting five-day tour and a journey of 2,323 kms.

Take a Morning Tour of The Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park, Western Australia, where thousands of huge limestone pillars rise from the shifting yellow sands. This unique landscape is a photographer’s paradise, especially as the colours of the Pinnacles change with the mood of the day and the angle of the light. This tour with ‘Turquoise Coast Enviro Tours’ brings you views of The Pinnacles as seen in the morning sunshine and many of the shapes will be recognized from my previous Pinnacles Sunset album, however they take on a new dimension with the light coming from the opposite direction. To view the Pinnacles at Sunset, please visit — http://imageevent.com/gladysclancy/ecotours/thepinnaclesdesert1

In order to do my two recent tours of The Pinnacles, I stayed in the nearby town of Cervantes, a popular fishing and holiday spot on the coast. Cervantes was established in 1962 when the Government removed 505 hectares of land from the northwest corner of Nambung National Park to establish the town which has now become the ‘Gateway to the Pinnacles’. The town site took its name from the three Cervantes Islands where the American Whaling Ship ‘Cervantes’ was wrecked off the coast on 29 June 1844. Features of Cervantes include spectacular pristine beaches showcasing the beautiful turquoise ocean where visitors can enjoy many water activities. This is Cervantes as captured by my camera prior to the Sunset Tour of The Pinnacles on Day One of my visit.

Day Two at Cervantes and I was up in time to watch the Sunrise over the sand dunes and enjoy a walk along the beach with the sea mist rising in the pink glow of early morning. An ultralight aircraft flew overhead as I searched for the treasures left by the receding tide. A new day in Cervantes, an interesting morning tour of the Pinnacles (in earlier album) and a few more photos taken around town before returning to Perth. Enjoy these views from Day Two in Cervantes.

From the Fitzgerald River National Park, see the flora and fauna of Pt Ann where Dolphins swim and Southern Right Whales come in to calve during their winter migration, walk along the Nature Trail to learn the history of the Rabbit-Proof Fence, travel to the white sands and clear waters of Trigelow Beach, before visiting the Little Boondadup River area to view Wildflowers in the Fitzgerald Biosphere.

Enjoy the scenic Views and wonderful Wildflowers while climbing West Mt Barren which forms part of the Barren Ranges located within the Fitzgerald River National Park on the South Coast of Western Australia.

Enjoy the Wildflowers while travelling along Butcher's Track, a red earth road in the Murchison, to Wooleen Station and the Historic Wooleen Woolshed in the Outback of Western Australia.

Travel on from Coral Bay to Nanutarra and the beautiful Ashburton River before arriving at Millstream-Chichester National Park where the spinifex was unusually green due to the cyclonic rains from Cyclone Monty which had flooded the area a few weeks earlier. The 200,000-hectare Millstream-Chichester National Park is a landscape of rolling hills, spectacular escarpments and winding tree-lined watercourses, contrasting with the lush oasis of the Millstream wetlands. Experience the true beauty of the Pilbara in these amazing Gorges, Rocky Outcrops, Snappy Gums and Spinifex.

Commence the day with a lovely Sunrise before exploring the wonders of the Millstream-Chichester National Park, including scenic views from the top of Mt Herbert, the refreshing Python Pool and Deep Reach Pool. Enjoy the Pilbara Landscape including Wildflowers and Nature while travelling through the Hamersley Ranges to the colourful rock formations of Hamersley Gorge. Visit the town of Tom Price and view Mt Bruce before reaching Karijini National Park to explore the wonders of Dales Gorge and Circular Pool.

Walk the Callitris track around the rim of Dales Gorge for scenic views of awesome rock formations, flora and fauna of Karijini National Park. See the Callitris (Australian Native Cypress) along the Fortescue Walk, then view Joffre Falls, Knox Gorge, Weano Gorge, Red Gorge and Hancock Gorge from Junction Pool Lookout and Oxer Lookout, before climbing down into the pretty Kalamina Gorge to see the beautiful reflections in the pool. Enjoy the scenic views and places of interest including Walga Rock and Paynes Find Gold Battery on the return journey back to Perth to complete the round trip of 3,269 Kms.