Today was a short drive from our accomodation to the start our 21klms from Gracetown to Margaret River. The swell had come up and being Saturday the surfers were jockeying for the best position.
The track started on an easy track which took us to a viewpoint, and memorial to the school children who died in a rockfall close to the waters edge, which was a sad beginning to our day. Our usual daily sighting of a whale spouting as opposed to breaching was exciting. We followed the coastline on a sand trail which was quite overgrown. Surboard riders littered the coastline were they could easily access the beaches. The wildflowers were not as spectacular as yesterday, but we did spot some stunning bright red kangaroo paw. A few hours later we headed inland for approximately 200mtrs to our morning tea spot at Ellensborough which was formally the homestead of a pioneering family the Bussells. On arrival we were so surprised to see one of guides Simon waiting for us with a lavish morning tea of scrumptious scones, jam lots of cream and laminations, accompanied by a hot cupola, which we all devoured in minutes, most of mine ended up in my shirt. After our revive and survive break, again we headed inland on a designated boardwalk to a limestone cave. Continuing further on a sandy four wheel drive undulating track, which was quick hot with very little breeze from the ocean, but the colourful stripped shingle back lizard that we spotted obviously enjoyed the sunshine. It was only then a short walk to our lunch spot on the beach. Shoes off and we were in the cold water to give our feet a well earn treat. After lunch we continued barefoot along the beach for a few minutes, shoes on then it was a clamber over the rocks, once again following the Cape to Cape trail, just before we arrived at the Margaret River estuary we spotted a family of carnabys black cockatoos. Thankfully the river was not flowing out into the ocean hence it saved us taking our boots off to cross. Arriving at the Margaret River car park and amenities, Simon was waiting for us with our second surprise for the day, chilled watermelon, and cold drinks, unfortunately not a cold beer, as he reminded us we had to walk another few klms to end our day.
For me the finale of the day was to hop in the hot spa at our accommodation.
Filed under: Adventure travel