The promised rain finally showed up during the night along with some significant thunder and lightening. Our repairs to the leak appeared to have worked as no water had made it into the van which was a plus. With the rain having eased by the time we got up it was not too much of a hassle packing up and by about 0930 we were on the road heading south towards Augusta. The road from the camp continued on through average height forest and then all of a sudden we were in amongst the significant and very tall Karri timber of the Boranup Forest. Most impressive and with a very eerie feel to it as it was completely silent but for the patter of the light rain that was falling and the echo of the odd bird call.
As Augusta was “just down the road” we were there in no time at all and made our way out to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. This is the corner of the island where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet and with the weather as it was the feeling of desolation was complete – even though the town of Augusta was just down the road. Checking out the town we found a couple more painted cows. Carol’s turn this time and then we were off heading south west towards Pemberton. The road ran through rolling hills of forest and farmland with green grass and some dairy herds and reminded us of NZ, especially given the dampness of the day and the lush growth all around. Lunch was in a rest area with beautiful forest all around and the rain coming and going. A great day for traveling really.
Before reaching Pemberton we stopped to check out the Beedelup Falls and even though it had been raining they were pathetic, especially given day visitors are supposed to pay an $11.00 entry fee just for driving into the National Park that they are in. Australia is quite messed up in this regard in that some National Parks are supposedly only legitimately available to those who can afford to, or are willing to, pay for the privilege – weird... Onward to Pemberton but as it turned out we reached an intersection a couple of km out of the town and found that the road we were following did not go there so instead we just carried on until we found our camp for the night within the forest at an old sawpit site. A lovely area in amongst huge trees and once again absolute silence apart from the very occasional bird call and the dripping of the rain on the caravan roof from way up above.
