AU – The Hidden Panorama

Brisbane Open House (Day 1) : Discover the City’s Hidden Radiance and Elegance

Summary :
Brisbane Domestic Airport
Brisbane Airport Station
Brisbane Central Station
Brisbane City Hall
One One One Eagle Street
Riparian Plaza
Riverside Centre
Brisbane River
Story Bridge
Customs House
Riverside Quarter
Kookabura Showboat Cruises
Brisbane Polo Club – Naldham House
Hotel Embassy
The General Douglas MacArthur Room
MacArthur Museum Brisbane
Queen Street
Visitor Information Center Brisbane
Tattersall Club
Brisbane Arcade
General Post Office
The Manor Apartments
National Australia Bank
ANZAC Square Memorial
Ecosciences Precinct

When I lived in Australia between 2013-2014, I received impression about Brisbane from colleagues and friends that there was nothing to see in the city. I did not heard so much good and enthusiastic feedback about Brisbane. Most people whom I talked that had been in the city just advised me that Melbourne still far better, then they will follow a suggestion to visit Gold Coast instead of Brisbane. But, I was still curious and eager to see the city. I wondered why it is a capital of Queensland instead of Gold Coast.

I searched the internet to check what to see in Brisbane, looked for popular and interesting place to see. During the search, I came across an event that made me pushed to materialize my plan. The event is called Brisbane Open House happened last October 2013. When I learned about it, I felt excited because it will give me a chance to see more of Brisbane.

I visited the official website of Brisbane Open House (please check here) and ordered the guide-book that only cost $5AUD. I signed up for the event and registered for buildings with limited visitors. I registered in three buildings, two out of three, I was successfully selected. The two buildings were Riverside Centre and Translational Research Institute. Unfortunately, I was not lucky to be chosen to visit One One One Eagle Street. When I received the guide-book, I was more excited and looked forward to the event.

A month before the scheduled open house, I booked my flight and my accommodation. But few days before my scheduled flight to TigerAir (one of the budget airline in Australia), they canceled my inbound flight to Brisbane without explanation and I was furious of what the airline did because I had few days left before the Brisbane Open House event and booking that was tight to the schedule is more expensive than early booking. I requested TigerAir to compensate the additional cost that I incurred to the other airline where I booked my new inbound flight to the city. I flew via Virgin Australia. My supposed arrival in the city at 8:15 AM in the morning of Saturday has changed to 9:10 AM.

I visited Brisbane for the Open House event which happened over the weekend. As I only spent one night in the city, I never brought a luggage which reduced the cost of my flight. It was a short flight from Melbourne. After more than 2 hours in the air, we touched down at Brisbane Airport. I disembarked the plane and walked out of the departure terminal. When I reached outside of the terminal, I was glad to find a train terminal that I can use as public transportation to reach the city center cheaper and easier. My arrival time in the airport was timely and I still had enough time to commute to the city before my scheduled building tour in Riverside Centre at 11:00AM. I took from the Airport Station and went out at Central Station.

Brisbane Domestic Airport

Domestic Airport from Airport Station

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Brisbane Airport Station

Different Stations that the train passed on the way to Central Station from Airport Station

Brisbane Central Station

I walked from Central Station towards Riverside Centre. I exited in Ann Street and turned right. I turned left at Albert Street where I saw Museum of Brisbane and Brisbane City Hall. From Albert Street, I turned left to Elizabeth Street while trying to find my way to Riverside Centre.

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Brisbane City Hall with Clock Tower

One One One Eagle Street

Riparian Plaza (left) and One One One Eagle Street (right)

I reached Riverside Centre and had amazing building tour with a bonus of exploring Riverside Quarter, the ground building. For the detailed building tour, check here.

Riverside Centre

Riverside Centre from Riverside Quarter

With Brisbane River and Story Bridge from the top

Nearby Buildings Surrounds Brisbane River from Riverside Quarter

Riverside Quarter

Story Bridge from Riverside Quarter

Customs House from Riverside Quarter

Kookabura Showboat Cruises Ferry Terminal at Eagle Street Pier

Bavarian Pier Cafe

Coming from Riverside Quarter, my walks led me from Eagle Street Pier to Mary Street where I passed some restaurants like Bavarian Pier Cafe. Next, I saw Brisbane Polo Club which was a former Naldham House, a former two-storey office building built in 1866 through Australasian Steam Navigation Company. As little bit history of it, the building undergone renovations under several shipping companies that took over the building, until it became under MacDonald Hamilton and Co. which managed the building from 1914 until 1986. In 1989, the building was purchased by AMP and leased to polo players until it was sold to them in 2003.

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Brisbane Polo Club – Naldham House

My walk continued from Mary Street to Albert Street where I found a heritage building called Hotel Embassy. Below are the excerpts that I found about it.

The Embassy Hotel was built in 1928 during Brisbane’s interwar building boom. It is one of eight remaining pre-World War II corner hotels in Brisbane’s Central Business District (CBD), and the only one erected during the interwar period. Designed in the Interwar Commercial Palazzo style, the building is an unusual example of architect Jack Donoghue’s work and, along with Invicta House and Pioneer House, provides the south side intersection of Edward and Elizabeth Street with a distinct interwar presence.

–Heritage Brisbane

Hotel Embassy

Walking within central business district of the city, I found a museum, a museum that I never expected that I will be familiar to it. I went to MacArthur Museum Brisbane. For the quick tour to the museum, please check here.

The General Douglas MacArthur Room/Office at MacArthur Museum Brisbane

MacArthur Chamber

Queen Street near Brisbane Arcade

Visitor Information Center Brisbane

While walking at Edward Street, I turned left at Queen Street where I had a chance to see Tattersall Club and Brisbane Arcade. Tatters All club was formed in 1865 by group of men prominent in business and horse-racing in Queensland. Then, a three-storey building was built in 1926 and to provide billiard, card, reading and dining rooms for its members. The building has been extended in 1936 to be able to contain new dining rooms and kitchen. In 1990, it was refurbished again for redevelopment that will include fine dining restaurant, large function rooms, 18 accommodation rooms, gymnasium, indoor heated swimming pool, a library and administration offices. The building is architecturally important because of the period interiors which features the use of materials from Queensland. The building’s facade in Queen and Edward Streets are good examples of Classical Revival and Art Deco styles.

Tattersall Club

My walks continued at Queen Street until I saw Brisbane Arcade. The name was familiar as I had visited similar arcades in Melbourne and Sydney. And the thought excited me at that time because I knew I will discover another arcades in Australia which became additional collection for me about traditional arcade shopping center in the country.

Brisbane Arcade

When I entered the arcade, I felt amazed because of interior design of the building. These kind of interiors can be only seen in old and historical buildings. The design of the arcade are said to be based on traditional arcade shopping in Europe during late 18th century. For the detailed photos of the Brisbane Arcade and its interiors, please check here.

Central Walkway from the upper level showing the terrazo flooring Queen Street towards Adelaide Street with terrazzo flooring and leading to gallery stores on each side

Roof structure with lightweight exposed steel trusses and clerestory windows on both sides to admit light naturally

Central Walkway towards Adelaide Street displaying the ‘Mirage’ 1978, Stainless Steel and Bronsze by Gidon Graetz.

With lead-light windows on each gallery stores at the upper level, ballusters, and chandelier lights

One of the stores inside Brisbane Arcade

Brisbane Arcade was built in 1923 and founded by Maine family. Even though the family has interesting story related to the arcade which detailed in the history section of their official website of the building. In my own opinion, if I will understand what the Maine family are doing, because of what father of the family did, they wanted to pay forward of the sins of their father by giving the fortunes of the arcade back to community such as helping University of Queensland Medical School.

Queen Street has lots of important buildings, another one is General Post Office which is a heritage building considered today as one of Brisbane’s finest historic landmarks.

General Post Office

While walking along Queen Street, another noticeable building to be seen just beside General Post Office is The Manor Apartments, though it was not included on the list of building for Open House Brisbane event, the external design of the building was captivating and it was registered as heritage with its gargoyles and elegant bronze semi-circular windows overlooking Queen St. It was the tallest building in the city when built in 1931.

The Manor Apartments

National Australia Bank, another heritage building exist along Queen Street. It was a former Queensland National Bank head office built in 1885. The building symbolizes the close relationship of Queensland Bank and Queensland Government. It was designed by Architect FDG Stanley in Classical Revival Style. The Giant order columns of Oamaru (New Zealand) limestone dominates the Queen and Creek Street. Please check here to see detailed post on building tour.

National Australia Bank

ANZAC Square Shrine of Remembrance which located in heritage listed ANZAC Square which can be found between Ann Street and Adelaide Street. If coming from Central Station and exited in Ann Street, ANZAC Square can be seen immediately. This was the third ANZAC related structure that I had seen so far while exploring Australia. The first was in Melbourne and second was in Canberra. The town square was built to honor the Queenslander soldiers fought in the war.

ANZAC Square Shrine of Remembrance

Before ending my tour in the city which still part of Brisbane Open House, I left the business district to travel to Dutton Park where Ecosciences Precinct is located. I return to Central Station to reach Park Road Railway Station. From that station I walked towards my destination which is a science building.

I was excited that there are science buildings that were open anytime for vistors during the city’s open house event. And I was really glad that the Ecosciences Precinct was not included in pre-book tours wherein only selected people that registered can come to the building. I came late in afternoon and hoping I was still able to catch-up the schedules before it ends the day. To see detailed post about the building’s interior, please check here.

At the back of Ecosciences Precinct

At the front of Ecosciences Precinct

Scenery from the roof of Ecosciences Precinct

Translational Research Institute (left)

The Gabba (left)

Summary :
Brisbane Domestic Airport
Brisbane Airport Station
Brisbane Central Station
Brisbane City Hall
One One One Eagle Street
Riparian Plaza
Riverside Centre
Brisbane River
Story Bridge
Customs House
Riverside Quarter
Kookabura Showboat Cruises
Brisbane Polo Club – Naldham House
Hotel Embassy
The General Douglas MacArthur Room
MacArthur Museum Brisbane
Queen Street
Visitor Information Center Brisbane
Tattersall Club
Brisbane Arcade
General Post Office
The Manor Apartments
National Australia Bank
ANZAC Square Memorial
Ecosciences Precinct

Notes :
Plan to visit Brisbane ? Please check latest information here.
Location : Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Directions / Transportation to Brisbane Central Business District :
1. Within Brisbane take any translink train and get off at Central Station. Exit at Ann Street
2. Check the access link to the city here.
Official Website : Brisbane

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National Australia Bank – Once Queensland’s Most Prominent Bank

National Australia Bank is another heritage building exist along Queen Street located in city central of Brisbane. It was a former Queensland National Bank head office built in 1885. The building symbolizes the close relationship of Queensland Bank and state of Queensland Government. It was designed by Architect FDG Stanley in Classical Revival Style.

National Australia Bank

Three-Storeyed Brick Structure with Murphy’s Creek sandstone facings in Classical Revival Style with distinct Palladian influence. Giant order columns of Oamaru (New Zealand) limestone dominate the Queen and Creek Street facades.

The building has a distinct Palladian influence with careful classical detailing and giant order columns. It is built on a corner, and the two facades are dominated by bays of Corinthian columns which rise through the upper two storeys. This portion of the Queen Street facade protrudes in the form of a porch while the similar colonnade on Creek Street is recessed.

— Wikipedia

The moment I entered the building, I felt like I was going to discover something amazing and the moment that I saw inside the magnificent heritage structure, I totally agree why is has to be a heritage structure. A building that was able to stand more than 100 years since it was built and it remains its radiance is something that people of Brisbane should be proud of.

I just had a couple of photos inside of it, but to be honest, it was not allowed to take photos, but at that time, I got few shots taken while touring the building. If the external design of the building looks so grand, the things to see inside is the same as well. Since the building still use as bank for real, I thought that was the reason I never able to capture so much photos inside.

Decorative Ceiling with hanging brass chandelier

Hanging Brass Chandlier

Decorative Ceiling and Walls

At the second floor balcony with the giant order Corinthian columns rise through two-upper storeys with semi-circular windows

Boardroom showcasing elegant mahogany and walnut furnishings with well designed marble fireplace

The Chambers feature Italian marble fireplaces with customised glazed ceramic tiling—here depicting Milton’s Il Penseroso and L’Allegro.

At the third floor balcony with the giant order Corinthian columns rise through two-upper storeys

Another beautiful brass chandelier

There was a room that was allowed for the visitor to see and seeing it with my own eyes, made me felt like I was entering a room that used by important people before, because the interior design are so detailed, from the ceiling, the hanging chandelier, the long tables and chairs, the carpets, the walls and even fire places are so elegant in style that at that time symbolizes luxury. Another building features that I truly admired is the lift with surrounding stairs where it clearly shows the design of its metallic structure.

The original staircase, lit naturally from decorative light wells, wraps around the lift well and opens to the The Chambers’ grand Queen Street entrance.

The building still servers as one of the branch of National Australia Bank. And having a chance to see this amazing classical structure in the city was a great opportunity to witness again, how Brisbane share its own elegance like other city that I visited in Australia.

Until then.

Notes :
Plan to visit Brisbane ? Please check latest information here.
Location : Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Directions / Transportation to Brisbane Central Business District :
1. Within Brisbane take any translink train and get off at Central Station. Exit at Ann Street
2. Check the access link to the city here.
Official Website : Brisbane

Plan to see National Bank Australia in Brisbane? Or plan to visit the building during Brisbane Open House event? Check here.
Location : 308-322 Queen St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
Directions / Transportation to National Bank Australia :
1. From Central Station. Exit at Ann Street
2. Cross Ann Street and walk straight towards ANZAC Square and ANZAC Memorial until reaching Adelaide Street
3. Cross Adelaide Street and walk straight towards Sir William Glasgow Memorial until reaching Queen Street
4. Turn left at Queen Street and walk until reaching Creek Street
Official Website : None

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MacArthur Museum Brisbane – A Familiar History Museum

While walking within business district of the city, there was a museum that I never expected that it will be familiar to me. The name MacArthur knocked something in my head, but I was not sure what it was at first. I decided to visit MacArthur Museum since it was near where I was at that time and the building was included in the Brisbane Open House anyway. I walked along Queen Street coming from taking photos of Hotel Embassy.

At 8th Floor towards the museum

At the time of the visit, the building ground was being renovated, that was why I just have few photos of the building that includes the ground. I went upstairs and followed the way to the museum itself. The moment I entered the museum, I was surprised as I never thought that the name of MacArthur will be the same person that I was familiar with because of my country’s history.

During rudimentary and intermediate school, I learned about the notable quote that American General made during Japanese invasion in Philippines and I am referring to General MacArthur whom announced to the Filipino and Allied forces “I came through and I shall return” during his great escape as Japanese forces able to gain control the country at that time. Since I learned the history quite a long time ago, I was reminded or probably learned that MacArthur went to Australia after leaving Philippines to think again how to retaliate the enemy which made him able to come back to my country and able conquer Japanese forces.

The restored General Douglas MacArthur Room / Office

The first thing that caught my interest is the room that General MacArthur used which still reflects what it was before. When I saw the room, I just thought that it was pretty simple and functional. Well, luxury has no room during war time.

Based on the Brisbane Open House guide book that I bought, the MacArthur Museum Brisbane is a heritage listed MacArthur Chambers built between 1931-1934 as the Queensland headquarter of Australian Mutual Provident Society. The building was used as the headquarter of Allied forces in South-West Pacific during World War II. The AMP Society stayed at basement and ground floor while Commander In Chief of Allied Forces in South-West Pacific Area General Douglas MacArthur, occupied the Boardroom and his staff used the rest of the building.

MacArthur Chambers

After the war, the building reverted its former use by AMP Society until 1978. Then, the building was named as MacArthur Chambers to honor the American General.

I also explored the museum in a short period of time and it showcase the history related to General MacArthur, the World War II, and the role of the Brisbane City during that time. But one thing was for sure that I learned when I visited the museum, the city has a huge role to help and to enable General MacArthur with Allied forces to win back the World War II and that was the moment that my country was waiting, that the American General was able to fulfill his promised and able to return to Philippines to fight back against Japanese.

As museum is my weakness in every of my travel, as I had this tendency to stay longer to read and check almost every displays in the museum but I controlled myself because of limited time that I had. I still wanted to explore other parts of the city, I left the museum and continued exploring other buildings that still part of Brisbane Open House event.

Until then.

Notes :
Plan to visit Brisbane ? Please check latest information here.
Location : Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Directions / Transportation to Brisbane Central Business District :
1. Within Brisbane take any translink train and get off at Central Station. Exit at Ann Street
2. Check the access link to the city here.
Official Website : Brisbane

Plan to visit MacArthur Museum? Check here.
Location : MacArthur Chambers, 201 Edward St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
Directions / Transportation to MacArthur Museum Brisbane :
1. From Central Station. Exit at Ann Street
2. Cross Ann Street and walk straight towards ANZAC Square and ANZAC Memorial until reaching Adelaide Street
3. Cross Adelaide Street and walk straight towards Sir William Glasgow Memorial until reaching Queen Street
4. Turn right at Queen Street until reaching Edward Street
5. Turn left at Edward Street and walk few meters to reach MacArthur Museum Brisbane or
6. From Ann Street, turn right to Edward Street.
7. Walk along Edward Street until crossing Street. Then, walk few meters to reach MacArthur Museum Brisbane
8. Check the access link to the museum here.
Official Website : MacArthur Museum Brisbane

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Riverside Centre Tour and More

Summary :
One One One Eagle Street
Riparian Plaza
Riverside Centre
Brisbane River
Story Bridge
Customs House
Riverside Quarter
Kookabura Showboat Cruises

The first pre-booked tour that I had while I was in Brisbane is Riverside Centre. I was lucky to be chosen to enter the building. Coming from Central Station, I followed my GPS to walk towards the building that I was intended to be for a free building tour during Brisbane Open House.

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One One One Eagle Street

Riparian Plaza (left) and One One One Eagle Street (right)

Riverside Centre Tour

From Elizabeth Street, I turned right to Creek Street, when I am near Riverside Centre, I saw other towers beside it which is Riparian Plaza and One One One Eagle Street, combining it to Riverside Centre, almost completes the city’s famous ‘Golden Triangle’ precinct. Then, I went inside the building where we were instructed to wait in the lobby as I was few minutes earlier before 11:00 AM. While waiting, as I was fascinated with the arts that are part of the foyer interior, I took a couple of photos. At the lobby entrance, I found the Norman Carlberg sculpture described as seen against exposed rib structure with title of “Winterwind” and a colorful wall frame display that definitely gives life to the monotone color of the wall.

Riverside Centre from Riverside Quarter

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“Winterwind” sculpture by Norman Carlberg

Color Wall-frame Display

Our Tour Guide in Riverside Centre

Riverside Centre Tower Model with Riverside Quarter at its bottom

When the time was up, a woman approached us in the foyer, introduced herself and asked who were going to join her in the building tour. And she checked us like counting us and then, she started an introduction of the building. After her introduction, we followed her to the elevator and went to one of the vacant floor at that time and we went straight to wall window where the city was view-able. Most of us visitors spent time taking photos of city scenery where Brisbane River and Story Bridge can be seen. After we enjoyed the scenery of the city from the top, we went to Auditorium and our guide also explained other facilities and amenities that the building is offering to its clients as Riverside Centre is a commercial space for work and offices located within the “Golden Triangle”, a precinct which is the prime location within Brisbane central business district.

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With Brisbane River and Story Bridge

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Nearby Buildings Surrounds Brisbane River

After the building tour, I spent time in Riverside Quarter which for me is really a great spot to chill and relax. The location is so charming as it offers the Brisbane River views which really fantastic and the Story Bridge which added beauty to natural settings of the river. Riverside Quarter is commercial district where lots of restaurants are located which anyone can enjoy with the view. Walking here can see and appreciate the beauty that surrounds it. Here, aside from Brisbane River and Story Bridge, I was able to see Customs House and Kookabura Showboat Cruises Ferry Terminal at Eagle Street Pier.

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Nearby Buildngs Surrounds Brisbane River from Riverside Quarter

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Riverside Quarter

Story Bridge from Riverside Quarter

Customs House from Riverside Quarter

Kookabura Showboat Cruises Ferry Terminal at Eagle Street Pier

My walks continued in city central where lots of buildings opened to the public during event, and I was even more excited just knowing it. Until then.

Notes :
Plan to visit Brisbane ? Please check latest information here.
Location : Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Directions / Transportation to Brisbane Central Business District :
1. Within Brisbane take any translink train and get off at Central Station. Exit at Ann Street
2. Check the access link to the city here.
Official Website : Brisbane

Plan to visit Riverside Centre? Check here.
Location : 123 Eagle St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
Directions / Transportation to Riverside Centre :
1. From Central Station. Exit at Ann Street
2. Cross Ann Street and walk straight towards ANZAC Square and ANZAC Memorial until reaching Adelaide Street
3. Cross Adelaide Street and walk straight towards Sir William Glasgow Memorial until reaching Queen Street
4. Cross Queen Street and walk in pedestrian way within General Post Office until reaching Elizabeth Street.
5. Turn left at Elizabeth Street until reaching Eagle Street where Riverside Centre is located or simply
6. Turn left at Ann Street from Central Station, then turn right at Creek Street until reaching Eagle Street.
7. Check the access link to the city here.
Official Website : Riverside Centre

Summary :
One One One Eagle Street
Riparian Plaza
Riverside Centre
Brisbane River
Story Bridge
Customs House
Riverside Quarter
Kookabura Showboat Cruises

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14 Amazing Bays, Beaches & Pool to Enjoy in Rottnest

As Rottnest surrounded by water for being an island, therefore it is understandable that it has plenty of bays, beaches and even pool that fascinates every water adventure enthusiast. It has total of 63 beaches and what I had seen so far were just few of it. Whether you are a rookie swimmer, seasoned snorkeler or expert diver, or just wanted to go fishing or watching sunset with sea, the island offers a lot of water spots to enjoy with different activities. The list below is partial list that I was able to see from the ground and just waiting to be explored. And do not take for granted Rottnest as it is “One of the Most Luxurious Snorkelling Spots in the World” according to Expedia’s Listopedia.

1. Thomson Bay

The bay named after Robert Thomson who farmed salt from the island in 1841. Arriving in Thomson Bay is the first thing to experience in the island. You will immediately see jetties on this bay. The Main Jetty, Fuel Jetty and Hotel Jetty are all located in Thomson Bay. Additional feature of the bay is its historical settlement area where it boast its interesting Colonial Buildings that are more than 100 years old standing until today which mostly converted and used as guest houses, accommodations and hotels nowadays. From the settlement, there is sheltered waters of Thomson Bay that can be enjoyed for swimming. There is aquapark as well that can enjoy inflatable equipment for any ages.

2. Henrietta Rocks & The Shark Wreck

Henrietta Rocks is a lookout where it can easily see “The Shark” shipwreck which said to be the easiest shipwreck to enjoy around the island for diving and for snorkeling as it is accessible 50 meters from the beach. There is small beach under the lookout that can be enjoyed for swimming. Whether you enjoy the beach alone or snorkel in short distance, the place is perfect for both. Henrietta Rocks Lookout, Dyer Island can be seen closer than any other points in the island.

3. Parker Point and Purpoise Bay

Parker Point does not only offer scenic views of stunning bay and beaches from its lookout, the white sand beach at the bottom is lovely, the turquoise water is great for swimming. Parker Point beach is one of the most popular beach in the island. And Purpose Bay is wonderful for boating experience. The bay is one of the great spot for snorkeling since Parker Point is one out of five marine sanctuary exist in Rottnest.

4. Jeannies Pool

A beautiful pool can be seen in Jeannies lookout. The pool is a series of holes in the reefs between Parker Point and Little Salmon Bay and only recommended to swim if the wind is light. From the lookout, the pool scenery is unique compared to other viewpoint.

5. Little Salmon Bay

When I had a chance to see Little Salmon Bay from a distance, I can say that the small beach was amazing. Its clear water still visible from afar that looks so lovely for swimming.

6. Salmon Bay

Salmon Bay is the longest bay in Rottnest where the long stretch of shoreline consist of beaches boasted its beauties and offers lots of underwater sites to enjoy snorkeling and swimming.

7. Fish Hook Bay

This bay near at Cape Vlamingh looks similar to Jeannies Pool from the lookout which also said to be a great place for snorkelling. It is said that this bay can enjoy lots of fishes and even turtles.

8. Cape Vlamingh

At Cape Vlamingh Viewing Platform I enjoyed the waves that breaks into the reef and an up-close observation of flying silver gull. During migration season, this is one of the best spots to enjoy watching whales.

9. Cathedral Rocks

Not far from Cape Vlamingh is Cathedral Rocks where the New Zealand Fur Seals (local residents of the island) can be observed from the viewing platform or from the boat that can go nearer to these wilds at short distance. If lucky, will have a chance to see them playing around in the water like what I witnessed during the visit.

Other bays and beach that I found while exploring the island are : Rocky Bay , Stark Bay, Ricey Beach, Catherine Bay Beach and Geordie Bay.

10. Rocky Bay

11. Stark Bay

12. Ricey Beach

13. Catherine Bay Beach

14. Geordie Bay

Notes :
1. Plan to visit Rottnest Island ? Please check latest information here.
2. Location : Rottnest Island, WA 6161, Australia
3. Directions to Rottnest Island :
Transportation :
a. Join Day Tours from Perth or
b. Go to Barrack Street Jetty Elizabeth Quay terminal and take Rottnest Express
ferry
c. Go to Hillarys Ferry Terminal and take Rottnest Fast Ferries boat
d. Go to Northport Rous Head Harbour or B Shed Victoria Quay in Fremantle and
take Rottnest Express ferry or
e. Go to B Shed Victoria Quay in Fremantle and take Sealink Rottnest Island ferry
Official Website : Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island – Its Perfections and Imperfections

The fourth and last day tour that I had while in Perth. And while completing my writings for my travel post which started in Perth, I just realized that I almost did a counter-clockwise travel from the said city. First tour was going south, second tour was going east, third tour was going north, and last but not the least, the last day tour was going west.

Perth is already at the west side, which place I was referring to that means my tour was going west? If the three tours were all by land, the last tour was involved with crossing the sea. I took a ferry that goes back and forth from Perth to the island named Rottnest. I still booked a tour to the island since my flight returning to Manila happened at the evening. It was my last day in Perth, or let say my last day in Australia since I must return to my country that night. That day for me like, every moment counts because I am not sure when I will be able to return to the third country which became my home for more than 1.5 years.

It was Sunday and I did checked-out in my hotel. Then, I temporarily left all my luggage at the hotel lobby as I will picked them back again after my last day tour. Since it was Sunday and like my usual Sunday, I attended personal activity early in the morning. Then, I took an Uber to reach Hillarys Boat Harbour as my tour will commence from the said harbour. I reached the harbour and I was thankful that I had a bit of familiarity of it since the night before, I had a chance to drive to the harbour with the help of Patricia (my tour guide from previous tour). When I got-off the car, at first, I thought I had to go to straight to the jetty where the boat will pickup their passenger. Then, I inquired some people whom I thought will be doing the same tour in the island and then I learned that I have to go the ticket booth first to exchange my booking. I was glad that I had time and I did exchange my booking for the actual ticket. Then, I went to the boarding area and realized that the boarding had already started. I approached the staff in the area and shown my exchanged ticket. And after inspecting my ticket, I was allowed to enter in the gate and walked to the ferry, I was very excited to get on-board.

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Hillarys Boat Harbour at Night

While traveling via ferry, it was already an adventure because the ferry captain announces if they found a whales along the way so that people on-board will have a chance to see them in their natural environment. At first announcements, I missed to see them, but after third or fourth announcement, I had a chance to see them playing in the water. Unfortunately because of immediate appearance of the whales, I was not able to capture photos of them.

The travel time from Hillarys Boat Harbour to Rottnest Island is around 45 minutes. We left the harbour just few minutes after 10AM and reached the island just after more than 45 minutes. When I arrived the island that was the time I realized how popular the island to people. At the time of tour in Rottnest Island, there was bike racing event and it can be the main reason why lots of people were there at that time. Most of the visitors brought or rented a bike, a one way to enjoy and explore the island for less.

Thomson Bay

Salt Store

Walking Trails featured in Rottnest

The tour that I booked was Grand Island package where there was an assigned tour guide. As I had limited time, I took the said option. And honestly, I never regret that I took that Grand Island tour because I was able to maximize my time exploring Rottnest.

From the Main Jetty (ferry terminal), I walked and followed the path to meet the tour guide as described in the brochures that was given to me when I exchanged my booking to a ticket. And the walking path was easy to follow. Then, at first, I was hesitant because I met the tour guide and he said, we just need to wait a couple of minutes to see if there are other guests that will join the tour. And in few minutes, two female adult joined the tour. We were exactly three people in the tour.

Rottnest Island offers bus options but it was different compared with the tour that I booked. Because, the bus that we had were designated on the tour while the other bus options is operating as hop on / hop off. This means that passengers has to wait to the drop-off/pick-up point to be able to take a bus. And at the time of the visit, it will take some time to wait for the bus. While on my end, since it was a tour, our bus was right there, we were able to easily navigate and explore every corner of the island which for me was a great choice, as I don’t have so much luxury of time to see all of what Rottnest Island has to offer.

The tour started at the center of Thomson Bay Settlement area where the Main Bus Stop terminal is located. Our tour started and our tour guide started telling us information about the island. He mentioned that at that day, all the accommodations in the island was fully booked and he added that if in case we plan to book accommodations in the island, it has to be done months before your holiday to get vacancy.

Bickley Swamp

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The railway from Oliver Hill Station to Settlement Station (Left) or Kingstown Station (Right)

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Dyer Island from Parker Point Road

We took Parker Point Road from Brand Way. And along the road, we saw Bickley Swamp, a crossing rail-tracks and some set of accommodation units. Following the road track of Parker Point Road, we saw Dyer Island from a distance and our tour bus had a quick stop at Henrietta Rocks where we saw “The Shark” shipwreck which said to be the easiest shipwreck to enjoy around the island for diving and for snorkeling as it is accessible 50 meters from the beach.

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At Henrietta Rocks with Dyer Island

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The Shark Wreck

A bay scenery near Henrietta Rocks

Since we never get-off the bus, our tour guide continued driving along Parker Point Road until we reach Parker Point itself. It was the first stop in the tour where a part of its stunning turquoise water bay greeted us. Parker Point has white sand beach and some portion of turquoise water, I can say it’s a great spot for short distance swimming and snorkeling to enjoy the water. At the time of the visit, there were just couple of boats nearby the coast. Based from our guide, during peak season, it’s normal to see lots of boats in Parker Point. But for me, I can say that I was lucky seeing Parker Point with few boat as it honestly lovely.

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Porpoise Bay from Parker Point Road

Almost near at Parker Point

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At Parker Point

After appreciating the beauty of Porpoise Bay that surrounds Parker Point, we found the famous creature exist in Rottnest Island near of Perth, Bald Island near Albany and isolated scattered populations in forest and coastal heath between Perth and Albany. That animal is none other than Quokka. We found one of them drinking water (though it is advised not to give them food and water) by some bikers that were resting in Parker Point.

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Quokka

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At Jeannies Lookout

After Parker Point, we had a short drive to Jeannies Lookout where different pools between reefs are visible from the lookout. Then, we passed Little Salmon Bay (one of the best site to snorkel and to swim), Eastern Osprey Nest (one of the 14 nest site of Eastern Osprey – a wild large eagle bird shape in Rottnest) and Salmon Bay (where beached boasted its beauties and offers lots of underwater sites to enjoy snorkeling and swimming) wherein all the photos were captured while inside the bus.

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Little Salmon Bay

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Eastern Osprey Nest

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Salmon Bay

Next destination that we stopped for a while for another great scenery was Cape Vlamingh. It was the same place where we ate our packed lunch. In that same location, where I enjoyed second incident of up-close observation of flying silver gull with the beautiful backdrop around it.

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Fish Hook Bay while at Cape Vlamingh

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At Cape Vlamingh Viewing Platform with scenery and silver gull

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At Cape Vlamingh

Not far from Cape Vlamingh is Cathedral Rocks where we had another stop in the island. This is where the New Zealand Fur Seals (local residents of the island) can be observed from the viewing platform or from the boat that can go nearer to these wilds at short distance. If lucky, will have a chance to see them playing around in the water.

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At Cathedral Rocks with New Zealand Fur Seal

West End (Between Cape Vlamingh and Cathedral Rocks) – Near the corner of Aitken Way and Digby Drive

The tour continues around the island and to be honest, I was really glad that I joined the tour, because of limited time that I had, I was able to see more in short period of time. Another places that I saw and appreciate while inside the bus were : Rocky Bay, Stark Bay, Ricey Beach and Catherine Bay Beach.

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Rocky Bay

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Stark Bay

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Ricey Beach

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Catherine Bay Beach

Taking Bovell Highway

While we took Bovell Highway, I was able to see from a distance the Wadjemup Lighthouse, Lake Vincent, Lake Baghdad, Geordie Bay and Rottnest Wind Turbine.

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Wadjemup Lighthouse

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Lake Vincent

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Lake Vincent and Wadjemup Lighthouse

Lake Baghdad/Lake Vincent Wadjemup Lighthouse

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Geordie Bay

Rottnest Wind Turbine

Taking Geordie Bay Road

Places to appreciate while taking Geordie Bay Road were : Herschel Lake and Rottnest Wind Turbine.

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Herschel Lake

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Rottnest Wind Turbine and Herschel Lake

Taking Digby Road

The scenery to appreciate while driving along Digby Road is the Government House Lake

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Government House Lake

One of the historical sites that can be found in Rottnest Island located almost at the center is Oliver Hill where it features the military remnants from World War II specifically the 9.2 inch gun battery. And I had a chance to see it up close and experience a tour on its underground tunnels. For a more details of the visit, please see my post about Oliver Hill.

After Oliver Hill, we visited Wadjemup Lighthouse which stands in the highest hill in the island. But unfortunately, tour schedules were over when we arrived. Therefore, we only took couple of photos inside the lighthouse and its surroundings.

At Oliver Hill

Wadjemup Lighthouse at Oliver Hill

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Wadjemup Lighthouse at Digby Drive

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Inside and Outside of Wadjemup Lighthouse

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At Wadjemup Lighthouse and its surrounding scenery

After coming from Lighthouse, we went straight to Thomson Bay Settlement where our tour bus ended.

At the start of my travel in Rottnest Island, my only impression was that it’s just holiday island and nothing else. While taking the guided bus tour, I was really impressed and thought that it was a perfect place for recreational activities. The last part of my tour in the island was a worthy education for me. My earlier impression in Rottnest was changed. The island has its imperfections that needs to be known by people who comes and visits the island. But these flaws should not spoil the guest perfect holidays, but at least to be a great lesson to learn, to accept and to respect what Rottnest past has.

Rottnest Island Museum is one of the colonial buildings to discover in Thomson Bay Settlement area and currently the island’s museum. To know more about my visit in the museum and some of its display, please check Rottnest … Island Museum post.

Rottnest Island Museum

Another part of the island to discover is the Thomson Bay Settlement area where most of the historical and colonial heritage building can be found and still standing today. The full post about my walk following the colonial buildings of Thomson Bay, check the post Rottnest Walks : Collonial Buildings of Thomson Bay.

Military Barracks (1844) – 3 Flats (“E”,”J” & “H”) or Room 339, 338, & 337

The Quod

After a quick walking tour about Colonial Buildings in the island, I had to run to the Main Jetty to board the ferry that will bring me back to Hillarys Terminal. And before totally turning my back to the island, I had another glimpse of The Salt Store and Rottnest Island Visitor Centre

The Salt Store

Rottnest Island Visitor Centre

The Main Jetty

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Around the Main Jetty

When I was inside the ferry I just relaxed myself. And I had my silent moment of my life. Rottnest was the last place that I left before leaving Australia. And the thought of my flight made me reminded, when I will be able to see again the country that had been part of my life because of my career. And it made me felt that I am going to miss it a lot.

The ferry we had when returning from Rottnest Island to Hillarys Boat Harbour

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Hillarys Boat Harbour (Hillarys Ferry Terminal)

We returned to Hillarys Boat Harbour and from there, I took my last shots of the harbour. Then, I waited for my tour bus that will pick me up so I can return to my hotel before going straight to Perth Airport.

Until then.

Notes :
1. Plan to visit Rottnest Island ? Please check latest information here.
2. Location : Rottnest Island, WA 6161, Australia
3. Directions to Rottnest Island :
Transportation :
a. Join Day Tours from Perth or
b. Go to Barrack Street Jetty Elizabeth Quay terminal and take Rottnest Express
ferry
c. Go to Hillarys Ferry Terminal and take Rottnest Fast Ferries boat
d. Go to Northport Rous Head Harbour or B Shed Victoria Quay in Fremantle and
take Rottnest Express ferry or
e. Go to B Shed Victoria Quay in Fremantle and take Sealink Rottnest Island ferry
Official Website : Rottnest Island

Rottnest Walks : Colonial Buildings of Thomson Bay

When I left the museum, honestly I thought that I will go straight to the jetty and will just wait there until boarding time. But while walking, I found information boards not far from buildings. And I saw a couple of them. When I approached one of it, I realized that the building it describes are historical building. Then, I remembered that I had a brochure about Rottnest Colonial Buildings, I took it out from my bag. Then, I checked the time, I knew I had at least half an hour to spare for a walk to see the historical buildings in the island before the scheduled boarding time. I was time conscious or else I will be left behind by the ferry and most likely to miss my flight back to Manila that night. But, it did not happen as I quickly stride from one building to another. Below are some if not all colonial buildings that I was able to see as fast as I can while in the island.

Since I came from Rottnest Island Museum, the first building that I was able to recognized as colonial building in Thomson Bay Settlement area was Old Mill and Hay Store.

Old Mill and Hay Store (1857) – Rottnest Island Museum

The building was constructed after previous farm buildings were destroyed by fire as part of the complex farm buildings alongside with General Store. The building was first converted into staff accommodation for the Island’s hostel in 1911 when the prison was closed, it also housed the Rottnest Literary Institute and Club until it finally became a museum in 1979.

Then I walked along Digby Drive towards the bay and turned left and went inside the General Store to buy post cards as my souvenir in the island.

Hay Store (1857) – General Store

The island’s current shopping mall was part of the complex that includes two-storey prison/workshop building, stables, barns, and a piggery. The General Store was a former hay store and converted for commercial use in the early 20th century.

With the arrival of the first holiday makers in early 1900s, The General Store and Bakery were the first to welcome the public, followed by a greengrocer, butcher, laundrette and hair salon.

From General Store, I walked along Somerville Drive and turned right at Maley Street where I found the Military Barracks and now serve as accommodation units for guest and visitors in the island.

Military Barracks (1844) – 3 Flats (“E”,”J” & “H”) or Room 339, 338, & 337

Originally a military barracks and accommodated soldiers that guarded Aboriginal prison. When a new prison built in 1864, the soldier replaced by resident prison warders. This building consisted of 3 rooms and modified later for Prison wardens and their families. It was altered again and extended to provide accommodation for the Island’s School Teacher in 1898. Then it divided again into 3 Flats in 1917.

Then, I turned left in Vincent Way while facing the bay. The next building that I saw was the Second Superintendent’s House, which serve as another accommodation unit in the island.

Second Superintendent’s House (1848) – Sullivan or Room 336

This building built in 1848 when Governor Fitzgerald expressed interest in taking over the First Superintendent’s House. The building also accommodated the Island’s store keeper (1898), the Colonial Secretary (1908) and the Officer-In-Charge (World War I & II). It later became the Island Manager’s House.

I was still walking along Vincent Way, when I found the Pilot’s Quarters or Pilot’s Cottage which now serve as additional accommodation unit.

Pilot’s Quarters / Cottage (1847) – Room 335 & 334

Mr. Francis Armstrong arrived at the island in 1847 as Storekeeper and Moral Agent to improve the habits and morals of the prisoners. He lived in the cottage for less than a year to avoid conflicts with Henry Vincent – the Superintendent of Aboriginal Prison. After Armstrong, the chief pilot occupied the cottage, that is why it was called as Pilot’s cottage.

Another building that I found along Vincent Way was Coxwain’s Cottage. I was not able to capture the photo of the next building beside which called as Pilot Crew Kitchen

Coxswain’s Cottage (1871) with Photo – Room 333 & Pilot Crew Kitchen (1867) No Photo – Room 332

Coxwain which was an Assistant Pilot stayed in the cottage and was built in 1871. Between 1848 and 1903, pilot crew were needed for guiding ships between the island and Fremantle Port. Cottages are need for Coxwain and other pilot crews. Pilot Crew Kitchen was built inn 1867.

The last building that I saw along Vincent Way before I turned left to Cusack St was the Pilot’s Crew Quarter but was not able to capture a photo of it. But currently the quarter is now served as guest accommodation too.

Pilot Crew’s Quarter (1846-1852) No Photo – Room 301

Pilot Service was stationed in the island as guide ship due to treacherous reefs and the Pilot Crew Quarters became their accommodation.

While taking the Cusack Street, I had a chance to see the Orchard.

The Orchard

The Orchard showcases that during the colony period, vegetable yards was very important for the early settlers, until the said industry became big and this enabled them to trade to the mainland. The orchard shows the fencing style and plantings during that time.

While I was checking the Orchard, I was lucky so see Quokka for the second time (the first was while I was in Parker Point). This time, I realized how these animals are so cute and charming when up close with them.

Then, I walked along Kitson Street until I found what I was looking for, the School House.

Quokka

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Pilot Crew Quarters & School House (1890) – Guest House / Accommodation

The building was built in 1890, to be used by Leading Hand of the Pilot Crew. Then, became island’s first designated school-house from 1910 to 1962 when the Pilot Service was closed in 1903. Until it finally became staff and holiday accommodation.

Not far from School House, I saw information board telling the readers that the land is a sacred site.

Wadjemup Burial Ground – A sacred Site

When I read the information boards across burial ground area, it was a relief that there was a ground dedicated and recognized as sacred site for the aboriginals throughout the island. After learning that a lot of aboriginals were buried somewhere within the island and yet unidentified was somewhat a sad story for the natives. And having this kind of site returns respect to Aboriginals after a tragic history that happens in Rottnest.

Then, I looked again on the brochure map that I was holding and following the location of the other colonial buildings. But before I found another one, I saw again a familiar flag while I was traveling in Western Australia, an Australian Aboriginal Flag. Not far from where the Australian Aboriginal Flag stands, I found the Lomas Cottage.

Australian Aboriginal Flag

Lomas Cottage (1871) – Exhibition Space

Lomas Cottage or commonly known as “Buckingham Palace” a named it received in 1880s when Warder Buckingham lived in the cottage. Formerly it was built for John Lomas, ex-convict and became “Imperial Pauper”. The cottage served many different purposes. Right now, it servers as an exhibition space.

Next to Lomas Cottage, the vast space or grasssed area now with trees is known as Heritage Common.

Heritage Common

These place witnessed the men whom crossed here from 1864 to 1903 as over 3000 Aboriginal men came to Rottnest’s infamous Quod.

The Quod (1863-1864) – Karma Rottnest

Quod is an old English slang word for prison. And the Quod served as prison in Rottnest island for Aboriginal men. When the prison was closed, it was converted into a hostel or lodge as holiday accommodation today as Karma Rottnest.

After passing “The Quod”, my walk continue until I saw another board information which signifies another historical colonial building, where I saw “The Chapel”.

The Old School and Chapel (1856 – 1857)

The building was originally built as school by aboriginals and became local point of the island’s community. It was used as school during weekday and chapel on Sundays. It has been venue for tea dances and meetings of the Rottnest Island Institute. When the prison was closed, it was stopped as school and converted back as chapel.

Just beside “The Chapel”, another colonial building is still standing, it is called Boy Reformatory and now additional accommodation for guests in the island.

Boys Reformatory (1880-1881) – Accomodation Hostel

The building was designed by Public Works Department, it was completed in 1881. Before, the juvenile prisoners sent to Perth Gaol, but when this was built, young prisoners sent here so that they can be separated to adult criminals to be able to change their way of life and not to be influence of prisoners in gaol. Now, the building was converted into “Accommodation House” for the State Hostel and the dormitories were divided into bedrooms.

Then, as I look into the map, the last building that I can visit to see before I walked towards the jetty to board a ferry was “The Salt Store”. One of the buildings that easy to see since it is standing not far from the jetty. But because, of the time the building was already closed, where the volunteers in the picture took care the Australian flag.

The Salt Store (1868) – Gallery and Exhibition Centre

Capture before boarding the ferry

Captured when arrived in the island

Salt which crystallizes on the beds of the salt lakes when dried were brought to Salt Store since 1830s by the settlers and then later by aboriginals. Salt Store supplies the salt to the whole Western Australia during its early years.

There is one and probably the most charming building of all colonial buildings that I should see but I missed was Governor’s Residence as it is separated to most of the colonial buildings that I saw. Because of limited time, I had to run to jetty not to missed my ferry.

Until then.

Notes :
1. Plan to visit Rottnest Island ? Please check latest information here.
2. Location : Rottnest Island, WA 6161, Australia
3. Directions to Rottnest Island :
Transportation :
a. Join Day Tours from Perth or
b. Go to Barrack Street Jetty Elizabeth Quay terminal and take Rottnest Express
ferry
c. Go to Hillarys Ferry Terminal and take Rottnest Fast Ferries boat
d. Go to Northport Rous Head Harbour or B Shed Victoria Quay in Fremantile and
take Rottnest Express ferry or
e. Go to B Shed Victoria Quay in Fremantile and take Sealink Rottnest Island ferry
4. Directions to Thomson Bay Settlement area
a. From Main Jetty go to Rottnest Island Visitor Centre and get a brochure for
Colonial Buildings of Thomson Bay to follow the historical walking trails of the
settlement.
Official Website : Rottnest Island

Rottnest … Island Museum

After visiting Wadjemup Lighthouse, our bus tour in the island ended when we returned to Thomson Bay Settlement area where most of the accommodations in the island can be found. When I checked the time, I knew that I still have more than an hour to explore other parts of the island, before boarding the ferry to return to Hillary’s Terminal. While walking around the settlement area, I found a small building and realized that it was the island museum.

Because of limited time to spare for the museum visit, I just quickly scan and browse the displays that can be found inside the museum. And honestly, with a short period of time, I learned a lot of things about Rottnest.

Rottnest Island Museum were able to show historical purpose of the land starting from the colonization period up to present time. It displays historical artifacts from being a prison island, a military defense station, an internment camp, reformatory camp to becoming an island playground. The museum opened my mind, that the beauty of the island is not the only thing it has but a history that deserves to be known by people whom visited the island to be able to appreciate not only its natural beauty but to be able to respect the people that made the island a livable one.

Rottnest … As Island Playground

Here are some artifacts that shows Rottnest Island as Holiday Paradise.

Because of the beauty of the island, the governor at that time were interested to have holiday residence in Rottnest which materialized in 1864. Historically, because Rottnest was used as prison island, holidaying here was exclusive only to governor, his family and guests. And their favorite pastimes were fishing, swimming and shooting.

Even though that a permit to land in the island is required, still the urge to visit the island for people were very strong, there were evidence that yachtmens and visitors camping in the island from 1890’s and earlier. Then, in 1902, the rules were relax and permission was granted to ferries to bring excursionist on Sundays. In 1907, more allowances to visitors were given, that’s why basic facilities were built for day trippers and campers.

Then, the decision to close the island as prison and convert Rottnest to holiday and recreation use was made in 1904 but the development was a slow one. In 1907, the plan for development was drafted and carried out.

Here’s other displays that showcases the island as recreation haven.

Rottnest … As Island Military Defense

Since the island was used as military defense for the Perth and Fremantle port, the significant role that contributed by the island happened when the 9.2 Inch Battery was installed in the middle of it which started in 1936. I had a chance to visit the Gun Room and Platform (Oliver Hill), as well as the Tunnel where the pumps, magazines and engine room can be found that support the defense. The Rottnest Island earned its title as the ‘gatekeeper’ as it was able to defend the port when Darwin and Broome was bombarded in 1942 during World War II.

Rottnest … As Prison Island

If I witnessed the island as haven for recreation and vacation activities nowadays, the island before serves different purpose for almost a century. While traveling across Northern Territory and Western Australia, I had learned a lot of things about the life that Aboriginals started to experience when the country became European colony. And Rottnest Island witnessed more, how cruel the life it was for the natives when colonizer arrived in the land and they were not spared for it.

There were worst times for the native prisoners. There were periods where number of prisoners increased too much which directly affects the social and health conditions in the prison. But even, these issues were raised as concerns in the council, no actions were done to alleviate or resolve the problem. This made the aboriginal prisoners lived in harsh conditions with inadequate of food and shelter that most of the time leads to lots of deaths.

But because of the plan to convert the island from being prison land to holiday location, the prisoners arriving to the island became lesser and lesser until the prison closed in 1931.

One thing that to take note as an important thing to learn while exploring the museum is the understanding of the significant role of aboriginals towards the development of Rottnest Island that we see today. It was considered that the aboriginals played a key role in the history of development of the Swan River Colony and the State of Western Australia. Reminiscing how beautiful the island at this time, why like me were able to appreciate and enjoy the island was mainly because of the natives whom sacrificed a lot for the island.

Wadjemup – Black Prison White Playground

There is a portion of the museum where it displays historical facts about the aboriginals and Wadjemup or Rottnest Island. Here, it shows the darkness history that natives experience while being prisoners in the island. It is a sad story that people should learn and moving forward help to make a better world for them to even at least respect their rights to live properly in their own land with their own culture to embrace.

“Greeting from Rottnest” by Sally Morgan

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Rottnest … As Boys Reformatory Camp

Aside from being Aboriginal Prisons, Rottnest Island became a location for reformation of young boys that had conflict with the law. Before they were sent to the island, these juvenile sent to Perth Gaol together with adult prisoners. The created boys reformatory in the island with the objective to separate the young from adult prisoners to avoid bad influences from the old ones.

Rottnest … As Island Internment

There was a time that the island was used for confinement of the foreign nationals during World War I and II because they were alleged as ‘enemy aliens’. These were Germans, Austro-Hungarian, Croatians, Czechs, and Slovaks citizens that were detained in Internment Camp during first World War, while Italian internees detained during second World War.

Rottnest … As An Island of Limestone

The most ancient rocks underlies on the Swan Coastal Plain are 10 km below the surface and believed to be at least 280 million years old.

The oldest rocks that can be seen at Rottnest form a low cliff at Fairbridge Bluff, Salmon Bay. Here is a well-preserved fossil coral reef, known as the Rottnest Limestone, which stands nearly 3 m above modern sea level and overlies older dune limestones.

Most of the limestone present on Rottnest was formed from dunes of limesand, blown inland from beaches during Late Pleistocene time.

Laminar form of Staghorn Coral and Branching form of Staghorn Coral

Colony of Brain Coral and Pocillopora Reef near Parker Point

Tamala Limestone

Tamal Limestone at Salmon Bay

Dugite

Before I left the museum, I had a chance to see what Dugite look like, the only venominous snake that exist in Rottnest Island which displayed as a preserved one inside the glass.

Until then.

Notes :
1. Plan to visit Rottnest Island ? Please check latest information here.
2. Location : Rottnest Island, WA 6161, Australia
3. Directions to Rottnest Island :
Transportation :
a. Join Day Tours from Perth or
b. Go to Barrack Street Jetty Elizabeth Quay terminal and take Rottnest Express
ferry
c. Go to Hillarys Ferry Terminal and take Rottnest Fast Ferries boat
d. Go to Northport Rous Head Harbour or B Shed Victoria Quay in Fremantile and
take Rottnest Express ferry or
e. Go to B Shed Victoria Quay in Fremantile and take Sealink Rottnest Island ferry
4. Directions to Rottnest Island Museum
a. From Main Jetty of the island, turn right and walk along Digby Drive road
Official Website : Rottnest Island

Oliver Hill – Gun and Tunnel Tour

Part of my Rottnest Island exploration was a visit at Oliver Hill where an important military remnants can be found – the 9.2 inch battery. The place became World War II heritage site because of its significant role during the said war.

Our bus tour parked at Oliver Hill not far from the Crew Shelter where Gun platform was installed beside it. The moment we got off the bus, we walked inside the Crew Shelter where we found information about the 9.2 inch Battery and its huge role to defend the port of Perth where it showcase how far the gun can reach which encircles the island itself and even able to defend Perth and Fremantle port.

Crew Shelter

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Information Board inside Crew Shelter

9.2 Inch Battery at Oliver Hill – Cross Section and Plan

Gun Store

Gun Room and Platform

Then, with the help of military veteran volunteer, we went inside the gun-room and went upstairs to the Gun Platform. Then, he explained some facts about the 9.2 inch battery while emphasizing the objects and parts that can be seen inside the gun room and gun platform.

9.2 inch GUN CARTRIDGE HALF CHARGE

Two of these made up a full charge. Both were expelled into the chamber of the gun as the hollow power rammer withdrew after ramming the shell into the rifling of the barrel.

To reduce wear in the gun barrel, one half charge could be used alone in practice shooting

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Inside Gun Room

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Inside Gun Platform

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The Gun Piece

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Outside Surroundings of Gun Battery – seeing the island at different angle

Not far from the Gun Battery, we descended for few meters to visit a tunnel and before we entered the underground infrastructure, we found the entrance to the H1 magazine, a spur (or small branch) from the main railway line that ran past on it. The exposed rails are part of the original spur line.

H1 Magazine

We entered in a small service door that goes inside the tunnel. And the following rooms that we had visited are Underground Hydraulic Pump Chamber, Shell Room and Cordite Room – both part of Underground Magazine and Engine Room.

PUMP CHAMBER

The Pump Chamber housed electrically driven pumps which supplied high pressure oil, air and water to the H1 GUN Platform.

High pressure oil was used to drive hydraulic motors and rams on the Gun Platform, allowing the movement of the gun.

A three stage air compressor supplied compressed air for blowing out the breech chamber and bore of the gun. Water was supplied to wash out and cool the breech chamber.

The access shaft carried pipe work destined for the gun platform. An emergency escape and ventilation shaft from the Pump Chamber led to an outside door at ground level.

Underground Hydraulic Pump Chamber

MAGAZINE SHELL STORES

The shell store housed three types of Shells

High explosive shells designed to explore immediately on impact; armour-piercing shells, which could penetrate 6 inches of steel or 12.8 kilometers and drill practice shells.

The shells were moved by overhead chain blocks to the magazine hoist and then hoisted to the Gun Room

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Shell Store / Underground Magazine

MAGAZINE CORDITE ROOM

The cordite room was used for storing the propellant cartridges.

Each cartridge containing 24.3 kilograms or cordite enclosed in a silk cloth bag approximately 760 millimeters long

Cartridges were stores in zinc coated steel cylinders for transport, which had a quick screw on-off lid.

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Cordite Room / Underground Magazine

Walking along the narrow tunnel (Man-Made Earth Mound) towards the Engine Room

ENGINE ROOM

The engine room supplied the electrical power for the ‘H BATTERY, being H1 and H2 Guns.

The engine room contained two 180 H.P 6VCR Ruston Horsnby 6 cylinder diesel engines, direct coupled to a 120 KW Lawrence Scott DC generator

The engines were started by compressed air. Fuel was supplied to each header tank from the storage tanks situated adjacent to the engine room entrance.

When the main engines were not running, power for lighting, machine tools and other equipment was provided by an auxiliary 38.5 H.P Lister 4 cylinder diesel engine direct coupled to a 24KW DC generator.

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Engine Room

Service Door of Engine Room

We exited another service door as a marked that we finished the tunnel tour. Then, we returned to the top through stairs which not really far from where we started.

Lake Vincent / Baghdad from Oliver Hill

Oliver Hill has important role that cannot be just ignored as there was a time that it has done its purpose after the gun battery was built here. But by looking at its surroundings, how beautiful it is, I just realized that the generations after war must be appreciative as we see and feel the peace that reigns in our time.

After historical visit in Oliver Hill, we returned to our bus to continue our journey in the rest of the island.

Until then.

Notes :
1. Plan to visit Rottnest Island ? Please check latest information here.
2. Location : Rottnest Island, WA 6161, Australia
3. Directions to Rottnest Island :
Transportation :
a. Join Day Tours from Perth or
b. Go to Barrack Street Jetty Elizabeth Quay terminal and take Rottnest Express
ferry
c. Go to Hillarys Ferry Terminal and take Rottnest Fast Ferries boat
d. Go to Northport Rous Head Harbour or B Shed Victoria Quay in Fremantile and
take Rottnest Express ferry or
e. Go to B Shed Victoria Quay in Fremantile and take Sealink Rottnest Island ferry
4. Directions to Oliver Hill
a. Join Day Tours from Perth
b. Take a train ride from Settlement Train Station to Oliver Hill Station or
c. Biking from Thomson Bay Settlement to Oliver Hill.
Official Website : Rottnest Island

Yanchep National Park – Lancelin – The Pinnacles Desert – Burns Beach

The third day tour that I joined had combination of Wheatbelt and Perth region. Lancelin and The Pinnacles Desert are both part of Wheatbelt while Yanchep National Park and Burns Beach are both part of Perth.

Though the tour seems to had uncertainty at the start of the day, but it ends well, because my wished in every travel that I made is to maximize my time in Perth, I really don’t like wasting time, for not seeing and for not being in a new place. For this tour, I had seen additional spectacular places to discover in Western Australia. I only see these places in photos before, but the tour helped me to achieved my dream to make it come true. My main objective for the tour was to visit The Pinnacles Desert, but reaching Yanchep National Park and Lancelin made the tour more fulfilling and appealing.

Here’s the complete itinerary of the third day tour that I had while I was in Perth.

Yanchep National Park

This is one of the oldest national park in Western Australia state. The park is just more than 50 kms from the city. Though public transportation are available but it requires transfer and more expensive if will compare to driving directly or joining a tour that includes the park. Wildflowers can be enjoyed inside the park when visiting during its blooming season. Some animals can be seen as well such as koalas and western-grey kangaroos. The park also boasted three caves and one of it is Crystal Caves where it features lots of beautiful different formations of stalactites, stalagmites, shawls and flowstones. It is worth to spend sometime in the park. The full story of my visit in Yanchep National Park was described here.

Koalas Board Walk

Western-grey Kangaroos

Crystal Cave

Wildflowers

Loch McNess (Yanchep Lake)

Lancelin

It is a small town that we had a chance to visit (which I felt glad that we did) for lunch. We had lunch in a restaurant near the jetty and lovely shore. Because the town has beautiful and fascinating beach and coast, I cannot stop myself to be amazed and appreciate its amazing turquoise water that surrounds the waterfront.

Towards Lancelin Jetty

Lancelin and Edwards Islands Nature Reserve

At Lancelin Jetty looking towards Lancelin

Ocean Drive

After leaving Lancelin, we took Ocean Drive highway to reach The Pinnacles Desert and the scenery along the road were already panoramic in a beautiful day. Along this highway, some of the white sand dunes are visible from a distance.

The Pinnacles Desert (Nambung National Park)

One of the main reason why I booked the tour was because of The Pinnacles. The said desert has thousands limestones astray in the desert. When I reached the desert, just being there, standing in the middle felt like I was in another world like being in another planet. The Pinnacles for me is a kind of surroundings that is so unique. This kind of natural settings made me think that the world is indeed so amazing. During the visit, our tour guide Patricia and the other Singaporean guest walked a bit in the middle of the desert. While walking within the desert, I found out that guests and visitors has the options to drive around it since the limestones formation are spread within 190 hectares inside Nambung National Park.

The Pinnacles was said to be formed underground 500,000 years ago and only exposed 6000 years ago, then covered again due to shifting sands and only exposed again few hundred years ago.

For other scientist, they believe that the story of Pinnacles beings off shore, where shell fragments breakdown to from fine-grained sand rich in calcium-carbonate (lime).

As the water’s edge, beach sands accumulate as a mixture of shell-based sands from the ocean floor and quartz sands carried by the rivers from the hinterlands. Blown by strong winds, the beach sands form extensive dunes along much of the coastline.

By : Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre

A unique shape (like a monstrous) limestone

Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre

Emu scat with quandong seeds

Quandong seeds and necklace (Santalum acuminatum)

Bobtail skink (Tiliqua rugosa) and Tick (Ixodes australiensis spp)

limestone

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Some information display inside Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre

Burns Beach

Before ending the day tour, we stopped to witness sunset in Burns Beach as a plan. The beach is just almost 35 kms from Perth. But when we reached the beach, the sky was gloomy and clouds covers the sunset, therefore we were unable to see the full colors of the sunset. But even we haven’t enjoyed sunset, I appreciated the stopover because it gave me a chance to see Burns Beach for a short period of time which additional adventure of the tour.

Before our tour guide dropped-off us in our accommodation, I was very thankful because Patricia drove us a bit in Hillarys Boat Harbour to gave me a chance to see it before I embark myself in my last tour the next day which will start at the said harbour. Until then.

Notes :
1. Plan to visit Yanchep National Park? Check here. How about Lancelin? Here’s their official site. A tour in Pinnacles Desert? Go here. And Burns Beach? Visit here.
2. Location : Yanchep WA 6035, Australia
Pinnacles Dr, Cervantes WA 6511, Australia
Jetty, Lancelin WA, Australia
Burns Beach, WA 6038, Australia
3. Directions to Yanchep National Park :
Transportation :
a. Join Day Tours from Perth or
b. Drive towards Yanchep WA 6035, Australia or
c. Take train (Joondalup Line) from Perth Underground Station, then get off at
Butler Station and take taxi to Yanchep National Park or
d. Take train (Joondalup Line) from Perth Underground Station, then transfer
to Butler Station and take bus to Marmion Avenue After Revolution Avenue,
and take taxi to Yanchep National Park
Official Website : Yanchep National Park
4. Directions to Lancelin :
Transportation :
a. Join Day Tours from Perth or
b. Drive towards Lancelin WA 6044, Australia or
c. Take bus from Wellington Street Forrest Place (in Perth) and drop-off at
Lancelin YHA or
d. Take train (Joondalup Line) from Perth Underground Station, then transfer to Jundaloop Station and take bus to Geraldton, and drop-off at Vins Wy
Lancelin or
e. Take Integrity Bus to Broome and get off at Lancelin YHA
Official Website : Lancelin
5. Directions to Pinnacles Dessert
Transportation :
a. Join Day Tours from Perth or
b. Drive towards Pinnacles Dr, Cervantes WA 6511, Australia or
c. Take bus from Wellington St Forrest Place R10 / Y14 (in Perth) then transfer
to Cervantes Post Office to take taxi and drop-off at The Pinnacles Desert or
d. Take bus from Wellington St Forrest Place R10 / Y14 (in Perth) then transfer
at Vins Wy Lancelin and take taxi to The Pinnacles Desert
Official Website : The Pinnacles Desert
6. Directions to Burns Beach
Transportation :
a. Join Day Tours from Perth or
b. Drive towards Burns Beach, WA, Australia or
c. Take train (Joondalup Line) from Perth Underground Station, then transfer
to Butler Station and take bus to Burns Beach and get off at
Burns Beach Rd After Kontari Lnk and walk to Burns Beach
e. Official Website : Burns Beach, Joondalup City

Yanchep National Park – One of the Oldest Park in Western Australia

That day was quite a gloomy day because it was raining early morning in Perth, but since the tour was a confirmed one, even there was drizzling, I booked an Uber so I can reached the pick-up location which is at the front of Perth City YHA hostel in Wellington Street. At first, I thought that I have to check and asked hostel lobby about the tour, but after I inquired inside, they told me that the pickup was just outside of the hostel. I went outside and had uncertainty about the tour though I was in correct pickup location. I felt that way because I did not see signs such as bus tour or even tour guide nearby. I decided to wait.

There was a car arrived at the parking area of the hostel just beside of the building. Then, a woman came in and then, went out and asked my name. Then, I realized that I was talking to the operator of the tour. She introduced herself to me and her name is Patricia. She explained to me the situation of the tour and told me that she decided to push the tour instead of canceling it, even she just had two visitors for the tour. She told me that there was another guest and we waited a bit inside her car.

The second guest arrived and we were introduced to each other. I forgot her name but I recall she is a Singaporean doing solo travel like myself. After few more minutes passed, when Patricia was ready, we started moving towards the first destination. While we were on the road, I was hoping it’s not raining on places that we will visit that day.

If the first tour that I joined headed south of Perth and the second tour was headed east of Perth, this time, the tour headed north of Perth.

We took Mitchell Freeway, Hester Avenue and Wanneroo Road to reach Yanchep National Park. We parked properly and then walked inside the park. While inside, we went straight towards the Koala Board Walk, where we discussed about Koalas. Patricia mentioned that Koalas was not native animals in Western Australia due to mostly dried weather of the states. And while walking on the board, we found some of Koalas resting in the tree branches. I was able to see again the sleepy head Koala Bears. Even though I had seen Koalas for a couple of times while traveling around Australia, it still great to see them again and again specially if they were sleeping in the tree.

Koalas Board Walk

Some Koalas in the trees

After enjoying Koalas, we explored the park and our tour guide discussed some of the wildflowers and we looked for them, and we found some immediately which just visible at the ground. The first batch of wildflowers that we had seen were : Weeping Bottlebrush and Red-and-Green Kangaroo Paw.

Weeping Bottlebrush / Creek Bottlebrush (Melaleuca Viminalis / Callistemon Viminalis)

Red-and-Green Kangaroo Paw, Mangles Kangaroo Paw or Kurulbrang (Anigozanthos Manglesii)

Our walks continued in Yanchep National Park. While walking casually, the next thing we found was great moment for me. We saw a mother and child western grey kangaroos which I dreamed to see by my naked eyes. Same with Koalas, seeing Roos became a pretty common for me. What’s special about these kangaroos? I wanted to see a mother kangaroo and its young ones called joeys inside the special pouch called marsupium. And that day, I was lucky to see one and able to capture it with my camera.

Female kangaroo carrying joey inside its marsupium (special pouch)

So far for me, the day was nice and great, some wishes that I had has been accomplished. Then, we walked towards Crystal Cave which located at the underground of the national park.

Crystal Cave

When we reached the location of Crystal Cave, there was couple already waiting on the entrance shed. At first, I was wondering where was the entrance of the cave, then I just realized that since its underground cave, the path to the cave is not pretty obvious. While waiting, I read some information displayed in the waiting shed.

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We waited for few more minutes inside the shed. Then, the cave tour guide and other tourist came out from the ground. Then, he counted the waiting visitors which means that the tour session is open for limited numbers at a time.

We entered the cave through passing a restricted fence and we stepped down the stairs. The moment we were down, I felt the cold weather that circulates at the underground cave.

The first scenery that greeted us the moment we stepped down the stairs from the entrance.

Here we first stopped for a moment while our cave tour guide explaining about the cave. Here, it was mentioned that Henry White whom the first entered the cave in 1903. Then, we took a few steps stairs towards the one of cave chamber.

Water drips from the cave roof to the ground

Chamber where it was emphasized to us some of the formations that can be found in the cave. It was also mentioned here the fauna that lives here. And one of them is stygofauna.

Stalactites

Stygofauna

Stalactites

Stalagmites

Stalactites

Columns (with our cave tour guide)

A sample of water dripping that forms stalactites and the water formed in the ground will result to stalagmites. But these formations cannot be seen immediately at it requires hundred years or more to have even an inch of stalactite or stalagmite.

Some columns

Stalactites

Flowstone

Stalactites and Shawls

Stalactites and Columns

Flowstone

Stalactites

Stalactites with Shawls

Shawls

Flowstone

Stalactites

Stalactites with Shawls

Columns

Flowstones with Stalactites

Stalactites, Stalagmites and Columns

Flowstones, Columns, Shawls, Stalactites and Stalagmites

Columns, Stalactites and Stalagmites

Fossils

Crystal Cave Photos

After exploring Crystal Cave, before we leave the park, we did a bush walking to see and discover the second batch of wildflowers exists in Yanchep National Park. The following wildflowers found were : One-Leaf Cape Tulip, Bristly Cottonhead, Showy Eremophila, Parrot Bush, Common Smokebush, Milkmaid, One-sided Bottlebrush, Posy Trigger-Plant, Yellow Buttercup, Showy Dryandra, Flame Pea, and Cape Marigold.

One-Leaf Cape Tulip (Moraea Flaccida)

Bristly Cottonhead (Conostylis Setigera)

Showy Eremophila (Eremophila Racemosa)

Parrot Bush (Banksia Sessilis)

Common Smokebush (conospermum stoechadis)

Milkmaid (Burchardia congesta)

One-sided bottlebrush – (Calothamnus quadrifidus)

Posy Trigger-Plant (Stylidium crossocephalum)

Yellow Buttercup (hibbertia hypercoides)

Showy Dryandra (Dryandra formosa)

Flame Pea (Chorizema cordatum)

Arctotheca calendula capeweed, plain treasureflower, cape dandelion, or cape marigold

Other unidentified wildflowers

One more thing that I was fascinated while inside Yanchep National Park, they call it Grass Trees. Literally, they look like just normal grass from the ground at the start but they grow tall as trees.

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Grass Trees

Before leaving the national park and before the heavy rain fell, I had a chance to enjoy the Yanchep Lake which also called as Loch Mcness.

Loch McNess

That’s how we enjoyed the exploration of Yanchep National Park. Until then.

Notes :
1. Plan to visit Yanchep National Park ? Please check latest information here.
2. Location : Yanchep WA 6035, Australia
3. Directions to the town of Hyden:
Transportation :
a. Join Day Tours from Perth or
b. Drive towards Yanchep WA 6035, Australia or
c. Take train (Joondalup Line) from Perth Underground Station, then get off at Butler Station and take taxi to Yanchep National Park or
d. Take train (Joondalup Line) from Perth Underground Station, then transfer to Butler Station and take bus to Marmion Avenue After Revolution Avenue, and take taxi to Yanchep National Park
Official Website : Yanchep National Park

Where to go in Wheatbelt Region?

It was another fulfilling journey that I had in my third day in Perth which was my second day tour. As I am searching what’s common to all towns that we visited in the tour that will describe most of the areas, I found the common thing that I can say about the towns of York, Quaraiding, Corrigin and Hyden. I learned that all of the towns are belong in one region named Wheatbelt Region. It is one of the major regions in Western Australia that most of its land area are focused in agriculture.

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Perth Convention Exhibition Centre

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Perth Arena

From my hotel in Perth, I was picked-up by big tour bus, which I thought after I jumping into it and after picking up other passengers, we will be driving straight to the tour, but our bus dropped off us at Perth Convention Exhibition Centre, which for me a few minutes opportunity to see the other parts of Perth. The location became the hub of all the tourist that will join tours for that day in the same company tour. And its a good strategy as all their tourist, whichever tour they will join, just need to switch to another bus that assigned for the right tour and voila, all where picked-up in one place before heading to the tour. Therefore, after I went outside the bus that picked me up in the hotel, I checked which bus will go to my tour which not hard to see and we just queued for few minutes. Then, our tour guide calls the name on his list and when my name was called, I jumped into the bus, the bus that will bring me to my next travel tour in Wave Rock located in Hyden.

Windan Bridge and Swan River

Windan Bridge and Optus Stadium

From Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, we took Graham Farmer Freeway, Windan Bridge, Great Eastern Highway Bypass, Great Eastern Highway and Great Southern Highway to reach York.

Our driver and tour guide, while we took Graham Farmer Freeway or Northbridge Tunnel just mentioned that tunnel itself has town above it, which an amazing information that was given to us that time. Well it was not surprising anymore that around the world, the tunnels in the metro or the city has buildings and establishments above it.

1. York

First inland town in the state of Western Australia found near the Avon River and part of Avon Valley. This town is full of historical and heritage buildings along Avon Terrace. Stopping here is a worth thing to do and will not regret visiting the historical town.

York Town Hall

After stopping at York, the tour continues. And we had few stops between York and Hyden for some unique tourist spots and discovered things along the way.

2. Quaraiding

Quaraiding is a farming community which can be found along York-Quaraiding Road which both sides offers beautiful green scenery. The name Quairading, is derived from the Aboriginal word ‘Kwirading’ meaning the home of a small bush kangaroo.

Rabbit-Proof Fence (State Barrier Fence of Western Australia) – World’s Longest Fence

3. Corrigin

Corrigin is widely known as a ‘Town of Windmills’ due to the abundant supply of ground water. Almost every home had a windmill until 1960 when the town was supplied with scheme water. Like Quaraiding, the community is also located at the central Wheatbelt region.

After a quick stop at Quaraidang, we returned to the bus and we were back in the road. When we were at Corrigin-Quaraiding Road, we turned left to Brookton-Corrigin Road, and stopped along that road near Jose Road where saw a unique and interesting cemetery.

Corrigin Dog Cemetery

4. Hyden

The last town that we had visited was Hyden, the home of major tourist spots such as Hippo’s Yawn, Wave Rock and Mulka’s Cave. This town in Wheatbelt Region enjoys the visits of more than hundred visitors every year. The town has been part of ancient river system that exist in Western Australia where its visible remnants are the salt lakes astray in the town.

a. Hippo’s Yawn

b. Wildflower Shoppe Cafe

c. Wave Rock Wildlife Park

d. Hyden Rock

e. Wave Rock

f. The Humps and Mulka’s Cave

Hyden – Home of Spectacular Wave Rock

When we reached Hyden, the town where the famous Wave Rock and other tourist spots such as Hippo’s Yawn and Mulka’s Cave are located, my excitement heightened. Because of the same interesting tourist spots, the town became famous to visitors and guests, and being enjoyed with over hundred fifty thousand visitors every year.

Hippo’s Yawn

Our first stop in Hyden was not far from Wave Rock. We stopped here to have a quick look of the famous rock called Hippo’s Yawn which said to be connected to Wave Rock. Many visitors are curious to see the rock as it is one of the tourist spot to enjoy in the area and a great place for photo souvenir. The name of the rock derived as it is because the rock shape shows its resemblance to the yawning hippopotamus.

Hippo’s Yawn

After a short visit at Hippo’s Yawn, the next destination of our group was for our lunch. We arrived at the Wildflower Shoppe and Wave Rock Cafe where it consist of many establishments inside of it, all of businesses inside are related to tourism. Its location is just at the other side of Wave Rock Road and incorporates the Wave Rock Visitor Centre, Cafe and Country Kitchen, Wildlife Park, Wildflower and Souvenir Shoppe, Lace Place, and Tours and Airport Booking Office.

Along Wave Rock Road

Wildflower Shoppe Cafe

Our group had pre booked lunch at Country Kitchen where we had a buffet lunch. During lunch, I was able to mingle with other tourists. When I was done with my lunch, I explored the place and found lots of interesting stuff inside it. The shops inside sells different kinds of unique things as souvenirs and gifts.

Model T Ford (1919)

One of the noticeable displays seen inside the Wildflower Shoppe & Wave Rock Cafe is a vintage car that is Model T Ford (1919). The classic vehicle became a great spot for visitors photo souvenir shot where I had one for myself.

Model T Ford (1919)

Wave Rock Wildlife Park

The entrance of Wave Rock Wildlife Park is in Wildflower Shoppe, I explored it after lunch time. I thought its just like a mini-zoo, but the park is three hectares of natural bush land which nice haven for the native and exotic animals. During the visit, I found an interesting creatures that I haven’t seen by my naked eyes before.

At the Entrance to the Wildlife Park

Bobtail Lizard (Tiliqua rugosa)

I found a little creature called bobtail lizard, while exploring the park and it’s not inside of any fence. I had a chance to see it up close and its like wildlife animal enjoying its freedom. This Tiliqua rugosa which is another name of it is also known as shinglebacks, stumpy tails, pinecone lizards and boggi.

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Bobtail Lizard

Some of the animals that I was able to capture with my camera in Wildlife Park were black swan, sulphur-crested cockatoos and wombat.

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Black Swan

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Sulphur-crested Cockatoos

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Wombat

Hyden Rock

After visiting the Wildlife Park, we returned to our bus to visit Hyden Rock where the Wave Rock can be found. The drive towards the rock was just few minutes from Wildflower Shoppe since it’s just around the corner. We reached the parking lot and then we walked towards Hyden Rock. I was really excited at that time because I knew for myself that in few minutes I will be able to reach and see the main feature of the tour which is the Wave Rock. During the visit in the area, I was able to do Wave Rock Walk and Hyden Rock Walk.

At Parking

Wave Rock Walk

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Information Board

Looking towards the parking

Looking towards the Wave Rock

Wave Rock

The Wave Rock Walk starts from the parking lot up to the Wave Rock itself. Wave Rock is a natural rock formation, a granite cliff with 15 meters high and 110 meters longs with a shape of tall breaking ocean wave. Its shaped has been caused by weathering and water erosion which have undercut the base and left the rounded overhang. It has cultural significance to one of the aboriginal people called Ballardong, and they believed to be created by rainbow serpent (often seen as creator god in aboriginal religions in Australia) when it dragged its swollen body after consuming all the water in the land.

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Wave Rock

After enjoying the Wave Rock, I had a chance to trek the Hyden Rock following the Hyden Rock Walking Trail which gave me a chance to see more about the rock and its surrounding areas from the top. I enjoyed my time and took a lot of photos including the Lake Magic from a distance and other chain of salt lakes.

Hyden Rock Walk

Walking Trail Towards the top of Hyden Rock

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Hyden Dam – are now used as backup to the town water supply

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Chain of salt lakes

Lake Magic and The Humps

Some information learned about the said lake are its clear salty water and the its base is made of gypsum which also used as fertilizer. The lake is just 1 km distance from Wave Rock.

From a distance, I had seen what they used to call The Humps where Mulka’s Cave can be found and also features walking trails similar to Hyden Rock.

Lake Magic (at the middle) and The Humps (hill from a distance)

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Some parts of Hyden Rocks

Low stone walls above Hyden Rock was built in 1928 to channel water to Hyden Dam, up on the outcrop.

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Catchment Walls

Farms

The Humps and Mulka’s Cave

After spending time in Wave Rock, the next destination we visited is what they call “The Humps” which is another similar large granite outcrops exist just 16km distance. It is the location where Mulka’s Cave is located. And the details of the legend of Mulka are displayed.

Old Salmon Gums

The Legend of Mulka

The legend of Mulka has major regional importance. Different aspects focus on different parts of Noongar culture, but the story that follows contains the key elements of the myth:

Mulka was the fruit of love between man and woman with forbidden marriage. He was born with crossed eyes that hinders him to become successful hunter. Because of this, he turned to eat children that caused his community to condemn him. Then, he lived in Mulka’s Cave. He even killed his own mother whom really worried about him. Aboriginal people hunt him down until he was caught in Dumbleyung. They left his body for the ants – a punishment for those who break the law.

“Mulka was the illegitimate son of a woman who fell in love with a man to whom marriage was forbidden. As a result, Mulka was born with crossed eyes. Even though he grew-up to be outstanding man of colossal height, his crossed eyes prevented him from aiming a spear accurately and becoming a successful hunter.

Out of frustration Mulka turned to catching and eating human children, and he became the terror of the district. He lived in Mulka’s Cave, where the impressions of his hands can still be seen much higher than those of an ordinary man.

His mother became increasingly concerned with Mulka, and when she scolded him for his anti-social behaviour, he turned on his own mother and killed her. This disgraced him even more and he fled the cave, heading south.

Aboriginal people were outraged by Mulka’s behaviour and set out to track down the man who had flouted all the rules. They finally caught him near Dumbleyung, 156 km south west of Hyden. Becaue he did not deserve a proper ritual burial, they left his body for the ants – a grim warning to those who break the law”

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Mulka’s Cave

To Mulka’s Cave

Mulka’s Cave

The Art Work of Mulka’s Cave

Below are the excerpt that I got from the information board that I had chance to capture.

Mulka’s Cave contains the largest collection of Aboriginal paintings in the south-west of Western Australia. Hand stencils and other motifs occur quite commonly in the region, but while most other sites have fewer than 20 there are over 450 at Mulka’s Cave. This is a clear indication of the significance of the site and the associated myths that connect the areas from the desert of the coast.

Most of the artwork takes the form of hand stencils. These are made by placing the hand on the rock then blowing over with pigment. When the hand is removed a negative impression remains. The reason for making hand stencils are many, but principally they are a form of signature left by those who had rights to an area.

When the cave was studied through mapping and recording, they were able to summarize the result:

A Summary Of The Artwork In The Cave

1. Total of 452 motifs were recorded – front chamber has 131, main chamber has 318 and rear shelter has 3

2. Eighteen distinct motif types plotted, 69% of total (313 in all)

3. Solid sprayed areas are another feature, while other motifs are small simple graphics.

4. Left hand outnumbered right hand with a ration of 3:2

5. Four different techniques were recorded, with stenciling dominating (86%)

6. Printing for 8%, painting for 5%, and drawing for 1%

7. Seven colors were recorded, purple-red for 50%, white for 25%, orange-red for 10% and the remaining being divided between brown red , yellow, cream and orange.

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The Art Work of Mulka’s Cave

Before we finally return to Perth, along Lovering Road near Lake Gounter Nature Reserve before reaching the town center of Hyden we did stop along the way to checkout some wildflowers which only blossom during spring season. And there we found lots of pigface flowers or carpobrotus. The other name used for this flower are ice plant, sour fig, and hottentot fig.

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Pigface (Carpobrotus)

Spending time in Hyden for me was a well worth one. There are other places that I haven’t seen due to time limit that we had. I suggest to spend at least whole day in the town to appreciate it more.

Until then.

Notes :
1. Plan to visit Hyden ? Please check latest information here.
2. Location : Hyden, Western Australia, Australia
3. Directions to the town of Hyden:
Transportation :
a. Join Day Tours from Perth or
b. Drive towards Hyden WA 6359, Australia
Official Website : Hyden , Wave Rock

Top Destinations and Attractions – Northern Territory Traveler’s Panorama Guide

Planning to explore Northern Territory? Wanted to make it full and lasting holiday in this federal territory of Australia called as the country’s outback? You are in the right place to check and see what this full of desert landscapes has to offer.

This post will give some insights what places to see and visit in Northern Territory using some questions to know your travel preference.

1. Are you an Adventure Seeker?

I can truly say that people visited Northern Territory are adventurers. Why? Because most of the places to visit in this part of Australia requires physical activities like walking, trekking, climbing, swimming or combination. It means that you cannot see the awesome places without doing an effort to see or experience it unless you wanted to see wonderful places from above through flying with helicopter which is different. The lists below are a must-see.

Uluru (Ayers Rock) – Bush Walking, Walking, Trekking

Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) – Trekking

Kings Canyon – Trekking

Litchfield National Park – Walking, Trekking, Swimming

Nitmiluk National Park – Trekking, Swimming

2. Are you a Scenic View Lover?

Northern Territory offers a lot of fascinating natural wonders, that sometimes even myself thinking how on earth these nature wonders ever created? The list below should not be missed.

Nitmiluk National Park

Litchfield National Park

Mount Conner Lookout

Uluru / Ayers Rock Lookout

Kata Tjuta Dune Viewing Area

Kings Canyon

3. Are you a History and a Culture Buff?

Have you ever wondered that Northern Territory also offers its part of its history and culture based on the nature wonders that it offers? Yes, it is still correlated to each other and visitors like me wondered that the aboriginals that lives in this part of Australia are being proud of their own identity and community. Below list are recommended places for it.

Uluru (Ayers) Rock

Judbarra (Gregory) National Park

Strauss Airfield

4. Are you a Shopaholic?

If you are still tend to buying stuff while in Northern Territory, I think the shopping experience you will have in this part of Australia will be a bit different compared when you are into buying things in the city, as most of the things you can buy around Northern Territory will reflect the culture of the Aboriginals or their local products which can be found in markets across the territory. Since both of my tour in the said territory are more on adventure tour, I do not have experience in doing shopping aside from basic needs like food and drinks. But I had visited and seen aboriginal arts stores across the territory.

5. Are you Just Chilling Out?

Do you want to travel in Northern Territory without exerting too much physical adventures just to reach amazing places in this part of Australia? And you just wanted to rest to unwind and become a bit of lazy? Here are some options for you to do that.

Alice Spring

Darwin

Notes :

Coming to Northern Territory for me is not a typical or ordinary travel that people usually does. Traveling in this part of Australia means, a great love for nature and willing to go beyond the comfort zone. And wanted to have an extraordinary travel or adventure. For people who are not adventurous enough and does not want to exhaust itself from lots of physical activities to reach the wonderful places in Northern Territory has a choice to do sightseeing in luxurious ways like bus tour or fly tour. And people like me who just had enough to do adventures chose to go in affordable way. I can’t afford luxury travel therefore I came in this part of Australia in most economical way that I can. I joined adventure tours where the cost was lower compared to other tour offerings, but these kind of tours has requirements, you must be up for adventures. If you are not, then, either you spend fortunes to travel in most comfortable way possible. In the end, everybody can still visit Northern Territory and enjoy it no matter how different ways it is.

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York – Oldest Inland Historic Town in Western Australia

Second day tour that I signed-up was estimated 1-hour shorter than my first day tour from Perth. But generally, the time spent in the tour, I can say it was almost the same. If the first day tour I had, went to south of Perth, the second day tour went to east of Perth, in Wheatbelt Region. The first stop of the tour was York, the oldest inland town in Western Australia state and located in Avon Valley. I already mentioned the name “Avon” in my previous photo post (Swan River). And then I realized that the Avon River where Swan River is connected also passing the town of York within the Avon Valley.

Stone commemorates the arrival of Ensign Robert Dale (which can be found in York Courthouse Complex)

Historically, the town of York has been discovered in 1830 when Ensign Robert Dale led a small party of exploratory journey over Darling Range (now Avon Valley). Then, a second party led by Lieutenant-Governor Sterling describe the land as “the finest imaginable sheep-land”. Then, the York name came from Yorkshire because of hills and valleys.

Avon Terrace

Our bus parked along Avon Terrace in the corner of South Street just beside the Sargent’s Pharmacy heritage building. During the tour, I am only aware that we are going where Wave Rock is, but when we got out of the bus and our guide gave us time to explore this historic town in Avon Valley. I got curious. Though I was not aware at that time where we are exactly aside from the name of the town which is York. I walked towards Joaquina Street.

York CRC Mosaic Art

The colourful mosaic art in the wall of York CRC (Community Resource Center) along Avon Terrace caught my attention and captured a photo of it. Based on the information that I looked-up about this mosaic art, it’s a group effort of talented people who volunteered to make this for York CRC. This has been installed in the wall last 2016.

And I walked again and only stopped when I saw a building nearby. Honestly, during the visit, I only knew that we were exploring historic town of York, but I was not aware which building are heritage or not, but by just looking at each building that I passed on, one thing I can say that most or probably all buildings along Avon Terrace are historical or heritage building.

York CRC

Imperial Hotel

Looking at the information about Imperial Hotel, I was amazed how old the building is. Though time-tested which resulted to some changes of what it has originally, still shows how the materials used to build it were reliable since the building still standing up to this time. The building was built because of a demand of additional accommodation at the time when Eastern Railway opened in 1885 where the hotel located just few minutes walk from York Station (Joaquina Street Station). It opened its doors to guest in 1886 that made this hotel 132 years old as of this writing. But we knew that if the old town has story, the building has story as well. If the building experience its glory, it has also time for its down where it has been closed. During the tour, the building was closed and just recently back in business when it was bought and renovated by group of farmers in the town with the objective to put the hotel back in business and to attract visitors to York.

York Town Hall

Reaching Joaquina Street, gave me a chance to see the magnificent building called Town Hall in York. I admired the grand architecture design of the building. I think it is the most fascinating structure built in York as it has Federation Free Classical style and located in the corner of Avon Terrace and Joaquina Street, the other side of the corner where Imperial Hotel stands. Historically, it was a former Mechanics Institute and converted to a Town Hall in 1911. The heritage hotel considered to be the most impressive building in York. Because York Visitor Centre is inside this magnificent building, anyone has a chance to get inside to have a glimpse of the town hall. Based on history, at the time that this building was built, it has the largest public halls in Western Australia.

While I was in Joaquina Street, I tried to walk further to check if I can still see other heritage building in the said street and after passing Shire of York office, I saw Masonic Hall or Freemason’s Hall building.

Shire of York

Masonic Hall / Freemasons’ Hall / Lodge No.5 of the Grand Lodge of Western Australia

Based on the tablet in the wall that can be seen in the building, the heritage building was built for the independent Order of Oddfellows in 1887, then sold in 1925 to a similar society, the Freemasons. The building became Lodge No.5 of the Grand Lodge of Western Australia. And its architectural design categorized as Victorian Classical Revival Style.

[York] Castle Hotel

I returned to Avon Terrace to continue my exploration in the town and stopped again when I saw another heritage buildings. One of them was York Castle Hotel or simply Castle Hotel is located in the corner of South Street and Avon Terrace. Based on history, this hotel is the oldest inland hotel not only in the town but in the whole state of Western Australia which has been established in 1853 and managed by Craig family until 1990. As of this writing, this historical hotel still in business and offers combinations of accommodations, shops, bistro, bars and swimming pool.

Sargent’s Pharmacy

The opposite building of Castle Hotel which also stands in the corner of South Street and Avon Terrace is called Sargent’s Pharmacy. The name of the building was after Obeithio Sargent who built the shop in 1904. His family lives in the top floor while the pharmacy in the ground floor. His son named Oswald Hewlett Sargent who was also trained as pharmacist and his wife Gertrude Victoria Onions continue the pharmacy business. Historically, Oswald received the first Webster Memorial Prize for achieving the highest marks in the final examinations and his collection of plants became part of Western Australian Herbarium.

The Davies Building

Another heritage building opposite of Sargent’s Pharmacy and Castle Hotel, still in the corner of Avon Terrace and South Street, Davies Building can be found. The building was built in 1908 as improved of former business Garden Valley Fruit Palace that was built in 1903 which stands in the same site and owned by the same person William Thomas Davies. The historic two face clock that the mayor of York at that time requested to be installed in Town Hall but did not happen are still visible along Avon Terrace.

So far, the walk for me was still satisfying, even though I walked along Avon Terrace in current modern time, imagining what the road will look like after more than 100 years was kind of intriguing. Seeing a heritage or building to survive after a long time was a fascinating and worth learning. As I continued my walk along the historic road hoping to see more heritage and historic buildings, it seems my hope and wish were granted as more old buildings still standing waiting to be seen and appreciated.

York & Districts Co-Op

Another heritage building in the town called York Co-op became familiar with lots of people as it was a market place, where people exchange money and goods. In 1872, William Edwards Junior constructed the single story as a new place for his stores which previously located near in Castle Hotel. His sons named Charles and Kenneth continued the business until 1936. In 1950’s, the York and Districts Co-Operative purchased the building as an outlet for produce from local farms (now an IGA-Independent Grocers of Australia) which pushed the interior of the building to be change to accommodate the needs of modern supermarket. The outside of it such as balustrades and archways that framed the original verandah are still intact and visible.

Settlers Front Shop & Settlers Gift Shop

Not far from York Co-Op building, the next building to see was Settlers Front Shop and Settlers Gift Shop. The two buildings are part of heritage building called Settlers House & Village which I missed to see as I was only able to capture photos of building that stands along Avon Terrace. One of the thing that was fascinating to learn about it was that these were also owned by Craig family, the one who owns the Castle Hotel. Widowed Mary Craig bought it as she saw an opportunity of the business. In 1877, it was leased by George Inkpen for district’s first newspaper – Eastern District Chronicle. Then, Inkpen family bought the property in 1929 where the whole building called as Inkpen Building. Only in 1972 where its name change to Settler’s House.

Settlers Front Shop

Settlers Gift Shop

York Hotel (Palace Hotel)

This hotel along Avon Terrace has a different story to tell, as the old times, it reflects or remind people the controversy or scandal that relates to the building. York Hotel was built by a former farmer named Matthew Ryan and called it as Palace Hotel. And at that time, the hotel was considered luxurious because of its tiles, fittings and furnishings. But such splendid hotel comes with a price. Mr. Ryan had financial difficulties which resulted him to mortgage the building to a pastoral company. In the end, the hotel was sold but Mr. Ryan still stayed in the hotel and did not want to leave the property. There were news that he even threatened the new owner of the hotel. They heard at that time that Mr. Ryan will blow-up the hotel if he was forced to leave the premises. Then, he got arrested and police found evidence of this plans. But Mr. Ryan went into trial but his claim and explanation was changed which made him found not guilty on the incident. The name of the hotel changed to York Hotel after it was bought by Swan Brewery in 1937. Some parts of hotel has already been changed since its renovations in 1990s with the new owner named Mr. John Hay.

The Old Fire Station (York, WA)

This building was a former Council of Chambers and when the municipal council moved to its new location – Town Hall, it was bought by Mr. William Thomas Davies (the owner of Davies Building). A great discovery about Mr. Davies was he sold the building to Fire Brigade without a profit, it was like a donation. Currently the Fire Brigade already moved to its modern home in Henrietta Street. The heritage building is now used as community centre and owned privately.

Western Australian Bank

Western Australian Bank building is the building that considered unchanging because it’s almost remain the same since 1889. And the unique about this building is, it has always been a bank building ever since up to this day. It was home for decades for York branch of Western Australian Bank (now Bankwest), then followed by Bank of New South Wales, and Challenge banks. Currently the building is being used as Westpac bank.

York Post Office

As I was looking for information about this building, I crossed with the name for the second time with the designer of the building – George Temple Poole. Then, I remembered where I first encountered its name, it was the time that I was writing about “The Perth Mint” heritage building. This post office and even the York Courthouse were both designed by the same person, and looking at the design of the post office, there is part of it that has resemblance on the mint building. This building’s foundation has been laid in 1893 by the first Premier of Western Australia – John Forrest. The first post office was built in 1866 but its original building didn’t last that long but still made York Post Office to have the long period of unbroken postal service.

York Courthouse Complex

Another heritage building beside York Post Office is York Courthouse Complex. Looking at the structure of both building, at first I thought it was just one whole complex, but I realized that the post office is a separated building. This building hosted both the police station and a courthouse where lots of cases has been served since 1852 until 1981 where the police station moved to its new home.

The Old Backpackers & Union Bank

As I do not have photos of it separately so I combine featuring them here. First, about Old Backpackers, is one of the building that had been re-purposed many times. If only walls can talk, most likely it already told us a lot of things happened inside the building. This building started as Gentleman’s club in 1884, then it became Dinsdale Shop (after owners William and Alfred Dinsdale) and also run as a temperance boarding house by Mrs. Charlotte Pyke – wife of Albert Pyke (manager of Settler’s House). It also became antique restorer, a shirt factory, a tailor, a saddler, an importer, a wartime tent-making factory and a block of flats. Most recently it housed a backpackers’ hostel. And finally about Union Bank building, it’s almost the same with Old Backpackers with lots of functional history. This building, was branch of Union Bank of Australia in 1878. From 1951 to 1996, it became an Australia and New Zealand Bank branch. After that, it became a jewelry shop and factory. And currently the building is a veterinary clinic. Both buildings still standing at this time and its amazing how these buildings is more than hundred years of time.

Old Backpackers (Left) and Union Bank (Right)

York Motor Museum

At first, this building was known as Windsor Building after Mr. J.C. Windsor who built it in 19th century. But then, it was mostly known as Ford Dealership in Western Australia. Currently, the building is now served as York Motor Museum since 1981, when Peter Briggs and James Harwood founded the museum in 1979 to display their collection of 140 vehicles. The museum also displays the finest private collections of veteran, vintage, classic and racing cars in Australia.

Other Old Buildings

Central Building

This building still standing along Avon Terrace are the Central Buildings. The section on the left was built in 1907 while the section on the right built in 1892.

Collins Building

Next to the Davies Building is the Collins Buildings and the building was erected in 1907 as shops.

Notes :
1. Plan to visit York ? Please check latest information here.
2. Location : York, Western Australia, Australia
3. Directions to the town of York:
a. Join Day Tours from Perth or
b. Take bus from Transwa Bay East Perth to Esperance or Albany and get off at Joaquina St in York Town or
3. Take train from Perth Station to Midland Station, then exchange train from Midland Station to Joaquina St Station in York.
Official Website : York

8 Places To Explore in Margaret River (Western Australia)

At my second day in Perth, my first day tour happened when I joined the trip to Margaret River, which located in south-west corner of Australia. The region starts from Busselton to Augusta on the shores of Geographe Bay. It is known for global wines, fine beaches, surfing spots, walking trails and beautiful caves. One day is not enough to see the whole region, but visiting some of its highlights such as tourist spots of the region can be the start or the opportunity to appreciate it.

The journey to the region started and ended in the town of Busselton. The trip includes visiting the longest jetty in southern hemisphere, lunch in brewery, tasting of wines, walking inside the cave, visiting lighthouse, shopping local products and dinner in a beach resort. It’s a fulfilling but relaxing 13+ hours of day tour.

Busselton Jetty

One thing that fascinates me on this place even though we had given a very limited time to explore the place, I took my chances to walk to the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere. The experience to see the coastline without getting soaked by the sea and without the need of a boat was unforgettable experience. It is one of the unexpected adventure that I will treasure as traveler.

Bootleg Brewery

The picturesque backdrop of this brewery restaurant made the place special. It was built just beside a lake. They designed the brewery with a “feel like home” to anyone and to enjoy and to feel the fresh air of the farmland.

Sandalford Winery (Margaret River)

A quick visit in Sandalford wineries was a good one. To stop for sometime and to enjoy not only the tasting of wines but also to feel relax by just looking at the vineyards that surrounds the store. The special thing to learn about Sandalford, they are in winery business for more than 175 years. They produce global brand of wines.

Mammoth Cave

We spent time to visit the famous cave in Margaret River region which is Mammoth Cave. The visit in the cave is pretty comfortable since it has boardwalk and stairways in-placed. And one great to learn inside the cave is about Australian Megafauna which an extinct animals and had roamed inside the cave which estimated to be 50,000 years old, a discovery that made the cave called as “Dawn of Creation”.

Boranup Forest

Driving within the Boranup Forest can be considered a memorable experience, though anyone can think that it was just a forest but being inside the forest and see the towering trees of karri (the third tallest trees in the world) will be amazed on the scenery.

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

The visit in this cape was worthy. Discovery this part of Australia thought me a lot of things. In this place, I was able to discover the imaginary border between Indian Ocean and Southern Ocean where give the visitors to see these two oceans in just one place. The lighthouse precinct is a heritage and its little museum shows its colorful history.

Margaret River Town

The town made me feel at ease even we had a short visit. We stopped here for a quick look around of the town and a chance for us to buy local products. The town is located in between of Bussell Highway that is why its a great stop when exploring the region.

Abbey Beach Resort

This beach resort is located at Busselton and had a grand resort. Though we never got a chance to explore the resort itself, but we had dinner in one of its restaurant – The Atrium. I can say that even the restaurant is grand since its part of the resort hotel and I like the dinner that I chose while we were here.

Cape Leeuwin – “Where Indian Ocean Meets Southern Ocean”

I am always excited when traveling, that is why most of the time, every time I arrived in any new place I always feel joyful. I am always eager to see what the place has to offer. And the time we reached Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, a place which commonly called as the tip and the most south-westerly of Australia in the state of Western Australia, I jumped-off the bus with an ecstatic heart.

We walked towards the wooden gate of the precinct and went to the historical cottage where entrance and the cafe are located. There was an audio tours available in the precinct but at the time of the visit, I was not able to get the audio device therefore I only depended on the notes to read on in each audio tour stops. I almost complete capturing all the audio tour stops except for “Stop 14 – Flora and Fauna”.

At the start of my adventure in the precinct, the first thing to see is the Sarge Bay

To tell the story of my visit, I used the audio tour stops as guidance of what I saw while inside the precinct. For me, it was both fun and educational self-guided tour because I was in a place to see one of the heritage lighthouse in Australia and to be in the place that is extreme and dangerous most south-westerly of the country.

Around the lighthouse, where I got chance walk further as I can, a chance to see the dangerous waters that surrounds Cape Leeuwin. The St. Alouarn Islands and some rocks that in old times where lighthouse was not yet installed was a deadly place for mariners.

Seal Island (of St Alouarn Islands)

Somes rocks nearby

Self-Guided Tour At Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Precinct

At the gate

Stop 1 – Welcome

The entrance of the Cape Leeuwin Precinct is in the first cottage where it also housed the cafe and the little museum about the lighthouse. It is the first stop, where the audio device is to be pickup (which I did not) to be able to listen to information on each stops at the precinct. I would like to emphasized that before I left the precinct that day, I had some time to explore the museum and even though it was little or small museum, it is full of information about the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse like its constructions down to its light apparatus. The museum also displays information about the following : lighthouse service, optics, lighthouse station, lighthouse keepers, signalling, shipwrecks, weather station, and hydroacoustic station.

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Some displays at the museum

Stop 2 – History

When I reached this stop, I kind of surprised that there are lots of things to see in the precinct, I just enjoyed my walking tour around the place.

Showing all the 15 Audio Tour Stops within the precinct

Looking back to the cottages while walking towards Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

Stop 3 – A Century of Community (Keepers Cottages)

Three Historical Cottages

Three residences were built in 1895-6 to accommodate the three lighthouse keepers required for the continuous operation of the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Station. Three keepers were considered necessary to fulfill the day-to-day operational duties and to assure efficiency in case of sickness or emergency.

Married quarters were provided to allow the keepers to maintain a normal family life. Each cottage had three bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, store, and bathroom. The two southern cottages were built using local limestone. The northernmost cottage was constructed of local granite, originally excavated for the lighthouse foundations. Steeply-pitched timber roofs enabled these structures to withstand strong winds.

All three cottages were continuously occupied until 1988 and the last keeper to live in a cottage at Cape Leeuwin did so until 1998.

Stop 4 – Service Buildings

Four service Buildings were constructed here in 1954 to 1975, each associated with the maintenance of the lighthouse.

The Kerosene Store was built in 1954 to store fuel for the lighthouse lantern (1954-1982) and as maintenance workshop.

The Radio Hut (1954) housed the radio transmitters as part of the Non Directional Beacon (NDB) navigational system. From 1975 to 1998 the hut was used as a base for sending meteorological data to the Bureau of Meteorology in Perth.

The Power House (1954) house three diesel-powered generators, which powered the radio transmitters.

The Engine Room/Transmitters Building was built in 1975 to house a single diesel-powered generator to power the NDB radio transmitters from 1975 to 1992.

Stop 5 – The Residential Precinct

Despite the homes’ magnificent outlook of beaches, bays, rocky islands, they are constantly battered by summer winds and winter gales of salty sea spray.

Stop 6 – Cottage Three

The duties of all Lightkeepers comprise the case and efficient maintenance of the light apparatus, tower, dwellings, equipment, jetties, roads, boats, etcetera, and the of the grounds attached to the Station.

We can thought initially that people lives in the precinct within almost the century life of the lighthouse lives their life with ease. Cape Leeuwin is located where a great spot to observe weather and it means it does not used to have a fairy weather. Therefore, their duties as lightkeepers were bounded by rules that focused on its true responsibilities around the lighthouse. Any visitors or activities that will affect their duties as lightkeepers are prohibited in the precinct.

Regulations at the Lighthouse Station

Duties of Lightkeepers as it describe

An incomplete list of Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Keepers

Stop 7 – Lightkeepers Wives (Keeper’s Cottage)

The fourth cottage, constructed in 1908, was a timber-framed weatherboard building located just south of the main stone cottages.

This cottage accommodated the relief keeper who also collected firewood. The area surrounding Cape Leeuwin is coastal heath with few trees suitable for wood supply. The relief keeper would travel as fas as Augusta to collect wood, using a cart drawn by bullocks. Wood for heating, cooking, and laundry was an essential of daily living for the residents of Cape Leeuwin Station.

In 1921, the relief keeper was withdrawn from service after a Government report suggested the fourth keeper was unnecessary.

The house was demolished around 1928 and the remains are its foundations.

Stop 8 – The Light

The lighthouse which “dedicated to mariners” as per Sir John Forrest (Western Australia Premier) during the official opening of it last December 10, 1896, did not disappoint the world of its purpose the moment it was inaugurated.

The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Western Australia, and the third tallest in Australia, the tower soars 56 meters above sea level

The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

The museum tells additional information about the lighthouse. It was designed by British Engineer William Tregarthen Douglass (Sir James Douglass’ son). And Colonial Architect George Temple Poole did the final plans.

The constructions of the lighthouse was not easy as they started the work, modifications are needed for the stability of the lighthouse and its was nice to know that even old days has intelligence to reuse things such as the rubble stone which excavated for the foundation of the lighthouse has been used for cottage that is now used as the entrance of the visitors.

Also learned from museum that its intended light to focused in dangerous waters that surrounds the cape such Alouarn Island, South East Rocks and Geographe Bay Reef has been installed in lighthouse in Rottness Island, which luckily I got a chance to see when I visited the island as my last adventure in Australia.

Foul Bay Lens

Foul Bay Lens captured inside the museum is loaned to Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association for display in this cottage due to close proximity of and historic link between two lighthouses.

Stop 9 – Whales (Marine Sanctuary)

The islands of Cape Leeuwin are nature reserves and important nesting sites for birds such as rock parrots (Neophemia petrophila) and fairy penguins (Eudyptula minor). Colonies of seabirds on the islands are unusual in that southern cool water species nest alongside tropical species. This mix of bird species is attributed to the warm Leeuwin Current. The islands are also habitants for the New Zealand Fur Seal, which visits the bay to feed or ‘haul-out’.

Through winter to mid spring each year, Flinders bay is host to the Humpback Whale. The life of this whale is geared to a cycle migration, feeding in cold waters well to the south in summer and heading north to breed and calve in winter. The Southern Right Whale also visits the bay during these months. It breeds and calves in the protected bays of the south coast.

Stop 10 – Nizam Memorial (N Class Destroyer – Wall of Remembrance)

This memorial is dedicated to the ten sailors aboard the HMAS Nizam who lost their lives off Cape Leeuwin in 1945. Please take a moment to remember them.

At approximately 2210 hours on February 11th the HMAS Nizam was 11 miles off Cape Leeuwin, in transit from Port Philip Bay to Fremantle, when it was hit by a rogue wave causing it to hell and throw ten sailors overboard. Although the area was thoroughly searched no trace of the ten men was found.

In 1991, a reunion of the ‘N’ class Destroyer Association in WA suggested that a memorial to those lost at sea be constructed at Cape Leeuwin. Since the memorial was unveiled in 1193, the February 11th ceremony has become an annual event here and the site is now recognized as an Australian War Memorial in 1999 at a reunion.

In the museum, I undertood more the story about Nizam Memorial as the ship was part of Allied operations during World War II. Due to a storm, 10 men overboard washed away last February 11, 1945.

Stop 11 – SS Pericles

Mr J. J. Lyons, the lighthouse keeper on duty, saw distress signals from his post. He sprang into action, mobilising all hands at Cape Leeuwin to light fires all along the beach to guide lifeboats to the safe side of the cape.

From the museum, an information board displays shows wherein anybody can learned that historically, there were 23 recorded ship wrecks in Cape Leeuwin. There were 22 cases before the lighthouse built and only 1 case after it was built.

Stop 12 – Where Two Oceans Meet & Stop 13 – Flinders Starting Point

One of the most exciting part of my walking tour was the discovery that Cape Leeuwin is exactly located where anyone can enjoy two oceans at the same time. I walked towards the stop 12 and 13 which both related as it both describes the meeting of two oceans, Southern Ocean and Indian Ocean. I thought before that it only happens in country or city to have a border and chance to be in two place. Though there is no physical border to be seen in Cape Leeuwin but just imaginary border, the location of the cape with latitude of 34° 22′ S and longitude 115° 08′ E made it as point or mark where the two oceans meet.

Cape Leeuwin – 34° 22′ S, 115° 08′ E

Cape Leeuwin marks the point where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean.

While standing in the front of directional board made me experience by just moving my eyes or even my head without even taking a single steps gave me a chance to see two oceans. Looking at my left side I will see Southern Ocean and looking at the right side I will see Indian Ocean. It’s a wonderful moment of my visit in the cape.

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Scenery to enjoy in the direction of Southern Ocean

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Scenery to enjoy in the direction of Indian Ocean

Cape Leeuwin Lookout Plaque

Cape Leeuwin marks the point where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean. At various times of the year the differing ocean currents, waves and swell patterns are evident in the waters around the Cape. This can create unusual conditions in the nearby waters.

The Antarctic Circumpolar Current circles Antarctica west to east, between 40 degrees and 70 degrees south. Its northern edge turns north and heads up along the western Australian coast. From May to September each year the Leeuwin Current transports warm tropical water southwards around Cape Leeuwin and along Western Australia’s southern coastline.

Can you spot the meeting point?

Stop 14 – Flora and Fauna

I don’t have photos of this stop, therefore I don’t have information to tell what is this is all about aside from having idea that it tells what are the available plants to be seen around the cape.

Stop 15 – Radio Beacons

The concrete footings located on the west side of the road mark, the location of the towers that supported a radio navigation beacon. The system, known as a Non Directional Beacon (NBD) operated in the ‘long wave’ band with a nominal range of 200 nautical miles.

The beacon transmitted a continuous signal in Morse code that allowed passing ships to determine their location based on its frequency and call sign. Morse code was a method of encoding a message so that it could be sent electronically Letters of the alphabet were represented by combinations of dots (.) and dashes (-), which were sent as long and short pulses of power.

The beacon’s call sign at Cape Leeuwin was ‘AXB’, which in Morse code is: – (A) -..- (X) -… (B)

The beacon sent this call sign three times (taking 22.5 seconds), then transmitted a long dash (22.5 seconds), then sent AXB again (7.5 seconds), then another long dash (15 seconds), then finally AXB again (7.5 seconds). When the 105 second sequence was over, the transmitter would repeat it again.

Stop 16 – Weather Station

Cape Leeuwin has provided one of the longest continuous observational weather data records the exist in Western Australia, indeed in all of Australia

The strategic location of Cape Leeuwin is the main reason why it became a great place to put instruments that will observe the wind speed and direction, temperature, rainfall, barometric pressure, visibility, cloud formations and the state of the sea. Based on history, the station started to logged these information since Jan 1, 1897 until 1993 when non-staff ‘Automatic Weather Station’ installed in the precinct. The station is one of the longest continuous observational weather data records in Western Australia.

Notes :
1. Plan to visit Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse ? Please check latest information here.
2. Location : Leeuwin Road, AUGUSTA WA 6290, Australia
3. Directions to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse:
a. Join Day Tours from Perth or
b. Take Transwa Train from Perth Station to Bunbury Passenger Terminal. Then, take Pemberton Bus to Augusta and get off at Blackwood Avenue. Finally, take a taxi from Blackwood Avenue to Cape Leeuwin.
Official Website : Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

Mammoth Cave – “Dawn of Creation” & Boranup Forest

Mammoth Cave

After visiting Sandalford Winery in Wilyabrup, we moved again. After half an hour, we reached a cave located underground of Boranup part of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. The main feature that the cave is proud of is, it is the home to ancient fossil remains of long-extinct giant animals known as Australian Megafauna. The cave shows its fossil jawbone of one of the giant marsupial species embedded within the limestone wall – 50,000 years after the animal roamed the forests above.

Zygomaturus Jawbone in the wall of the cave – “The jawbone is older than the layer of flowstone capping the deposit, which was deposited approximately 44,000 years before present”

Our cave exploration starts from walking on a boardwalk that led us to the entrance of the cave. The boardwalk itself makes the visit comfortable to any guest. Mammoth Cave itself is proud to be the most easily accessible cave in all the show caves in the region and one of just a few caves in the south-west which contains fossils. What I like about the area of the cave is, it is covered by forest which called as marri forest.

Boardwalk towards the Mamoth Cave

Mammoth Cave Entrance

When we entered the cave, we were greeted by an open space of the cave where anyone can see the visible stalactites and stalagmites. The boardwalk continues inside the cave near the entrance and ended beside the stream that flows during winter. Our guide emphasize one of the significant stalagmite located where the water flows during wet season.

Open space near cave’s entrance

Since it was not my first time to be in the cave, seeing stalagmite and stalactite are now common to me. Probably the thing that I enjoyed inside of it are the different formation of stalagmite and stalactite. Some stalactite are all too pointed which means kind of young stalactite, while some are so huge which we can say a very old one. Some stalagmite at the ground looks like some ancient civilization that we lost a long time ago. If my mind were more imaginative, I can think more.

Stalagmite and Stalactites

Stalactite

Stalagmite

Naturally, because the cave becomes popular tourist spot in the region, they placed stairways and boardwalk inside the cave that even wheelchair can access. These can be enjoyed by any visitors and also protect the life of the cave itself. With this, I can say that Mammoth Cave is one of the most accessible cave that I visited to date.

Flowstone

Aside from stalactite and stalagmite, another common thing to see inside Mammoth Cave are Flowstone where some were still crystallized and some are not anymore. And the most important thing in science and history, the fossils that found inside the cave.

Fossils

Inside the Cave

We climbed up and down, by following the pathways to see more of the cave. It is fascinating as the cave is another proof of time. Historically, early diggers of the cave excavated fossil collection of 10,000 specimens. And the most important discovery did during excavation was the fossil of the extinct animal in Australia. Historically, the cave opened to tourist in 1904.

Boranup Forest

Coming from Mammoth Cave, on our way to our next destination while we took the Cave Roads, we had to maneuver to a rough road and got a chance to see and appreciate the natural beauty that Boranup Forest has to offer. Boranup Forrest consist of towering karri forest on the west coast of Western Australia between Margaret River and Augusta.

Notes :
1. Plan to visit Mammoth Cave ? Please check latest information here. How about Boranup Forrest? Check here.
2. Location : W2QH+RV Boranup, Western Australia, Australia
3. Directions to Mammoth Cave and Boranup Forrest:
a. Join Day Tours from Perth or
b. Driving to Boranup
Official Website : Mammoth Cave, Boranup Forest

Bootleg Brewery – “An Oasis of Beer in a Desert of Wine” As They Call It

After we left Busselton Jetty, we traveled more than half an hour to reach the place where we had our lunch for that day. Before we reached the location, I enjoyed the backdrop and surroundings as we took the road where we passed grassland, vineyards and forest, the kind of scenery that I really loved.

Margaret River Region in Western Australia are known to be Winery Region. And establishing a brewery for the first time is unique in such region. And that kind of identity is what Bootleg Brewery is proud of.

We reached Bootleg Brewery and we waited inside the bus for few minutes before we got off. Not far from our bus, the restaurant boastfully shows the name of the brewery, a great spot to take photo souvenir for visitors coming to the place. After we assembled outside the bus, we walked towards the restaurant. While we were waiting for our food to be served since its pre-ordered by the tour company, I took my time to look around and appreciate the ambiance of the restaurant.

The food we waited was served and had our lunch. Our menu includes tasting of some local beers that they carefully crafted in Bootleg Brewery. Since I do not drink beer or any other alcohol beverages, I only took a few sip of beer for the sake of tasting. Few samples given in our table and the taste varies but in the end it all boils down to bitter taste, I guess that was the meaning of beer or similar of its kind, right?

Brewery History through images

After the lunch, I still have time to explore the two-storey brewery and its surroundings. I went upstairs where some of the brewery products are being displayed. Then, there were windows in the second floor that gave me a chance to see outside from the high ground. I saw the beautiful scenery of its surroundings consist of lake, children’s playground and beer garden.

Bootleg Brewery Flavored Beer Products

Children’s Playground

Beer Garden with the lake

I went down and explored the outside. I took photos of the picturesque lake, the colorful tables with chairs, the brewery itself and children’s playground. I can say that the brewery restaurant itself fits perfectly to the beautiful scenery.

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Picturesque Lake

Beer Garden

Brewery Restaurant

We left the brewery around 1 PM to continue the tour for the rest of the day. And the day was still beautiful as ever which great for our adventure in the region.

Until then.

Notes :
1. Plan to visit Bootleg Brewery ? Please check latest information here :
2. Location : 37 Wildberry Rd, Wilyabrup WA 6280, Australia
3. Directions to Bootleg Brewery :
a. Join Day Tours from Perth or
b. Driving to Wilyabrup
Official Website : Bootleg Brewery

Stopover at Sandalford Winery

Given a chance to join tours across Australia, though sometimes its part of commercializing the product of a specific business, one thing that I enjoy is a chance to visit wineries. I enjoy it because of vineyard scenery, a beautiful nature by itself. Of course the establishments tries to advertise their wines through collaboration to travel or tour companies but still, what it offers is allowing visitors to appreciate not only their wine products but their vineyards.

I had been in a couple of wineries but even that is the case, I still love and enjoy it. Seeing the green grapevines perfectly inline is indeed a lovely sight to see. Seeing it from a distance is amazing.

The next stopover that we did was in Sandalford in Margaret River Region. The said winery has another farm to be found at Swan Valley. Tasting wines is one way to introduce the product to people, but the tasting does not happened in just any places exclusively in their wineries.

Sandalford was one of the heritage wineries that I visited because of its history. Their first winery was born in Swan Valley in 1840, then they were able to survived two world wars and expanded their industry in Margaret River in 1970.

Notes :
1. Plan to visit Sandalford (Margaret River) ? Please check latest information here :
2. Location : 777 Metricup Rd, Wilyabrup WA 6280, Australia
3. Directions to Sandalford (Margaret River) :
a. Join Day Tours from Perth or
b. Driving to Wilyabrup
Official Website : Sandalford

Summary : One One One Eagle Street Riparian Plaza Riverside Centre Brisbane River Story Bridge Customs House Riverside Quarter Kookabura Showboat Cruises

Summary : One One One Eagle Street Riparian Plaza Riverside Centre Brisbane River Story Bridge Customs House Riverside Quarter Kookabura Showboat Cruises

1. Are you an Adventure Seeker?

2. Are you a Scenic View Lover?

3. Are you a History and a Culture Buff?

4. Are you a Shopaholic?

5. Are you Just Chilling Out?

Summary :
One One One Eagle Street
Riparian Plaza
Riverside Centre
Brisbane River
Story Bridge
Customs House
Riverside Quarter
Kookabura Showboat Cruises

Summary :
One One One Eagle Street
Riparian Plaza
Riverside Centre
Brisbane River
Story Bridge
Customs House
Riverside Quarter
Kookabura Showboat Cruises