Saturday 15 February 2014 - Parry Beach, Denmark WA

Saturday 15 February 2014 - Parry Beach, Denmark WA

We said goodbye to Warren and cruised through to Northcliffe (about 30km south of Pemby), planning to do the forest art walk. Unfortunately it didn’t open till 10am and we were there just after 9am (plus Glenn wasn’t all that keen) and we had a few other things planned for the day, so we just drove on. Next stop was Walpole, where we grabbed a few basics and then set out for the tree top walk. This was pretty awesome, but it wasn’t quite as spectacular as it would have been if we’d left it till later in the day because it was overcast. Of course, the sun came out a few hours after!

Next stop was our campground, which was a nifty little spot just west of the tree top walk. It’s called the Valley of the Giants Eco Park and was $30 (unpowered) with hot showers and washing machines. We needed to use both after three nights bush camping, so it definitely hit the spot. There was only one other camper there and it was a pleasant setting so we were set. After setting up the camper, we went for a drive around the Walpole area, checking out the Knoll, the inlet, the giant tingle tree, Circular Pool and just soaking up the region. Dinner was an awesome steak and Baby Q veggies and then it was off to snuggle in bed, as the temperature was dropping steadily.

I set out for a run in the morning... oh. my. god. There were heaps of very very big hills, so steep that not only were they hard to run up but they were hard to run down too! I still managed to belt out 10km, but a lot slower than my normal pace. After brekkie, pack-up and another delicious hot shower, we hit the road again but only for about half an hour to Parry Beach camp. We found a nice little spot towards the back, not too far from the amenities and without too many neighbours. A couple of other local families pulled up in the afternoon, so the kids are happy and it suits us – families understand that kids will be noisy.

After we’d set up we went for a stroll down to beach and out along the rocks. This campground is a bit of a local ‘hotspot’ – friends we’d met at Ned’s Camp in Cape Range spent three weeks over Xmas/New Year here and they said they were not made to feel welcome. But everyone has been friendly enough and a nice old couple out fishing off the rocks gave Glenn a few herring to try. He was going to ask them if it was bait, but they eat them and actually seem to enjoy it! I think our little sample might end up on a hook rather than in our frypan... After naps it was another little stroll down the inside of the dune, where we found all the local huts. It’s got quite a nice feel here and it’s cheap too – $10 a night or $50 a week. Flushing toilets, fires and gennies permitted and even solar showers... I can see why it’s so popular. Dinner was a superb beef party curry (thanks Eddie!) whipped up by Glenn. The meat was so tender, it almost melted in your mouth like butter. The Walpole butcher gets the thumbs up!