Our last stop before heading inland on the road back to Victoria has been Milligan Island campground, just north of Jurien Bay. We planned to stay two nights but have ended up making it three – perhaps because we are putting off the change in direction from south to east and back home. The news about the number of Covid cases in Victoria is not great, neither is the restrictions that we face when we get back (having had total freedom here in WA).
This could be one of the last posts of our trip as we will be daily covering quite a few kilometres from here, with only one potential two-night stop. However, our stay here has been very interesting……
The Pinnacles
Our first day started off with a visit to the Visitor Centre at Jurien Bay, where a very helpful chap gave us lots of information about filling our time (we needed about a week to do everything!). After a visit to the bakery, we set out to see the Pinnacles, as planned.
Located in the Nambung National Park, these are one of the main attractions in the area. The Pinnacles are a natural phenomenon created by a process over the millennia that leaves columns of limestone. The desert area in which they are located is quite extensive with some subtle changes to colours and formations. We were able to drive round a 4 km loop to view them, but also had the chance to get out of the car to walk around them.
Although a sandy desert, there is still a fair bit of life there – including Galahs nesting in some of the pinnacles and lizards, such as this Bobtail which we found at the side of the road.
Milligan Island Campground
The campground is located behind some sand dunes that typically line this part of the coast. It is fairly new, with large sites and basic facilities (no water, no showers), but at $15 per night, it is pretty good.
On the sea side of the dunes there is an amazing island, Lipfert Island, as per the header photo that was taken this morning. Yesterday morning, the sky was quite different with a cloudy sky (it cleared after an hour or so into a glorious day):
Stockyard Gully
A short drive away is Stockyard Gully. This was our first visit this morning. We were warned about the state of the track leading to the reserve that features a 1.5 km walk, a portion of which includes a 300m cave. The 4WD track took a bit of negotiating, but was worth it. Although the cave part of the walk was closed due to it being flooded, the rest of the walk took us into the gully. There were warnings about feral bees, but the only feral insects we found were mosquitoes – in great numbers.
Lesueur National Park
Our other main stop today was Lesueur National Park. This is one of a handful of areas worldwide that has been assessed as having significant diversity of flora and fauna. As part of the 18km drive round the park, we tackled the easy 2.5km loop walk and where the diversity, including many varieties of wildflowers, was in full view.
On the way back to the camp, we attempted to find a WWII radar station, but the tracks were in very poor condition, so we turned round and got back to the trailer for only the third heavy downpour of our trip. It didn’t last too long, which is just as well, as we had to cook dinner.
So, tomorrow we head inland, with a lengthy drive ahead of us.
4 Responses
Will be great to see you both again but will miss the news and photos of your travels. Enjoy the roads – bumps and potholes included.????????☺
Thank you Janeen, but we may delay our return until Regional VIC is out if lockdown. Watch this space.
Woohoo .. we made one of your lovely photos!! The campground. It was lovely to meet you both, enjoy what time you have left in WA!
Thank you, Narelle, it was great meeting you both as well. Thx also for the advise about rock country – we made it there – watch out for the next post in a couple of days. All the best.