Week 7 of full-time travel - Nyabing to Albany

After the excitement of the car show at Nyabing, we decided to head further south. We arrived at Gnowangerup and checked into the Shire caravan park. Although we do have a small top-loader washing machine in the caravan, we decided to use the very clean laundry facilities to get our “big” washing done (bedding and towels). Two big wash loads and less than an hour later, we jumped into the car for a ride around the town.

They REALLY like their tractors in Gowangerup!

By the time we got back from our little drive, the washing was dry annd another couple of caravans had joined us at the caravan site. We chatted to our ‘neighbours’ until the sun went down, then retired for dinner and an early night.

We headed off the next day and decided to stop at a free camp, just before the Stirling Ranges. Louis’ Lookout has beautiful views across to the mountains and we also got a fantastic sunset.

 

Even though its camp was at an intersection, there was very little road noise through the night, but it did get a bit chilly.

Woolly hats for the win!

The next day, we headed down through the Stirling Ranges.

The drive was very picturesque and we arrived at the Porongurup Range Caravan Park in the afternoon with plenty of time to get set up before dark.

The next day, Steve decided that we should go to the Granite Skywalk. So we headed down the road to the Porongurups National Park. Oh my goodness! How far from the car park?!?!

 

It took us 1 hour 45 minutes to get to the top of the pathway, then all we had to do was’The Scramble’ and the 7m high ladder!

 

These hand/foot holds are placed for people with longer arms and legs than I’ve got! 

 

Just the 7m ladder to go? Easy peasey!!!

The whole trek to the top took ages and I felt like my legs were made of lead, but we made it to the viewing platform at the top!

Worth it for the view

We made our way back down the ladder and the scramble, but before we headed back down the trail we stopped to look at the Balancing Rock.

 

Don’t let it squish you, Steve!

The walk back down the trail only took 45 minutes (including the time it took for Steve to pick me up off the floor when I tripped and went face-first onto the ground!), but we were glad to have made the effort.

The next day we went for a drive into Mt Barker - lunch at a cafe an a bit of grocery shopping were all we could manage with how much our legs were aching from our outing the previous day!

Thursday we made our way down to Albany. We had booked one night in a caravan park on the opposite side of the bay to the port and we were glad we arrived when we did - our spot was right on the water and not long after we parked the caravan, the rain set in!

See those big grey clouds…

We had to run some errands in town in the afternoon and got absolutely soaked, but an early dinner at the Earl of Spencer pub made up for it.  

The next morning, the weather had cleared up a bit, and was much more pleasant. 

 

Look how close we were to the water.

We parked at the caravan day-use parking area, and popped into town to grab some groceries. The walk took us past the replica of The Amity.

Do you reckon the Landcruiser could tow that?

 

To round off the week, we had been invited to stay with friends, Chris & Sally, for a few days. They let us park our caravan in their back garden and made us really welcome.

Best garden free camp in Albany!!!