The unforgettable Stirling Range National Park was a welcome trip on our journey towards the southern coast of Western Australia. On the way to our bush camp, we visited Stokes Inlet for a few days. Birds and wildlife were in abundance as well as breathtakingly beautiful landscapes.
Stokes Inlet
We set up camp at Bendenerup campsite in the Stokes National Park. This is a small and recently gazetted National Park west of Esperance. The inlet is a large river estuary with permanent water and high sand dunes on either side. As a result, the inlet is only open to the ocean on a few occasions each year. Thick bushland and paperbark trees surround the inlet which was beautifully wild and frothy with foam. These paperbarks are even able to tolerate growth in the salt water. The natural vegetation is diverse and beautiful. We found quite a few examples of large banksia trees and the bright orange flowering Nuytsia which is locally known as the 'WA Christmas tree'. There were many opportunities to photograph Western Grey Kangaroos and Emu's in the surrounding farmlands in the golden early morning light. It was a very pleasant stay and so good to feel the sea-breeze again after being so long in the arid inland.
Stirling Range
As you travel west, this massive mountain range with jagged peaks rises up in front of you from the flat landscape, with the promise of great beauty and adventure. The Stirling Range National Park is home to the only major mountain range in the southern area of WA, rising to more than 1000m above sea level. It's a haven for adventure seekers and hikers as well as being a hot-spot for visitors in spring and summer to view the magnificent wildflowers in a spectacular setting. We were able to traverse the Park from east to west via the Stirling Range Drive, which is a 42km scenic drive that includes lots of fabulous lookouts, vistas and picnic spots. The Aboriginal name for the range, Koi Kyenunu-ruff, means 'mist rolling around the mountains' (dbca.wa.gov.au). We were fortunate enough to witness this phenomena on our final day in the region. Here are a few of the awesome mountain vistas.
Sunset grandeur
We stayed at Mt Trio Bush Camp just outside the National Park for a few days whilst we explored the area. This bush camp is privately owned and adjacent to a working farm. It was a perfect combination of a natural bush camp with great facilities, nature trails and lots of wildlife! The sunsets at the camp were really magnificent. A great way to end each day.
Wildlife wonderland
Jim and I were in our element with the number of bird and wildlife sightings at the campsite and in the ranges. A special mention for a couple of new bird sightings - a mistletoe bird, with spectacular red and black plumage and a pair of Western Rosellas with glorious multi-coloured feathers. These birds are only found in south-west Western Australia. Here are the images of these two special species:
Below are images of all the other beautiful critters that we were fortunate enough to see and photograph.
Next stop - Kalgan River near Albany, WA.
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