The drive from Fremantle to Albany (pronounces Al-bany, not All-bany) was officially our longest driving day in terms of distance (414 km) but not in time. Australia calls trucking vehicle in rural and remote areas road trains. There are caution signs about passing them because they are up to 50m long. We made a few stops for coffee on the Albany Highway and explored Little Beach in the Two Peoples Bay Reserve. The tide was coming in quickly so we left the sandy beach and climbed on the granite headlands before heading to our lodge. We saw one lost sheep on the road.
Nearby our lodge was the impressive chainsaw sculpture park. The artist, Darrel Radcliffe, created a free self-driving tour to see the sculptures in and among trees. It was hard to say which was our favorite pieces of art because each was so unique.
Taking the advice of our hosts, we visited the Windmill Farm. The eighteen turbines tower 65m above the ground and produce 80% of the electricity for Albany. The paths meander through rugged coastline along part of the Bibbulum Track. This is a popular place to see whales. Unfortunately we were a little early in the season to see any.
We spent the remainder of the day in Torndirrup National Park. The Natural Bridge and the Gap offered stunning views of the Southern Ocean from Bald Head to West Cape Howe. We walked on the new platform 40m directly above the surging ocean of the Gap. It could be a little scary for those afraid of heights but Sunshine loved the feeling of seeing the ocean below her feet.
The Natural Bridge showed the power of the ocean on the exposed coast. There was a plaque that told the story of a remarkable rescue of a tourist who climbed the rock bridge and got swept into the ocean by a freak wave In 1978. He surfaced beyond the maelstrom and drifted west. He was ultimately recused because of the collaboration of two rangers on land, a helicopter pilot in the air and the crew of the Cheyenes II whale chaser boat at sea!
Our next stop was the Blowholes. There is a crack line in the giant granite rocks that produce spray and sounds when a big swell forces water up. It was like a tea kettle when we were there.
At the end of the road was the old whaling station. For many years Albany was a major port in the whaling industry. This was the last operating whaling station in Australia and stopped its operations in 1978. Today it is a museum and nature preserve. There was also an exhibition of a shell collection on display.
The best part of our time in Albany and highlight of our trip was spending time with joeys (baby kangaroos). One of the inn owners started Dreamers Dream Wildlife to rehabilitate animals. She kept four joeys in their garage and invited us to bottle feed the joeys on the reserve. It was amazing!!!
