Wave Rock at Hyden

I had read about this place called Wave Rock and seen photos so I talked Geoff into detouring there on our way to Kalgoorlie.
The countryside as we headed inland from Albany was so varied from undulating hills and valleys, to far stretching plains and salt lakes, simply unbelievable views!  Sheep, Cattle abound and crops of wheat and canola patchwork the landscape in varying shades of green and gold.

Most of these pics were taken while the car was moving at about 85kms an hour and through windows dappeld with raindrops and yucky bug bits.

 Canola crops.

Stirling Ranges.

We were really suprised to see this dutch style windmill in the middle of nowhere really.

Wheat crops enjoying the rain.

There are lots of salt lakes in Western Australia and in South Australia. Ancient reminders of inland seas, these lakes had some of there water replenished by the recent rain. The amazing thing about these salt lakes is  that they are totally landlocked and have such a high salinity content that even today they continue to poison the surrounding areas.

Grain Silos are a common sight in the crop growing areas.

 And so the landscape changes again and again.

 Finally the drive ends and we park up the big beast of a caravan at Wave Rock Caravan Park, situated less than five minutes walk from the rock.
Once the van was all set up we set off to go look at this supposedly wave type rock.

 Suprise, suprise!  It really does look like a wave!  It's tiger coloured stripes just add to the uniqueness of this granite formation.

Geoff decided to try and surf this wave! Mind you this was the biggest wave we'd seen.  In all our travels the ocean had been flat as a mirror, so it's ironic that we had to travel inland to find a decent wave.

The wildflowers were just starting to flower, creating a speckled carpet of colour.

I was very intrepid and climbed up some stairs to a lookout on the side of the large rock formation which is home to Wave Rock.  It gave me a great view of the surrounding landscape. I thought I was very brave cause it was very high and I was by myself and heights aren't really my thing.

Water reservoir

Salt lake. It has a similar salt levels as the Dead Sea.

 Looking across the top edge of the rock you can see the colour variations in the  rock. On the right hand side of the picture you can see a concrete wall - this continues along the top and acts as a barrier wall to stop the tourist walking around on the top from falling off!

This is a shot of the wave from the other end.

Albany Dog Rock, Middleton Beach and Wind Farm

We had heard that there was a rock formation in the centre of Albany's main shopping area that was called Dog Rock. I'm not sure what we expected but it was worth checking out. I got quite a chuckle, as you can see it does really look like a dog!  And to top it off some enterprising soul had even painted a collar on it.

Middleton beach is the main town beach - 500 metres of white sand and the everchanging Southern Ocean.

We also visited the Albany Windfarm which generates up to 75% of Albany's power needs.

There are twelve 1800kW wind turbines. Each tower is 65 metres tall with 35 metre long blades, making it one of the largest types of wind generator in the Southern Hemisphere. 

The Windfarm is situated 80 metres above sea level and a tourist boardwalk out to the headland has been built.  I was very brave and walked down to get some spectacular pictures of the Southern Ocean.

 It's times like these I want to learn to paint but I just know I would never be able to replicate the colours variations or the grandeur of the Albany coastline!

Cap'n Geoff - Watch out all ye' landlubbers!

Geoff prowled over the beached whaler vessel at Whale World. He had no fear of walking the heights in the strong breeze. I only went onto the first deck and up onto the stern (back of the vessel).

"Oy! Come back here onto my shoulder where ya belong, ye pesky black parrot" yelled Cap'n Geoff.

No he didn't do the famous move from Titanic and yelling "I'm the king of the world" (Thank goodness), nor did he break out into song. Although I think the other tourists might have had a good giggle if he had! I know I would have...and I would have denied any association with him!

"Get that camera outta my face you papparazzi vermin! Can't a Cap'n walk his ship in peace."

I think Geoff dissappeared for nearly an  hour as he investigated every facet of the whaling vessel - internal and external.  What did I do? I took pictures of the ocean and of course some pretty flowers!  Don't ask me what any of them are called I wouldn't have a clue.