Fitzgerald River National Park

Bush Camping at Fitzgerald RiverNational Park
We stayed two days at Point Ann in this world wide recognized biodiversity hotspot.  Some 1800 types of flora are found in the park.  The bay at Point Ann is a southern right whale nursury during the winter months.  Unfortunately, we missed the mommas and calves by only a week:( 

Bush camping sites have sheltered spots, but basic amenities.  No water, unless you count the sea :)  

We arrived with stormy weather - gorgeous pictures of the park and coast.  Thankfully no rain for the two days and nights. 

The next day we drove a 4X4 track to another beach.  Noboby was on this 10-15km  stretch of coast.  One the greatest parts of being in Western Australia is getting away from the crowds and finding these secluded pieces of paradise.  Again, beautiful white sand that squeaked when you walked on it.  We parked the vehicle at the top of the ridge not wanting to risk getting stuck on the drive back up the dune.  But, on the walk down to the beach Jackson and Caleb ran ahead of us and then quickly ran back shouting and talking quickly.  "Jackson saw a snake and picked it up!"  "I thought it was dead and when I picked it up it hissed at me!"  Top right is a drawing by Jackson with Caleb writing AAAHH! and HISS!   Monkye See - Monkey Do.  Just a few days earlier dad picked up a snake (albeit dead on the road), so it must be okay.  Good thing it was only a baby, less than 10 inches long and thinner than your pinky.  We think the colourings suggest it was a python. Sorry no photo evidence, but the memory will be long lasting.

Caleb on top of the whale lookout. 

The background shows the pit toilets, and two bbq shelters.  Behind the ridge is the 8 tenting sites.

The last day was calmer and clearer.  We did a hike to the point of Point Ann and a little bit of history awaited us.  The second Rabbit Proof Fence was started in the 1910s or 20s at this coastal point and built several thousand kilometres north to Geraldton to stop the rabbit hoard coming from eastern states.  An introduced species in the mid-19th century and by the early 20th century bred into the 100s of millions running havoc on farms, grazing lands and natural bush land.  People can still see some of the rusting wire fence, rotting posts, and the long line of the old, straight, bumpy road that fence drivers once roamed.

From Fitzpatrick River National Park we had one fuel and food stop on our way to Albany.  Jerramungup, a farming community set up in the post WW II era for servicemen and women returning home.  Sheep transport - two trailers long and three stories high. Below are wheat bins to store grain.