Canapes in the Canopies – A Most Remarkable Day in Walpole
All together now….didn’t we have a lovely time the day we went to Walpole!
It was during my exploration of the Great Southern region that I was treated to a rather special day in Western Australia’s tidiest town (made even more special because it was the first time my family have joined me on a trip).
I’ve had some truly remarkable experiences as Taste Master over the past 5 months, with a lot of my favourite moments occuring in the smaller communities of regional towns (Kulin Races and Cambinata Yabbies, Dragon Boat racing in Broome, Carnarvon) and so Taste Master fans, it proved so yet again.
Walpole, on the Southern Coast of Western Australia, is a town of only about 500 people, but what they lack in population they make up for in spades with their friendliness and hospitality.
The day started off meeting Walpole Visitor Centre business manager Brad. He was going to be showing me around the sights of the area, but what I didn’t realise was that he was bringing along the great and the good of Walpole and the surrounding area’s tourism board. The more the merrier! So along with ten members of various important organisations from the region, we climbed aboard our bus for the day and were taken on a Magical Mystery Tour of some of Walpoles great attractions.
First stop was the Swarbrick Art Loop, a 500 metre walk in Mount Frankland South National Park featuring forest art exhibits and a rather long mirror.
The 39 metre long “Wall Of Perceptions” encourages people to explore perspectives within the forest and wilderness
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Strolling around the peaceful public art trail, one needs only to look up to appreciate art exhibits interpreting the history and demonstrating the values and emotions associated with the Southern Forests…
Look up fellas! …hey fellas, LOOK UP!!!
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Next up was a hike up the 411 metre high Mount Frankland, and a chat with this chap who’s been working atop the granite peak for the past 17 years…
On the look out for smoke What can you see Ted?
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Ted Middleton works in one of the most important fire lookouts in the South West, and gets to see the spectacular views from the top of Mount Frankland every day. Built in 1956, the towerman would walk to the summit from the base camp hut where he would watch for smoke and report his sightings and weather reports by ‘bush telephone’.
No wonder Ted’s reluctant to change occupation, the views of the Walpole Wilderness Area are truly stunning.
Uninterrupted views of the Walpole Wilderness area Teds fire look out hut on top of Mount Frankland
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After conquering Mount Frankland my stomach was starting to rumble. I knew we were off for a spot of lunch before embarking on the areas ‘jewel in the crown’ (The Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk), but I wasn’t expecting this…
…and i thought lunch was going to be sandwiches!
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A long table lunch prepared by renowned Denmark Executive Chef Frederick Kirby. Canapes in the canopies. Yowsers!
It’s not an everyday occurence to have a long table Walpole Wilderness Tree Top Walk luncheon, but it’s certainly an extremely welcome one!
The Gourmet Tasting Plate for lunch incl. chilled avocado and coriander soup, puled pork belly w/apple cider and almond and sesame coated tiger prawns Wines were compliments of Rickety Gate, a fantastic local winery Dark chocolate & toasted cocnut mousse and strawberry & rhubarb tartlet An extremely friendly welcome This was the setting for the Long Table Lunch Ha ha!
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After lunch it was time for The Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, a walkway situated amongst the canopies of some of the tallest timber giants on Earth, the magnificent tingle trees. Set 40 metres above ground, it gives a great bird’s eye view of the forest, before descending to the boardwalks below to explore the Ancient Empires Walk. These trees are found no where else on Earth, with some being over 400 years old.
Part of the Tree Top Walk Even Mums with prams can do it! Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk 600m of walkway through the canopies of the Tingle Forest Inside one of nature’s giants One of the oldest Tingle Trees along the Ancient Empires walk
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OK, I’ve now explored the forest by foot on the Ancient Empires walk, viewed the Walpole Wilderness area from high above atop Mount Frankland and had a bird’s eye view from the canopies of the tingle trees on the Tree Top Walk, what could possibly be next??
I KNOW! It’s time to experience the Walpole Nornalup National Park by boat on the WOW Wilderness Eco Cruise, and why don’t we save a dolphin whilst we’re at it?!
Our destination was Western Australia’s first designated Wilderness zone, The Nuyts Wilderness Peninsular, and a guided walk across secret tracks to a secluded beach on the Southern Ocean. Everything was going swimmingly and I was thoroughly enjoying listening to Skipper Gary’s knowledge of the area and his ‘cake for questions’ game, when crew spotted a dolphin beached on a sand bank at low tide in the Nornalup inlet (darn that dolphin, I’d nearly won cake).
The dolphin (known to locals as Esther) had been following her calf across the sandbank when she became stuck, and it was only because of Gary’s knowledge, awareness and quick thinking that we were able to save her.
So trousers off, shorts rolled up, here’s how we did it.
After spotting Esther stranded in ankle deep water we rushed to her aid… …deeper waters were about 10 metres in front of her… …so we began to dig a channel in the sand to allow her to move forward. Esther and her young calf Monyet are part of a pod of 5 dolphins that frequent the inlet. *Note to self* If you’re ever involved in a Dolphin Rescue again in the future, don’t roll up your shorts so high
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After the dramatic rescue of Esther we continued onward to The Nuyts Wilderness Peninsula, where Gary took us on an interpretive trek to a secluded beach on the Southern Ocean…
Following guide Gary along the tracks on The Nuyts Wilderness Peninsula… …to a stretch of remote shoreline… …and some interesting sea life.
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…and if that wasn’t enough for one day, on our return to the boat a BBQ had been set up with local producers Coopers Beef and Nabawarra Pastoral Co. supplying the food and Brad cooking it all up…
Succulent and tender beef from Brad and Angie Coopers bio-dynamic and organic farm This is no ordinary BBQ. Crayfish cones from the Nabawarra Pastoral Co. My favourite BBQ appetiser, crayfish claws and a hammer Freshly caught local whiting plus… …watermelon, mint and feta salad equals… …an extremely tasty tea.
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So once again folks, it’s the regional towns where the most interesting and unexpected things usually happen.
Thank you people of Walpole, that was a truly remarkable and memorable day.
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Tips and Tricks
Getting to Australia’s Great Southern
- Explore Walpole and the Great Southern region in a four to five day round self-drive journey.
- Virgin Australia also operates flights into Albany and then it’s about a 120kms drive to Walpole.
Where I stayed in the region
- Ocean Beach Caravan Park, Denmark
My Insider tips
- The Walpole Nornalup region is a wonderful combination of wilderness and coast, give yourself enough time to explore.
- Enjoy hiking? Follow the 127kms section of the Bibbulmun Track between Walpole and Denmark. Walk from the karri and tingle forest near Walpole then head southbound to the rugged coastline towards Denmark.
Events to keep an eye out for
- For a list of events in the region visit: www.westernaustralia.com