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.

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…

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…

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.

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…

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!

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.

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 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…

…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…

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.

Howdy folks, Happy Friday!

It’s the end of the working week so sit back, relax and watch the last in the series of four short films all about the food and drink scene in Perth. This time I’m taken on a trip from the ocean to the city with food writer and blogger Whitney Ng.

Starting the day at Leighton Beach over eggs and coffee I learn about the breakfast culture in Perth, before heading to the city and an appreciation for how Perth does fine dining, with a relaxed al fresco lunch.

En route we stop off at the suburb of West Leederville to discover the meaning of the often used term “hidden gem”.

Originally from Singapore but now based in Perth, Whitney covers her food experiences in the City and further afield to the Eastern States of Australia and Asia on her blog www.dinewhitme.com

Look out for Whitneys guest post on my blog next week!

Hello there Taste Master fans, I’ve just come back from a motorhome exploration of the Great Southern region (Albany, Denmark, Mt. Barker and Walpole) and I tell you what, they’re not short of things to do down there!

The Great Southern is the largest and most diverse region within Australia’s South West. It has wild, untamed coastal scenery created by the sheer force of the Southern Ocean, idyllic seaside towns that remind me of Cornish fishing villages back home and national parks with some of the world’s rarest species like the endangered Malleefowl.

There’s also significant historical importance linked to the area, with King George Sound near Albany being the first European settlement in Western Australia, and the city of Albany itself being the departure point for the majority of ANZAC troops leaving for Europe in World War 1.

Now, do you remember at the beginning of this blog me saying they’re not short of things to do down here??! Well here’s a photo gallery of my first 24 hours in Albany, hold onto your hats.

Wow, what a mammoth introduction to the city of Albany, but it warranted it because there’s loads happening down here. Look how tired I got though.

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