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