Wongan to Dalwallinu

The caravan park has suddenly become full of A-Frame caravans, which fold down into camper trailers. They are part of a club, staying here for a week. As I was taking a photo, one of the owners (a woman on her own) invited me inside to have a look:

The bushwalkers were all leaving this morning to go back to Perth, but I was heading north to Dalwallinu. First, though, I wanted to fit in a visit to Christmas Rock, a nature reserve just on our doorstep. It’s interesting, in that the huge area of rock has been converted into a catchment to collect all the rainwater that falls on it. Originally, this water was needed to supply the tanks of steam engines passing through the townsite (steam engines need water to produce steam!)

Fields of everlastings came into view during the final part of the walk.

Then it was on to Dalwallinu to The Old Convent, where this fierce looking cat was guarding the entrance:

Rica Erickson Reserve

We didn’t join the bushwalking group on Sunday. I was keen to attend the Nats Guided Tour of the Rica Erickson Reserve, which is about 45 minutes drive back in the direction of Perth. From there, C could get a lift with one of the other participants in order to go back to work on Monday. Afterwards, I drove back to Wongan Hills so that I could have a few more days looking at wildflowers.

Everyone said they had never seen the Reserve looking so good. There were orchids on all sides and many other flowers as well (more than you could point a stick at, as the saying goes). J was in charge of the outing: she is a qualified botanist and is writing an illustrated guide to the wildflowers of this area. There were others in the group who were also expert at identifying what we found, including some locals who had met J before, when she was doing her research.

J telling us all about the Reserve 






A strange fungus (poo ball??) which sent out spores when I tapped it with my stick:


 After exploring for 2 hours, we set up our chairs in the sun and had lunch.

Mt Matilda Scenic Trail

On Saturday’s agenda was a 12 km drive west of Wongan Hills to the Mt Matilda trail head. Then there was a choice of a 7.3 km hike (approx 5 hours) or an easier Gimlet Gully Flora Loop (4.8 km 3.5 hours). Both started off together with a very steep section, including steps and a handrail. I chose the latter, whilst C and most of the others were keen on the former. H came with me.

It was a beautiful day, with clear blue skies and the possibility of views in all directions. When we were here before, a couple of years ago, it had been raining with persistent drizzle. Everyone was in high spirits at the thought of the views ahead of us. 

C took a selfie at one of the lookouts:


Here I am struggling up one of the steep bits:


We were tormented by flies as we got higher and the weather got warmer. I regretted the fact that I had several fly nets left at home! Apart from that it was a day to remember, with many wildflower sightings as we walked upwards:

The lookouts, with seats placed very close to the edge, were spectacular:

Don’t step back!


We saw lots of cowslip orchids:

…and several varieties of spider orchids:






Back down at the trail head, the view was equally lovely, as we all relaxed at the shelter and reminisced:

How lucky to be here on such a beautiful day!

Wongan Hills

The Bushwalking Group are having a weekend away, staying at Wongan Hills Caravan Park. A number of chalets were pre-booked some time ago, since this is prime wildflower season in these parts. My friend V was supposed to be sharing with me, but she has been in hospital having surgery on her foot, so is missing out on the trip. C said she would come instead.

It’s Friday the 13th and my day did not begin well. Driving out of my underground carpark I heard a strange noise and realised I had a flat tyre. Sod’s Law: just as I needed to set off to pick up C. 

I called the RAC, who said they would be there in 60 minutes, which they were. Then I had to take the tyre to the garage to get it repaired. It was just a nail in the tread, but this took another 45 minutes. I drove to Como, where C had a nice lunch waiting for me. Finally we could be on our way to Wongan Hills. We stopped at Bindoon Bakehouse to pick up a few goodies; their bread was sold out by the afternoon but some little cakes were added to our provisions.

The weather has suddenly turned very hot, up to 27 degrees: not the best for bushwalking, but it is what it is. There are many flies around, in and out of the chalet. We were all booked into the Wongan Hills Hotel for dinner, a typical country pub with a very long bar and a huge selection of beers. C and I enjoyed fish and chips: the portions were generous and I could only get through half of mine.

Wireless Hill

The second day of Spring was warm and sunny, with a forecast top of 25 degrees. Time to go on another wildflower hunt. Wireless Hill is a nature reserve very close to the city and full of interesting flora:

There are information boards all along the pathways, like this one, but they don’t always correspond to the site of the actual flowers:

Lots of people were out, enjoying the sunshine and taking photos. I’m pleased with what I managed to see:

Kangaroo Paw

Donkey Orchids (these were prolific!)

Cowslip Orchids.

Fringe Lilies 

Milkmaids

Cats Paws 

Spider Orchid: Carousel Spider Orchid?