Tag: Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

THE RETIREES AND FRIENDS VISIT PERTH AND MARGARET RIVER – days 8 & 9 Back to our Itinerary in Margaret River

Star Date 2nd August 2024

Our next destination was the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse located on the headland of the most south-westerly point on the mainland Australia.

The light tower which is built of local stone was originally designed to show two lights – a higher white light and a lower red light. Although the foundations were completed, the lower light was never installed. It was opened with great ceremony in 1895. Until June 1982 the lens was rotated by a counter weight driving clockwork mechanism, and the beacon was a pressure kerosene mantle type. A radio navigation beacon was commissioned in 1955 and operated until 1992. The lighthouse was automated in 1982. The lighthouse, besides being a navigational aid, serves as an important automatic weather station. The lighthouse’s buildings and grounds are now vested in the local tourism body and the single (1960s) and double (1980s) communications towers that were north-west of the lighthouse, seen in older photographs of Cape Leeuwin, have been removed.

We approached the lighthouse from Augusta. The rock below commemorates the landing of the first settlers in 1830 from the Brig Emily Taylor . From that point you look out across a broad bay and behind us you can see the rock walls protecting the new marina. Immediately behind the memorial is a rock shelf decorated with the seaweed washed ashore. A bit further along is another memorial this time to Capt. Matthew Flinders RN aboard the HMS Investigator 6th December 1801 when he sighted Cape Leeuwin and commenced mapping the coast of Australia. Atop of the memorial are the features that can be sighted from this point such as the conjunction of the Indian Ocean and the Great Southern Ocean.

The reason we came this way – I don’t recall but the vista of the lighthouse emphasises the remoteness of this point. The light keepers house and other out buildings and water tanks can be seen on the right hand side of the photos. The entrance takes you into the coffee shop and gift shop and then you make your way through each of the following buildings with museums and artifacts all of which i think is to disguise how far you have to walk to get to the lighthouse. Finally we got to the reason for coming here today – to see the meeting of the two oceans

The climb to the viewing deck of the lighthouse consists of 176 steps. Enough said.

Returning north along Caves Rd we encountered the Lake Cave. It is a stunning crystal wonderland, situated deep beneath the earth. The entrance of the cave lies at the base of a spectacular sinkhole. Visitors descend a staircase through an ancient sinkhole called a doline, gazing up at the towering karri trees from the floor of the sunken forest. Inside the cave a tranquil lake reflects the delicate crystal formations that grow from the cave ceiling and dazzling crystal formations dominate the cave roof, while the unique ‘Suspended Table’ is perfectly reflected in the tranquil water below.

Droplets hang from the tips of straws and stalactites before dropping to the cave floor or into the lake creating ripples in the water’s reflections. The unique ‘Suspended Table’ formation, which weighs several tonnes and seems to defy gravity as it hovers above the clear lake water is one of the unique features within the cave. We took a guided. They say there is moderate physical exertion required to enter this cave. Don’t believe it for a minute – easy going down but when you make your way back up the staircase of the magnificent doline do it at your own pace.

Looking at the photos we start at the Visitors centre and from there you walk out onto a deck above a huge sinkhole – you have to see it to believe it. As you go down there are a number of changes in direction and this has alot to do with the return journey being exhausting. You will see a large rock lying on its side (from the left down photo 8) and this is a staligmite that collsaped during a recent bush fire almost sealing off the entrance to the cave. The photo to the right of the staligmite is the hole it came from. The inside the cave is like a fairyland. Photos 10 and 11 show you the suspended table formed by flood waters through the cave. The final photo #17 is the doorway to the tunnel that was drilled to release the flood water to preserve the cave.

Well we have visited many caves around the world, but we were about to encounter the worst return to the Visitors Centre – up the stairs. Well I don’t know how many stairs but both Kerry and I took at least half an hour to climb out of the hole and that was it for us that day. Dale and Zdravka patiently awaited our climb and I may have had a nanny nap going home. Tomorrow we will go north again to Busselton – no stairs.

The Retirees Home in Brisbane – Travels to the Wild West – Day 4

Next morning the weather looked as though it would be overcast but not rain so we decided that a trip to Augusta and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse would be our destination for the day with a few wineries for good measure. We started off the morning with coffee at Koffee Works alongside of Temper chocolate factory. The chocolate factory made some brave statements about being the best in the world (which we doubted) but it was worth a visit particularly for their chocolate dipped ginger and figs.

Koffee works not only sold you coffee whilst seated in your car (Yes a drive through) but roasted the beans, had bus tours visiting, a souvenir shop of all things to do with coffee and did a pretty good coffee as well. At $4 per cup it would want to be good but we found that coffee anywhere in Margaret River was $4 per cup (a bit of price fixing?). We then made a quick stop at Watershed Winery. Very modern premises and magnificent vineyards encircling the cellar door. Unfortunately, the wines did not impress so we pressed on.

sculpture in glass Artistic Way
Sculpture – Artistic Way
Sculpture – Artistic Way
one of the broader laneways
Sculpture – Artistic Way
Sculpture – Artistic Way

We stopped in Augusta to get our bearings and make certain the lighthouse was open. Even on this fair day the place felt a bit wind swept being close to the south western most point of Australia – where the Great Southern Ocean meets the Indian Ocean. We are on the right track so we carry on along the coast road through rough scrubby dunes and exposed rock faces to Cape Leeuwin. Opened in 1895, the tower, built from local limestone, stands 39 metres high from ground level and 56 metres above sea level. The tower has seven floors and 186 steps that keepers had to go up at least four times a day before the lighthouse was automated in September 1992.

The light was one of the last manually operated in the world, until 1982 when it was converted to electricity, replacing the clockwork mechanism and kerosene burner. Its piercing beam is as intense as one million candles and can be seen for 26 nautical miles or 48 kilometres. Apart from the tower there are the lighthouse keeper’s house and other buildings used throughout its 121-year history. Cape Leeuwin was first charted in 1801 by the great English explorer Captain Matthew Flinders RN when commanding the HMS Investigator circumnavigating and charting Australia’s coastline.

Fabulous adventure ending in sheltering outside the toilets as a sudden rain squall rushed across the Cape. We had parked amongst the Camper Vans and were confronted by the problem of too big a van in too small a space when it came time to travel on to see the stingrays at Hamelin Bay. Unfortunately, we did not research this on the internet. We stood on the beach (I had come prepared to wade into the water) looking at the rolling surf and wondering how the hell we were supposed to see the stingrays while 300 metres up the beach stood Hamelin Bay Jetty or what is left of it and apparently that is where you go to see the little Stevie killers. You can see the jetty in the distance in one of my photos.

Looking at Bellagio
back laneway Monte Bre
Sculpture – Artistic Way
Sculpture – Artistic Way
Funicular Monte Bre
Sculpture – Artistic Way
Yet another tour
All these steps
Inside the chapel
Whos that man
All that glitters…..

Evan had told us that Café Borunup was worth a visit for lunch. We told us it was in the midst of the Kauri forest but we did not expect that it was just that – in the midst of the forest well off the main road. We were late for lunch but they squeezed us in following which we went to the adjacent wood crafts and antiques centre. There were some fabulous pieces of furniture there (dining table for 18 with the table top made of a solid slab cut from a tree- who has a house that will fit that table?) and some crazy steel sculptures made out of concrete re-enforcing steel. It is now getting late and we want to get back to our chalet with a bottle of wine or two visit the local supermarket for supplies and get ready for a night of cards. So we stop at Redgate Wines sample a few and decide that the cabernet merlot would do for tonight.

After unpacking the car, we walk to the village passing over the Margaret River. It looks very dormant and chocked with fallen trees and shopping trolleys. Apparently just the environment for big Marron (a fresh water crayfish that is considered a delicacy). A quick stop at the IGA, and the ice cream shop before the sun sets and we make our way home through the gloom of the evening with a chilling breeze. After dinner a few hands of cards and a bottle or two from Island Brook and Redgate.

12th century tower
rear of the church
Local church
the Grand Hotel
Argegno Town Square
Argegno

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