On the Sunday we checked out and headed off to the South Western corner of Australia on our tour of tourist spots in and around the Margaret River region.
First stop was breakfast at The Sea Garden Cafe at Prevelly where we sat at a slightly wobbly barrel and had a very tasty bacon and egg roll and decaf cappucino.
Next on our itinerary, provided by the receptionist at our hotel, was the Margaret River Mouth Viewpoint. I was told by the duty Surf Life Saver, who came from Cornwall, that the surf was approx 2.5 metres that day.
At this time of year the river doesn’t seem to flow into the sea. There’s a big sand dune between the surf and the calm waters of the river mouth.
Next stop was Hamelin Bay Beach, where we didn’t quite see any manta rays but did watch a couple by the shore who had spotted one. Back at the car park I unloaded a couple of beers, that we wouldn’t be able to take on the plane, to an Aussie and his Dutch pal who said “This is the first beer I’ve had in Australia”.
We continued along Caves Road through Augusta all the way to the South Western most point of Australia at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. It’s neither the most southerly part of Oz, nor the most westerly, but it is where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean.
After a tour of the museum, in one of the keeper’s cottages, and a walk round the outside of the lighthouse we picked up a coffee and sausage roll and started the 4 hour drive back to Perth Airport.
On arrival at Perth domestic airport we had trouble finding both an open petrol station, to refuel, and the car rental return. Google maps took us right up to the airport terminal, not to the drop off point. When we eventually found it we were given directions to a gas station which was open. Refuelling there would be a lot cheaper; Budget charge $5 a litre, which is a lot more expensive than unleaded 91 at less then 2 dollars.
Our return journey to the Car rental was no better than before. The signs to the car rental drop off point peter out just where you need them. We were in good time for our flight – the red eye to Brisbane – but still managed to get a little bothered. Consequently, we got a phone call as we reached check in. It seems we’d forgotten to leave the car keys!
Next stop, Brisbane.