by elizabeth e.
Member since:
January 6, 2006

Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park ~ Canal Rocks at Yallingup

October 18, 2009 08:37 AM EDT
views: 165 | comments: 67

One of the most beautiful national parks in Southwest Australia is the Leeuwin-Naturaliste on the Indian Ocean.  Here you will find pristine, white beaches hidden in small coves beneath dramatic, jagged rocks and high cliff faces.  It is a place where you can see and feel a haze of sea spray from the swells below.  Both Gnarabup and Yallingup Beaches are surfing meccas.  One of the most beautiful areas we discovered along this coast is called Canal Rocks.http://media-files.gather.com/images/d644/d12/d746/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

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After exploring the trail by the sea and photographing the flora, we headed up to the Canal Rocks.

 

 

 

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Photos by Magi and Bob.
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Comments: 67

Gessy D. Oct 18, 2009, 8:52am EDT
You have taken some exceptional pictures during that trip. I truly enjoyed them. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Gessy - we tried hard.
elizabeth e. Oct 18, 2009, 8:15pm EDT
Leeuwin-Naturaliste is an absolutely gorgeous National Park. The area also has many limestone caves that people can go down in and explore. I love the sand and the surf and so we concentrated our efforts there, Gessy.
Gessy D. Oct 18, 2009, 8:36pm EDT
I like the movements of the sea. You guys captured them so well... Bravo!!
dianne j. Oct 18, 2009, 8:56am EDT
Oh Bob, I haven't had time to Gather in recent weeks, but I have popped in occasionally to look at your photos. You have seen more of Australia in these weeks than I did in living there for 12 years. What a fantastic vacation you are having! You are making me homesick for the land down under.
Perhaps you should hop on a plane and come here again, Dianne.
elizabeth e. Oct 18, 2009, 8:25pm EDT
Being retired and having the time to wander at will definitely were "pluses" in getting to see all these places. Although over the last seven weeks we have explored more of the natural areas of Australia, we have had the time and inclination to explore the city of Perth several times, take in the many different Parks surrounding Perth, spend an afternoon at the Casino (no, we didn't gamble, just partook in their lovely "all you can eat dinner", and crise down the Swan with Magi's good friend, Colin.

Being the guest of a "local", I've gotten to meet many of Magi's friends and family and partake in regular days of visiting Australians in their homes and being an "observer" of everyday Australian life.
dianne j. Oct 19, 2009, 1:18am EDT
Oh Magi, I would like nothing more than to come back for an extended visit. I have so many good friends in Sydney and Melbourne . . . and new Gather friends I would love to meet. Unfortunately, my financial situation at present doesn't permit such luxuries. But don't rule me out! I certainly haven't given up on the idea.

Bob, it sounds like you are having the most wonderful time. It is always best to see a country and learn about its people by hanging with the locals.
Roy ☯ Hilbinger Oct 18, 2009, 8:58am EDT
Interesting place. That's wild how the geological factors created that very precise erosion to create the canals. Thanks, guys!

What, no shots of surfers???
The water was too frigid even for the surfers, Roy.
elizabeth e. Oct 18, 2009, 8:29pm EDT
Not one surfer, Roy. Though, several days ago we did catch some surfers at Cottesloe....but I'm afraid without your skill and your lens, they can't compare to the images you take.
Roy ☯ Hilbinger Oct 19, 2009, 12:03am EDT
Magi, then your surfers are wimps! Heh, heh! Our best surfing here in Newport is in Winter, and the surfers just wear wetsuits.

Bob, it probably helps that where I take pictures is a steep-angled shelf that breaks the waves closer in to shore.
Faith H. Oct 18, 2009, 9:02am EDT
Fantastic shots, Magi and Bob!
Thank you very much, Faith.
elizabeth e. Oct 18, 2009, 8:34pm EDT
As Magi says, "we are trudging on", Faith. I do believe he is getting into all this exploring with a positive attitude. It seems now he is taking more pictures then me as we tramp along.
Annmarie B. Oct 18, 2009, 9:20am EDT
So beautiful, 10 for you
It is a rugged coastline that needs to be seen to be believed, AnnMarie.
elizabeth e. Oct 18, 2009, 8:36pm EDT
Thanks Annmarie for stopping by. What can I say...the place is just gorgeous and begs to be photographed. No skill needed on the part of the photographers, it was all just there waiting for us.
lynn a. Oct 18, 2009, 10:17am EDT
Your photos are awesome. Just seeing those rocks makes me want to climb them. What a beautiful place to spend some time.
Thank you very much, Lynn.
elizabeth e. Oct 18, 2009, 8:42pm EDT
Like you, I found these rocks just perfect for climbing on. Loved wandering around in the heath discovering all the little flowers. It was an amazing place to spend the afternoon...so much to discover.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Oct 18, 2009, 10:23am EDT
I'd love it here, that boardwalk is wonderful for people like me. What a wonderful idea! Your photos are beautiful, as always and make me wish I was there.
It's wonderful also that you are able to see the pretty wildflowers, they add so much to the scenery.

Thanks so much for sharing with my group.
You would love it here, Nana. And thank you very much.
elizabeth e. Oct 18, 2009, 8:46pm EDT
I couldn't believe the boardwalk, Nana.....it was really well built and quite long. As a result, Magi could breathe with ease that I wouldn't do anything foolish to get a better shot. It's amazing to me the money that Australia has put into their national parks. They really do want these places to be accessible to "all the people".
Natalie Neal Whitefield Oct 18, 2009, 12:27pm EDT
Fabulous photo essay, Elizabeth! You are inspiring us to travel there, too...
Book your trip now!
elizabeth e. Oct 18, 2009, 9:01pm EDT
Australia is well worth a visit. Once you get out of the metropolitan areas, you discover how different Australia really is. I can't believe Magi lives 12km from the city center of Perth in the foothills and experiences "rural living". Within a mile or two of his place there are beautiful natural areas. Australia is just so BIG with so few people.
Granny Janny H. Oct 18, 2009, 1:06pm EDT
Featured with gratitude on Celebration of Collaboration and Inspiration.
Jan, thank you very much for the honour.
elizabeth e. Oct 18, 2009, 9:04pm EDT
At some point, Jan, you do need to plan a trip to Australia....you would find yourself "falling in love" with all the open spaces, the natural areas, and the friendly people.
Granny Janny H. Oct 19, 2009, 2:43pm EDT
I'm very likely to make the trip to Australia...perhaps for a wedding. Who knows when...?
Sherrie H. Oct 18, 2009, 4:04pm EDT
How incredible - the beach, the rocks, the flowers... amazing photos.
Thank you, Sherrie.
elizabeth e. Oct 18, 2009, 9:05pm EDT
It has been an "experience", Sherrie. Thoroughly enjoying my stay here...so much to see and do.
Nancy S. Oct 18, 2009, 5:04pm EDT
Exceptional photos Bob. Especially enjoy seeing you and Magi. Makes it so much more personal.
Making it personal was our aim, Nancy. Thank you very much.
elizabeth e. Oct 18, 2009, 9:28pm EDT
This past year I read several travelogues about Australia and the one I most enjoyed was Bill Bryson's book. By making it personel, I found his account most enjoyable and thought I would take his lead.
Kathryn E. Oct 18, 2009, 5:28pm EDT
Without a doubt, the most beautiful continent on the entire earth.


Featured in the Triple Name Club.
That's what I think, too, Kathryn. Thank you very much for the huge compliment and for the honour.
elizabeth e. Oct 18, 2009, 9:25pm EDT
Thanks for the feature, Kathryn. I need to finish up commenting pretty soon. I was up to midnight last night writing this and doing a story on Perth (thought people might like to see the city) and I got up late this morning. It's past 9, I'm still in my jammies having morning coffee and Mag (who got up at 5) has already done his computer work, cleaned the house, showered and dressed and is waiting for me "to get with it".
Kathryn E. Oct 18, 2009, 5:28pm EDT
mag, you are so lucky. You have OZ AND BOB.
I am twice blessed, my friend.
elizabeth e. Oct 18, 2009, 9:21pm EDT
I don't know whether he is blessed twice....lol. But Mag is definitely an Ossie...very much in love with his country.
Marge H. Oct 18, 2009, 5:52pm EDT
Australia should hire you and Magi for their public relations work. I think you have inspired several of us to consider going there. I might even want to move there.
That would be wonderful if Oz did, Marge.

You should visit Australia ... mind you, it is a very long way away and it takes forever on the plane to get here. But it would be worth it.
elizabeth e. Oct 18, 2009, 9:19pm EDT
I was thinking the same thing, Marge. Imagine the places we could travel to if the Australian Tourist Board paid us to "explore".
Ruth MacGill Oct 18, 2009, 5:54pm EDT
Absolutely spectacular pictures! I can feel the spray on my face and smell the salt air. It really is wonderful how you are sharing your vacation in Australia with us. It is the only way I will ever be able to experience Australia as a tourist.
Thank you very much, Ruth. I'm glad you enjoyed coming along with us.
elizabeth e. Oct 18, 2009, 9:15pm EDT
Then I'm so glad, Ruth, we are doing this travelogue. At times, it's really difficult with Magi's Server to upload pictures. Seems the Server goes in and out at the worst times. It takes a good three hours to put together a photo/essay like this.
Bernadette H. Oct 18, 2009, 7:02pm EDT
This looks like Kaikoura, New Zealand. Just missing the backdrop of mountains. Great photos.
elizabeth e. Oct 18, 2009, 9:07pm EDT
At some point, Bernadette, I think I might like going to New Zealand....it is another place I have heard so much about.
Linda T. Oct 18, 2009, 8:17pm EDT
I am not sure there are words to express how in awe I am of this beautiful place. Amazing how much beauty can be crammed into one Country.

Good thing Magi had on black slacks in the photo with the rocks. He blends in with the scenery.
elizabeth e. Oct 18, 2009, 9:12pm EDT
There are many beautiful areas in Australia....we have only covered a small fraction of Western Australia.

As for Mag, I did lose him for awhile here when he "went off the trail" to get better shots of the Canal Rocks. The sun was right in our eyes and he wandered off to this place where he could get the cool shots at the end.
Lucky Stars Oct 18, 2009, 9:26pm EDT
It's people like you and posts like this this that keep me coming back to Gather.
What a wonderful experience, Bob..... to travel to the other side of the globe and visit an exciting place such as this and meet up with a friend you met on the internet!

I'll have to back track and read your other posts.

Bon Voyage!
- Bobbi
elizabeth e. Oct 21, 2009, 12:40am EDT
Bobbi, it has been a most rewarding experience. In the seven weeks I have been here I have been to incredible natural areas and shared many happy days getting to know friends from Gather. I can't believe how very different Australia is from the states as far as flora and fauna.

I'm so glad that you keep popping in when you have time.
Linda K. Oct 18, 2009, 10:05pm EDT
Thank you again for all these photos and posts. This was magical. I really appreciate all the work after reading how long it takes to put this together. I do so wish I had taken the time to go to Perth and all thes majestic parks when I was there. A dear friend of my daughters and husband lived in Perth for several years working for the U.S. Government. They bought property outside of Perth where they plan to retire.
elizabeth e. Oct 21, 2009, 12:48am EDT
I can well understand why your daughter's friend and husband decided to relocate here in Perth. Mag lives in the foothills 12 miles from downtown and so has the best of two world's. National Parks are only a few miles away....and yet he can be in the city in 15 minutes or less. Life here appears to be much more relaxed then at home. And then there's the weather.....people here think it cold when it is in the low 60's.....I just smile.
Alison H. Oct 19, 2009, 12:00am EDT
Ooh, what fabulous rocks and surf! Looks like the rocks were heaved sideways eons ago. And I love Magi's magical flyaway hair...
Linda K. Oct 19, 2009, 12:54am EDT
I have been away and have been missing keeping up with your journey. What a spectacular photo essay this is! You are certainly taking US on a memorable journey. These particular spots remind me a lot of my homeland here on the coast of California. I love the work you are doing in sharing this trip!
elizabeth e. Oct 21, 2009, 12:58am EDT
Linda...most definitely this reminds me of your homeland on the coast of California. Very much the same weather...lots of open spaces. Western Australia has invested tons of money into its natural areas so they can be enjoyed by all. Except for one big skyscraper at Scarborough Beach (which was built like ten years ago) all the beaches are public and FREE. I can't but help but compare it to the beaches on Cape Cod (except the National Seashore where it's $8-#10) where one pays $15 to $25. to park for the day.
Katrina Hall Oct 19, 2009, 8:03am EDT
Stunning photographs, elizabeth! I didn't realize you were still in Oz!
elizabeth e. Oct 21, 2009, 12:59am EDT
Still in Oz. I leave for home October 28th...a week from today. I hear it's cold back home....Brrrrrrrrr.
colleen m. Oct 19, 2009, 9:21am EDT
Beautiful photo essay - thank for sharing!
elizabeth e. Oct 21, 2009, 1:18am EDT
Thanks for stopping by Colleen.
William Dotani Oct 23, 2009, 10:38am EDT
Spectacular photos. I guess the person naming this park was not a Spelling Bee champion and certainly not a fifth grader.
John S. (arizona) Oct 25, 2009, 3:11pm EDT
Just beautiful... Thanks.
Wilma M. Nov 20, 2009, 4:38pm EST
Gorgeous pictures of the sea and the rocks. Loved all the rock formations.

I'm still trying to catch up with all of your fantastic photo essays. I so enjoy seeing all the pix as who knows if I will ever get there.

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