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Welcome to Life Images by Jill.........Stepping into the light and bringing together the images and stories of our world. I am a photographer, writer and multi-media artist.
Focussing mainly on Western Australia and Australia, I am seeking to preserve images and memories of the beautiful world in which we live and the people in it.

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Sunday 24 June 2012

Hopetoun & Fitzgerald River National Park, Western Australia

Last October we visited Hopetoun and the Fitzgerald River National Park on Western Australia's south coast.

  Below is a excerpt from my latest article published in "On the Road" magazine , July 2012 - "Coastal Palatte of Colour" which I wrote following our trip.  As you scroll through you can see some mosaics of some of the glorious wildflowers to be found in the Park. 

Here is the opening page of the article 





The boardwalk gave way to a steady rising limestone path, and cresting a ridgeline we stopped to look back the way we had come.  The mazarine blue of the ocean met with the azure sky on its way to Antarctica, while its edges broke in a tumble of white on the narrow beach below the rugged cliffs.  East Mount Barren was living up to its promise that on a clear day the views appear to go on forever. 

View part way up East Mount Barren
 East Mount Barren is only a few kilometres from Hopetoun in the Fitzgerald River National Park on Western Australia’s south coast.  Located between Albany and Esperance and 50km south of Ravensthorpe, Hopetoun at first glance appears to be a sleepy seaside town with a groyne running straight into the sea directly at the end of the main street.  However aided by the recent boost from the Ravensthorpe nickel and lithium mining industry, Hopetoun boasts new modern facilities and a population drawn to coastal living. 

The main attractions for tourists are pristine coastlines, easily accessible unspoilt beaches, walk trails and drives, beachside camping, unsurpassed wildflowers and the magnificent Fitzgerald National Park and Eyre Ranges which borders the town. 

Looking back towards 4 Mile Beach and Culham Inlet from a lookout near East Mount Barren


 The 330,000ha Fitzgerald River National Park is the largest and most botanically significant national park in Australia. As well as being one of WA’s richest flora conservation areas, it is an internationally recognised Biosphere Reserve.  Of its 1,800 known plant species, 62 varieties are found nowhere else and more species of animals live here than any other park in south Western Australia. These include 22 mammal species, 41 reptile species, and over 200 bird species including the rare Ground Parrot.  

Wildflowers in the Fitzgerald River National Park

It was the thought of a few days on the coast and the spring wildflowers that drew us to Hopetoun in October, and we were not disappointed – the beaches and the variety of wildflowers where truly breathtaking.

Royal Hakea - Hakea victoria – seen at East Mount Barren
Rusty Hakea - Hakea ferruginea - seen along John Forrest Road
Qualup Bell - Pimelea physodes - seen at East Mount Barren

Scarlet Banksia - banksia coccinea – seen along Springdale Road
Fishing at 12 mile beach - you can see East Mount Barren in the distance

 Coastal roads run from Hopetoun for over 50km west to Quoin Head (although currently closed for major upgrading) and 40km east to Starvation Bay.  The west features mountains, rugged cliffs and sheltered beaches, whilst the east has long beaches below limestone cliffs.  Most beaches are accessible by 2WD, and then accessed on foot from the carparks. Vehicles cannot be driven onto most of the beaches due to steep dunes or cliffs, helping to preserve their natural beauty.  The coast is visited during June to October by Southern Right Whales during calving as they journey south to Antarctica for summer.

 The guidebook, “Hopetoun and Its Coastline”, which we had purchased from the Ravensthorpe Visitor Centre, is a very handy reference giving distances to the various beaches as well as other useful information. 

To read this full article, please see "On the Road" magazine, July 2012 edition.

 I am linking up to Mosaic Monday - to see the work of Mary and other wonderful contributors, please click on the link - Mosaic Monday at Little Red House

Thank you for stopping by, your comments are always very valuable and appreciated, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Have a wonderful week.

You might also lilke my previous post - Hopetoun & Fitzgerald National Park


15 comments:

  1. What an amazing place to visit and a really interesting article Jill. You've whetted my appetite not only to go there but also to read the full article. Your photos are just awesome.

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  2. What a beautiful place, the coastline and scenery is gorgeous. And I love all the pretty flowers. An awesome place to explore. Your photos are wonderful, Jill!

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  3. What a great article you wrote with beautiful photos! If I ever get a chance to visit Australia I'll have to use your blog as a resource...
    Have a great week!

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  4. I took my laptop to show my hubby the Scarlet B. ...that is amazing! You've taken some fabulous photos of flowers I've never seen! WOW!

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  5. It is like stepping onto a foreign planet. Oh my the views! And the flowers! The hakea? I have never in my life seen such a fantastic plant. It reminds me of stacked dishes, especially the first. Great work, Jill!

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  6. Gorgeous beaches and very different flora and fauna than we would see over here. Valerie

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  7. Lovely images, I like the scarlet banksia. Thanks for sharing the beauty from your part of the world.

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  8. Congratulations Jill, I'm delighted for you, great to see your work published

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  9. Congrats! you must feel very chuffed!

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  10. Wow - what a great accomplishment!

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  11. Beautiful, congratulations thrilled for you x

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  12. Breathtaking mosaics!!! Well done! Thank you! Cathy

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  13. This looks like such an awesome place to visit, reminds me a bit of the Oregon coastline. and those flowers...not only are they beautiful, they are so interesting. Beautiful shares~

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  14. I find the flowers so beautiful and unique. Your Landscapes are beautiful. Your live in the most beautiful part of the world.

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  15. how beautiful this all is ! :)

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