Paperbark cathedral - Leschenault Estuary, Australiand, Western Australia

Only about 5 minutes drive from our home is Cathedral Avenue which runs along the edge of the Leschenault Estuary at Australind.  Beautiful old paperbarks (which are natural to the area along the Estuary) arch over the old road like the roof of a cathedral. I love walking along here, and as it was a beautiful morning on Sunday we drove out to Cathedral Avenue for a walk. 
It is a great place for children to ride their bikes.

This was the original Old Coast Road. The road has now been diverted around this section, so you can walk or cycle along here quite safely. You can park at either the southern or northern end, and if you like walk both ways beneath the cathedral of trees or walk one way along the foreshore path, and then back through the trees.

In the bottom left picture, if you look into the distance, you might be able to see the Bunbury port facilities. It is so lovely to have a place to walk like this so close to home. I love the blue on blue effect of the top image. You can how the paperbarks cling to the edge. During winter storms they would be inundated by the rising water.

 The birds were enjoying the morning too - 
An eagle was fishing, swans were gliding, parrots were chatting, cormorants were sitting in their tree, pelicans were duck diving, and an ibis was stalking in the shallows.

and the kangaroos were looking, grazing and hopping. You often seen them in the paddocks along this stretch of road, so it is a good place to take overseas visitors (or city people!) to see kangaroos. 

On one side of the road is the Estuary, and on the other farm land. I often wish we had bought a block out here before it became a popular place to live and the prices skyrocketed. I would love to wake up in the morning and see the water and be able to walk along here every day. There are quite a few horse paddocks out here on the flat.

 I love the texture of the paperbark trees.   And surprisingly there are even a few olive trees. (although I took this pic last year - they are not fruiting at the moment)

Other good walks in this area are along the shores of the Collie River on either the Clifton Park side or the Eaton side, and also along the Leschenault Estuary waterfront and Collie River mouth at the Grand Canals.  

Do you have a favourite nature walk not far from you?

The Leschenault Estaury is popular for crabbing, fishing, prawning, boating, sailing and windsurfing. There is a boat ramp, car park, playground and public toilets are opposite the Australind shopping centre and numerous picnic and BBQ (wood) sites are scattered along the foreshore. 

The European history of Australind goes back to 1803.  

(Taken from the website of the Australind  Family History Society)

The Inlet on which present day Australind is located was named "Leschenault" by French Explorer Lieutenant de Freycinet, who charted the Australian coast in 1803 in the company of Nicholas Baudin. The land around Port Leschenault was explored by the Swan River colony's Surveyor General, John Septimus Roe, in 1830 and was further investigated by Lieutenant Bunbury in 1836

 After Captain Stirling began a settlement at Perth in 1829, a few settlers came to the Bunbury region from about 1831.

 However, in London in 1840, a town and farming enterprise was being planned, to be created at Australind. The company acquired some 103,000 and another 63,000 acres of land in the area.
 
To read more of Australind's history please click on the links -
the Australind Family History Society - Australind Family History Society
and Harvey History On Line - Harvey History Online

 You might also like -

Cathedral Avenue and Australind Pioneer Cemetary  
Dryandra Woodland in the early morning light
A walk in Yalgorup