Welcome to Life Images by Jill

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.

Welcome!

Welcome!
PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO GO TO MY RED BUBBLE STORE.

Monday 13 January 2014

On the road again - Denmark weekend, Western Australia

Only just over a week into the New Year and we are on the road again. Just a short three day trip down to beautiful Denmark on our South Coast. I have family living in and around Denmark and so the main reason for our trip was to visit them. It is a stunningly beautiful area, and we have visited many times over the years. My cousin owns a farm bounded by State forest - so beautiful to walk those hills and paddocks.

We take the South Western Highway south through Balingup and Bridgetown. Just beyond Manjimup you enter the beautiful Karri forests region.
We took my Dad with us on this trip, so I was relegated to the back seat from where I took this pic.



Western Australia’s southern forests are dominated by Karri trees which grow only in WA’s wettest corner.  Belonging to the eucalypt family, many of the Karri trees are over 400 years old. Reaching a maximum height of about 90 metres they are one of the tallest forest trees in the world. Karri’s are easily identified. Their long straight trunk has a smooth bark which is shed every year, and changes colour as it matures. Interspersed with the Karri are Tingles, Jarrah, Marri, Bullich and Blackbutt and a stunning display of over 1500 wildflower species from September to November. 

The Karri is my favourite tree of the southern forests.  They are such a stately magestic tree, and I love the patterns and colours created by the shedding bark. 






To keep reading and see more pics, please click on "read more"


10 kilometers south of Manjimup is the Diamond Tree Lookout. At the top of this 51 m karri tree, is the only wooden treetop tower in the world. It is still in use as an integral part of the fire management and spotting programme. 

 If you are fit and have a head for heights you can climb the tree. This is one of three climbable treetop fire lookouts located within the Southern Forests region. The other two are Gloucester Tree (60 metres) and  Bicentennial Tree lookout (more than 60 metres high) - the highest treetop lookouts in the world.  

We stopped at Diamond Tree for morning tea, and lucky for us a young lady arrived to climb the tree - it was a perfect day for it as there was hardly a breath of wind, so the tree wouldn't have been moving much - at least in the lower parts. Her boyfriend stayed at the bottom and watched.  A few years ago I climbed part way up to the midway platform of Biacentennial Tree. It was an amazing view but climbing as far as this was enough for me! That laddar doesn't give you much safety protection!


From Manjimup you drive through the Karri forests through Walpole and Nornalup, past the Valley of the Giants (where you can walk along the tree-top walk), and then to Denmark.

Situated 52 kilometres west of Albany and 66 kilometres east of Walpole on Western Australia’s south coast, Denmark is attractively located on the banks of the Denmark River which flows into Wilson Inlet and then into the Southern Ocean.  
Denmark, whose early history revolved around the timber industry, is now a thriving, diverse community with a friendly, relaxed feel, which attracts visitors to its vineyard covered hillsides, towering wilderness forests, spectacular coastline, pristine beaches, scenic drives and walk trails which showcase the natural beauty of Denmark.


We stayed at Denmark Waterfront Motel where we have stayed before. It is just beyond where the Denmark River enters the Wilson Inlet.  On the first morning I walked down to the banks of the Inlet to take some pics. I probably should have gotten up earlier to catch the light. The paperbark trees come right down to the water's edge.
ok - the middle right photo was taken on a previous trip, but when the light is perfect and you love a photo you want to share it again..... 


There are several easy walk trails close to the Denmark town centre which help you appreciate Denmark's natural beauty.

The Little River walk is one we hadn't explored before. I was alerted to it by Bonny at Western Australia-travellersguide-Scenic-drive-in-Denmark
 - thanks Bonny! 

This walk takes in a short section of the Bibbulmun Track and runs along the wooded foreshore of Wilson Inlet from Rainbow Close to Campbell Road - 5km return - allow 1.5 hours walking.  Or you can do a shorter walk from Little River Road to Rainbow Close (and return) as we did. It was a lovely shaded walk through the trees, and across a bridge, with views of the Inlet.  You can see pelicans and there are a couple of seats.



Closer to town is the Mokare Heritage Trail - a three kilometre circuit from town down to the river mouth, across the old rail bridge, returning to town on the other side of the river. This walk was named after Mokare, an Aboriginal tribal leader from the Albany area who accompanied Dr Thomas Bradiwood WIlson on his 1829 expedition to the Denmark district. 

You can extend this walk by joining the 12km (4 hour return) Wilson Inlet Heritage Trail at the bridge which follows a section of the Albany-Nornalup railway line.  Or the 4km (1.5 hours) Karri walk from the bridge to Barnett Street in town, winding through karri, paperbark, jarrah and yate trees. 

The blue bird you see in this collage is the Splendid Blue Wren - an icon of the area.
You can explore the waterways by hiring a canoe at the riverside park in the centre of town.


About 12 kilometres out of town along Scotsdale Road is the Harewood Forest Walk. This beautiful 1.2km return walk (allow 40 minutes) winds upstream through karri regrowth forest which has regrown after having been logged and clear-felled in the early 1900s when Denmark was a mill town.  At one time Karri blocks were used to pave some of the streets of London. Interpretive signage describes the history of settlement and logging in Denmark and plants of the forest. It is amazing to see how the forest has regenerated.


Further afield are more vigorous walks requiring a reasonable degree of fitness - 
- the 9km return (allow 3 hours walking) Mr Lindesay walk
- the  steep and rocky Sheila Hill Trail (allow 2 hours one way)

- the Denmark to Nornalup Heritage Rail Trail (60km currently open)

- there are also beach walks with spectacular ocean vistas, and other sections of the Bibbulmun track which wind through the Denmark-Walpole area
- and the Denmark town heritage walk. 

ooo - just discovered "picmonkey.com" mosaics and photo-editing - what fun!


After all that walking you might want to chill out with a glass of wine or lunch platter at a winery - trust me when I say there are LOTS to choose from!



Information on all these walks are contained in the booklet - Trails of Denmark - available from the Denmark Visitor Information - Denmark Tourism
 

You might also like - 
Denmark and Walpole Wilderness, Western Australia
Denmark - where the forest meets the sea, Western Australia 
Hopetoun & Fitzgerald River National Park, Western Australia

Thanks for stopping by I hope you have enjoyed this visit to Denmark. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you.

I am linking up to Mosaic Monday, Travel Photos Monday, Our World Tuesday, Wednesday Around the World, Travel Photo Thursday, What's It Wednesday, and Oh the Places I've Been. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!

Mosaic Monday
Travel Photo Mondays
Our World Tuesday
Wednesday Around the World  
What's It Wednesday
Travel Photo Thursday
 Oh The Places I've Been

34 comments:

  1. We haven't been to Denmark for over a year, and now I'm wondering Why?!! What a stunning area it is Jill, and you bring it to life so well. The walks, the beaches, the trees, the beautiful rural vistas, and the knowledge you share is so interesting too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jill, what a lovely place to visit. The coastline is gorgeous. And I love the climbing tree, you must have a wonderful view from the top. Wonderful series of photo, thanks for sharing your visit. Have a happy week!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, what a fabulous collection of photos - I feel like I've had a holiday! The only thing I didn't like was the ladder round the tree - no way could I ever do that!!! It looks like a wonderful place to visit, and how lucky to have it so close to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes I love Denmark - it is one of my favorite places in WA. I wish it was closer than 4 hours away so I could visit more often.

      Delete
  4. That is such a spectacular place. I love the spiral "ladder" around the large trees. It is utilitarian and pretty. It was really lovely seeing these images of such a beautiful spot.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have very much enjoyed the journey to Denmark. The way through the trees was lovely. The walk in the shade sounds like my kind of walk and the little blue wren is darling.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That tree climb is amazing! Everything's so interesting but especially that :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gorgeous photos! I would love to go kayaking there, beautiful scenery

    ReplyDelete
  8. What gorgeous countryside and waterscapes...love that staircase to the top observation...I would love to climb it!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Reading your beautiful narrative and seeing your photographs makes me want to book a trip to WA!
    Driving through the bush roads looks wonderful - what a fun the tree ladder!
    My fave is the little yacht anchored beneath the trees on the river and the pelicans!
    Visiting as part of Mosaic Monday

    PS Always love to see others book lists - I read Salvation Creek years ago and enjoyed it!
    Thank you for a wonderful post Jill.


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. if you enjoyed Salvation Creek you would love The Briny Cafe also by Susan Duncan.

      Delete
  10. Jill,

    What a glorious collection of mosaics, each one a representation of the brilliant abundance of activities and sight to see and visit in WA! How beautiful is the wooded coastline of Karri trees (?), that cute blue wren and the little boat coming in to dock with the thick greenery behind it. Such interesting information in addition to all your own comments makes this a most entertaining read! Thanks so much for sharing!

    Poppy

    ReplyDelete
  11. It must be tough to get up and head to the office in the morning huh, Jill (big smiles of envy here)? I was fascinated by the tree fire lookout! Not sure if I would climb it or not meaning I would prefer stairs. You can rent fire lookouts (in the offseason) here in the States and have a little campout. I haven't done it but want to. They are absolutely barren so it's roughing it in that regard. Another wonderful post, our friend! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think I could climb up there every day for work - just think about the guys who pegged it in the first place - now there's a job for you! I had never heard of camping out on the top of a tree - wouldn't want to be there in a wind!

      Delete
  12. A stunning area and a great place to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  13. How beautiful! I'm glad you told us the name of the Splendid little wren - so pretty. You live in a part of the world that is so very different from mine. I always enjoy the glimpses here. Why am I not following after all this time? I must rectify that!

    ReplyDelete
  14. What gorgeously sunny pictures. Not sure I'd want to climb up that tree though...

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow Jill, I never even went on this journey, yet I feel exhilarated by this, such beauty, wow those beaches are absolutely stunning and they look amazingly clean, and then the trees. Those are some old sturdy trees and I was thinking...hmm if I were there, would I attempt that tree climb...maybe get half way and then wonder how I would come back down...maybe with my eyes closed. This looks like it had to have been very enjoyable Jill. Have a happy week...slow here...Winter blahs~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am glad you enjoyed the trip Mary. When I climbed part way up one of these trees a few years ago my legs were like jelly by the time I got down. Fantastic view though!

      Delete
  16. What a beautiful place, and such a variety of scenery. Australia is so amazing. I've never heard of any of those trees and I would love to climb up the one with the ladder! Well, maybe not all the way!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love Denmark, the scenery the trees, those walks look impressive, afraid I would give that dodgy climbing ladder a miss as well.
    Rae xxx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow...what an interesting tree to climb with that ladder wrappig around!

    ReplyDelete
  19. A lot to see on and around the road. I love the water photos.

    ReplyDelete
  20. My husband climbed the Gloucester Tree back when we lived in Perth, 35 years ago. That was my favourite area of the south west corner, or was it Dunsborough, Margaret River or Denmark :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. I was just thinking how cool it is to have a ladder to climb the tree -- love the idea of it circling it -- when I read it had no protection. I looked again and sure enough, it doesn't. Still it must be lovely to climb and enjoy the view.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh! Another to add to our ever-growing bucket list of must-see or do the next time we get to your wonderful country! We loved our 'taster' now it is time to branch out!

    ReplyDelete
  23. My oldest boy would be climbing that tree in a heartbeat. The walks and scenery around Darwin look quite lovely and serene.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes I am sure he would! hmm...that would be Denmark not Darwin. Darwin is on the north coast and hot and steamy. Denmark is cooler (well some of the time) and is on the south coast - next stop Antarctica!

      Delete
  24. Thanks Jill for taking me on a wonderful trip! I probably should get our of my armchair and see it for myself one day!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh I think I fell in love, I love the colour of that ocean. What an interesting tree. I'm not sure I would get too far up it though mind you the enticement of a great view well almost get me anywhere. Beautiful photos and a magical area.

    ReplyDelete
  26. The tree ladder looks amazing but sadly my fear of heights would keep me firmly on the ground

    Mollyxxx

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Jill, another wonderful road trip. The karri trees look splendid. When I first saw the tree towers I said, "I want to climb that!." But after reading your description of it I thought I may not be brave enough. Denmarks looks beautiful and has so much to offer. The coastline looks breathtaking. I love the blueness of water. I'd love to do one of those walks and end up in the winery. Your photos are lovely and transporting as usual.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Those pictures were so amazing, it's like I was there with you!

    ReplyDelete

I hope you have enjoyed your visit to my blog. Thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to comment. I read and very much appreciate every comment and love hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return.