Life Images by Jill: July 2024

Sunday 28 July 2024

Four Aces and One Tree Bridge, Nannup, Western Australia

Hi all, I hope you are doing well. A couple of weeks ago I took you down to Nannup in Western Australia's south west where we explored some of the walk trails over a weekend. If you missed it you can see it here - Weekend away and bushwalking in Nannup, Western Australia

As promised, this week I am taking you to the Four Aces and the One Tree Bridge located 37 kilometres east of Nannup via Vasse Highway and then Graphite Road towards Manjimup. We decided to park at the Four Aces picnic area about one kilometre short of the bridge. From here you can follow a 400 metre loop walk through the karri trees before walking the one kilometre (each way) to One Tree Bridge.

But first the drive through the karris. Karris are my favourite tree of the southern forests.

Western Australia’s southern forests are dominated by Karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) trees which grow only in WA’s wettest corner. Belonging to one of the 900 Australian eucalypt species, 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 - behind the Californian Sequoia Redwood and the Australian Mountain Ash. 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 trees and a stunning display of over 1500 wildflower species from September to November.

The Four Aces are 4 tall karris growing evenly spaced in a straight line - you can see them in the photo above. Estimated to be over 250 years old, and over 70 metres tall, it is thought these trees grew up in a fallen log from seedlings in the ash of a previously fallen karri tree which had possibly been burnt in a bushfire.

From here there is a 400 metre Karri Glade loop walk trail through the karri forest, suitable for all levels of fitness. It was a pleasant walk through the forest. Take your time to appreciate the forest.

Unfortunately we were too early for wildflower season, but there is always something to photograph.

The yellow flower below is I believe the Cape Leeuwin Wattle (Paraserianthes lophantha). It has a fern type leaf and is common in karri forest, though I don't think I have seen it in flower before. There are invasive wattles from the Eastern states in the south west forests, so I was glad to learn this is not one of them.

Below that is bracken fern, a fungi, and a fallen leaf.

We then walked the one kilometre through the karri forest to One Tree Bridge.

At One Tree Bridge you can see the remains of a bridge built from a single karri log over the Donnelly River. In 1904 there was no bridge over the river, so settlers Herbert and Walter Gilblett felled the giant karri across the 250 metre wide river, forming the basis of the bridge. Jarrah tree wood was used to complete the building of the bridge. Only part of this bridge survives today.

In 1948 a second bridge was constructed. In 1955 a new bridge was constructed to cater for heavy log trucks. This is the bridge that operates today, with a foot bridge adjacent. You can see the remains of the old bridge below here and the new bridge and footbridge below that.

The early days of One Tree Bridge (Manjimup Historical Society)

The 1,000 kilometre Bibbulmum Track from Perth to Albany and the Munda Biddi bike trail crosses the river here at One Tree Bridge south of Donnelly River township.

Munda Biddi markers on left, Bibbulmun Track on right.

From One Tree Bridge we returned to Four Aces and had our lunch under the picnic and information shelter while the rain drizzled. It is a beautiful spot to just sit and absorb the forest sights and sounds.

Below clockwise from top left - Water Bush (Bossiaea acquifolium) - it's amazing the amount of rain water it drops on you when you brush past, Karri Hazel (Trymalium floribundum), Tassel Flower (Leucopogon verticillatus) and a native orchid leaf emerging. Sadly none in flower!

And a Spotted Pardalote pair we saw at Four Aces - female on the left, male on the right. Thanks to my husband for these photos. It was lovely sitting at the picnic area listening to all the birds.

You cannot camp at either Four Aces or One Tree Bridge but there is a campground at Green Island, about 4.6 kilometres away - turn back towards Nannup on Graphite Road and then turn north at the Green Island sign. Gravel road but suitable for 2-wheel-drive.

There are 21 campsites surrounding a central grassy cleared area suitable for tents, camper trailers and small caravans. Jack and Irene Green first settled here in 1929 with the hopes of growing tobacco. Unfortunately the venture failed and they left after several years of hard work.

On our way back to Nannup we stopped in at Tank 7 Mountain Bike Park - two kilometres east of Nannup on Brockman Highway. Here there are many mountain bike trails for all levels of experience. I am not a bike rider, let alone a mountain bike rider, so I don't have more photos to share. The bike trails are colour coded easy, moderate, difficult and extreme. I suggest you select the correct one for you! There is a good guide here - Tank 7 Mountain Bike Park

Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week.
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Monday 15 July 2024

Weekend away and bushwalking in Nannup, Western Australia

Hi everyone, I hope you and yours are doing well.

A couple of weekends ago, my husband and I went for a little weekend get-away down in Nannup, in Western Australia's south west. Only about 98 kilometres from where we live (about and hour and 20 minutes), it is a great place to get away without having to drive for hours.

We stayed at a little fully contained cottage on a small acreage at Blackwood Banks Chalets - nestled between the Blackwood river and the state forest, about 20 kilometres south west of Nannup via the Brockman Highway. Just lovely.

Arriving on Friday afternoon and leaving Monday morning, we could have stayed at the cottage all weekend relaxing, and there were a few places we could wander through the bush nearby, but we drove into Nannup for two bush walks on Saturday and then a little further afield on Sunday.

Unfortunately being mid winter we were a little early for wildflowers. We parked in Nannup (just past the caravan park on Brockman Street) and walked across the old rail walk bridge, which is the start of the Timberline Trail, then branched off to walk through the Kondil Park where there are three walks - The 700 metre Casuarina Walk, the 2.5 kilometre Sheoak Walk and the 3.3 km Wildflower Wander. These are all circular walks which suit us. Trail signage helps you keep on track.

There is also a parking area for the Kondil walk trails not far from Nannup off Barrabup Road.

Below you can see the bridge over the river at the start of the trail in Nannup. If you walk down to the river on the right of this picture there is a tree with flood heights for different years marked. Amazing how high the river can reach in flood.

And here we are on the Kondil walk trail. Markers help guide you - the axe is the Timberline Trail - and the footprint is the Kondil walk.

Below are a few early wildflowers. I am not a botanist, so not absolutely correct with my identifications. From top left clockwise - one of the Greenhood orchids, one of the Hoveas, not sure of this white one, the orange is possibly Prickly Bitterpea, one of the Wattles, one of the Eucalypts possibly Karri tree, Wild Plum, last season's Hooded Lily, and in the centre fruit of the Snotty Gobble tree (Persoonia longifolia). Don't you just love that name! I love seeing this tree in the bush.

From Kondil we walked back to the car at Nannup and then drove out to Barrabup Pool on the Timberline Trail within the St John Brook Conservation Park. We had our lunch under the shelters overlooking the pool.

First settled by Europeans in 1857, Nannup’s history revolves around the timber industry and the opening of the railway line in 1909.

The Timberline Trail is a moderately easy 20 kilometre walk and cycle trail between Nannup and Cambray Siding, following part of an extensive network of disused forestry railway lines which once transported timber hauled by wood fired steam driven locomotives from bush camps to Barrabup, Nannup and Jarrahwood timber mills and then to Busselton Jetty on the coast for export during the early 20^th Century.

The Trail, which can be broken into sections, making it ideal for day or overnight walks, is marked by white triangular signs displaying an axe. Interpretive signage along the way gives walkers a historical insight into the timber industry and the life of the timber cutters.

You can see the trail on the map below. If you had a push-bike you could ride out on the Timberline Trail from Nannup to Cambray Siding, and then return to Nannup via the Sidings Rail Trail. As I don't have a bike I unfortunately haven't done the whole circuit.

Distance: Nannup to Cambray Siding via the Timberline Trail - 20 kilometres one way. Cambray Siding to Nannup via the Sidings Rail Trail - 15.24 kilometres one way

Hundreds of wooden sleepers were cut by hand with broad axes and laid by crews working in all weathers and living in canvas tents or simple wooden shelters in the bush. The majority of the railway sleepers have been removed but a few can still be seen along the Trail.

After lunch we took the short walk out to the potato patch which was where vegetables were grown for the timber workers.

The Timberline Trail is an easy shady walk. We have done it several times from Barrabup Pool to Sleeper Hewers Hut (5 kilometres and return), and then on another day from the opposite way from Cambray Siding to Sleeper Hewers Hut. (4.8 kilometres and return). I have talked more in depth about these walks in a previous post - The Old Timberline Trail, St Johns Brook, Nannup

A great App to have on your phone is the Experience Nannup app. This app shows you the trails around Nannup and the GPS tracker shows you exactly where you are. Last time we were in Nannup on the Timberline Trail we came across a guy on his bike who was lost. We were able to show him on the app where he was and guide him back to Nannup.

As it is winter we didn't see many wildflowers along the trail, but there is always something to take a photo of.

Clockwise from top left - Banksia nut, Tassel Flower (but not in flower), red inside the bark of the Snotty Gobble tree, Hovea, a caught leaf, and an emerging orchid (possibly one of the Greenhood orchid family).

And a few birds which I managed to get photos of while we were having lunch. They don't stay still for long!

From left to right - Red Winged Fairy Wren female, Red Winged Fairy Wren male, and a White Breasted Robin.

It was now mid afternoon and we drove back to our cottage and enjoyed taking a walk and sitting on the front verandah watching the little birds.

Below clockwise from top left - Spotted Scrub Wren, Splendid Fairy Wren - Dull plumage, Red Eared Firetail, Western Rosella male, Western Rosella male, Western Rosella Female.