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. 

Why do they always turn their backs? 

And kangaroos! These are Western Grey Kangaroos. They had come up from the bushland and were sitting in the paddock near our cottage. 

And some photos from around Blackwood Banks Chalets

Nannup is 267 kilometres from Perth, Western Australia

For those interested in mountain biking, there are extensive trails around Nannup. Trailforks.com/Nannup

For more information on Nannup & the Timberline Trail

Timberline Trail, St Johns Brook - on my blog

Nannup Wildflower Walks - on my blog 

TrailsWA-Old Timberline trail

Trail Hiking- Old Timberline Trail

Experience Nannup

Experience Nannup app. - maps and GPS locator

On Sunday we went to 4 Aces and the One Tree Bridge out Graphite Road towards Manjimup, but that is a story for another time. 

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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