SW Tour - Day 12

Back to Augusta for a pre lighthouse tour coffee and check in with the world. Feeling sorted, we returned to the lighthouse for the 10.30am tour.

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia is located on the most southern westerly point of Australia where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. Prior to the offical opening in 1896, the 22 ships were wrecked around Cape Leeuwin and only one shipwreck has occurred since.

Climbing the lots of steps, we eventually arrive at the rotating lens learning many interesting facts on the way. Up until 1982 the lens was manually rotated by winding a counter weight driving the clockwork mechanism and the beacon (a pressurised kerosene mantle type) kept alight by pumping and carrying kerosene. It was the lighthouse keepers job to wind and fill the kerosene as well as record weather conditions plus the general maintenance not to mention trying to raise a family in these harsh conditions! Sounded like an extremely tough life especially in the early days! Now the lighthouse is fully automated. We finished with a lap on the outside of the lighthouse at the top enjoying the views in the windy conditions.

 

 

In the afternoon, we drove north to Redgate Beach to cool off. The surf on the main beach looked rough. Andy only lasted a few minutes before returning to us. We had opted for a dip in one of the small sheltered rocky bays.

Then it was off to a new campground Conto. Sadly we thought we would be in the tall karri trees of Boranup forest, however a large bushfire 12 months ago ripped through the forest. Re growth has begun but the charred black trunks were not what we were expecting. The campground was also badly burnt with the campers at the time fleeing for their lives leaving behind their tents and gear.

Although we were sad to see the devastation and it put a brief dampener on our situation, we were very much looking forward to Annwen, Ashley and Nathan arrival. With yellow L plates (yikes - Ashley was behind the wheel driving very competently!) their car rocked up. It was great to to see them all again and we were looking to spending the next few days hanging out together.