Albany to Esperance

From Albany, we drive the 500km South Coast Highway to Esperance.

Rising abruptly from the surrounding flat and sandy plains, the 96km long Stirling Range is famous for it's spectacular colour changes.  Unfortunately today the cloud was low but the occasional shaft of light gave us an insight into the potential.

Completed in 1997 this replica of a 16th century Dutch mill sits well besides the Stirling Range

On the Bay of Isles Esperance sits amongst some of the most magnificent coastline in Australia.

A temperate climate, clear aquamarine waters, and squeaky white beaches complete the idyllic picture.

We travelled the local coastal drive on the evening we arrived.

No, Laurie didn't order it!!

Cape Arid National Park

Dolphin Cove

Little Tagon

the waves here were fantastic to watch

Orleans Bay

Hellfire Beach

Lucky Bay

the entrance to Lucky Bay

Thistle Cove

Whistling Rock
(yes, it really did whistle in the wind!)

Sammy the Sea Lion is a wild resident at the jetty. Doing tricks to get a treat from fishermen.

The waterfront at Esperance

Esperance to Hyden

Having travelled as far east as we intended in Esperance we now head North to Hyden, where the famous Wave Rock is located

First we had to make just one more journey along the beautiful coast at Esperance

yes...it's hot and those are legs!

Hyden's only claim to fame is a rock outcrop in the shape of a perfect wave.

..that's big...

further up the rock are some interesting boulders, weathered by the wind and rain

We spent the night in Hyden and visited the wave rock once more in the morning before we left.  Seeing it in a totally different light. 

The 'Hippo's Yawn' 

York

The picture postcard town of York is our next stop, staying overnight in the historic Castle Hotel.

One of the most impressive buildings is the old town hall

 

The York Hotel, where we stayed

the motor museum 

An old convent school, now converted to an excellent restaurant (The Ragged Robin) where we had a wonderful meal in the evening,  

Kairen liked the name of this shop 

It was a hot 28C today