South Western Australia in Pictures

pinjarra-williams road

boat harbour at Emu Point

bike lane along Middleton Beach

The Gap

at The Gap

The Natural Bridge

The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

The Staff Quarters at the lighthouse

View of Perth City from Kings Park

The road at Kings Park

Sunset at Scarborough Beach

at City Beach

at Cottesloe Beach

at Cottesloe Beach

at City Beach

at City Beach

at City Beach

at North Beach

at Waterman Beach

at Waterman Beach

at Hillarys

South Western Australia

In my opinion, the Great Southern region is the best part of Western Australia- from Perth to Albany to Cape Leeuwin & Fremantle.

I drove from Perth International Airport to Albany via Mandurah, Pinjarra-Williams road & Albany Highway. Albany is a picturesque small town with a population of 35,000 located at the Southern Coast about 400km from of Perth. It used to be the whaling station in the 50's but already closed operation since 1979.

I have been there back in 2003 but this time I brought my bike along. It is so easy with the folding bike. Setting up my bike was so easy- Take it out from bag bike, unfold the bike, fix the pedal, lube the chain, fix the bar bag, adjust the mirror & brakes - all in less than 10 minutes.

My Speed P3 is on the heavy side because the frame is made of chromoly. It weighed 17kg with the bag but still less that the baggage allowance given by the airlines.

There are extensive cycling network in Albany. I rode on the bike lane along the Middleton Beach and Marine Drive (overlooking the Vancouver peninsula) and finally climb up the short but steep Apex Drive to the Desert Mounted Corp memorial on Mt Clarence.

Cape Leeuwin near Augusta is another favourite place of mine. There is a lighthouse on the headland of the cape. It is considered as a point where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean. I love the lighthouse as well as the landscape surrounding the cape. very dramatic!

In Perth, I rode around Kings Park- on the main road & the bush trail. At 11am in Winter, the weather was nice as was sunny but very cooling. The speed limit of 40km/h allow us the cyclist to ride with pece of mind. Futhermore, the view of Perth City, the Swan River and the busy traffic on Kwinana Highway is awesome.

And finally- The Sunset Coast! I stayed at Scarborough facing the Indian Ocean. It was windy- super windy, the waves were big & strong- the scenery were breahtaking! I rode from my apartment at Scarborough to Cottlesloe beach to Hillarys and back to Scarborough via the Cycling Lane... Fantastic!


Enjoy the rest of the photos in my next posting.

Tour of SWA- Alternative route

This is an interesting trail- The Munda Biddi Trail. There is a possibility of mixing both ON and OFF roads during the tour.

There are some Cycle Friendly chalets, lodges or B&Bs along the routes especially in the southwest area near Denmark, Walpole & Pemberton that can be considered.

However, based on the map, only Stage 1 trail from Collie to Dwenllingup is completed. Therefore, half of the trip from Albany to Burnbury shall be on-road via the coastal road and enter the trail from Collie till Dwenllingup exit before heading to Rockingham or straight to Fremantle and Scarborough.

Tentatively scheduled in Summer 2007.

Source: Map courtesy of Munda Biddi Trail Foundation.

Something to think about....

Tour of Southwestern Australia

• Albany - Perth/ Scarborough (via Southwestern coastal roads)
• Flat/ Tarmac roads- watch out for the roadkills!
  
• Bus/Train ride- Perth-Albany on Day 2. (400km++ long rides)
  
• Duration- 11 days/ 10 nights (including flight days)
• Mileage- approx. 900km (average. 100-120km ride/ day)
• Self-supported (carry own panniers, spares & tools)
• Accommodation- Motels/Apartments/Hostels- sharing basis.
  
• Highlights- The Gap/ Natural Bridge, Treetop Walk, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Fremantle, King's Park etc.
• Overnights stops- Albany, Walpole, Pemberton, Augusta, Burnbury, Rockingham, Scarborough.