The Pinnacles and Lesueur N.P.

10^th October, 2012

When we first arrived at the caravan park 20km north of Eneabba, we were surprised to find we had cover on the mobiles (Optus) and internet (Telstra). But when we went through the town we found out why …. Mining of rutile sands (containing titanium) by Iluka is big in the area! Eneabba appears to be just an assemblage of dongas and other cheap housing, with a Primary School and a roadhouse.

On a day trip to the coast, we visited Leeman, Green Head, Jurien Bay and Cervantes on the way to see the Pinnacles. Those coastal towns were quite nice but not of much interest to us, but the Pinnacles were fascinating.

We were amazed that they extend over about 40 Ha and you can drive around them as well as go on a walk. They are limestone, and there are different ideas about how they were formed.

 On the way home we came through Lesueur N.P. which is renowned for its diverse range of flora…and we saw some exciting plants!

Lots of Kangaroo Paws (A.manglesii)

 

and some areas were really thick with them...exciting.

 

 Beautiful blue Leschenaultias

There were dense Banksia forests, with really big B.prionotes trees (not in flower) and some B.attenuata

 

Some areas were covered in Grass trees (Xanthorrea)

Macrozamia were in flower

 

The park was named after a natural history artist and botanist who sailed with Baudin and Hamelin on the expedition to chart the WA coast in 1801. We think he would be delighted to see the park that has been named after him!

 Some of the unknowns.. a Melaleuca?

 and this flower looked like a Maltese cross

 

There were large areas ...maybe 100 acre paddocks..of adjacent farmland planted with Tagasaste (Tree Lucerne) as a fodder crop. Apparently it improves the carrying capacity of these poor white sandy soils from 1-2 DSE up to 8-10 DSE! ...rather different from West Gippsland DSE's.

On the way out we saw a big flock of Ring-neck Parrots and about 20 Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos, which was good to see….(the Carnaby’s are an endangered species).

As we approached Eneabba there were some Grevillea trees with brilliant orange flowers … as it was late in the day the light made them even more brilliant.

 Thursday 11th
We are really sorry to be leaving Western Flora - Rob says its the best caravan park he's stayed in and could stay indefinitely...flies might be a problem!