From Cheese Tasting to Cliff Hugging – Denmark to Albany

Posted on by Miriam

Our two nights at Parry Beach campsite near Denmark are a real treat. With the beach only minutes away and tropical bushland surrounding our camp site, we have the best of both worlds. For the first time in ages it’s cool and we’re allowed camp fires, so it’s wonderful to sit and share laughs with new friends, our lovely South African neighbours John and Brenda.

One of the highlights of this area is the spectacular William Bay National Park with the beautiful beaches of Green Pool, Elephant Rocks and Madfish Bay not far away. If you check my Insta photos you’ll read how Madfish Bay got it’s name.

Here two tides converge in different directions which is pretty extraordinary. At low tide you can walk across to the island on the other side. The south coast of WA truly has some spectacular beaches

We venture into four wheel drive territory in Quarram Nature Reserve. Our tyre pressure is reduced to 16psi as the sand is deep and, as we’re alone on the tracks, we don’t go too far. The skies look ominous and we have no desire to get bogged out there. I was happy to get back to camp for drinks on the rocks.

From Sandy tracks to Shiraz

The area around Denmark is renowned for its wine, its vineyards, berries and gourmet produce. So, it’s only right we sample some. Not far from Parry Beach is The Good Food Factory which serves the best burgers, the biggest cones and the biggest variety of home made jams, preserves, sauces and toffee. The best bit is, you can try before you buy.

Not far away we have a wine and cheese tasting at Ducketts Wines and the Farmhouse Cheese Factory which ends up being more like a mini lunch time extravaganza. Back at camp, we join our neighbours for another night around the campfire.

Onwards to Albany

From Denmark we continue to Albany and to our next stop at the King River Palms Caravan Park. It’s like an oasis and we receive a friendly welcome from owners Dwayne and Hen, the nicest and most down to earth park owners we’ve met on our travels. With school holidays over we score the most beautiful riverside spot in the park. The kayaks nearby are free to use and so we paddle the waters to the sound of birds and tranquility.

Outside of the park, with restrictions and mandates ramping up in the West, we’re content to forgo the touristy stuff and enjoy the simple things. We head to Emu Point amid sunshine and blue skies. We pack a picnic, lay a blanket on the grass and spend a couple of hours lazing about with time to dream, to watch the clouds and simply be.

In the midst of movement and chaos keep stillness inside of you. Deepak Chopra

Those clouds eventually cover the entire sky and for the rest of our stay the blue skies disappear. Not put off, we explore the rugged coastal cliffs of the Salmon Rocks, Natural Bridge and the Gap in Torndirrup National Park, where the surging power of the Southern Ocean is on show amongst towering granite crops.

The colours of the coast are muted and grey. However the power of nature is indisputable. At the Gap, which was once connected to Antarctica, standing on a viewing platform high above the surging seas is exhilarating.

From the gentle and mesmerising heaving of calm seas to the buffeting rush of wind and spray of summer storms the experience changes from day to day.

“All Goes if Courage Goes”

It feels much like life these days, an ever changing complexity that we’re navigating through. On some days the clouds roll over, I feel the dark energies of our world and the heaviness of the collective. And on other days I feel calm, at peace, strong and hopeful.

Right now I’m feeling an incredible building of unity and solidarity, of people rising up in determination, strength and resolve. Seeing people band together, with a common purpose, fuels my hope for a brighter future and for true freedom that is everyone’s birth-right.

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” — The Lorax

On our second last morning in Albany we visit the National Anzac Centre, which is Australia’s foremost museum honouring the ANZAC legend. We walk to the summit of Mount Clarence which is lined with memorials and stories of the past. From the top there’s an incredible view of King George Sound and the Islands. Albany was the last sight of land the first Anzac troops saw of Australia, on the way to the battlefields of the First World War.

The beach below is Misery Bay, it has little to do with the ANZAC legend but it’s just been named by Tourism Australia as the best beach in the country. This former whaling spot and hidden gem (no longer) is about 20kms from Albany so we check it out. If you’re curious about the name you can read more here.

The weather wasn’t cooperating when we visit. It’s overcast and grey and the waters are hardly dazzling yet it’s still beautiful. Many were surprised about the choice but perhaps what was once typical isn’t any more. Everything is about perspective after all.

As we’re about to head into February I try not to look too far ahead. We take one day at a time, one step at a time and in this way we can stay grounded, true to ourselves and aligning with courage, love, free will and sovereignty.

Let’s not focus on our differences but on what unites us. After all, we’re all on this crazy, mixed up, wondrous journey together.

Sending you love and light.

45 thoughts on “From Cheese Tasting to Cliff Hugging – Denmark to Albany”

  1. Thank you for another beautiful tour Miriam. Australia is certainly full of beautiful and diverse landscapes. I hope you’re right that the spirit of unity is growing so that we may rise up in love to create a better world for all.

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  2. What?? I mean…. What??? Why didn’t anybody tell me there was a Denmark in Australia? LOL Now I have no choice, but to come to Aussiland again! (Not that it wasn’t already in our plans 😉 ) Thank you Miriam for the discovery of this very special place… As always, your travels tickle my wanderer mind 🙂 Big hugs to you and Doug xx

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    1. I’m smiling here. Yes, you will certainly have to come back so we can show you around this beautiful part of Oz. I actually mentioned you to Doug the other day, how much I thought you’d love it here. Big hugs back xx 😊

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  11. Thanks for sharing your beautiful journeys with us! Australia is truly beautiful and I still hope to see it in person some day. I’m sorry to hear that restrictions and mandates are ramping up again….I had heard that Australia was finally opening up, but our international news here leaves a lot to be desired. Meanwhile, continue to follow your heart…it is leading you to fabulous places and wonderful people!

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    1. Hi Ann, it’s interesting what news filters out about Australia. It seems now that the WA Premier is following the lead of the Victorian dictator, with the restrictions not matching the reality of the situation. In time truths will be revealed but for now it’s challenging. Still, we journey on. Your last sentence made me smile, thank you! 💜

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  12. Pingback: Where I belong… – Cyranny's Cove

  14. Miriam, your post leaves me feeling cosseted by nature, your words a tranquil call for unity and harmony. I love the idea of Denmark in Australia. Is there a Sweden somewhere as well? The wine tasting with biscuits and cheese looks wonderfully European and so delightful. It almost seems you were dune driving with the tyres so down. A joy to join you, read the inspiring quotes. hugs xx

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  15. We’ll be in Albany in a couple of weeks, and had intended to walk the bush track that went passed Misery Beach. However I believe it’s now been closed for repairs until August. Do you know if access to the beach is also closed?

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    1. Hi Chris, I’m not sure if that particular bush track is closed but the beach access was open when we visited five days ago. Maybe you could double check with the Albany Visitors Centre.

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    1. Thank you Denise. And yes I’m loving, living and enjoying every moment of this incredible journey.
      My daughter is 23, nearby 24. Why do you ask?
      Sending you lots of love as well, from the front row! xxx 💜

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  18. Such an excellent read dear Miriam… And all true… ” All Goes if Courage Goes ” It takes bravery, and courage to put oneself in danger to help rescue another… A metaphor for the world right now, as many are now standing up, courageously putting themselves forefront as they make a stand…
    It is now more visible to see, how like attracts like, and Unity consciousness now gathers momentum. A Little like those dots of scattered clouds in that amazing blue sky.. Then gradually they came together to create a blanket of cloud that covers the entire sky…
    It going to start like that….. And if we keep that stillness within as Deepak speaks of, Calm, and Love, within our hearts, focusing our intentions on our next destination of New Earth…. We are doing this.. and its our privilege to be here at this time serving as we do, One thought, One prayer, One action,
    We are the ones we have been waiting for…

    Loved your post Miriam… So many wonderful views.. Love the ocean, and Yum to that cheese board and wine….
    Sending you so much love dear friend…. Love and Gratitude.. ❤

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    1. Thanks so much dear Sue, for understanding where I was going with my post. And for
      your words of wisdom, support and strength as we navigate these times.
      We are indeed doing it, slowly but surely, as more and more wake up. And yes, what a privilege it is to be here on the right side of history as this all unfolds. Sending you much love and gratitude my friend. ❤️🙏

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      1. It is why we came…. Keeping our energy Light and strong with love, sending it into the heart of such ventures for its success..
        The victory is of our making and we have to succeed, for all our future generations.. ❤
        Much love right back ❤

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  20. Such a wonderful tour to undertake for us in the northern part of the globe ~ and fully agree with your quite accurate “All Goes if Courage Goes” and this is seen throughout your writing and photos… living and loving life to the fullest. Cheers!

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  21. wow thanks for showing me what I missed out when the hire company decided to swap my automatic booking for a manuel … I took the next plane to Adelaide, was so disappointed! Hoping to get over there for the wildflowers, now I know I will have to allow more time and ensure they keep me an automatic!

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