Exploring the Margaret River region, Monday 1 April

Cloudy and a drop in temperature today but a pleasant view from our lakeside room.  The Lodge restaurant is at the other end of the lake - we had a fine breakfast.

We drove the entire length of the Cape - Augusta is the southern most town and Dunsborough is the most northerly.  It's just over 60 miles north to south.

After a brief stop at Margaret River we went to Cape Leewin lighthouse...this is where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet.    On a stormy day the waves are tremendous....today it was pretty benign.

We found a few things to amuse us.  Australia goes in for odd art....this is one of 85 maroon marauders that were positioned across the region in 2010.   The sign stated that `Cow parade' was the world's largest public art event. The `cows' were auctioned off for charity.

The lighthouse was manned until 1998. By British standards it was n't that big or old, dating back to 1895.

We drove north through the Boranup Karri Forrest.  The size of the trees was jaw dropping!   Our red kia is tiny by comparison.

This region is well known for its wineries....we were delighted to come across a Woodlands winery about a mile from where we are staying.  We'll try this bottle when we get home.

Mark had hoped to go for a swim today and we had recommendations for a couple of beaches.  The first at Yallingup looked more suitable for surfing.

In view of Australia's reputation for sharks, jelly fish, dangerous currents, etc, Mark's criteria for swimming is that there has to be lots of other folk swimming.  This test was certainly not met at this beach near Dunsborough.  I was looking at the pelican but Mark spotted lots of sting rays near to the jetty.

We think they must be fairly common here - the fishermen were showing no interest at all!

It was a lovely beach though....