Tuesday 21 February: Stirling Range and Cheynes Beach

Simon gets up early to record the exotic dawn chorus: the low drawl of the jackdaws, flutey song of the magpies and chirruping of the rose breasted cockatoos. The kookaburras save their laughter for the evenings. Soon on the road, shared with Road Trains, rather alarming vehicles the length of 3 lorries, that tank along the flat straight roads. We see a family of Emus. Soon at Mount Trio, the approach road is unsurfaced and we creep along cautiously but manage to turn and park. There is only one other vehicle. Another steep climb winds up the gulley and we ascend quickly. We’re at the summit at 800metres at 9am and are pleased with cloudless skies today and impressive 360 views of the Stirling Range and the flat plains stretching far into the distance. A knee busting descent even with our walking poles. Onwards along further flat straight roads brings us back to the coast to Cheynes Beach in Waychinicup National Park. We find our pitch at the campsite and then swim at the most glorious beach. Lunch back at the van then a bit more beach although it’s getting very windy. We have to batten down the hatches and take down the awning. We have a windy stroll to the headland before showers and drinkies. We may be sheltering inside this evening.