Tag Archives: Albany

Fitzgerald River National Park – Stunning Scenery But No Western Ground Parrots

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I knew it was a longshot but had to give it a go anyways.  Fitzgerald River National Park is a national park in Western Australia, 419 kilometres southeast of Perth.  It was once one of the last two remaining habitats for Western Ground Parrots but recent surveys have failed to locate any here, leaving Cape Arid as the last remaining habitat.

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FRNP can be approached via Albany and Bremer Bay in the west, Jerramungup and Ravensthorpe in the north and Hopetoun in the east.  The only accommodation inside the actual park are campgrounds.  If you want a roof over your head, you will need to stay in one of the towns just outside the park border.  Most of the roads within the park are 4wd track only but the Hamersley Drive from Hopetoun is suitable for normal cars.

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There is a nice picnic ground at Four Mile Beach with beautiful sea views.  Culham Inlet is a good spot for water birds.  A full bird list can be found here.  Fees are payable at the unmanned entrance via an honesty box.  You pay and tear off a receipt to display on your window.

The southern portion of Hamersley Drive is a sealed road that winds along a beautiful part of the coast between the park’s eastern boundary and Hamersley Inlet. This drive will take you to all the main recreation sites in the south-eastern corner of the park: Four Mile Beach, Barrens Beach, Barrens Lookout, East Mount Barren, East Mylies, Mylies Beach, Cave Point and West Beach. – See more at: http://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/fitzgerald-river#sthash.GZi9Iv2e.dpuf

I didn’t get very many shots here but here’s a few!

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An Afternoon At Two People’s Bay

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Two People’s Bay is just stunning so it was kind of sad we only had an afternoon there but we did try to make the most of it.  First order of business was a picnic lunch so we bought some food in Albany and took the road to Two People’s Bay.

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There is an information centre with a large map on a board (that I forgot to take a photo of) and you can see where the picnic area is and the entrance to a historic walking trail.

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Some magpies and a Buff-banded Rail were hanging out and inviting themselves to lunch.  The Maggies weren’t taking “no” for an answer either!IMG_5339 IMG_5349There is a Heritage Trail just off the picnic area that looked very interesting as it traversed prime Rock Parrot habitat and people do see them in this area.  It did look a bit tough for me as I would have had trouble climbing over the rocks so we drove to the other end of the trail, walked down and found an easier place to walk around.  We didn’t see Rock Parrots but the scenery was fantastic!  With wild birds sometimes you are lucky, sometimes you aren’t!  The bird list is pretty good so I do recommend checking this place out if you are in the area.

Two People's Bay

Two People’s Bay

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The other end of the Heritage Trail

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Nice view of a New-Holland Honey-eater

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Albany – The Crossroads Of Western Australia’s National Parks

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Albany is the 6th largest city in Western Australia, but more importantly to the eco-traveler lies withing reach of several of Australia‘s top birding destinations and national parks.  At around 420 kilometers from Perth, it’s too far for a day trip but can easily be added to a larger tour of Western Australia.

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Coming from Stirling Range, it’s about an hour’s drive south to Albany and the beautiful Two People’s Bay Reserve.  The main attraction for me was the chance to see Rock Parrots.

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To help you find the best place to go birding for the species you are most interested in, here are some bird lists from Frank O’Connor’s excellent website.

Albany

Cheyne’s Beach

Fitzgerald River

Albany can be a good choice for a birder who is traveling with non-birding family members or friends as there are plenty of beaches for the non-birders to visit.

Two People's Bay

Two People’s Bay

ACCOMMODATION

Not a lot of choices for stays on points.  Wotif.com tends to have the best deals for smaller Australian cities and towns.  Here’s a sample of what’s on offer.  Prices vary by season.  Just taking a cursory look – Emu Beach Chalets are jumping out as “my kind of place”.

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