Tag: Crested Tern

Hamersley inlet and dunes

Hamersley dunes at Fitzgerald River National Park

One of the attractions of Fitzgerald River National Park for 4WD enthusiasts is Hamersley Dunes.

Hamersley dunes

A vehicle driving through Hamersley dunes at Fitzgerald River National Park

2,5km from Hamersley Inlet campground where we stayed in January, there is a track from Hamersley Drive leading over the dunes and to Hamersley beach. The track is approximately 4,6km long. It’s a fun drive, which is a mix of hard track through the bush, soft sand and some rocks. The track starts as an easy but scratchy drive through the bush until you arrive at the dunes.

4WD track to Hamersley dunes
4WD track through the bush to Hamersley dunes

There are long poles indicating the way as you drive over the dunes.

Hamersley dunes 4WD track
Hamersley dunes track

Having said that, it is still easy to get lost. We did lose the track for a while and nearly fell into the dip. Luckily, we stopped on top of a hill. It is always better to be cautious, especially if you travel in a single vehicle, like us.

A vehicle on top of a sandy hill at Hamersley dunes
Going down hill at Hamersley dunes

Once you pass the dunes and are nearing the beach, the track gets rocky.

4WD track through Hamersley dunes to the beach

The beach looked “moody” due to stormy weather, so we didn’t stay long. But we thoroughly enjoyed the ride :).

Hamersley Inlet campground

Hamersley Inlet campground in Fitzgerald River National Park

To explore Hamersley dunes and nearby Hamersley Inlet, we stayed at Hamersley Inlet campground. It is one of only a few campgrounds in the Fitzgerald River NP, (others are 4 Mile beach camp and St Mary Inlet campground). Hamersley Inlet campground is 19km west of Hopetoun. It is reasonably priced, at $19 per site per night. You get excellent facilities, which include new and spacious toilets, bbqs with shelter and non-drinking water. There are 14 sites of various sizes, with sites 1-3 suitable for large caravans. The rules of the national park specify no dogs and no campfires. You would need to take all rubbish with you. The sites must be booked online prior to arrival, as there is no internet there.

Hamersley Inlet and walking trail

From the campground, there is a short (300 meter) walk to the Hamersley Inlet, where there are picnic facilities.

Hamersley Inlet

From the inlet carpark you can take 1,7km walk to the beach. If you are at the inlet at the right season, you might find these beautiful orange coloured Eucalyptus Utilis (Coastal Moort) trees.

Pallinup Inlet and Beach

Pallinup Inlet separated from Southern Ocean by a sandbar

The best camping places are remote and hard to get to, and this was the case with Pallinup Inlet camp, where we spent 2 amazing nights early January this year.

What is Pallinup Inlet and where is it?

Pallinup River forms Beauford Inlet, also known as Pallinup Estuary as it flows towards the Southern Ocean. Most of the time, it is separated from the ocean by a sandbar. Once in a few years, the sandbar breaks and the river joins the ocean. It is located on the coast between Albany and Bremer Bay, in the Great Southern region of WA.

Aeriav view of Pallinup Estuary meeing Pallinup Beach

Camping

Pallinup Beach is very exposed, with soft sand. Most people camp along Pallinup Estuary, where the area is protected from the strong winds and the tracks are harder. It is a nice place to go fishing, bird watching or just relaxing. Popular with locals but otherwise, it is a quiet area.

Camping at Pallinup Inlet
Aerial view of Pallinup Inlet camping area

It is a free camp, with absolutely no facilities. You can bring your dog and some people (locals, we presume) take camper trailers but you would need to be an experienced 4WDriver to do that.

It reminded us of Broke Inlet in D’Entrecasteaux National Park – pristine, raw and beautiful.

What is the track to Pallinup Beach/Inlet look like?

To get to Pallinup beach/inlet take Boat Harbour unsealed road from South Coast Hwy. After 13km the road comes to a junction with two large skip bins. Taking a right turn will take you to Boat Harbour camp and taking left turn will take you to Pallinup Beach. Both are 4WD only tracks.

The track to Pallinup Beach starts as a fairly good but corrugated track for roughly 6km or so. Then it becomes rocky which requires slow crawling at times, so high clearance 4WD is required for this track. Closer to the beach, the track becomes soft sand.

4WD track to Pallinup Beach

The above track is closer to Albany. It is possible to travel from Bremer Bay via a different 4WD track to Pallinup Inlet, which is a lot rougher. We didn’t take it, so can’t comment.

For nature and photography enthusiasts

If you love nature and bird watching, there are plenty of opportunities to observe birdlife at the estuary.

A flock of Crested Terns at Pallinup Inlet

Lot of Crested Terns (above) moving in flocks and individually.

Pelicans (above) normally come in small groups – often in twos.

Red-capped Plover (above) is abundant there.

Lesser Sand Plover at Pallinup Inlet

Lesser Sand Plover (above left) is similar to Red-capped Plover but bigger. While Red-necked Avocet (above right) moves in big flocks from place to place looking for food.

Welcome Swallow is another bird that is abundant at Pallinup Estuary.

There are a number of different bankias along the track, leading to Pallinup beach.

Banksia attenuata along the track to Pallinup Beach

Banksia attenuata (above top left), Bankisa baxteri (above bottom left), Banksia nutans (above right).

Adenanthos cuneatus Coastal Jugflower at Pallinup Inlet

Adenanthos cuneatus Coastal Jugflower (above left), Melaleuca striata (above middle), Verticordia densiflora (above right).

Clematis pubescens at Pallinup Inlet
Eucalyptus pleurocarpa Blue Mallee at Pallinup Inlet

Clematis pubescens (above left), Eucalyptus pleurocarpa Blue Mallee (above right).

Lambertia inermis Chittick (above) is beautiful in every stage of flowering.

We really enjoyed the drive, as well as camping at Pallinup Estuary. The drive was an adventure in itself providing us with a good 4WD experience, as well as a sense of adventure with “tiger stripes”.