2007 - Annual Bush to Beach walk

The sun was just breaking through heavy grey clouds as we gathered to set off on our 7th Annual Bush to Beach walk. Our route this year was from Swanbourne Beach to Point Resolution. Robert Powell provided interpretation along the route of the walk. Here, right on the coastal dunes at Swanbourne, Robert pointed out the coastal wattles being pruned by salt laden winds coming in off the Ocean. From Swanbourne we set off up Melon Hill in Allen Park, admiring the enormous restoration effort being put into this coastal reserve. Robert pointed out the magnificent Tuarts on top of the ridge.

Behind the coastal ridge, away from the worst of the salty winds, the vegetation became taller. Here, at Allen Park we looked at the Tuarts, Marri, and Rottnest Island Pines. The Friends of Allen Park had put in some everlastings beside the cottage where they are based.

We learnt about the importance of native Pellitory plants in the life cycle of the Yellow Admiral Butterflies that travel great distances to visit the bushland each year. (Photo courtesy of Marg Owen)

We then moved on through the housing development at the former Swanbourne High School site, lamenting the short-sightedness of politicians who sell off such assets and leave future generations with nowhere to send their children to school! Down the hill from Swanbourne we walked along the edge of Lake Claremont, admiring ducks and other water birds with their chicks.

From there, we crossed through Claremont, and were welcomed to the grounds of the Methodist Ladies College (MLC) by a teacher, Ray Forma, who has given up his Sunday to show us around regeneration work the MLC students were doing along the river. Ray pointed out the historic buildings on the grounds of MLC.

The view from the top was quite breathtaking.

We then went down the stairs to look at the regeneration work.

This foreshore area was used as a vegetable garden during the Great Depression to help feed students at the college.

After leaving MLC we walked along the river beach to Mrs Herbert's Park for a much anticipated picnic, with refreshments provided by Western Endeavour Rotary Club.

The sun came out as we feasted on home-made muffins. Kerri bought 6 to take home to feed dinner guests that evening!

Rupert noticed the tide was coming in, so it was time to negotiate the shallow rock ledges along the Dalkeith foreshore.

After rounding the headland at Bishop St Reserve we came across the beautiful white beach leading to Point Resolution. Unfortunately, Government Bureaucracy has failed to protect the public interest here, and wealthy individuals are building their ugly mansions right down to the high tide mark.