Thierings on Tour

Another day, another early meeting, but at least it meant that there was still plenty of time to pack up and get ready to move sites.

The weather was pretty cold and dreary again, which really puts a downer on the mood and makes it hard to enjoy some of the natural wonders around the area… but we persevered and set off to Hamelin Bay.

On our way, we stopped at Boranup Forest to admire some of the amazing Karri trees of the area. They can grow up to 90m high (third highest tree in the world apparently) and they need a lot of moisture to thrive. The girls loved getting into all the tree hollows, walking the fallen tree trunks, pretending to lift them. It really reminded me of some of the beautiful forests I got to explore and see growing up in Russia.

Then we headed off to our camp site and set up. The water at the jetty was rough, so we didn’t even attempt to see the sting rays that frequent that bay. Plus the seaweed was out of control and apart from the obvious stink it created, it also meant that our chances of seeing a stingray would be non-existent. What a shame!

The girls of course had to try out the playground and then it was time to check out Jewel Cave. Chris and I had previously been (well and even Izzy at 13 months), but it is such a spectacular place that we wanted the girls to experience it.

Going down it was fascinating to see the difference between the original entrance (hole in the ground/ceiling of the cave that the explorers came down through) and the blasted entrance we used.

The stalagmites and stalactites were incredible and we got to see them in a beautiful golden light as well as other colours at times. There were also columns (when stalactite and stalagmite meet and form into each other) and straws, which look like long hanging string and that’s because the water is able to trickle through them unlike a stalactite, where the water has nowhere to flow and it grows outwards. 

Some formations looked like coral, others like waterfalls, others still like trees and many animals as well. However the mind-boggling thought is that they grow at one tenth of a mm a year, so if you come back in 100 years then visually it will not look any different.

We explored the many chambers of the cave, got to learn more about its history and even had all the lights turned off and silence for a minute to explore what the pitch black and absolute quiet looks & sounds like. I’ll tell you – after 5 months on the road with kids – it’s bliss! 😅🤭

It turns out they had previously discovered remains of the now extinct Tasmanian Tiger, which is pretty incredible. A magic place to visit and so much to admire, even the girls loved it and were impressed.

Then there was the obligatory souvenir shopping, but we got off lightly this time with a special rock each. Not that we need any more rocks or shells in our van…

Back at camp the girls were eager to catch up with the Douglass boys, but sadly Harry was too sick and the others hadn’t returned from their fishing trip. So we had a quick dinner and everyone was happy with an early night after a big action day. 

Kms travelled – 61