Pinjarra, WA

Tuesday, 30-8-11

We moved to Pinjarrah Park Country Camping, a quiet park set on a farm three kilometers from Pinjarra. We were surrounded by wildlife, the prettiest little Fairy Wrens, honey eaters of several varieties, 28's, and lots and lots of rabbits. Most of the male travellers were wishing they had their guns or traps with them. There were a couple of campfire sites and a good supply of wood. We had some great neighbours and shared a few campfires and happy hours.

Pinjarra is set on the banks of the Murray River, WA and the river runs through the park.

Supreme Fairy Wren, Pinjarra, WA

We attended the National Antique Tractor and Engine Rally at Fairbridge Village for all three days. It was a fairly well run rally with a good variety of machinery represented.
Fairbridge Village was where immigrant children were housed after they were brought to Australia from England during and after World War II, supposedly as orphans.

Chapel, Fairbridge Village, WA

Thrombolites, Lake Clifton, WA

After the rally we decided to stay at Pinjarra for another week or so. We had a drive to Waroona, Preston Beach and then to Lake Clifton where we saw 'thrombolites'. Thrombolites are called 'living rocks' as they are growing in the shallow water due to minerals in the water clinging together and forming rocks. The water level of the lake was fairly high due to recent rain so the thrombolites were all under water but could be seen from the viewing platform.

We also had a trip to Mandurah but weren't very impressed as it is just another example of a fast growing trendy city.

 

Huntley Bauxite Mine, Pinjarra, WA

The Huntley Bauxite Mine and Refinery trip is very interesting. Bauxite mining is different as bauxite is only about five metres deep, so large areas need to be cleared for the mining process and then regenerated after the bauxite is removed. This mine is, at the moment, the largest in Australia.