Wild Flora Sneak Preview

Artist Margaret Packam-Leavesley from Loaring Place in Margaret River, gave us a sneak preview of her cow today. Her cow will join all the others in the magnificent Cow Parade later this year. Wild Flora has been sensitively painted with some of the more spectacular native flowers that grow wild on the Wildflower Ridge. All the blocks of land around Loaring Place form the southern end of the Wildflower Ridge, so named because of the diverse wildflowers found on the ridge.

Travellers going through the domestic airport will soon be able to admire all the flowers painted on the cow by Margaret.

Meekadarabee Falls, Ellensbrook Homestead

There is a 30 minute walk to two grottos along the Ellenbrook River at the Ellenbrook Homestead.  The bush is absolutely beautiful and the grottos quite enchanting.



Beginning of the walk with the homestead in the background.

Ellenbrook Homestead mulberries

The old Ellenbrook Homestead (1840) has a huge mulberry tree in its gorgeous grounds that was full of luscious fruit, but reminders were left on fingers and clothes.

Saskia in Margaret River

Casey, Dirk and Saskia (27/12/09)

Kangaroos on the lawn

A kangaroo family dropped by this morning for a feed and a drink. Their joey was in the bushes to the right and was too shy to come out. The big male had quite a long drink. They would really like to get to the grape vines but I have bird wire all around them now so they are protected. We have 4 bird baths around the house that are used all the time by the fly catchers and honey eaters that are in the forest.

Christmas Leek Orchid

Joanna went horse riding at the Nicols in Karridale with Terry while I went for a walk in the bush. Discovered a leek orchid called the Christmas Leek Orchid, Praesophyllum brownii (it was first collected by Robert Brown in Albany in December 1801).

Joanna and Terry returning from a horse ride around the blue gum plantation.  The leek orchid was down in that creek line to the right.

The perfect getaway in WA!

We arrived in the afternoon to a beautiful house tucked away amidst forest and wildflowers. And then it only got better. Dirk and Pam, our hosts, and now our new friends, were right there to greet us with warm smiles, tea with homemade muffins and lots of sightseeing suggestions.
There are 4 rooms in this B&B, and they are all alike - very comfortable and nicely appointed, with luxurious baths. The beds are particularly comfy and it was difficult to get out of bed in the morning. Except that a gourment breakfast awaited us. Eggs and bacon, or sausage, toast, etc. made to order. I recommend the mushroom omelet - superb!
We felt quite at home and were very sorry to leave after 4 blissful nights. This was the perfect compliment to the Margaret River region, where there is so much to see and do and you can come home to nice people, a fire is it's chilly and a great night's sleep.
Thank you Pam and Dirk. We hope to return soon.

thekidtraveler, Chennai, Tripadvisor, Oct 14, 2009

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• Date of stay October 2009