Back on the road this time turning roughly in an eastern direction towards the next major centre of Esperance. Since I don't like to travel long distances where I can avoid it and also wanted to soak up some time, I needed three way points. I chose Greens Range, Pallinup River and Fitzgerald River Highway Rest Areas. As it transpired, three places vindicated a belief that there is much to be found at some of these seemingly barren gravel surfaced parking areas if one explores the surroundings.
Greens Range Rest Area could have been easily missed, just a lay-by behind some bushes that lined the roadway. However, on arriving I noticed that there were a few nice wildflowers around. So, after securing a site, I went for a stroll in the nearby bush where an abundant array of beautiful plants were to be found.
Next up and a mere 80 kms up the road was Pallinup River Rest Area, an expansive space beside a large trestle bridge and plenty of surrounding bushland. The watercourse is in fact one of the longest rivers in the region at 160 kms. The local Noongar people also know the river as the Mara River and it is regarded as a place of historical importance as the Noongar have camped, fished and traded along the banks of the river for generations. Hence the plaque bearing that name near the bridge. The river was flowing which as I found out is not always the case. This is because it is ephemeral, meaning that is not permanent and ebbs and flows subject to the degree of precipitation and evaporation. As a consequence, the water in the river is considered to be saline and explains why the river was also known as the Salt River. Salinity levels can vary from 3% when the river is flowing to over 50% in pools formed during summer months. As with Greens Range a walk in the bush unearthed many more striking, flowering, plants.
Finally, Fitzgerald River Rest Area with, you may have guessed, acres of productive bushland to explore. A special treat for me was a visit from a very big Kangaroo Mum and her Joey who did not seemed too concerned to have humans around and stayed close by for quite a while.
