RAINBOW COAST, WESTERN AUSTRALIA - DENMARK, WALPOLE, ALBANY

RAINBOW COAST
JANUARY 2018

Its been at least 15 years since we have frequented the beaches of Denmark and WA's Rainbow Coast and since our return to Perth, we've questioned why it had taken so long for us to return. 

Parry Beach Breaks view from the villa

Denmark is approximately a 4.5 - 5 hour drive from Perth down the south-west highway. The drive alone through the Karri Forest Region is one of the prettiest, so there is no hurry to get to your destination. 

We rented a villa at Parry Beach Breaks. The three bedroom, self-contained villa was very comfortable. Situated between Walpole and Denmark, Parry Beach Breaks is a working farm and is close to Parry and Hillier Beaches.

Parry Beach Breaks is a working farm

There is plenty to do in the area. Whether it be lazing on the beach, visiting the Tingle Forest Valley of the Giants in the Walpole-Nornalup National Park, driving to Albany to see the blowholes, gap and natural bridge or just traversing the coast on one of the many walks.

We did the 6.2km walk from Lights Beach to the wind turbines. Part of the Bibbulmun Track, the walk offers stunning views of the coast. 

Greens Pool

Elephant Cove

Lights Beach 

Natural Bridge, Albany

TAPEKA DEL MAR, BAY OF ISLANDS NEW ZEALAND

TAPEKA DEL MAR
NEW ZEALAND
CHRISTMAS 2017

This is the second Christmas we have had at Tapeka Point. The first was in 2010 and we enjoyed our family holiday so much, we decided to do it again. It's just taken us this long to get the family all together!

Tapeka Point is just over the hill from Russell. A quaint little town showcasing some of New Zealand's oldest and most historic buildings. 

Located in the Bay of Islands, Tapeka Point is about a 4 hour drive north of Auckland and approximately 45 minutes from Whangarei. A vehicle ferry to and from Opua runs from 6am - 10.00pm and if you miss the last ferry, you can travel the scenic route to Russell.

We rented Tapeka Del Mar a fabulous, well appointed house on the waterfront. As we were a large group we also rented Tapeka Bach which shares the same expansive lawn right on the beach. Both houses offer kayaks, dinghys and Tapeka Del Mar has a mooring that can be used on request.

The Bay of Islands offers a smorgasbord of fresh produce such as BIG Snapper, green-lipped mussels, pippies and squid.




















Fortunately, we had a boat that we were able to fish the deeper waters from, however we caught squid from the dinghy near the local reef. I also caught an octopus, but let him go when escaped the bucket and scared me to death! We collected pippies at Long Beach at low tide and scavenged mussels off Black Rocks.

There are plenty of other things to do in and around Tapeka Point/Russell. There is a great walk just behind Tapeka Bach which gives breathtaking views of the bay and Islands. There is also a walk into Russell via Jims Walkway, up past Flagstaff Hill and the monument and then down to Russell through the bush. You could even catch a glimpse of a Kiwi if you are lucky.

Old Stone Store, Kerikeri
 

We did take a day trip to Kerikeri and the visited the Old Stone Store. And spent Christmas Eve at Oke Bay. A bit of a windy road to get there, but well worth the drive and climb up over the hill to the protected beach.



I would never tire of this kind of holiday. There is something to do for everyone and the vista is absolutely beautiful.