In the Golden Outback

It took me a good 20 minutes on foot to reach the famed blowholes at Torndirrup National Park.

I was actually wondering if the trek was worth the effort when the huge swoosh of air and deep rumbling bellow emerging from the rocks below took me by surprise.

A result of strong ocean waves forcing air out through splits in these rocks, the spectacle was one of the most intriguing natural phenomena I'd ever witnessed.

I was in the middle of a long road trip to explore the wonders of The Great Southern and Golden Outback. My stop at the national park was just about the halfway point and there was still so much more to discover.

After all, there are also other fascinating natural wonders situated along the drive from Albany to Walpole. The Gap and Natural Bridge, for instance, are geological features formed over hundreds of years ago from ocean erosion, which left a large gap in one rock face and carved out a natural arch in the other.

Foodie's paradise

My adventure started in Perth, an emerging food and wine destination for self-professed gastronomes.

True to its reputation as a foodie's paradise, I found the most charming farmer's markets scattered all over the city.

I snacked my way through local delicacies, buying bags of the freshest produce possible, from fresh fruit and vegetables to seafood, bread, honey and preserves.

In the evenings, I indulged in Perth's best eateries, tasting locally crafted wines in elegant restaurants located in the heart of the city, or feasting on fish and chips while watching the sunset on the beach.

Some of the new restaurants include Brika, Bib & Tucker, Cott & Co and Bread In Common, while more established ones include The Trustee, The Print Hall and The Heritage.

I enjoyed a buffet of the most scrumptious delicacies there. If you are heading there in the next few months, be sure to check out two of Western Australia's most tempting food events: Truffle Kerfuffle from June 27 to 29 and Margaret River Gourmet Escape from Nov 21 to 23.

Valley of the Giants

Driving down from Perth along the coast was a visual treat. The weather was perfect, with clear blue skies mirrored by a glittering ocean floor flanked by wide expanses of wild green forests.

My next stop was Walpole-Nornalup National Park, home of The Valley of the Giants, given the nickname for its magnificent tree population.

Called tingle trees, these are some of the tallest in the world and some have been standing for over 400 years.

The highlight, however, was a treetop walk located in the Walpole Wilderness Area. This was a nature trail built to a height of 40m into the forest canopy. This 600m trail is the first of its kind that is designed to afford impressive bird's eye views of Western Australia's majestic tingle trees.

Other national parks in the nearby vicinity include William Bay and the aforementioned Torndirrup National Park. While Walpole provides a lovely escape into lush greenery, these two parks afford gorgeous views of the surrounding coast and ocean.

Australian Outback

Next, I headed north-east to the famed Wave Rock in Hyden, along the wheat belt of Australia.

When I finally witnessed the awesome natural formation that is over 2,700 million years old, all I could say was "wow", repeatedly.

Rising 15m above the outback plains and measuring 100m in length, this natural wonder is like a giant surf wave of multicoloured granite that was frozen in time, just when it was about to crash.

I also explored the surrounding walking trails, which provide access to a collection of over 450 ancient rock paintings on the walls of the Mulka Cave that recounts a native Aboriginal legend.

Finally, located just 1.5 km away from the Wave Rock is the Natural Salt Pond - the last stop in my great Western Australian road trip. Formed by the intersection of six salt rivers, its high salt content is said to be six times more than that of the sea. That explained why I could only float on its surface when I tried to swim.

The next morning, I drove back up to Perth before returning home. The region's wealth of scenic treasures and natural beauty, coupled with its burgeoning restaurant scene, made for a lovely holiday.

I just wish that I had more time.

This article was first published on June 1, 2014.
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