South Coast - Perth and West Coast Australia - page 342

ALBANY TO ESPERANCE ALTERNATIVES

The rural 480km of South Coast Hwy (Rte 1) between Albany and Esperance is a relatively unpopulated stretch.
Break up the first leg by taking the Albany Hwy (Rte 30) to Mt Barker, and then head east to Porongurup. Then
travel north through the Stirling Ranges, and turn east again through Ongerup, and rejoin the highway at Jerra-
mungup. This route adds 57km to the trip.
At Ongerup, the Yongergnow Malleefowl Centre ( 08-9828 2325; www.yongergnow.com.au ; adult/child
$6/3; 10am-4pm Sat-Mon, Wed & Thu) is devoted to the conservation of a curious endangered bird that cre-
ates huge mounds to incubate its chicks.
Near Jerramungup is Fitzgerald River National Park - base yourself at Hopetoun or Bremer Bay. Note that
Bremer Bay is best reached by taking the South Coast Hwy from Albany.

TOP OF CHAPTER

Mt Barker
POP 1770
Mt Barker (50km north of Albany) is the gateway to the Porongurup and Stirling Range
National Parks. It's also the hub for the local wine industry, and Plantagenet Wines
( www.plantagenetwines.com ; Albany Hwy; 10am-4.30pm) is conveniently situated in town. Pick up
the Mt Barker Wineries map from the town's visitor centre ( 08-9851 1163;
www.mountbarkertourismwa.com.au ; Albany Hwy, Railway Station) , located in the railway station. See
www.mountbarkerwine.com.au .
The town has been settled since the 1830s; the 1868 convict-built police station and
gaol are preserved as a museum (Albany Hwy; adult/child $5/free; 10am-3pm Sat & Sun) .
See all 78 types and 24 subtypes of Australia's Banksia plant at the Banksia Farm (
08-9851 1770; www.banksiafarm.com.au ; Pearce Rd; admission $11; 9.30am-4.30pm Mon-Fri Mar-Jun, daily Aug-
Nov) ; admission includes an introductory talk. Also on offer are a fully guided tour ($25),
morning and afternoon tea, and comfortable B&B accommodation (singles/doubles from
$95/150).
It's well worth heading up Mt Barker itself, 5km south of town, for excellent views of the
neighbouring ranges. Southwest of Mt Barker, on the rolling grounds of the Egerton-War-
burton estate, is the exquisitely photogenic St Werburgh's Chapel , built between 1872 and
1873. The wrought-iron chancel screen and altar rail were shaped on the property.
A surprising sight is the authentic Mongolian yurt (felt tent) and gallery of eclectic
Mongolian and Chinese art in the grounds of Nomads Guest House (

08-9851 2131;