Cape Bridgewater :: Day 2B :: Tarragal Caves, Bridgewater Lakes, Point Danger Australian Gannets and Cape Nelson Lighthouse
When we were
researching on places to visit, I stumbled on a photo of Tarragal Caves. It uncannily
resembled the cave I dreamt of a few weeks before. Thus, it was a place that I must to visit.
As we pulled up to the car park at the limestone caves, it came as a surprise as we were not expecting it. It was located at a higher altitude than the one in my dreams. Situated opposite the road to Bridgewater Lakes, a steep 50 metre climb to the caves offered an excellent view across Discovery Bay. The caves hosted much wildlife, such as birds, and insects (I am sure there were snakes that were hiding by the mouth of the cave), despite not being a very deep cave. There were other caves adjacent to this one that we were not overly comfortable to explore. Perhaps it was the rustle in the bushes as we were walking towards them. Either that, it was something sacred that no one dares to mention.
As we pulled up to the car park at the limestone caves, it came as a surprise as we were not expecting it. It was located at a higher altitude than the one in my dreams. Situated opposite the road to Bridgewater Lakes, a steep 50 metre climb to the caves offered an excellent view across Discovery Bay. The caves hosted much wildlife, such as birds, and insects (I am sure there were snakes that were hiding by the mouth of the cave), despite not being a very deep cave. There were other caves adjacent to this one that we were not overly comfortable to explore. Perhaps it was the rustle in the bushes as we were walking towards them. Either that, it was something sacred that no one dares to mention.
Bridgewater Lakes was very quiet and calm. The children
wanted to swim in the dark blue mirrored water but it was definitely too cold to do so. This is a popular
recreational area for fishing, canoeing and water-skiing. It would definitely be a place to come to during the warmer months but I suspect that it would be not as peaceful then.
We drove to Portland and visited the Visitor Centre. Port of Portland is Victoria's only naturally deep-water port. Thus it plays and important role in connecting Australia to the world.
The visitor guides recommended for us to visit the only mainland colony of Australasian gannets. We were not disappointed. We could hear them before we saw them. Like a top of Friar Tuck’s head, the colony was surrounded by an electric fence. The fence was to prevent dogs, cats and foxes from the harming the colony. Our volunteer, Malcolm, all the way from Somerset, UK, sat us down and briefed us about the birds and their characteristics before letting us through the electric fence and gate. He even showed us a gannet egg. The birds were only about 2 meters away. With wingspans of about 1.5meters, they magnificently swooped over us before landing on their nests. Malcolm had set up a telescope observing an adorable white fluffy chick. There was a stool for the children to step up to gain a better view through the view finder.
The visitor guides recommended for us to visit the only mainland colony of Australasian gannets. We were not disappointed. We could hear them before we saw them. Like a top of Friar Tuck’s head, the colony was surrounded by an electric fence. The fence was to prevent dogs, cats and foxes from the harming the colony. Our volunteer, Malcolm, all the way from Somerset, UK, sat us down and briefed us about the birds and their characteristics before letting us through the electric fence and gate. He even showed us a gannet egg. The birds were only about 2 meters away. With wingspans of about 1.5meters, they magnificently swooped over us before landing on their nests. Malcolm had set up a telescope observing an adorable white fluffy chick. There was a stool for the children to step up to gain a better view through the view finder.
Cape Nelson Lighthouse felt very cold and remote place. The café
there was closed down and it was a place to warm up with a hot drink. Even the toilets were
closed. Although it was the summer holidays, there were only a couple of
families. There were two cottages for rent that would suit those who enjoy the sounds
of the wind and sea and to read and meditate.
After dinner, we tried our luck in spotting a seal or two and
walked to the jetty again on Seal Walk. None were sighted. .
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