Mandurah - Hot and sunny - 29C -  Some warm weather at last!

We packed some lunch and headed off to explore a bit further afield.  We headed south to Lake Clifton to find out what thrombolites are.  They look like round rocks but they are actually living - see description below if you are interested.

Lake Clifton

What are Thrombolites?



Thrombolites

Next we headed across country to find Lake Navarino but we actually ended up a Waroona Weir which turned out to be much better. The countryside inland is very dry - they could do with some of the drenching rain that they have been having back in Queensland!  (Apparently there was another wild storm in Brisbane last night - Lucy had a huge tree blown down from their garden across the adjoining fence).

Waroona Weir

Waroona Weir is a huge lake with a sandy beach - perfect for families - ideal for kids to swim & play.  They even have an anchored pontoon offshore for the kids to swim to.  Grassed area next to the beach and shaded bbq areas with tables.  We spent some time here (no wind) and had our picnic lunch on the grass under a shady tree (I know that Jacqui would have loved the picnic!!)

Waroona Weir Pontoon

Waroona Weir BBQ area

We drove round to have a look at Lake Navarino but the water level was very low.  In fact the first area we went to was completely dry.  The picture below is taken from the dam wall - on the other side is a camping area but it so dry that there is only a very small creek.

Lake Navarino from the dam wall

The other side of the dam wall (camping area)

The laundromat in Waroona -
What a great name!

Next we went to Pinjarra - a small historical town.  Unfortunately most of the old buildings and museum  were closed as it was Sunday but we had afternoon tea at the historical tea house - macadamia & caramel tarts - yummy!




Historical Tea house behind beautiful old home - Pinjarra

 

The old School House



 

The Headmaster's House
(notice the rose garden)