The Super Pit produces up to 850,000 ounces of gold every year and is the biggest gold open pit mine in Australia and the 3rd largest gold producer in the world. The current dimensions of the pit are approximately 3.5 kilometres long, 1.5 kilometres wide and 370 metres deep...approximately the sane dimensions as Ayers Rock. Quite and extraordinary sight – particularly when you see the very large mining trucks, which have a load capacity of 218 tonnes, are dwarfed by the overall size of the pit.
The face of Wave Rock appears ready to crash onto a beach...a very interesting rock formation. Another interesting rock formation is Hippo’s Yawn. The colours of the Wave are caused by the rain washing chemical deposits down the face, forming vertical stripes of greys reds and yellows. Wave Rock is around 14 metres high and 110m long.
The Princess Royal Fortress was opened in 1893 as the first federal defence of Australia. In 1956, coastal defences like the Princess Royal Fortress were decommissioned. The fort now has restored shore batteries, armouries, barracks, the 10th Light Horse display, trails and a collection of naval guns and torpedoes. The fort is also home to the SE Asia Memorial, US Submariners Memorial and Merchant Navy Memorial. A fascinating place to visit with historical significance.
King George Sound is a spectacular harbour. This large bay has beautiful white sandy beaches, cliffs and granite outcrops and offers excellent whale watching during the months of May through early October. King George Sound is also a popular dive location. There are several interesting shipwrecks to explore including the former Australian navy warship HMAS Perth, former guided missile destroyer, which was scuttled and now sits on the bottom of King George Sound. Unfortunately I did not get time to do this activity.
Located near Walpole, Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk is clearly a very popular tourist destination. The structure is 600 metres long and rises 40 metres above the forest floor. The walk presents awesome views over the forest of 400 year old red tingle trees known as the Valley of the Giants.
Another great place to visit and do some nature walks and take in the beauty of the park. If you are lucky, you may even see kangaroos, possums and wallabies.
The historic Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is situated at the most south westerly tip of Australia, standing at the point where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet crashing against the Cape. From this point, the next land mass is the Southern Polar Cap, which is approximately 5,400 kls away.
