Naturally Northcliffe

Locals!

We reluctantly dragged ourselves away from Augusta and headed east towards our destination of Denmark, but on the way we decided to stop overnight in Northcliffe. In our trusty little Beautiful South book we could only see one CP in Northcliffe – called the AroundTu-it CP. Well, folks, it was very different. For a start, when we followed the signage, we thought we had made a mistake and taken a wrong turn as the road seemed to be just heading bush. We duly arrived however at a very bushy caravan park set right in the Karri forest. The location was quite beautiful, but mine host and wife were a sour couple. Mind you, things didn’t look that rosy for our hosts and when we arrived he was carting water to the animals as they haven’t had any rain for some considerable time. This would be most unusual in this area and I dare say they are just not geared up for dry weather. There must also be an over-riding fear of bush fire all the time as the forest in tinder dry and in those steep hills and giant trees it would just be disastrous if a fire did get out of control there. They had some considerable number of Alpacas on the property along with an abundance of roos. It seems that they rehabilitate wounded wild-life to the bush and release the critters in the surrounding areas. We expected to be visited by one of the possums who had been released in this manner, but were disappointed. In fact, considering the location we saw very little in the way of bush animals and birds (apart that is from the roos and a few wily maggies and 28s). The park and its general demeanour had us thinking that this couple had started out with grand ideas, as most of us do, and time and experience had simply knocked the stuffing out of them. We could see the remains of old signs advertising burgers and all sorts of other stuff that it seemed had been tried and failed. They obviously need more trade, but have forgotten to smile at folk so the word of mouth is probably not working for them anymore. Of course, it is said of Northcliffe that it is ‘Banjo-Pickin’ country, in the same ilk as Deliverance, so perhaps there was more to the problem than met the eye!!


The surrounding areas are stunningly beautiful and the coast is not far away so there is plenty to do there. They charge $14 per head per night and the park is dog friendly.