Deathly beauty in Southern Western Australia

It's winter time, tourist numbers are low, and the Southern ocean is at it's most ferocious. Blasting it's way onto the rocky cliffs, Antarctic winds have defined this place I call home. With wind gusts forecast in excess of 100km/hr, there was only one thing for it today. We jumped in the car and journeyed out to 'The Gap' so I could share with the Steemit community one of the reasons I love this corner of the World.

A dangerous but exceptional beauty in Southern Western Australia, the Torndirrup National Park wakes your senses and leaves you in wonder at nature's incredible power. 'The Gap' is a channel cut into the cliffs from the massive swells that pound the granite coastline here. With great velocity the ocean is forced into the 'gap' resulting in explosive waves against the cliff face, sending ocean spray as far as the carpark. When we arrived today I thought it was raining as we quickly buttoned up jackets, but looking up it was all blue sky.

Known for freak waves, this coastline has seen a number of drownings almost yearly, the latest casualty a 30 year old tourist washed from the rocks while fishing in April this year. Once swept into the ocean chances of survival are incredibly slim, even the best swimmers would struggle to stay buoyant in the aerated foamy surf. Every effort is made to warn people of the dangers, but sensible, we humans are not (where is the fun in that!).

Following the wave soaked pathway takes you to a fancy new $6.1 million platform. Now you can stand 40metres directly above The Gap, and look through the platform to the white wash below.

I cannot leave my story here. Only ten metres in the other direction is another impressive rock formation called 'The Natural Bridge'. Giant granite boulders suspended in the air, likely to collapse eventually. Before fear of litigation gripped our councils people would clamber down to the sloping rocks beneath the bridge on a calm day. My family used to explore this area when I was very young...not something I would do with my own children that's for sure!

Thanks for reading all the way to the end!