There are many inlets along the Rainbow Coast. The Inlets are very beautiful, and each quite distinct. In some, the waters are calm, others are filled with waterbirds including black swans and pelicans.
They vary in size and volume, but all of the inlets support a vast variety of birds, reptiles and water creatures. They are a vital part of the ecosystem and deserve to be cared for. The inlets along the coast are either always open, in the case of the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets which are connected together by a natural deep channel. Others, are closed throughout the year, meaning that a sand-bar develops over the mouth of the inlet allowing it to fill from the surrounding cachment.
The Wilson Inlet
The Wilson Inlet is fed from the Denmark and Hay Rivers and is less than 1km south of town. This majestic water is divided from the ocean by a sandbar which covers the opening much of the year. Visit the Wilson Inlet.
Walpole Inlet Filled by the Frankland River, the dark waters of the Walpole Inlet empty into the Nornalup Inlet through the Channels. Visit the Walpole Inlet.
Nornalup Inlet The Nornalup Inlet is serene. Fed from the Deep and Frankland Rivers and, via a natural deep water channel, it connects to the Walpole Inlet. Visit Nornalup Inlet.
In the case of the Wilson Inlet, the sandbar at Ocean Beach is artificially breached (by a digger) allowing the Inlet to discharge into the great southern ocean (and preventing nearby lands from flooding). Most of the other Inlets are left to breach the sandbar themselves once the water levels are high enough. We find the Inlets to be quite tranquil, peaceful and relaxing places to spend an afternoon exploring.
Wilson Inlet from Ocean Beach just after the sandbar opening in 2008
Kayaking on the Wilson Inlet
Pelicans feeding on the Wilson Inlet
Rainbow over the Wilson Inlet
Torbay Inlet, Torbay
Walpole and Nornalup Inlet Channel
Taylor Inlet Pelicans
Bushbooks:
We found these Bush Books an invaluable resource for exploring the
area and finding out more detail on the beauty of our National Parks.
"Bush Books currently cover 21 titles. The success of the Bush
Books series not only reflects the enormous interest in this tremendous
diversity, it also shows that people are genuine in their efforts
to support conservation measures." Bush Books cost $5.95 and
are available from booksellers, tourist outlets, newsagents, CALM
offices and through CALM's website, NatureBase at www.naturebase.net
The Rainbow Coast is a national biosphere area and deserves our care and respect, please reduce your environmental impact when visiting the coast. Your safety while visiting the Rainbow Coast is your responsibility. Website photographs are copyright protected and are editorial in nature and are not for sale and may NOT be used without written permission. Maps coded using technology from Google. Videos are intended for educational & documentary purposes and are streamed by YouTube. Website Design and photography by our family of five living in Denmark WA, in the heart of the Rainbow Coast. This website is for informational purposes only and is a travelogue, weblog and a resource for visitors to the South Coast of WA: Albany, Denmark & Walpole. Contact Us - Advertise - Visit the Denmark Wine Region - Going NORTH, try Fremantle
