Friday 25th October - after packing up our camper in Coral bay, we decided to walk up the beach to the shark breeding area and see how many we could find in the water - but something must have been wrong because there were none there - but the views from the shallows were nice anyway.
Continued down the coast to Carnarvon, arriving just in time for lunch. Stopped in at the info centre and got a fist-load of brochures of things to do in the next few days. Decided to head 75km's north to the Blowholes and Point Quobba where there were some great campsites right on the beach, and a small protected bay for snorkelling and some coral reefs. Stopped in at the Blowholes,
and these put Kiama to shame - lots of holes in the rocks where the water shoots out, and the water went up to 20 metres in the air.
Then drove 1km south to Point Quobba and found a spot just behind a small sand-dune where we set-up and could watch the sunset.And all this for only $5.50 per night.
Saturday 26th - after a windy and cool night with a bit of rain (yes James and Amy, we have had some bad weather too!!!!), we woke to more wind in the morning, so decided to drive up the coast to the HMAS Sydney II memorial where 645 sailors died when the boat was sunk trying to chase a German ship in WW2. Then back to the lighthouse on the point, and then back to camp where the wind was starting to die down a bit. Di did a drawing, while I pottered around a bit. Then I decided to go for a snorkel in the protected bay
while Di watched from the shore. Met up with Chris and Mandy (from Fitzroy Crossing) and had a chat. After dinner we noticed some crabs slinking around our campsite in the darkness, but no toes were lost.
Windy again tonight but not as bad as the previous night.
Sunday 27th - after packing, we chatted to Chris and Mandy before we both went in for another snorkel, chasing fish around the coral reef. A quick shower from the camper, and then drove back to Carnarvon where we booked into a caravan park. Then we went exploring around town, stopping at Chinaman's Pool, then out to the jetty and lighthouse where we went through the 2 museums, and then down to Pelican Point where people were kitesurfing. Got some afternoon tea from Woolies in town, and back to the camper for afternoon tea and dinner, before watching a Paul Kelly special on Ch2 in the park TV room.
Monday 28th - left Carnarvon and made our way to Denham. Stopped in at Hamelin Pool Telegraph Station where we saw the stromatolites (one of the earliest life-forms on earth).
Had lunch under a shelter, and then drove to the Denham info centre. Took advantage of the pay 2, stay 3 nights at the carvan park, and then went for a walk around town. Very few places open so back to camp for a coffee. Another windy night listening to the canvas flap around.
Tuesday 29th - up early to go out Monkey Mia for the dolphin interaction (feeding). Paid our reserve entry fee and waited on the boardwalk until 8.00am for the show to start. Lots of info about the dolphins, and finally the buckets of fish come down to the shore. The volunteers choose people to hold a fish out for the 4 selcted dolphins to chomp on.
Once finished, we went up to the resort for a massive buffet breakfast ($15 per head), and then went back to the beach for the 2nd interaction, where Di got selected to feed a dolphin.
Went for a swim in the super-salty water, and then relaxed under the shade of the palm trees before lunch, and another swim, this time in the resort pool. Watched as the emus walked around the resort.
Back to Denham for a coffee and chat to our neighbours Debra and Keith.
Wednesday 30th - clothes washing day, so once this chore was done, we drove about 8km's out of town to Ocean Park aquarium. Did a guided tour of the tanks, both inside and outside, and saw lots of different fish including a tusk-fish, shovel-nose sharks, lionfish,
stonefish, rock lobsters, and a loggerhead turtle that had lost a flipper. But the shark tank was the best, with several types of sharks, up to over 3 metres long
- they didn't bother chasing the other fish, as they were simply too slow to catch them. We had a drink in the cafe which overlooked the ocean - the amount of sharks and stingrays you could see out in the shallow water deterred us from an afternoon swim.
Thursday 31st - we left Denham and headed north to Francios Peron NP, where we planned to stay the night camped on the beach. Stopped in at Peron homestead and had a walk around the old sheep station, and through the shearing shed and workers quarters.
After letting tyres down, we drove along the sandy track towards the campsite, but the first really sandy section saw us sink down into the sand and we were bogged. More air out of the tyres, and a bit of shovelling under the rear diff, press the 2 magic buttons, and we were underway again. Finally got to Cape Peron, and the views were amazing, with rich red cliffs, white sand and the turquoise waters
- could see lots of sharks, stingrays and turtles out in the water too. Then around to Skipjack Point, where the views and sights were equally as good.
We thought about staying at Bottle Bay, but the wind was too strong, so we went into Gregories campsite which seemed a bit better. We had a swim, and then washed off, before walking around to the point, where armed with a screwdriver, we prised open several oysters for Di to have a feast. An early dinner and in bed by 7.15pm as the wind had picked up again.
Friday 1st - still windy, so we breakfasted, packed and were on our way early. Stopped in at Herald Bight on the way out, and nearly got bogged again in the very soft sand. This looked a nicer spot to stay, but the wind was equally as bad. Out through the NP, and then back out to the main highway, after stopping in at Eagle Bluff to walk along the boardwalk overlooking the small bay with more sea life swimming in the water below, and then to shell beach where the shells are up to 8 metres deep. Once on the North West Coastal highway, we continued south, stopping in at Overlander Roadhouse for lunch, and then arriving at the Murchison River rest area to camp for the night - a lovely spot beside the river and away from the highway.
Saturday 2nd - left early (in the car by 7am) and drove to Kalbarri NP, where we stopped in at Hawks Head lookout,
and then Ross Graham lookout and did the walk down to the river at the bottom of the gorge.
From here we drove further to the Natures Window
where we did a walk to see the view,
and then to Z Bend for another walk to the lookout again.
Then drove the short distance into Kalbarri to the info centre, and then lunch at a cafe. After lunch, we went to the bird sanctuary and walked amongst the parrots and other birds.
Then to the caravan park where we had a jump on the jumping pillow (the lady in the office said we could), before dinner in the camp kitchen.
Plan is to spend Melb Cup day at Geraldton racecourse, get the Triton serviced on the 7th, and then continue our journey south towards Perth, meeting up with Di's brother in mid-Dec for a few days.
More to come soon.
Di and Hammo
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