Kalbarri to Monkey Mia - 20.06.2012 to 23.06.2012

Today's drive took us quite a distance from Kalbarri towards Shark Bay. We have recently been used to driving fairly short distances of late, something we are going to have to change as we venture up further and further North. Along the way we stopped at a sight called Shell Beach, which is approx 45 km's south east of Denham. Here millions of small white Coquina shells have accumulated over time and it is estimated that in some spots on this beach the shells are ten metres deep! The beach stretches for over 120km. All those shells, but the only thing I could do was take photos.

Shell beach stretching for miles

No sand here, just shells, shells and more shells

The shells

Heading towards the end of the afternoon and with today's drive taking us 350 km (give or take) saw us looking for a free camp along the way to Monkey Mia. There had been recent rain and roads to the free camps were supposedly closed in the wet. Not to be deterred, we turned down one of the roads (only a km to the beach) noting that the road was fairly dry and there was already another caravan set up for the night. There was a lovely couple (Simone and Warren) camping there with their two children (Tully and Bonny) who advised us that the road was supposedly closed but we made the decision to stay for the night (ooh what rebels we are) and ended up befriending the couple (also from Vic and closer to our age, which was such a nice change) and having our "beer O'clock" with them that night. Simone and Warren were also travelling up north and the next morning we exchanged contact details, hoping to catch up somewhere along the track.

The next morning we headed off to Monkey Mia. Stopping along the way at the Ocean Park Aquarium to get a little more education on the sea life in the area. Denham was next before heading to Monkey Mia, where we sampled the local bakery. Lunch completed we finally got to Monkey Mia, where we swiftly unhitched, had a quick look around and decided to go and enjoy the hot tub (full of natural artesian water about 40 degrees) at Francois Peron National Park out at a homestead that was once a working station. When we got there we found six Aussie Males, drinking beer, being obnoxious and roudy but we still ventured into the tub and the water was like hoping into a bath. Must say though they were a nice bunch of larrikans and we were told some great spots to go up north and over in NT when we get there. They even enticed a bunch of french backpackers into the tub and there would have been about 12 of us, making it cosy, friendly and quite an afternoon to remember. I am sure the french will not forget their visit either.

Crowey braves the water and the habitants (native WA Larrikans)

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It has always been one of my dreams as far back as when I was little to see the dolphins at Monkey Mia. Now lots of things have changed since the 70's & 80,s (before research discovered that feeding the dolphins, swimming with them and touching them were not actually good for them) now you only get to basically witness the dolphins coming in, swimming around until they are ready to approach the Marine staff for their feed of fish. A couple of lucky on-lookers will get chosen to feed one fish each to them (no I wasn't one of the lucky ones) otherwise you stand by the water's edge and watch. Which I must say I still loved doing, these creatures are forever amazing in my eyes, I got to be quite close and can now tick Monkey Mia and the dolphin's off my bucket list.  

Piccolo the dolphin

Nicky the Dolphin

On the way back happened to snap these pelicans which had come to shore to take a nap. Not perturbed by the public at all, they just sat there, bills neatly tucked along their back feathers, relaxed but still keeping an eye out.  

dont think for one minute I am not watching you..........

me neither!

I leave this entry with some snaps of Monkey Mia and of a beautiful sunset.

Local Emus come in looking for a feed when food levels are low

Even a Jelly fish can look interesting

Jetty at Monkey Mia

Geraldton to Kalbarri - 14.06.2012 to 20.06.2012

 Geraldton we both got this eery feeling of emptiness as soon as we came into the town and had a short look around. It is an industrial type of town with a big port and heaps of ships hanging around waiting to come in and get loaded. I think it was grain that was loaded into the ships. It was strange to see a pub closed down and all boarded up plus many empty shops in the central part of town and also 3 secondhand / pawnbroker shops close to each other so I wonder what the economy is going like there. We basically did a stock up, wash ed clothes, got laptop "fixed" again then we were out of there not looking back, infact Murph wasnt enthused once to get her camera out and take some snaps.

 Not looking back, we were finally out of Geraldton and set our sights for the town of Kalbarri. Kalbarri is a very tourist orientated town, much like the rest of WA's coast, however it does offer some great scenic delights. Turning off the North West Coast Highway at Northhampton we travelled through Port Gregory where they have the Pink Lake. The Pink Lake's pink hue is created by microscopic algae which becomes trapped in the salt granules. We were lucky to have a still calm day and the lake was displaying it's best deep pink colour. We stopped in Port Gregory and noticed a small crowd gathering on the jetty. In the water was the local sea life in the form of a stingray, which is always a treat to see when they are that close and with the water clear as glass.

Port Gregories Pink Lake

Ray hanging around jetty at Port Gregory

The Coastal Route into Kalbarri is quite spectacular with views of the coastal cliffs along the way, offering panoramic views, whales (way in the distance) and secluded beaches. The fracturing and decaying of the cliffs from the force of the ocean sculpt some rather dramatic rock formations.

Once Crowey and I had unhitched the caravan, we decided to check out where the locals go surfing. We were quite amazed at the bravado of the surfers, the waves came in on a rock flat. There really is no fear for the young, as there was no way I was going to jump on the boogey board over that rock. Give me sand anytime. The sun began to set and created some great shots with the surfers taking advantage of every inch of light to the end of the day.

Small break near shore (kids spot)

one more ride before the sunset

another day end

8 foot plus waves at the point



The next day we decided to explore Kalbarri National Park where the Murchison River runs amonst the gorges, where for a few million years it has carved through the Tumblagooda (no I didn't make that up) Sandstone. The day we went was a glorious 24 degrees and quite warm walking to and from each scenic area, but worth the view.

Jurien Bay (Sandy Point Reserve)

Heading north we came to Jurien Bay, which appeared to be a lovely little town, however the weather was not on our side and we decided to venture a little further (cheaper accomodation) to a place by the name of Sandy Point Reserve, where it cost us $15 for two nights. Mike and Alana stayed with us in this lovely little spot, close to the beach and thankfully out of the wind as well.

Never the type to let any weather get in our way, the four of us set off on a beach walk the next day. As you can see by the photos the weather was fairly threatening and wet (I know you Melbournians will have no sympathy) and at one stage we all had to take cover underneath the footbridge to escape horizontal rain!! We all laughed and felt like kids again, not perturbed by the rain at all and still enjoying every moment. The next couple of days were a little damp, we even got into playing cards and getting quite competitive with each other, those who know me, know that I play to win :-) and I believe Alana is a little the same.

A shower threatens in the distance as we set off

This shower was headed our way

Crowey takes cover under the foot bridge

Mike samples the local fresh water as the rain pours down

Dark clouds gone, sun is shining, off we go all in good spirits

After two nights here Crowey and I set off up the coastal road again and went through lots of towns including GreenHead, Leeman, Port Denison and Dongara. On the way past Dongara we stopped at a beach called Flat Rocks (lots of seashells here which has become a bit of an obsession for me, collecting and gathering different shells on our travels and driving Crowey nuts at times) where we learnt that the weather forecast was 120km winds and seven metre swell, needless to say we decided to head inland and ended up in a lovely National Park called Ellendale Pool. Here there was a lovely gorge and river (or pool) and at $5 a night, became our home for that day and night, quitely sheltered from the winds.

Perth to Cervantes 08.06.2012 to 10.06.2012

With all of our business complete in Perth we head off further north and end up in a place called Cervantes. Now this little town was not only a lovely seaside town but had quite a bit to offer in the way of tourist attractions. The first being "The Pinnacles". The Pinnacles Desert is where thousands of huge limestone pillars rise from the sand. The Pinnacles were created over time by natural processes that have combined to remove the surrounding material from ancient shells. The Shells were broken down into lime rich sands which were carried inland to form high mobiile dunes. And the result is a fantastic array of limestone structures that jut out from the surrounds. And of course a great photo opportunity for me.

Whilst visiting this area we heard of the stromatolites of Lake Thetis. There are only a few places in the world where living marine stromatolites are found. They are estimated to be over 3,370 years old and look just like lumpy old rocks lying on the lake's floor, but are living fossils that grow as the thin layer of bacterial on their surface deposit calcium, cementing sediment into bulbous structures. The day we saw these, the lake was as still and clear as glass and you could hear and see the bubbles on the surface created by these living fossils.

Back at the camp we also got to see another spectacle, Mike losing his hair. Going from our lovingly titled "Fuzzy Bro" to Mick the Skin (an old school nickname). You know between you and I, I am sure I could see Crowey looking longingly at all of that hair on the ground................

Before (fuzzy bro)

After (Mick the skin)

Perth and surrounds 30.05.2012 to 06.06.2012

Arriving in Perth we decided to situate ourselves in the lovely suburb of Fremantle (Freo to the locals). We would have bypassed Perth, however due to car service and also our Caravan requiring its first service we had to make Perth our home for a good week. As you know I lived in Perth for about 3 years but lived in the North and Fremantle is in the South of Perth, so all interesting for me too. We also took this time to visit Rockingham (south of Freo) and found a great snorkelling spot there, but the weather was not kind to us with days of sunshine, followed by rain and just for good measure a little wind. Crowey and I still made the most of it though doing the tourist thing, ferris wheel in Freo (yes we are kids at heart), fish and chips in Rockingham with a beautiful sunset to finish one of our days. All in all Perth ended up being a great time for us, but time to start heading north and getting some of that sunshine back.

What Adult could resist this???

Crowey contemplates the world as the Merry Go Round heads for the top

The skyline of Perth City

A snorkelling place discovered in Rockingham

Murph by a big ball (good shot Crowey!)

Rockingham puts on a nice Sunset

Murph has a new toy

After all of Murphs tinkering on my ukulele she has now bought herself a nice one when we were getting car serviced in Perth thur 31 June. She is as happy as a pig in mud.  I just wish you could download videos on here (might have to take a secret video of her and post it on youtube then I can send the link lol) she would kill me of course. Now its time to get "Somewhere over the rainbow" perfected.

A happy camper with her new toy