Murph and Crowey: 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.