Perth - Nambung NP (Pinnacles) - Geraldton - Kalbarri NP - Francois Peron NP
-
Cape Range NP (Ningaloo Reef) - Tom Price - Karijini NP - 80 Mile Beach -
Broome
After 2 busy days in Perth, we headed north on day 156 to Cervantes, the
gateway to Nambung NP (Pinnacles). Spent all morning of day 157 in and around
those bizarre yellow limestone pillars, some only a few centimetres high,
others towering up to 5m. As we are still searching for sun and warmth, we headed
north again in the afternoon to Port Denison, where we spent a few hours
fishing and enjoyed a beautiful sunset.
The next day took us to Kalbarri and Kalbarri NP. It was school holidays and
every man and his dog must have been in town. Lucky enough we found an
excellent campsite overlooking the Murchison River and spent days 158-160 climbing
around the beautiful gorges of the National Park. Finally the sun has come
out and we are able to air shorts and shirts and switch from tea and port to
beer and icecream.
Day 161 and we are on our way to Shark Bay. Stopped on the way to have a
look at the Stromatolites in Hamelin Pool ( apparently those organism have been
existing for 1900 million years) and Shell Beach, which is 110km long and up
to 10m deep in solid shells. The shells are so tightly packed in places, they
are being cut up and used for buildings.
Drove into Denham on day 162 to fill up the car and buy some groceries and
than on to Francois Peron NP, where we spent the next 3 days. Francois Peron
NP, where the Outback meets the Ocean, has a dramatic red-cliff coastline,
snowwhite beaches and landlocked salt pans. Had great fun running around mixing
red and white sand and let the tide clean up our mess overnight, ready for
the next day.
Carnarvon, "the suns winter home" was our next stop and the rain came down
in buckets.
Must have been the suns day off!!!
Filled up our supplies and bought fruit straight from the farmer and set off
towards Coral Bay, which is far more touristy than 7 years ago. So we only
stopped for lunch and followed a coastal 4WD track to Bruboodjoo Point, part
of a sheep station. This coastline is part of Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, a
coral reef like the Great Barrier Reef, but much easier accessible. You just
have to get into the water (which at the current temperatures is the most
difficult part) and swim out 20-50m and there it is. And because it hasn't been
abused as much yet, we thought this reef was more colourful than the QLD version
and brimming with fish, rays and turtles. So we spent the next 3 days here,
away from civilisation, camped right on the beach - life couldn't get much
better.
Day 168 and it is time to move, as we need more ice and water, at times like
this I wish we had one of those big car fridges, which would enable us to
stay much longer, but we can't have everything!!!!
So we crossed Yardie Creek (not flowing at all) and into Cape Range NP.
After we had sorted the water and ice business, we found most campsites within
the NP were completly booked out and opted for Boat Harbour, a camp away from
the crowds and what a good choice it was. Right in front of us was tourquoise
water and the best part of the reef we have seen. So we Spent the next 3 days
more wet than dry, snorkeling and swimming.
Left out little paradise on day 170 and drove towards Exmouth, the northern
end of the reef, stopping frequently to snorkel and swim along the way.
Made our way into Tom Price (day 171), a mining town in the heart of the
Pilbara, and had finally access to a phone and washing machine. Was about time,
as most of our clothes and towels were soooo salty, they stood up by
themselves.
After a little bit of shopping we made our way into Karijini NP. The gorges
of Karijini are spectacular in their sheer rocky faces and varied colours of
red. There are some great swimming holes, although the water was icy cold.
We spent a lot of time during the next 5 days exploring those gorges by foot
and on airmatresses.
Day 176 and we are on our way to Port Hedland, where we will drop of Bernie,
who will catch a bus to Darwin and fly home.
We will spent the next week (days 178-184) on glorious 80 Mile Beach soaking
up the sun before heading to Broome.
Love
Diana & Stefan
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