Part 9
12th of September 2021
We left Carnarvon early for the drive to Quobba Station. Our first stop for the day way, the obligatory photo at the famous King Waves Kill sign. Then over to the Point Quobba blowholes, for a bit of action before onwards to Quobba station to get set up.
Today we got lucky, as we scored a beautiful Caravan sight on the cliff looking right out to sea. As we just set up and made a cup of tea, Peter looked up to see the best whale action, not that far out! It was amazing, as it was a couple of whales going crazy, slapping the water with their tales. As we only had a few days here, and we don’t sit around for long, we went off for a drive to check out Red Bluff and Gnaraloo 3 mile camp. This ended up quite a big day, as it’s a fair four wheel drive to both places. Red Bluff is pretty much a surf camp, the surf was pretty good while we where there. We did prefer Gnaraloo, as there is surf but also a nice snorkelling bay too. John Doherty has always raved about Gnaraloo, so it was good to visit. As it seems here in Western Australia, today was windy as usual, not ideal for snorkelling. ( the girl serving in the shop at Gnaraloo was from Mornington, a friend of Peters daughter – small world)
13th of September 2021
This morning we walked over to the station for a shower and a walk back along the beach. We had a really nice quiet morning, walking along a beautiful part of the world, thinking about Ethel.
Today was a very quiet sad day, as we watched the video link to Peters Mum, Ethel’s funeral today.
14th of September 2021
Peter had a tip today, to go to Cape Cuvier for the best fishing spot, his mate Jimbo had been to In Western Australia! Big call, so off we went in search of that spot! Firstly it’s a while since he was over this way. The main road to Cape Cuvier, is now a private Salt mining road. The track beside the road is a four wheel drive track, so off we went down that track. Very overgrown, hearing the car being scratched, and doesn’t feel great either! We made it to the cliffs of Cape Cuvier seeing Whales again not far out, so that was great! Then off we went down the track onto the beautiful beach, we are the only car here on a gorgeous sunny day. When just on the beach we got bogged!!!!! Luckily for us we got out of the situation quite quickly and calmly, both of us digging the soft sand out. Phew so off we went back onto the track. Then we found another track to another beach, which was nice, so we stopped here and had a BBQ lunch. When Peter asked where his phone was, after this we spent the next four hours trying to locate it. ????? Lost not our best day for sure. And no fishing! (Peter went to for a pee along the beach, did the phone fall out of his shorts? Or did the phone fall out of the car, when we deflated the tyres?? ) we will never know!!
Definitely not our favourite day! Thank you to Nick who tried hard to track the phone, sending through photos of where it should of been found.
15th of September
We left our beautiful spot at Quobba, for Wooramel Station for three nights. Our first stop a memorial near Quobba to the HMAS Sydney 11.
Then out next stop was the Point Quobba Aquarium, which was so nice. So many different varieties of colourful fish, you could see from the rocks above. Another place we wished we had known about! There is a really good camp site right beside here too. Driving through the camp area, a young guy on a bike called out to us “hey you been bogged again lately?” He was the guy we met on 14 Mile beach, that told us it would be ok to turn on the beach. So a bit of a chat, he’s with his kids while his wife is nursing up the coast. Living his best life!
Wooramel Station, we got a nice site beside the dry river bank. We where sitting having a cup of tea, when a really nice couple from Bendigo came up to us, asking about the car. (Glenn and Alison) They where a really nice interesting couple, and we ended up sitting with them for the Station Wednesday night camp fire meal. Also another crazy couple Kat and Goose, joined us for another fun night.
16th of September
Thursday at Wooramel Station, as part of the attraction of staying here is the artesian spring baths, we had one in the morning. Meeting a few more interesting souls! ( lady who told her husband when he asked what was for tea, to read the cookbook page 32 and make it yourself! ) the crazy’s you meet along the way with funny stories. After a nice soak, we did the tip and riverside walk.
Review of Wooramel Station ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ love a station, especially with an Artesian Spa!
17th of September
We left Wooramel Station early to make the most out of the day. Stopping first at Hamelin Pool to see the Stromatolites from the protection of the pier. Unfortunately was closed due to cyclone damage. Stromatolites are Microscopic organisms, invisible to the human eye, concentrate and recycle nutrients which combine with sedimentary grains to form the dome formations called Stromatolites. Hamelin Pool marine nature reserve is the only nature reserve in Western Australia. It is one of two places in the world where living marine Stromatolites are known to occur, and the only place where they can easily be seen from the shore. They are the oldest and largest living fossils on earth.
A little family of Emu’s where running by us as we where walking through the National park, very cute.
We stopped by the Hamelin Pool caravan park/old Telegraph Station for a coffee and scones. Met a really nice lady there, making hand knitted ear warmers for charity, which I bought for Carole.
Next Stop – Shell Beach made up solely of Hamelin cockle shells and one of only two beaches in the world of its kind. It stretches 60km with shells up to 10m deep. It is extremely pretty, the water is clear and a beautiful turquoise colour.
Our next stop was Eagle Bluff, an amazing boardwalk over the cliff edge to view the marine life below. Western Australian National Parks seriously do it well!
We stopped in Denham for a few groceries, and walk around the quaint little seaside town. Then onwards the scenic drive way past little lagoon, really pretty. The road signs say you can drive 110km, which is ridiculous! As we where driving I spotted an Emu running on Peters side, it just kept running smack between our car and caravan. Feathers flying behind us everywhere, which made me feel really sad, as I love them! At the gate of Monkey Mia the National Park rangers office, I had to tell them of our little accident feeling very guilty!
18th of September – Saturday
This morning up early for the Monkey Mia Dolphin experience, at 7:45am. A little bit of a disappointment as only one dolphin came in for a feed this morning. We did learn a little about Dolphin life and still enjoyed it, as it was a beautiful morning.
Today we booked into a Gascoyne Food Festival event at the Monkey Mia caravan park restaurant. It was a Flavours of Shark Bay Canapés afternoon. As we scored a good table with a view out to see, another couple asked to join us. Three names where Linda and Peter, and my Peter instantly hit it off with the other Peter! We had the best day, delicious canapés, wine, beer and lots of funny stories shared. The chef for the day was Tony Howel from Cape Lodge, who happened to be a friend of Peter and Linda’s. So Tony came and sat at our table, and have a few more laughs with us! When the afternoon finished we kicked on with Peter and Linda at their site, with a dinner of freshly caught crabs, Peter had caught that morning.
19th of September Sunday
Woke feeling a tad poorly this morning, surprisingly ah not. A morning walk along the beach and chill by the pool day kind of day.
20th September 2021
Cape Peron Drive from Monkey Mia
Off today for a drive to Cape Peron
Four wheel drive to Cape Peron
21st of September Tuesday
So lucky today, as we had booked this trip for Sunday, it was cancelled due to the wind. The company changed our booking to the following Tuesday. Lucky again, as I had to get another night at the caravan park. Today happened to be the best weather day, we’ve had wind wise for weeks! A absolute perfect day to cross by boat, from Denham to Dirk Hartog island. We got into Denham an hour early, enough time to go to the visitor centre and watch a short 3D movie on more history of the HMAS Sydney 11, amazing underwater photography on the sunken ship.
Next was our boat trip, leaving at 10:30am from Denham over to Dirk Hartog island. The sea was really calm, and spotted dolphins and two big Manta Rays along the way.
We arrived on the island within an hour of leaving. As the day was perfect, it was so nice arriving onto a picture postcard setting! The girls offered us a coffee and home made slice, chocolate and ricotta or apple, at the bar.
Our next activity was a walk around the old Station, shearing shed and resort. Followed by a delicious fresh lunch, prepared by Tori the owner and Elle our 4wheel drive tour guide. We had the option to stay on the beach or go on a 4wheel drive mini tour. As we really wanted to bring our car over, we did the tour. We went to the blowholes over sand dunes, then onto Shark Bay. Seeing hundreds of small sharks from the above rocks, it was amazing! Definitely did not feel the need to get in the water. We also stopped by a surf spot on the island, with rock pools full of tropical fish.
Getting back to the resort, we had about half an hour before the boat left for Denham.
Review – Dirk Hartog Day 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Best Day trip – if I could I’d stay there in a shot for a week at the resort of course! Fabulous Darling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On the trip we met Jenny from Esperance, travelling by herself. She was driving a rental motor home one way back from Broome, for a dollar a day! After the trip we had a drink at the Denham pub with her, then she followed us to Monkey Mia.
22nd of September Wednesday
Unfortunately time up at Monkey Mia, but before we leave just one more Dolphin feeding attempt. We got more Dolphin action up the other end of the beach, up close with a Dolphin chasing fish up the beach. This morning we had our last breakfast at the restaurant, watching the Dolphin feeding out the front.
Review of RAC Monkey Mia another ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ loved it!
RAC do it well, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but travelling a while sometimes you need somewhere you know will be clean to fill your water tanks, catch up on washing and power up your devices. These RAC communal camp kitchens are next level clean and handy to do a big cook up. This particular resort is perfect for families or couples young or old! The beach is super nice, clear and full of dolphins passing by. The pools here are spotless, restaurants and bars reasonable too. Perfect place to bring kids, for wildlife action.
Monkey Mia today to Kalbarri, almost 400km. One stop at a roadhouse along the way. Turning off the main road into Kalbarri, lots of wildflowers to see along the way. We booked into Murchison Caravan Park, directly opposite the river in town. We just set up and cooked an early tea, and was able to get a TV fix!
23rd of September Thursday
Fomo on, up early to avoid the crowds at Kalbarri National Park, wildflowers galore along the road in. First stop for the day was the Natures Window, for stunning views of the Murchison river gorge, very pretty.
Followed up by the Architectural masterpiece The Skywalk, like wow fantastic views from here!
Our walk today was The Z Bend river trail, which was another very challenging rock climbing hike, into the bottom of the gorge. We kept going along the river, where we met two girls doing a kayak trip down this river, which is like a massive obstacle course, many rocks in the way. They had been doing it for four days, swagging it at nights along the gorge. One of the kayaks had cracked, so they had to abandon their plans. Lucky they where mega fit, to get out with all their stuff! Peter had a dip in one of the sections of the river. Onto the climb back up to the car, for a picnic lunch in the car park. Great day here, loved the Kalbarri National Park, so well maintained.
Before going back to the caravan we went for a drive along the coast and stopped at Island Rock. Very windy again! The whole of Kalbarri has been battered by a cyclone earlier this year, so much damage around the town. Tonight we had a quiet night watching the news, which we have been very out of touch with lately (thank goodness) covid in Victoria, Riots, Building Industry lock downs, feeling very very lucky to have escaped,this particular year.
24th of September Friday
Kalbarri Lobster Pot Pull Tour
This morning up early to go on a Kalbarri Lobster Pot pull. First coffee at the cafe near the boat harbour. The trip this morning started at 8:30am. The boat is an actual Lobster 🦞 boat, that takes you out past the reef, which is pretty hairy getting through to the ocean. The guys on the boat explain the life cycle of the Lobsters. Not called Crayfish Anymore as the Chinese like them to be called Lobsters. So these fisherman oblige, as they get more money! Then they show you how they pull their Lobster pots out from their own markers. More explaining sizes, sexes, shells about to fall off, and the right ones to keep or toss back for later. Next they serve morning tea of Lobster rolls and Lobster bites marinated In garlic butter or chilli sauce, which was very nice. We all get to have a photo holding the catch near Red Bluff. Followed then by feeding the sharks. Another great tour, as we came home with two freshly caught Lobsters to have for dinner!
Review on the Lobster Pot Pull Five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ what’s not to like about it, you get to see Kalbarri coast line from the boat, eat Lobster and bring a couple home!
After the tour we had a walk around the town. Peter bought some more fishing bits, and went off for another try. Didn’t come back to happy, ah no fish caught.
Time to cook up our Lobster catch on the barbie. Pretty nice way to end the day too.
25th of September- Grand Final Day in Perth 2021 Melbourne v Bulldogs
Today was all about where to watch the footy! We started off with an early morning walk along the beach. As it was such a still morning we decided to hire a boat, and try our luck fishing on the river. We caught lots of undersized Brim, which we tossed back to see another day. We also walked over the other side of the river, to the sea. It was very pretty here, pink sand and a nice rock pool area full of colourful fish.
We went for a drive to see Lucky Bay camp area, as so many people had mentioned how nice it was. So yes it was nice, but as most afternoons the wind comes up, we didn’t see it at its best. If we had more time, definitely would stay here.
On our way back we stopped into Finlay’s Fish Bar, another place full of old bits and pieces that look really cool and bring back memories!
By now Peter was in a hurry to get set up to watch the Grand Final, somewhere with some atmosphere, the pub of course.
We got there a few hours early for a prime position, and straight to the bar Peter buddied up with Xavier a twenty two year old guy. Xavier was from Bonnie Doon, did a uni degree in Agriculture and was working up the top of Western Australia mustering cattle with his lovely girlfriend Emma. As it was so early before the game, I left Peter with his new mate and went back to the van until half time.
Back at the pub at halftime Peter was well on his way with Xavier and Emma. It actually ended up a fun place to watch the game, when Melbourne won everyone celebrated. The kids we met at Coral Bay, where also here so we had such a fun catch up with them. Also a great muso playing after the game. On the way home I got pulled over and breathalysed, luckily someone has to stay sensible. Funny Peter got breathalysed the night before, on his way home from fishing. We have not seen one Police car on the road for months!
26th of September – Kalbarri to Geraldton
Today was the first day we’ve had rain for months. So we packed up this morning in the rain. On our way by 10am, our first stop was Hutt Lagoon
We popped into check out Oakabella Homestead, which has been battered by the Cyclone earlier this year. We had lunch at the tea rooms which was very nice.
We booked into our caravan park at Geraldton Summerstar. Our usual bet before I walked into the office “will we get a toilet view site or a dump point?” So I came out to the car not letting on to Peter , we have a lovely site not bear the toilets! But yay we have one beside the train line!!!! The lady in the office said “they hardly ever come through, you won’t hear a thing!”well they do come through and we did hear them! On a positive we did look out to the bush , so lots of bird life to hear early in the morning. Anyway we got set up and went for a drive downtown, as there was a festival going on the water side. Aboriginal art works light shoe onto the harbour, which was really pretty. We heard some cool music, so we walked into a fenced off section with the security guard letting us in. The Dj had a girl with him singing the tunes. I asked a guy who was she??? Found out we where in a paid event, $100 a ticket, and the girl had been on one of the tv talent shows finalist. We wondered why we where getting a few looks, by the frocked up crowd! (We where in our thongs and casual beach wear, coming from the warmer weather) fun night!
Geraldton to be continued!
