2 August – headed for Quobba Station just north of
Carnarvon. Visited the local blow holes – quite impressive – followed by a
drive up the rugged, cliff lined coast road to Cape Cuvier. Finished with a
walk along the beach watching whales out at sea.
 |
| Blow Holes |
 |
| Blow Holes |
3 August – visited the local fishermen on the Quobba cliffs.
They use a helium balloon on a long line to dip the bait into the water then
jump above the water hoping to get some Spanish mackerel to jump up & take
the bait. Great to watch, but no success while we were watching.
Re-checked the blow holes which were still impressive but
with smaller waves, not quite as exciting despite the strong winds.
A long drive across the semi desert to Carnarvon where they grow all manner of
vegies & fruit due to water from the Gascoyne River acquifer. Had a walk on
the one mile jetty then headed for Denham – water in every direction!
4 August – early start & off to Monkey Mia. Anne was one
of the “chosen ones” to be selected from about 200 people to hand feed a fish
to the dolphins. They are certainly are amazing creatures – we kept watching
their antics for a while after the feeding. Also saw lots of pelicans, seagulls
& many other sea birds. A very picturesque spot.
Then off to Peron Homestead in the Francois Peron Nat Park,
an old sheep station, before heading to Little Lagoon & back to Denham for
a swim (nice but walked out 200 metres & water only up to knees??). A nice
relaxing day in a sleepy little beachside village.
 |
| Anne at Monkey Mia |
 |
| Monkey Mia |
 |
| Rob in hot tub at Peron Homestead |
5 August – visited Shell Beach (the beach is made of crushed
cockle shells rather than sand – very white, very crunchy & formed into a
wavy pattern). Then to Hamelin Pool & the Stromatolites (“the oldest living
organisms on the planet” but just look like strange rocks). They also have a
shell block quarry – they used to mine blocks of compressed shells & use as
building bricks.
Next stop Kalbarri. Finally the scenery has started to
change with larger & thicker stands of trees & shrubs, wildflowers are
starting to appear in greater numbers & we have even seen some green crops
in large fields (not seen since we left Victoria).
6 August – a beautiful day for walking. First the 9km Loop
walk (incorporating “Natures Window”) then the Z Bend River Trail &
Lookout. Both fantastic walks through the Murchison River gorges – yet more beautifully
coloured & patterned rocks, waterholes & wild flowers plus a few steep
& tough sections.
Finished off with a short walk to Red Bluff cliffs
overlooking where the Murchison River enters the sea – a wild stretch of water
offset by the tranquil river inlet. Dinner at a local restaurant tonight.
 |
| Kalbarri |
 |
| Kalbarri |
7 August – visited some of the cliff top sites near Kalbarri
– Mushroom Rock, Pot Alley, Island Rock & Natural Bridge – certainly a
spectacular coastline. Then off to Jurien Bay, a nice little beach, fishing
& marine park.
 |
| Mushroom Rock |
8 August – first stop The Pinnacles. What a strange &
amazing place? In the middle of nowhere these strange formations appear in an
area of yellow sand. The Pinnacles cover quite an extensive area with a 4km
drive &/or 1.2km walk through the formations.
 |
| The Pinnacles |
 |
| The Pinnacles |
We next headed for Perth to stay with Anne’s niece Dionne
& her family for a few days before a minor detour to Borneo for my brother
Pete’s wedding. This city has certainly grown since I was last here & we
managed to get lost for a while.
9 August – off to Auskick with Jacob (Seth wasn’t feeling up
to it) – bought back memories of our boys. Followed by a quiet day getting
organised for Borneo tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment