24 July to 1 August – Millstream Chichester, Point Samson, Cape Range & Ningaloo

24 July – another 100km of unsealed road & here we are at Millstream Chichester National Park – a lesser known park. First stop Deep Reach Pool a large spring fed pool on the Fortescue River, quite amazing to see in this arid part of the world & very popular with the birds. Set up camp at Stargazers Campground & headed for the old homestead at Millstream where we did a short walk amongst palm trees with several beautiful clear streams running through – beautiful. Anne then had her required swim in the Deep Reach Pool.

We then drove the 30 kms circuit road through the park. The park is quite an oasis with several springs feeding the rivers. Quite a few wild flowers around. Finished the day with a walk to the lookout to watch the sun set – very romantic & picturesque.

Deep Reach Pool - Millstream Chichester 

Millstream Chichester lily pond

Millstream Chichester road

Millstream Chichester road

25 July – again drove through the harsh but colourful landscape – flat plains with spinifex & scrubby trees before we started to rise into some steeper territory with spectacular red & brown cliffs to Python Pool – another beautiful pool with a red cliff backing (no swimming due to algal bloom). Then about 80 kms along the flat plains surrounded by strange shaped mountains & cliffs until we reached Roebourne & then on to Point Samson. This is a lovely little beach side town on a peninsular & we had a pleasant stroll along the beach ending at the tavern overlooking the sea for a refreshing drink.

Python Pool

26 July – off to Cossack, a quaint little old town near Roebourne, quite a bit of history around the whaling & pearling industries plus a major port before the whaling was stopped, pearling went to Broome & the port silted up. Now just a small tourist town with beautiful old restored buildings & bay views. The art show was in town & really good.

Next a quick tour of historic Roebourne before a quick run through Karratha – a modern mining financed town & on to Dampier. Visited the North West Shelf Venture which is a massive on-shore oil & gas facility connected to 3 platforms about 130 kms out at sea. We slept to the bright lights & constant hum of the ship loading facility opposite the caravan park.

Mining truck near Dampier

27 July – a day of driving. Dampier to Exmouth. Flat plains, spinifex, scrubby bushes – interspersed with small rocky hills, red rocks & sand – and even some wildflowers. An amazing, harsh & wild country. Booked in at Yardie Creek Homestead caravan park for next 4 nights – just outside Cape Range Nat Park & beside Ningaloo Marine Park.

28 July – Drove to Yardie Creek gorge & had a nice walk up the gorge. Then to Mandu Mandu gorge for a more challenging walk up through the gorge then back along the top. Another great gorge, this time with views of the beach & reef. Finished with a bit of a snorkel on the edge of the reef. The waves crashing over the outer reef looked awesome but the inner reef was quite calm.

Yardie Creek Gorge

Yardie Creek Gorge

29 July – a day for snorkelling on Ningaloo Reef. First Oyster Stack – a difficult entry to the water over sharp rocks but worth the effort – so many different colourful fish, coral, star fish, clams etc – hard to get Anne out of the water. Next stop, drift loop at the aptly named Turquoise Bay, this time an easier entry through pristine white sand to the reef, then just float along with the current. Magnificent! Finished the day watching the sunset from the lighthouse hill. Saw goannas’, wallabies, emu’s & an echidna along the road back to camp.

Anne in action

30 July – a day on the reef. Took a boat cruise to the reef & snorkelled at 2 separate locations. A good range of corals & an amazing number of brightly coloured fish. The highlight was a couple of swims with a magnificent whale shark – awesome. Also saw humpback whales , dolphins, turtles & a sea snake.

Snorkelling Duo

Our friendly Whale Shark

31 July – off to Coral Bay but first a quick detour to Charles Knife road – a really nice drive which took us between two gorge systems in the Dale Range – more cliffs & rocky gullies with views of the sea. Coral Bay has the feel of a beach side resort with a nice little bay which also offers snorkelling on the nearby reef. Downed a kilo of Exmouth prawns for dinner – yum.

Charles Knife Gorge

1 August – a quiet day at Coral Bay. Had a go at kayaking across the reef then some more snorkelling straight off the beach. More amazing corals & a wide variety of colourful fish. Heaven for Anne.