Exmouth and Cape Range National Park – Ningaloo Reef
The World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef is one of the longest fringing coral reefs in the world. The Ningaloo Reef was declared a marine park in 1987 in order to protect this unique environment and its inhabitants. It is an absolutely stunning place and a definite highlight of our trip. We had so much fun playing in the sand and snorkelling the pristine waters right from the shoreline.
Exmouth Visitors Centre Enjoying the beach. Snorkelling the reef. Yardi Creek Walk – Cape Range National Park
Coral Bay
The spectacular Coral Bay!! We took a glass bottom boat tour and saw so many amazing underwater creatures. We all fell in love with the turtles.
Shark Bay
On route – Having lunch in Carnarvon
Francois Peron National Park
Enjoying a hot, artesian bath!!
Hamelin Pool and Shell Beach
Hamelin Pool boasts the most diverse and abundant examples of living marine stromatolites, or ‘living fossils’, in the world, monuments to life on Earth over 3500 million years ago. Shell beach is one of a few beaches in the world where sand is replaced entirely by shells.
Well, we are due to arrive home any day and it would appear neither Tom nor I are good at keeping a blog up to date. It would appear that we are still in the far north of WA rather than back in our home state enjoying the heat. For those of you who are interested I thought I would share some of the highlights of the last few months by sharing a few of our photos – of which we have millions!!
We really have had an amazing time and we are all sad that it is coming to an end (well maybe not the kids!!). I can’t quite believe it, I really could keep going and going. We have met some amazing people and made new friends all across this amazing landscape. We have overcome obstacles and Tom has re-enacted many a Macgyver episode – although he hasn’t had to blow anything up. We are so blessed to live in this diverse and spectacular country.
Van life
Karijini National Park
Covering 627,422 hectares just north of the Tropic of Capricorn in the Hamersley Range, Karijini National Park is Western Australia’s second largest national park.
Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool
Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool
Hamersley Gorge
Hamersley Gorge
Point Samson, Karratha and surrounds!
For those who don’t know, I spent four years of my early childhood in Karratha so it was exciting to be able to return as an adult. I even remembered a few things about the place, although it is much more of a thriving metropolis than when I was there in the ’80’s. We would visit Point Samson and Cossack on day trips.
Our old streets – didn’t recognise any houses though!
Millstream Chichester National Park
Millstream Chichester National Park – the one and only time we ever went camping as kids was in this very park.
Python Pool
Cossack
Cossack: An old pearling town that is now a ghost town – a very interesting history.
Point Samson
How to create an instant birthday party – stay in a caravan park full of children.Down at the beach Look at me!!
Cleaverville
We absolutely loved Cleaverville. A free camp right on the beach. Stunning!! Except everyone was eaten alive by midgies!! Tom and Matisse were the worse!! Seriously painful!!
During this time we stayed with Natalie’s parents. We had a busy but relaxing time in Perth where we spent time with family and friends, visited some local parks, went to the cinema, had many swims in the backyard pool, explore the Perth Mint and caught up with some of travelling family friends.
Place End: Canningvale Perth, WA
Distance travelled in 4 weeks: 965kms (Total 19605kms)
Fuel:⛽️ $170 (Total $5338)
Accommodation: ⛺️ $0 (Total $4539.80)
Food:🍱 $400 (Total $5036)
Booze: 🍷$50 (Total $476)
Eating out: 🍽 $50 (Total $914)
Coffee: $0 (Total $55)
Medical: 🚑 None! ($45)
Experiences: $56 (Total $1979)
Perth Mint, WA $56
Misc: $0 (Total $675)
4 Weeks Total: $726! (thanks Helen and John for your hospitality.)
Trip’s Total: $17627.50 (Per week average $881.38)