Carnarvon / PERKS sandra and john

14-6-2011

Monkey Mia to Carnarvon



After we left Monkey Mia we stopped at Shell Beach. There is no sand just these tiny shells as thick as anything along the beach and in the water. Trying to explain is hard as you will be thinking shells but not to the extent that the are and the thickness that is there.




If you look in the magnifier  you will see what we are saying about
                                                      the thickness of the shells.

Wednesday 15-6-2011

Looking out over Carnarvon, quite small area. But it an area of wealth in the produce area of fresh fruit and vegetables.     We have found out that they have been through the most terrible time with floods and now locusts stripping what produce is left.

There have been a number of farmers that have walked away this season from their farms. They have three floods and it is hopeless trying again as the cost is so heavy. You have to feel for them in what they have been through.We hear about this happening but seeing it first hand is very hard. The farms and roads have been washed away and the fruit trees have been so damaged with the water. The bananas have fallen and it take so long for them to recover.

Purchasing our fresh produce is now not as important to us after seeing what they have been through.

We went for a drive to see what was around to see. We found the first memorial for the HMAS SYDNEY. They have a special Memorial Drive with palm threes and the names of every 625 people missing at sea.

 We found my uncles memorial and l know Mum would be happy about this.
 The site for the memorial drive is not cared for as one would like but they have suffered with the weather so much here that this in minimal to worry about.

It seems to be a road going to nowhere with the palms and names mounted as what it is . Remembrance Thursday 16-6-2011                 

Carnarvon is almost as famous for the climate as it is for it's bananas. The winters are glorious and although February and March can be very hot, the town is one of the coolest in the North West. Carnarvon is the Commercial centre of the rich Gascoyne.

Thursday 16-6-2011

This photo left is the town of Coral Cove.       Just fits in the photo but the beach is to die for. Breathtaking, the beauty of the area of the Ningaloo Reef and beyond is fantastic.

How clear is the water.

Left Carnarvon for Exmouth first stop Coral Bay WOW what a beautiful place this one is. Hidden treasure but plenty of people walking to the beach and stores. There are only a few stores with the most beautiful beach. There are two caravan Park here but both booked out. DAM! We parked on the side of the footpath between both parks and had our lunch the we travelled onto Exmouth. Free camp tonight on the waterfront. These free camps are everywhere some have loos and tables and some just room to park.

Saturday 18-6-2011

New housing estates everywhere. With all of the work at the mines the towns are growing at a great pace. And very expensive.

Sunday 19-6-2011

Set up the Dish and relaxed. Visit to the visitors centre a must to see what we can do here.

Monday 20.6.2011

 Paddle down YARDIE CREEK GORGE. This was a very pleasant experience. The cliff faces jutted out with beautiful colours. So deep the red and orange. The water so clear

 We could see the fish in the water below. The Kayak trip as fun and no one fell out which was amazing. When you have to take the photo's and paddle it gets a little shaky.

KAYAK TODAY

Tuesday 21.6.2011

 SUNSET at the lighthouse another beautiful evening had by all.

Parked up on the hill top we had our evening meal while waiting for the sun to set in the distance.

Wednesday 22.6.2011
SHARK TOUR NINGALOO REEF.....DIVING WITH THE WHALE SHARKS

The End of the photo's of this special day which all returned safe.

Ningaloo Marine Park stretches along 260 kms of coastline from Coral Bay to Exmouth. The reef  system and surrounding waters are home to 220 recorded species of coral and 500 species of temperate and tropical fish.

Here the mighty Whale Shark can be seen from April to June. Du gongs, Manta rays, potato cod, sharks, dolphins, humpback whales and turtles can be found here as well.

We went swimming in turquoise Bay which was the other side of the reef and had a ball.

We were all sorry to leave here as we needed more time to enjoy the water ways that are here. This is a must visit for everyone.

Leave this wonderful place today for TOM PRICE now this is one extreme to the other.

Lots of pics this time but not much information. We are all well and safe  and having a good time.

Love to all of our family and friends until we have Internet again Love to all xxxxxxxxSandy and John

WHALE BONE COVE 10-6-2011

FREE CAMP
10-6-2011
WHALE BONE COVE......SOUNDS GREAT.....WAS.
We stayed with other people in our wonderful free camp beside to ocean with the sun setting with us standing on the shore.  The next morning we started our trip to Denham . Just up around the corner we found and marked on our map for future this hidden free camp beside the river.

This was a great experience travelling along the highway which the road is straight and the scenery along the road is shrubbery and more shrubbery no trees anywhere.

We all agree that the Nullarbor is great. So much to see and scenery changes. Yes this is the worst part of the drive.

Our first stop is Billabong Roadhouse where we had morning tea. It also is the beginning of the red soil so rich in colour. I have been told that this is just the start and that the red soil will be so much deeper.

Some people have no brains. Yes the road was empty and you could see forever both ways but john felt tired so he laid down in the middle of the road.


Off we go again and the next stop will be Overlander Roadhouse.

Much the same on the road boring and long with no change in site. When we arrived at the roadhouse we knew that we would be turning right for now and head for Shark Bay, Denham and then Monkey Mia.

We arrived early afternoon which was good. The trip to here being the worst part to drive so far.

Excited that we were heading for a new area and looking forward to seeing Monkey Mia as well.

We turned down a roadway as we were going to free camp again tonight. The areas are just so beautiful flat and the ocean lies out in front of us. The first one we had to move from as there were enough people doing the same. The next one was fine so we set up camp again.This gives us to best opportunity to arrive in town in the morning and secure a spot at the caravan park. Lucky we did as we didn't book we were very lucky to have found a park to accept us.

We also found out that school holidays are upon us again in a few weeks so we should have a plan as to where we will be travelling next and book in.

 This is the wonderful camp we have found. The evenings are perfect and we have been lucky with the weather.

We are having a problem with mosquitoes and sand flies and it is quite infectious over here causing health problems.

Come night we stay inside best to be safe than sorry later.





We arrived in Denham Saturday 11-6-2011.

Set up and have a drive around the area. Small area with half a dozen shops. Touristy things, nothing to talk about. The beach and the water is just beautiful. Aqua in colour and you can walk out forever in the clear waters. The area is by name Shark Bay so we won't be going out in the bay.

 The photo's don't do the area justice, it is the most beautiful water. Along the foreshore there are stainless steel fish cleaning stands and they are used all of the time. The fish here are huge and easy to catch.

 This is a photo of the fish swimming around the jetty in large groups. Just so clear.

This is a photo of the main street. As you can see there is very little.
Friendly area.




While out today driving around we decided to book a flight again if we can.

Lucky day yes we are to go on a flight in the morning with a lady pilot.
Up early and looking forward to the day ahead. We arrived at the airport and the pilot was there delivering people from one of the islands.
I heard a young man thank Helen the pilot for a great trip over. Good if he felt safe in this small plane then we should be fine.

Helen is in her 60's and has been flying for many years and it is her business.
There were two other ladies on this flight as well a mother and her daughter and the daughter gets air sick. Great!.

John sat in the front with Helen and l sat behind with the two other ladies behind me. This was good for me as l had two seats and could protect my leg's from being hurt.

Four seater

A view of the area to the left

To the right this is a round lake from the ocean. It winds through the area from the sea and is a great safe place for all water sports.

This is where we landed on the Loop where the salt ponds are.

 photo on right is the ponds of salt water that evaporate down to the salt then are scraped out then loaded onto a ship

 The cliff walls that are so colourful

This is a view of the most western point of Australia. It is from here that the HMAS SYDNEY lays as a war grave.

This is Margaret with her co pilot John.

Thank you Margaret for a safe flight and two soft landings.

MONDAY 13-6-2011

Today we are going to Monkey Mia to see if the Dolphins come in to say hello.

We had a pod of about 10 with one little baby

Here they are having a look around. They only feed 5 and they don't feed the males or babies as they have to be careful that they still can look after themselves. They don't feed any new ones that come to have a look.

Well we are still having a great time. and we think that Wendy and Bill will be meeting up with us in a couple of days. And we will all be travelling together again for the next part of our journey.

Love to all of our friends and Family that we all miss so much.

I hope my Grandchildren remember me when l come home.

Love you all sooooo much. xxxxxxxxxxx