17th - 24th May

We spent two nights in Exmouth before heading off to Karijini National Park. We went fishing to Pebble Beach where Helen caught two fish - a Queenie and a Skippy. Pretty good!

On our way to Karijini we stayed at a rest area at House Creek overnight. There was only one other van when we arrived, but by sunset there were three vans and two campers. We had a big campfire.

In Tom Price we did a tour of the Rio Tinto iron ore mine. We were lucky enough to see an explosion right in front of the viewing platform.

Brian beside a 250 tonne haulpak.

From Tom Price we drove to Hamersley Gorge which is in Karijini National Park. It was beautiful with a lovely pool and cascading water falls.

Brian and Helen at Hamersley Gorge

The following day we drove from Tom Price to Dales Campground in Karijini. This is our camp site.

The next day we did a hike to Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool where we had a swim. The water was icy but very refreshing. The water out of the waterfall was quite warm, but then you had to swim back to the other side through the icy water.







Fern Pool

Fortescue Falls in Dales Gorge

There were several dingoes prowling around the campsite in the evening and morning. This one seemed to pose for the photo!

We did the entire hike through Dales Gorge which took about 4 hours. Not too difficult, but a bit slippery in places. Quite a steep ascent at the end from Circular Pool.

Circular Pool in Dales Gorge

Reflections in Dales Gorge

A Magnum reward at the end of the day's hiking!

From Karijini we drove to Porth Hedland for two nights to stock up on food, recharge our battery and water. We are heading off tomorrow to Cape Keraudren for a few nights, just on the coast from Pardoo Roadhouse. Then we will head up to 80 mile beach for a week or two (or as long as our supplies last).

10th-16th May 2009

We spent two nights in Exmouth then out to Cape Range National Park for 5 nights free camping at Mesa Camp. It is very beautiful along this stretch of coast.

Our camp site at Mesa camp - we are 2nd from the right

Helen scrapping at Mesa

This is Turquoise Bay- probably the prettiest beach and great for snorkeling.

We went on a boat cruise up Yardie Creek where a very rare black footed wallaby lives. We actually saw 9 of the 40 who live there on our cruise. They live along the cliff face of the gorge and generally only come out when it is cooler. The day we went was a litle cloudy so we were lucky.

Part of Yardie Creek gorge

After the boat cruise we were at the Yardie Creek crossing where Helen was arrested by a Fisheries officer called Alan (see adjoining picture) for eating an undersized cray in Dongara thanks to information passed on by one of our good neighbours who just happens to be some big wig in Fisheries.

On the Yardie Creek boat cruise

Some of the locals at Mangrove Bay

This day was quite cloudy (our first one) so we went to a bird hide at Mangrove Bay. Just as we arrived a white breasted sea eagle swooped down and caught a big fish, then stood on a rock in the middle of the lagoon and ate it. Whilst it was doing that we saw the fins of a reef shark cruise by a few times.

Then the sea eagle's partner who had been sitting in a tree watching came down, then took the fish and flew off. It was really great to watch








We really enjoyed our time at Cape Range, very peaceful, good fishing and great beaches. We had a huge fifth wheeler parked next to us and the people were really nice. Will probably catch up with them again in June.

Heading off to Tom Price and Karijini National Park. More next week.

26 April to 10 May

This is our third blog and we travelled from Shark Bay to Exmouth, stopping at Whalebone rest area, Hamelin Pool, Blowholes free camp, Coral Bay and Exmouth. Coral Bay was as magic as we remembered and we spent a week there.

Whalebone rest area and sunset

Shell quarry at Hamelin Pool

Brian blogging

Brian fishing at sunset at Blowholes

Our camp at Blowholes

Blowholes coastline

Osprey at Blowholes

Snorkeling lagoon at Blowholes


Brian's first decent fish - a tailor!

Coral Bay coastline - beautiful

Coral Bay sunset

We went for a cruise on the Coral Breeze, a 15 m catamaran which took us to the outer reef for snorkeling, then a sausage sizzle lunch, then to the inner reef for more snorkeling. It was a great day and we saw lots of fish.

Boomnetting - haven't done that since our honeymoon!








The Coral Breeze

Dinner at Fin's Coral Bay with some of our new friends

The Lookout at Coral Bay

A yellow throated miner at Exmouth

Today we drove out to Charles Knife Gorge and Potshot Gorge, about 20 km south of Exmouth - quite stunning scenery.

Forgot to mention we bought some fresh prawns at Kailis processing plant on the way into Exmouth - had prawn sandwiches for lunch and prawn fettucine for dinner.

Bruce, we are sure they were all "size" !!!!!