From Perth to Exmouth
We left Perth first thing Monday morning heading north to Kalberri. It was a nice sunny day we arrived about 5pm and setup camp. Took me a little bit to sort out my new tent as it was not a dome tent. We got setup and cooked supper, ate then went to sleep. The next morning dawned cloudy; we decided it was going to rain. We quickly packed up camp as we were finishing the first drops started. Then the rain and wind came. It was good that we got packed up as soon as we did. In the car we went heading north for Monkey Mia to see the dolphins. Here they (the dolphins) come right up to the shore and have done for the past 30 years.
We were up and on the beach by 7:15 walking to the jetty the dolphins follow you along the beach. Up to the jetty they then follow the ranger back and forth as she walks the length of people all lined up to see them. After a while they come out with buckets of fish to feed them they select people to give the fish to the dolphins.
We were going to stay and see the dugongs but talking with a tour guide they had all left for warmer waters already. As there was a storm coming it was suggested we leave the next day as it would most likely close off the road. So we headed north and made it as far as Carnarvon. A backwards town that you really don’t want to stop in if it can be avoided. We found some fresh fish at fish store in the harbour. That night in the crapiest caravan park we had supper. The place hadn’t been updated since at least the 60ies when it was built.
We packed and left at about 7:30am just to get away. We made it to Coral bay one of the first stops to see the Ningaloo reef. We got the last camping spot in the little resort town. (With no shade) we headed off the too beach to do some snorkelling. I got my camera out and took some pictures of the fishies. Since we had no shade we picked up and moved again this time to Exmouth. Here is one of the few places in the world that you get to see and swim with the biggest fish in the world the Whale Shark. We booked into our room and then headed to the tour desk and booked our tour based on a recommendation from an English couple that we had met in Coral bay. $328.00aud later we were booked for Wednesday morning. Wanting to camp in the national park we attempted to go the next day. When we got there it was full and the ranger told us that when she arrived at work at 8am there were 20 cars lined up to get in. So no camping here for us instead we got a day pass and went to check out the beaches. We did some snorkelling and I took some pictures of more fish. These ones like to follow me. I think it was the yellow strap on my camera case they liked.
The next few days it could not decide what it was doing as it would rain and then be sunny and nice. I sat around a read my book. Tuesday we headed back into the park and I walked the Mandau Mandau gorge. It was a nice little hour walk. Then back to town to rest up for tomorrow when we would go out and see the sharks.
It dawned a cold day and stayed cold all day, it always seemed like it was 7am all day long. We eventually got picked up in the bus (it was running 15min late) and headed out to the boat on the way we saw a dingo standing over a kangaroo on the side of the road. Arriving at the beach we waded out to the zodiac the water was really warm and nice even though it was cold out. Getting on the boat the captain came around and handed out fins and wetsuits. I looked at him to see if he was crazy as the water was as warm as a bath tub. I was the only one that did not wear a wet suit. The first stop was to jump in and do some snorkelling on the reef. Here I got pictures of a sting ray and a parrot fish. We got called back to the boat for morning tea. As we were waiting for the call from the spotter plane we went to the outer side of the reef and watched the humpback whales jump out of the water. As we were watching them we got a call that the sharks had been spotted and off we raced to the spot. On the way we were divided into to separate groups as there can only be 10 people in the water with the shark at one time. I was in the second group. The first group got ready and in they went. We lined up at the back of the boat waiting for our turn the boat lines up with the shark heading towards the back of the boat. GO Go Go and we all jumped in looking forward you see this enormous thing heading right for you then it turned around and headed back the way it came. You have to swim to keep up with it. Normally they don’t move all that fast but this one was flying. Out of the water we get and everyone is talking and looking at the pictures from the 3 cameras that were in the water. It was great! We move a bit and get back into the water for another go. This time he was swimming underneath me. So I jut could make out his shape below before he dove. Out we get and back in group one goes. This time he dives and doesn’t come back up so we head off for another one that was spotted further along the reef. This one is just gliding along the top of the water. This time I took some video as we were in the water much longer with it this time. We got out and group 1 got back in the water after which we all got out and had some lunch. This time the plane had spotted some spinner dolphins. So off we raced to see them these dolphins swim in pods and jump out of the water spinning. It is a great sight to see.
After watching them for a bit we spot some Manta rays. We tried to get in the water with them but as we were too close to the reef it was not safe. So we head back to shore. What a day!
Tomorrow we pack up and head to bullera station which is a sheep station in the outback where we will stay for a few days to relax before moving on north.
We were up and on the beach by 7:15 walking to the jetty the dolphins follow you along the beach. Up to the jetty they then follow the ranger back and forth as she walks the length of people all lined up to see them. After a while they come out with buckets of fish to feed them they select people to give the fish to the dolphins.
We were going to stay and see the dugongs but talking with a tour guide they had all left for warmer waters already. As there was a storm coming it was suggested we leave the next day as it would most likely close off the road. So we headed north and made it as far as Carnarvon. A backwards town that you really don’t want to stop in if it can be avoided. We found some fresh fish at fish store in the harbour. That night in the crapiest caravan park we had supper. The place hadn’t been updated since at least the 60ies when it was built.
We packed and left at about 7:30am just to get away. We made it to Coral bay one of the first stops to see the Ningaloo reef. We got the last camping spot in the little resort town. (With no shade) we headed off the too beach to do some snorkelling. I got my camera out and took some pictures of the fishies. Since we had no shade we picked up and moved again this time to Exmouth. Here is one of the few places in the world that you get to see and swim with the biggest fish in the world the Whale Shark. We booked into our room and then headed to the tour desk and booked our tour based on a recommendation from an English couple that we had met in Coral bay. $328.00aud later we were booked for Wednesday morning. Wanting to camp in the national park we attempted to go the next day. When we got there it was full and the ranger told us that when she arrived at work at 8am there were 20 cars lined up to get in. So no camping here for us instead we got a day pass and went to check out the beaches. We did some snorkelling and I took some pictures of more fish. These ones like to follow me. I think it was the yellow strap on my camera case they liked.
The next few days it could not decide what it was doing as it would rain and then be sunny and nice. I sat around a read my book. Tuesday we headed back into the park and I walked the Mandau Mandau gorge. It was a nice little hour walk. Then back to town to rest up for tomorrow when we would go out and see the sharks.
It dawned a cold day and stayed cold all day, it always seemed like it was 7am all day long. We eventually got picked up in the bus (it was running 15min late) and headed out to the boat on the way we saw a dingo standing over a kangaroo on the side of the road. Arriving at the beach we waded out to the zodiac the water was really warm and nice even though it was cold out. Getting on the boat the captain came around and handed out fins and wetsuits. I looked at him to see if he was crazy as the water was as warm as a bath tub. I was the only one that did not wear a wet suit. The first stop was to jump in and do some snorkelling on the reef. Here I got pictures of a sting ray and a parrot fish. We got called back to the boat for morning tea. As we were waiting for the call from the spotter plane we went to the outer side of the reef and watched the humpback whales jump out of the water. As we were watching them we got a call that the sharks had been spotted and off we raced to the spot. On the way we were divided into to separate groups as there can only be 10 people in the water with the shark at one time. I was in the second group. The first group got ready and in they went. We lined up at the back of the boat waiting for our turn the boat lines up with the shark heading towards the back of the boat. GO Go Go and we all jumped in looking forward you see this enormous thing heading right for you then it turned around and headed back the way it came. You have to swim to keep up with it. Normally they don’t move all that fast but this one was flying. Out of the water we get and everyone is talking and looking at the pictures from the 3 cameras that were in the water. It was great! We move a bit and get back into the water for another go. This time he was swimming underneath me. So I jut could make out his shape below before he dove. Out we get and back in group one goes. This time he dives and doesn’t come back up so we head off for another one that was spotted further along the reef. This one is just gliding along the top of the water. This time I took some video as we were in the water much longer with it this time. We got out and group 1 got back in the water after which we all got out and had some lunch. This time the plane had spotted some spinner dolphins. So off we raced to see them these dolphins swim in pods and jump out of the water spinning. It is a great sight to see.
After watching them for a bit we spot some Manta rays. We tried to get in the water with them but as we were too close to the reef it was not safe. So we head back to shore. What a day!
Tomorrow we pack up and head to bullera station which is a sheep station in the outback where we will stay for a few days to relax before moving on north.
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