A very warm night, I was tossing and turning despite evaporative cooler chugging away in budget cabin @ Caravan Park. Thought to self: if you get a cabin, make it a good ‘un!
On the outskirts of Carnavon, close to the ‘School on Air’, is a lovely bit of wall art. In town, it’s fabulous to see a strong indigenous presence in the shopping centre, shopping at Woolies, getting stuff from the pharmacy ….such an Anglo-centric life I lead back in Melbourne!
Did some map study and thought I’d venture to New Beach/Bush Bay ( as you do)! They are 40kms south of Carnavon, a mangrove paradise and perfect for drone lovers seeking some nice aerial shots of the Shark Bay World Heritage area. Woo hoo! Whiting and flathead are caught just off the beach, a great spot to launch a ’tinnie’.
May 9, 2023
by Lids Comments Off on 8/5/2023 Kalbarri to Carnavon
The marine stromatolites found in Hamelin Pool of Shark Bay are considered to be the best example of their kind found in the world. These ‘living fossils’ grow successfully and undisturbed because the sea water is twice as saline as usual sea water, due to a bar across the entrance of the bay and due to rapid evaporation of shallow water.
Managed by Yaringa Station, Gladstone Bay campground is located in the Shark Bay World Heritage area across 3 kms of pristine coastline, featuring a historic jetty, crystal clear water and an abundance of marine life.
Gladstone used to be an important port from the early 1900’s when boats freighted wool and sandalwood, brought by teams of camels from the Murchison Station, to ports further south. The 287 metre stone causeway led from a wool-store shed to a 77 metre timber jetty, the footings remains of which can be seen today.
There’s a lookout at Gladstone Bay, very dry and flat-as-a-tack topography for as far as the eye can see!
Carnavon Hotel for a barramundi dinner tonight. Amazing sunset as I was waiting for meal to arrive.
While I was at the hotel, I discovered that the WA Govt, as a test case, has placed limits on the amount of alcohol (1 litre of wine; 1 litre spirits; 11.25 litres of beeer/cider/premixed drinks) that residents can purchase in a day, in an attempt to reduce alcohol-related harm and violence in Carnarvon. No takeaway purchases on Sundays and Mondays and only between 12 noon and 7pm other days. Alcohol consumption in Canarvan is 2.4 times the state average. Wowsers, who knew crime was high in Carnarvon??? Glad I’m treating myself to a cabin in the Tourist Park.
May 7, 2023
by Lids Comments Off on 2/5 – 4/5/2023 Kalbarri, Murchison Gorge
Kalbarri is part of the traditional lands of the Nanda people. The Kalbarri Skywalk’s entry sign “Kaju Yatka” introduces the visitor to the Nanda words for ‘sky’ and ‘to walk’. The Skywalk offers lovely views of the Murchison River gorge and surrounding landscape. The engineering behind the structure is impressive – two cantilevered steel viewing platforms, anchored deep into the cliff’s sandstone, project out 17 and 25 metres respectively, hanging in mid-air 100m above the gorge.
Another attraction to drive to, is the Z-bend lookout, which overhangs a sharp bend in the Murchison River, but I got to see it from the Cessna!
The Ross Graham lookout has lovely views over the Murchison, and there is a walking trail which allows you to explore the shady banks and tranquil pools of the river.
Hawks Head lookout, is named in honour of a hawk-shaped rock formation visible from the lookout.
On the way to the Kalbarri township, visited Pot Alley, which provides speccy views to the south, capturing the ruggedness of the coast.
Again from the Cessna, the Murchison River mouth @ Gantheaume Bay, Kalbarri, opening out into the Indian Ocean.
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