Blowholes at Carnarvon

We drove out to the blow holes this morning but did not even see one wave come up so we turned left and found a great beach for swimming and snorkeling.

We had both forgotten to take our rashies so we didnt swim for long, the sun gets a bit hot. I guess we were there in the water for about an hour. As there is no fishing there, there is a lot of fish and quite large, they were quite happy to come pretty close.The biggest one I saw was about eight inches long, a black one and there were lots of smaller ones, it was magic.

This afternoon we went down the street, I drove for a change and turned down a road which said "HMAS Sydney Memorial 11, I thought it would be a nice drive. Ha! it joined up to the highway that we came in on. Coming back in town, I read the sign in full it was the Memorial Ave!

Then we went to the one mile jetty but too hot to walk it at that time and the steam train only runs on the weekends. 

Shell Beach

On the way back from Denham/Monkey Mia we called into Shell beach. A very different beach with very little sand as we know it but it is just about, all shells.

Warren picked up a handful on the beach and this is what it looks like.

This is what I found very different as there was the beach and then the sky, it was about two hundred metres from the car park to the beach, lots of people were there and there was a heap out in the water, just walking as they were out about a further hundred to a hundred and fifty metres and only up to their knees.

This is a baby jelly fish there were a few of those, luckily the water was so clear that they were easily seen, this one was about the size of my fist.

Ocean Park Aquarium

A few kilometres out from Denham was this aquarium, we saw the sign and thought yes, why not, probably cost an arm and a leg but we are on holidays.

We were pleasantly surprised by the price $22 for adults or $20 for old farts like us. We joined a tour and had about an hour learning about and seeing the fish.

This is Lola a mantra ray who came to be fed, the guide is standing to the side and said that she liked attention and when she doesnt get it, she comes up the side of the pool splashing who ever is around. She came right up about eight inches out of the water.

There were sharks, stone fish Yuck ugly looking things and sea snakes, apparently they will bite but give a dry bite with no venom because they realise that humans are too big to eat so only a dry bite as a warning.

 Afterwards we had a prawn salad for lunch.

Eagle Bluff

From Hamelin Pool we took a drive to Denham and Monkey Mia, there were some spots along the way to call in. Eagle Bluff was one that I am glad we didnt go past.

It was a great drive in even though it was a dirt road and fantastic signs regarding what species could be seen in the area when we got there and then a board walk.

We saw some rays out in the water, often apparently there are sharks that can be seen.

Hamelin Pool

We stayed here for three nights, it is a very rustic caravan park but it had everything required plus a pool! The pool was very welcome as it was 40 degrees when we pulled up there.

We couldn't swim in the sea there as it is a national park and stromatolits grow in the water. There was a walk to go over the sand dunes and then a board walk to view them.

We had a good spot which we were able to chose ourselves, to see who came into the park and it was very busy, some stayed, some walked over to the beach and some came to eat. It is forty kilometers off the main highway and than another seven kms in so not just off the main track. At $30 a night even over Easter. Last night we decided to order a hamburger for dinner. Warren went across to order and came back wanting plates. They would be delivered when ready in about twenty as she had a big order for three carloads for dinner.The woman running it or the owner is on her own with a couple of helpers and were very busy.

This was our hamburger neither of us could eat it all and finished it off for lunch today.

Due to the location we had no phone, internet or TV for the time we were there. We watched some videos and read books plus used the pool and recharged the batteries.

Monkey Mia

What a waste of time and money. We left our camp ground this morning with a view to go there as per all the hype about it. We meandered along and saw some great scenery, fantastic board walk at Eagle Bluff, went to ocean park and finally drove out to Monkey Mia.

Had to pay, dont mind that have paid at other parks but $8 per person! and with concession! We headed to the boat harbour and as I was driving Warren says "park there" its a boat trailer parks, quite a few empty. I duly parked and as we got out a guy calls out to us " Did you see the sign?" What sign? Any cars without boats will be fined $400 we thanked him and drove off, back to Denhan.

Nice lawn here, nice beaches and its much cooler but thanks to our drive to MM will need to get fuel before returning ( $1.25, could be worse.)

Leaving Perth and friends behind.

It was a bit sad this morning as it was time for us to move on and J & S to turn their motorhome in. We both got away at the usual time knowing that we have plans in place to meet up again before too much time has passed.

Some of the scenery going north was similar to the Nullabour but there were these interesting trees.

Later on was sand dunes with very white sands

This was on the right of us and the road and the sea was on the left.

Coming up for a break for a later lunch, a sign advertising cheap fuel, we did have enough to get to our destination but checked out the price. It was $1.08, the sign was right, cheapest we had seen since Sth Aussie so we filled our tummies and the car as well. Another hour and we were at our camp spot for the night. 

As it is Easter almost we could only stay here one night (at $55!) luckily we have rund ahead and have three nights at the next place, time for some down time to do nothing.