Sunday, 15 August
After another quite cool night, we decided this morning to put the second blanket back on the bed. Today was an absolute corker – cloudless blue skies, only a gentle warm breeze and a temperature in the high twenties.
After a quick look around the six stalls at the weekly market, we headed for the Ningaloo Marine Park. Our first stop was at the wreck of the Mildura, which just happened to be next to the North West Cape radio facility. Next was the Vlamingh Lighthouse, where we spent quite some time watching the many humpback whales just off the coast. Further out, it was possible to make out at least ten off shore drilling platforms and we were even able to make out the gas flames through the binoculars.
The Ningaloo Marine Park includes all the west coast of the peninsular and with the coral reef not far from shore, the sheltered water is the most incredible turquoise blue. We stopped at a few beaches (giving the clothing optional beach as miss!) as we headed into the national park – there was even a bird hide at one (most of the birds were hiding). At the boat ramp, we discovered a sea eagle nest on top of a pipe thing in the car park – we could even see a chick pop its head up from time to time for a look out.
Lunch as a picnic at T Bone Beach, an absolutely beautiful little cove with sand dunes, clear water (including fish) and a small rocky headland complete with rock pools and fossils. The final beach we stopped at was Turquoise Bay, which is very popular with snorkelers because the coral reef comes right in to the beach.
The land in from the beach is the usual coastal scrub with rocky hills and gorges. The signs warned us to beware of wildlife and we did see a couple of kangaroos (maybe euros?), two horses and five emus – we did not expect to see emus in this setting! This coast line is really beautiful and well worth the drive.
After another quite cool night, we decided this morning to put the second blanket back on the bed. Today was an absolute corker – cloudless blue skies, only a gentle warm breeze and a temperature in the high twenties.
After a quick look around the six stalls at the weekly market, we headed for the Ningaloo Marine Park. Our first stop was at the wreck of the Mildura, which just happened to be next to the North West Cape radio facility. Next was the Vlamingh Lighthouse, where we spent quite some time watching the many humpback whales just off the coast. Further out, it was possible to make out at least ten off shore drilling platforms and we were even able to make out the gas flames through the binoculars.
The Ningaloo Marine Park includes all the west coast of the peninsular and with the coral reef not far from shore, the sheltered water is the most incredible turquoise blue. We stopped at a few beaches (giving the clothing optional beach as miss!) as we headed into the national park – there was even a bird hide at one (most of the birds were hiding). At the boat ramp, we discovered a sea eagle nest on top of a pipe thing in the car park – we could even see a chick pop its head up from time to time for a look out.
Lunch as a picnic at T Bone Beach, an absolutely beautiful little cove with sand dunes, clear water (including fish) and a small rocky headland complete with rock pools and fossils. The final beach we stopped at was Turquoise Bay, which is very popular with snorkelers because the coral reef comes right in to the beach.
The land in from the beach is the usual coastal scrub with rocky hills and gorges. The signs warned us to beware of wildlife and we did see a couple of kangaroos (maybe euros?), two horses and five emus – we did not expect to see emus in this setting! This coast line is really beautiful and well worth the drive.
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