Yesterday we left Quobba and drove up to Cape Cuvier and boy was the road rough, actually we have had worse but this was about 20km which is further than we normally drive on unsealed roads. Anyway it was worth it, the view is spectacular from the top of the cliffs looking down at the place where I have anchored on a few occasions. We then went back to the blowholes and they were in fine form. The sight of waves hitting the rocks sending columns of water 20mtrs up and of other waves just hitting the cliffs and spraying way up into the air is, dare I say it again, spectacular. It is also pretty in its own way.
After lunch parked overlooking the cliffs and the waves we drove into Carnarvon where we are now safely parked in their back yard.
Wednesday, 10 September 2014
Sunday September 5 Fathers Day
The day started very nicely with a phone call from Russell, Toni and Ashley had given me greetings yesterday when we got them on the phone. We had also phoned Russell but he didn't answer his phone. Elaine made me breakfast then we got under way.
First stop was Coral Bay, Elaine hadn't been here before and we had no intention of staying due to the exorbitant prices at the caravan parks. It is a nice spot with nice beaches, clear blue water etc. After a walk around we went up to the lookout and got a good view of the bays, there are a few that make up the area, watched a proper yacht with 2 hulls and the local charter boats moving round.
We then moved on, planning to spend the night at Warroora Station. On the way to Warroora we passed the a Tropic of Capricorn, there was a sign telling us where it was, I don't remember seeing anything like that in Queensland.
All in all a good Fathers Day except that we miss our grand children. We found the turn off and started the supposed 23 km journey in to the campsite. The first 15-20 kms were ok, unsealed road but not too rough, the the road turned to s.... It got very badly corrugated and we saying we will just go round the next bend or over the next hill, but each time there was more of the same ahead, so after a while we turned around and went back to the main road. So much for Warroorra Station!
This diversion was followed by a special Fathers Day lunch then we found a campsite at Lyndon River Rest Area for the night.
Monday September 8
Moving on south and getting closer to home and family and friends with every kilometre we drive. Today's target was the blowholes north of Carnarvon and Quobba Station for our overnight camp. This meant driving south almost to Carnarvon then turning north for about 60kms all on sealed roads. Then when we got to the blowholes a short, 8 km, drive on an unsealed road to the station. So here we are parked close to the ocean, we can here the waves but there are no blowholes in view. Anyway, lovely spot and we will stay here for a few days.
Tuesday September 9
Still here and a nice place to camp it is!
This mornings walk was accompanied by a couple of kangaroos, good stuff it is the first time in ages that I have seen them on my morning walk. Then I looked at a working windmill which pumps it's water into a couple of tanks a kilometre up the hill from the windmill. There were also a couple of reasonably deep wells next to the windmill. This is a working sheep station, currently only about 5000 due to 3 bad seasons. Normally they have about 15000. There is 2 camping spots nor here at the homestead where we are and it holds up to 70-80 vans. The other is further up the coast at Red Bluff. Between them they account for fair portion of the station income which gives them a bit of a buffer for bad seasons. It must be a good life outdoors all the time bit with a fair bit of pressure as the weather is something that the stoic owner cannot control, again a good reason for alternative income.
At the moment there is only about 9 or 10 vans here but it must be pretty hectic in the busy times mid-year and Christmas period.
D
K
The day started very nicely with a phone call from Russell, Toni and Ashley had given me greetings yesterday when we got them on the phone. We had also phoned Russell but he didn't answer his phone. Elaine made me breakfast then we got under way.
First stop was Coral Bay, Elaine hadn't been here before and we had no intention of staying due to the exorbitant prices at the caravan parks. It is a nice spot with nice beaches, clear blue water etc. After a walk around we went up to the lookout and got a good view of the bays, there are a few that make up the area, watched a proper yacht with 2 hulls and the local charter boats moving round.
We then moved on, planning to spend the night at Warroora Station. On the way to Warroora we passed the a Tropic of Capricorn, there was a sign telling us where it was, I don't remember seeing anything like that in Queensland.
All in all a good Fathers Day except that we miss our grand children. We found the turn off and started the supposed 23 km journey in to the campsite. The first 15-20 kms were ok, unsealed road but not too rough, the the road turned to s.... It got very badly corrugated and we saying we will just go round the next bend or over the next hill, but each time there was more of the same ahead, so after a while we turned around and went back to the main road. So much for Warroorra Station!
This diversion was followed by a special Fathers Day lunch then we found a campsite at Lyndon River Rest Area for the night.
Monday September 8
Moving on south and getting closer to home and family and friends with every kilometre we drive. Today's target was the blowholes north of Carnarvon and Quobba Station for our overnight camp. This meant driving south almost to Carnarvon then turning north for about 60kms all on sealed roads. Then when we got to the blowholes a short, 8 km, drive on an unsealed road to the station. So here we are parked close to the ocean, we can here the waves but there are no blowholes in view. Anyway, lovely spot and we will stay here for a few days.
Tuesday September 9
Still here and a nice place to camp it is!
This mornings walk was accompanied by a couple of kangaroos, good stuff it is the first time in ages that I have seen them on my morning walk. Then I looked at a working windmill which pumps it's water into a couple of tanks a kilometre up the hill from the windmill. There were also a couple of reasonably deep wells next to the windmill. This is a working sheep station, currently only about 5000 due to 3 bad seasons. Normally they have about 15000. There is 2 camping spots nor here at the homestead where we are and it holds up to 70-80 vans. The other is further up the coast at Red Bluff. Between them they account for fair portion of the station income which gives them a bit of a buffer for bad seasons. It must be a good life outdoors all the time bit with a fair bit of pressure as the weather is something that the stoic owner cannot control, again a good reason for alternative income.
At the moment there is only about 9 or 10 vans here but it must be pretty hectic in the busy times mid-year and Christmas period.
D
K
Saturday, 6 September 2014
Today we left the Cape Range National Park, with regrets. It had been a nice stay in a nice area, the campsites were quite nice and good value, the scenery worth looking at and the swimming lovely.
On the way out we stopped at the Cape Vlaming lighthouse. This is quite high and a great lookout, from here we could literally see for miles. We saw whales and oil rigs and the communications towers, all 13 of them, along with a grand view of the countryside. After shopping etc in Exmouth we headed out for tonight's campsite. On the way we had a look at the Krait and Potshot memorial sites. Between the three of them we get a bit of a picture of the military activity in the area, and there has been and still is a lot of that.
So once again we have stopped at the Termite Mound viewing area and had the usual issues getting level.
On the way out we stopped at the Cape Vlaming lighthouse. This is quite high and a great lookout, from here we could literally see for miles. We saw whales and oil rigs and the communications towers, all 13 of them, along with a grand view of the countryside. After shopping etc in Exmouth we headed out for tonight's campsite. On the way we had a look at the Krait and Potshot memorial sites. Between the three of them we get a bit of a picture of the military activity in the area, and there has been and still is a lot of that.
So once again we have stopped at the Termite Mound viewing area and had the usual issues getting level.
Friday, 5 September 2014
Thursday September 4
Just another fine day in paradise!
Today we moved up the line to Kurrajong, another of the fine camping areas in the Cape Range National Park. This turned out to be fairly drawn out procedure, firstly the queue at the park gate had to be attended to then our host was able to transfer us from there to here and we were able to pay our money for the extra day. On the way we stopped at Mandu Mandu Gorge and I went for a walk, it was much too difficult for Elsine to even attempt so she stayed in the van and did things. The first part of the walk was over the dry rock strewn creek bed which was fairly hard going. Then I started climbing and when I had climbed I went down and repeated this about 5 times before getting back to the car park. It was a good walk through a gorge with high cliff walls then along the top of the cliffs. Unfortunately no animals although we did see some during the day as we drove around. Eventually we settled down in our new campsite.
Friday September 5
Another day another move, this time to Mesa camp which is a little bit further north than the last one. So far my favourite camp in the Cape Range National Park is Kurrajong., however Elaine's was Yardie. The system here is a bit unusual in that most bookings are by internet so you book and arrive, but you can just come to the gate and if there are empty spots pay and settle in. If you want to stay longer than your booking you have to hope that there are spare spots, this means waiting each day until the people queued up at the gate are dealt with then taking whatever is left, which often means moving, sometimes within the camp, sometimes to a new camp. Supposedly tenancy gives you some extra rights but doesn't guarantee success. Did that make sense? If it did please explain to me, but it does seem to work. This whole area which is the west side of a North West Cape is a really nice area and well worth an extended visit to these camps which are spread over about 40km of the coastline.
After settling in to our new campsite we checked the beach out and busied ourselves doing very little. Later we had a swim then joined the other campers here for a sundowner on the dunes overlooking the shore.
Just another fine day in paradise!
Today we moved up the line to Kurrajong, another of the fine camping areas in the Cape Range National Park. This turned out to be fairly drawn out procedure, firstly the queue at the park gate had to be attended to then our host was able to transfer us from there to here and we were able to pay our money for the extra day. On the way we stopped at Mandu Mandu Gorge and I went for a walk, it was much too difficult for Elsine to even attempt so she stayed in the van and did things. The first part of the walk was over the dry rock strewn creek bed which was fairly hard going. Then I started climbing and when I had climbed I went down and repeated this about 5 times before getting back to the car park. It was a good walk through a gorge with high cliff walls then along the top of the cliffs. Unfortunately no animals although we did see some during the day as we drove around. Eventually we settled down in our new campsite.
Friday September 5
Another day another move, this time to Mesa camp which is a little bit further north than the last one. So far my favourite camp in the Cape Range National Park is Kurrajong., however Elaine's was Yardie. The system here is a bit unusual in that most bookings are by internet so you book and arrive, but you can just come to the gate and if there are empty spots pay and settle in. If you want to stay longer than your booking you have to hope that there are spare spots, this means waiting each day until the people queued up at the gate are dealt with then taking whatever is left, which often means moving, sometimes within the camp, sometimes to a new camp. Supposedly tenancy gives you some extra rights but doesn't guarantee success. Did that make sense? If it did please explain to me, but it does seem to work. This whole area which is the west side of a North West Cape is a really nice area and well worth an extended visit to these camps which are spread over about 40km of the coastline.
After settling in to our new campsite we checked the beach out and busied ourselves doing very little. Later we had a swim then joined the other campers here for a sundowner on the dunes overlooking the shore.
Wednesday, 3 September 2014
Wednesday September 3
Two more days at Yardie Creek and very enjoyable days they have been.
Yesterday I walked along the gorge, only about 2 km each way but up and down little gorges so moderately hard going. Also worth it I got to see a rock wallaby, very briefly, but at least I saw one. The creek itself is quite pretty at the bottom of a gorge, about 10-12 mtrs high, lots of fish and birds, again I saw some blue heron (at least that is what I think they were). Only 2 but that is more than one! Then we had a swim and spent the rest of the day busily doing nothing.
These camps, there are 9 or 10 of them, all have a volunteer host who lives at the camp in his/her van and generally makes sure that all runs well. They also deal with on the spot bookings as opposed to offsite bookings. At this camp we have a sundowner at 5.30pm at a pair of tables set up at the top of the dunes and overlooking the beach and with a great view of the sunset. On the boat sundowners mean going to another boat with your drinks and some nibbles, here we just take our drinks and talk, but it is a nice idea and helps get people mixing together.
Following a chat with a photographer here I went this afternoon around 4pm for another walk along part of the gorge in the hops of getting photographs of the rock wallabies and sea eagles and ospreys. Bad luck about that but I did get a couple of shots of ordinary wallabies on the path and inside a bush eating.
Two more days at Yardie Creek and very enjoyable days they have been.
Yesterday I walked along the gorge, only about 2 km each way but up and down little gorges so moderately hard going. Also worth it I got to see a rock wallaby, very briefly, but at least I saw one. The creek itself is quite pretty at the bottom of a gorge, about 10-12 mtrs high, lots of fish and birds, again I saw some blue heron (at least that is what I think they were). Only 2 but that is more than one! Then we had a swim and spent the rest of the day busily doing nothing.
These camps, there are 9 or 10 of them, all have a volunteer host who lives at the camp in his/her van and generally makes sure that all runs well. They also deal with on the spot bookings as opposed to offsite bookings. At this camp we have a sundowner at 5.30pm at a pair of tables set up at the top of the dunes and overlooking the beach and with a great view of the sunset. On the boat sundowners mean going to another boat with your drinks and some nibbles, here we just take our drinks and talk, but it is a nice idea and helps get people mixing together.
Following a chat with a photographer here I went this afternoon around 4pm for another walk along part of the gorge in the hops of getting photographs of the rock wallabies and sea eagles and ospreys. Bad luck about that but I did get a couple of shots of ordinary wallabies on the path and inside a bush eating.
Monday, 1 September 2014
Today was spent at a little piece of paradise called Yardie Creek. The campsite is almost on the beach, from our site at the inland side of the camp we have to walk about 30mtrs to the beach. But we do manage it with getting to tired!!! We both had a swim today and the water was lovely. We also walked to Yardie Creek itself, that was longer about 100mtrs and a walk along the creek bank, another 1.2kms. Like a lot of these walks it is well set out, with a smooth path, seats to rest on and story boards, most enjoyable. There is a longer walk, maybe tomorrow but only me as is.it too difficult for Elaine.
Friday August 29
Well, well, well we are out of range again, so today's blog get uploaded when we next get coverage.
The day started with a fabulous view over the river, complete with some very attractive reflections. A work along the track alongside the river revealed that we did have neighbours. It also revealed that various animals had been down to the river for a drink, quite a feat as the banks are very steep and about 3 mtrs high.
The next move was to drive down to Old Onslow to see the ruins, but while the locals have been very careful to label all the sites there were no ruins to see.
There was of course construction activity all around the place, the Wheatstone Project is happening here. We saw a pipeline being built and trucks laden with construction materials arriving.
After we left Karratha I though that we had left the powerhouse (of the Australian economy) area, but we were wrong it continues with pockets of activity all over the place. This is all very exciting, but I am not 100% convinced that it is good for Australia in the long term. The various plants, yards, offices, etc take up an absolutely tiny proportion of the space available, so that is not a big issue. What worries me is that we are selling all these bits of Oz and not creating an enduring industry to fill in when it is gone. I also don't think that making the projects use more local companies is only part of story, the other part is new industry processing and using the refined products.
So much for my solution to the nations problems. The other thing that we are now seeing is the re-emergence of anthills, or termite mounds. Now we are seeing thousands of these. Today we saw some with what looked like yarmulkas on their heads and I even photographed one that was wearing a Tullas (prayer shawl). Seriously though maybe they are an alien life form preparing to take over the country!!
Saturday August 30
We spent last night at a rest area called Barradale Rest Area on the banks of the Yannarie River. So this morning I went looking for the the river, what I found was a dry river bed! When it is running this must be quite a river, the river bed is about 500 mtrs wide and, judging by the size of the trees uprooted and carried down river it has a lot of power in its flow. Today however I could not find any water.
We packed our bags and headed south once more, then we saw our first animals for some time, 2 emus standing by the side of the road watching the traffic pass by. We spent a bit of time trying to photograph them then moved on. Turning right we headed up towards northwest Cape and Exmouth stopping for the night at a parking spot about 60 kms south of Exmouth.
Sunday August 31
Last night, just as we were thinking about sundowners, 2 cyclists arrived at our campsite. They were a Spanish couple who have been on the road for 2 years travelling across Spain, Corsica, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, etc - quite a feat I think. Anyway we struck up a conversation watching them set up camp from the gear that they were carrying on their bikes - tent, mattresses, etc. Then Elaine offered the girl a shower which was gratefully accepted, followed by dinner, goodonya Elaine who felt good being the good samaritan.
This morning we all got up late, the cyclists, another van that was parked in the same area and of course us 2 sleeper inners. Next stop was Exmouth and while Elaine did the shopping I refuelled, rewatered and emptied the thingabob. Then off round the top of North West Cape to the western side of the cape (we were on the eastern side) to the Cape Range National Park were we will spend the next few days at the Yardie Creek Camp.
North West Cape is quite an interesting place. Firstly it is home to the Learmonth RAAF base which is also used as an alternative landing site to Perth Airport when necessary. Then it has the town of Exmouth and the Harold E. Holt naval communications base, which is connected to the huge radio setup they the USA used for there world wide communications and their space program. Then down the middle of the Cape we have Cape Range which is a long but not particularly high mountain range. It is the home to many species of animals and today for the first time in ages we have seen wildlife in the form of a couple of emus, one with chicks. The other big feature of this Cape is Ningaloo Reef which runs down the western side of the cape. Where we are camped we have Cape Range on one side and Ningaloo Reef on the other side, not bad eh!
Well, well, well we are out of range again, so today's blog get uploaded when we next get coverage.
The day started with a fabulous view over the river, complete with some very attractive reflections. A work along the track alongside the river revealed that we did have neighbours. It also revealed that various animals had been down to the river for a drink, quite a feat as the banks are very steep and about 3 mtrs high.
The next move was to drive down to Old Onslow to see the ruins, but while the locals have been very careful to label all the sites there were no ruins to see.
There was of course construction activity all around the place, the Wheatstone Project is happening here. We saw a pipeline being built and trucks laden with construction materials arriving.
After we left Karratha I though that we had left the powerhouse (of the Australian economy) area, but we were wrong it continues with pockets of activity all over the place. This is all very exciting, but I am not 100% convinced that it is good for Australia in the long term. The various plants, yards, offices, etc take up an absolutely tiny proportion of the space available, so that is not a big issue. What worries me is that we are selling all these bits of Oz and not creating an enduring industry to fill in when it is gone. I also don't think that making the projects use more local companies is only part of story, the other part is new industry processing and using the refined products.
So much for my solution to the nations problems. The other thing that we are now seeing is the re-emergence of anthills, or termite mounds. Now we are seeing thousands of these. Today we saw some with what looked like yarmulkas on their heads and I even photographed one that was wearing a Tullas (prayer shawl). Seriously though maybe they are an alien life form preparing to take over the country!!
Saturday August 30
We spent last night at a rest area called Barradale Rest Area on the banks of the Yannarie River. So this morning I went looking for the the river, what I found was a dry river bed! When it is running this must be quite a river, the river bed is about 500 mtrs wide and, judging by the size of the trees uprooted and carried down river it has a lot of power in its flow. Today however I could not find any water.
We packed our bags and headed south once more, then we saw our first animals for some time, 2 emus standing by the side of the road watching the traffic pass by. We spent a bit of time trying to photograph them then moved on. Turning right we headed up towards northwest Cape and Exmouth stopping for the night at a parking spot about 60 kms south of Exmouth.
Sunday August 31
Last night, just as we were thinking about sundowners, 2 cyclists arrived at our campsite. They were a Spanish couple who have been on the road for 2 years travelling across Spain, Corsica, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, etc - quite a feat I think. Anyway we struck up a conversation watching them set up camp from the gear that they were carrying on their bikes - tent, mattresses, etc. Then Elaine offered the girl a shower which was gratefully accepted, followed by dinner, goodonya Elaine who felt good being the good samaritan.
This morning we all got up late, the cyclists, another van that was parked in the same area and of course us 2 sleeper inners. Next stop was Exmouth and while Elaine did the shopping I refuelled, rewatered and emptied the thingabob. Then off round the top of North West Cape to the western side of the cape (we were on the eastern side) to the Cape Range National Park were we will spend the next few days at the Yardie Creek Camp.
North West Cape is quite an interesting place. Firstly it is home to the Learmonth RAAF base which is also used as an alternative landing site to Perth Airport when necessary. Then it has the town of Exmouth and the Harold E. Holt naval communications base, which is connected to the huge radio setup they the USA used for there world wide communications and their space program. Then down the middle of the Cape we have Cape Range which is a long but not particularly high mountain range. It is the home to many species of animals and today for the first time in ages we have seen wildlife in the form of a couple of emus, one with chicks. The other big feature of this Cape is Ningaloo Reef which runs down the western side of the cape. Where we are camped we have Cape Range on one side and Ningaloo Reef on the other side, not bad eh!
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