Exmouth

12th - 15th October 2016

So we were very excited to be heading to the beach again, and exploring the Ningaloo Coast. Pristine, turquoise waters, white sand and snorkelling! 

A free camp stopover on the way. Hot, hot, hot, dry and dusty and flies galore. So what to do? Spend the afternoon playing water spray bottle fights and fly swatting!

Plenty of room.

Dez and Mike getting into the water spray bottle fight to keep cool!

The ocean at Exmouth was like glass, and warm! My birthday tradition is to always try and be on the beach with champers and orange juice. We arrived in time to set up and be on the beach by early afternoon. Perfect. Brolly set up, cool drink in hand, and floating in the perfect ocean. Doesn't get any better than this!

Very happy birthday girl!

The black spot in the middle of this shot is a whale. There were so many going by. The ocean was so calm the sound of them tail slapping travelled across the water so loud. And we could hear them exhale as well. Awesome!

Add to that dolphins chasing fish in the shallows just in front of us!

Aahhhh...the serenity was blissful.

To top off a perfect day, out for dinner at the restaurant attached to the caravan park. The meal was less than average, but we enjoyed ourselves nonetheless. And I didn't have to cook!

Day one was so great at the beach, we just had to do it again. This time we drove along the beach for a bit and set up camp for the day. I got all the snorkelling equipment required for fun in the water for my birthday...so off we go!

Looking sharp!

Bit hard to flipper while on the Li Lo?!?! Fun though!

There was a reason for my ungainly splashing. It is really great just floating above the reef on the Li Lo with your head in the water!

Just soaking up the serenity!

Day three and off to explore the northern area of Cape Range National Park.

First stop, the lighthouse for a spectacular view.

The colour of the ocean has to be seen to be believed. Breathtaking colours and white, white sand.

What you can't really see is the wind! Welcome to Western Australia's summer breezes! Or should we say gales!

We came across this fabulous bay complete with beach shelter...

Beach chair.......

And beach shack! And no one there but us.

This Shack was built by the local surfers back in 2000. Brilliant!

Pretty good spot for lunch.

Next stop a look at one of many shipwrecks along the W.A. Coast. This is the Mildura. It was transporting cattle and some passengers when it ran into bad weather and smashed on the reef. After this the Lighthouse was built.

Emus everywhere here. They are considered a pest.

More whales.

I just like this photo.

Clear, clear water.

Day four and headed out to the Novotel for a bit of luxury. A lovely loooong lunch.

Now, when you are on the road some of the amenities leave a lot to be desired. This was died and gone to heaven ablutions ha ha ha!

Dez the handyman always loves a project. We decided we need a shade shelter for the fridge so we don't have to push it in and out all the time while we are stationary. So, two telescopic poles attached to the roof rack and a tarp. Couple of home made clips. Done!

All set now to head to Cape Range National Park.