Week Commencing 20.09.10
Sunday 19.09.10 - We were going to try and get into the National Park but it is still full. We have decided to stay at Yardie Homestead Caravan Park which is 7klms from the National Park Gates. We arrived just before lunch , settled in then we headed off to explore the beaches outside the park. We drove to Bundegi Beach this beach marks the start of Ningaloo Marine Park and is a great place for swimming, snorkelling and fishing. We walked along the beach as the wind was blowing strongly and it was very cold. On the same road is the Naval Base where the world’s largest very low frequency transmitter. The central tower, known as Tower Zero, stands majestically overlooking the North West Cape. It stands at the centre of the base, surrounded by 12 others, all of which can be seen from a great distanced and is the 2nd tallest structure in the southern hemisphere, standing 387.6 metres high. It weighs 800 tonnes and can withstand winds up to 500km per hour. Special Note: Exmouth is known for it’s Emus they are everywhere, in town and we have also noticed them on Cape Range Road. We have also seen lots and lots of kangaroos, the little devils come out on dusk and as you drive along the road you need to be very careful.
Monday 20.09.10 – Today we finally go into the National Park, I am so excited. We have decided to go to Yardie Creek as it is at the far end of the park. Yardie Creek Gorge Walk – A realatively easy walk along the rim of the Gorge was spectacular. A multi-coloured gorge with permanent water fed from the ocean. Hidden within the safety of the sheer gorge walls is a colony of black-footed rock wallabies. With its mangrove areas, Yardie also provides roosting sites for many birds species, while the sheltered waters are a sanctuary for many marine animals. This Gorge was fantasic, very pretty. We then took a walk along the beach and over the sandbar at the entrance to the creek. We enjoyed our lunch in the shady trees. Our next stop was Osprey Bay – wow this place was beautiful. We swam here and John did some snorkelling. We will definitely be visiting here again tomorrow. Each of the beaches were beautiful and each had their own special beauty. When we got to the Oyster Stacks the wind was blowing and it was very cold. Hopefully we can snorkel there tomorrow. Turquoise Bay was unfortunately much the same, very windy and cold. Once again another beautiful beach. We dropped in to Mesa Camp and Neds Camp, these camps were hidden behind the sand dunes, we climbed the dunes , they were amazing and alot of fun. Our last stop for the day was Mangrove Bay and the Bird Hide. Once again just beautiful, really can’t find the words for the whole day – beautiful beautiful beautiful. To top the day off we came across an echidna crossing the road. There is certainly plenty of wildlife here at the Cape.

Tuesday 21.09.10 – Back into the National Park, as we had covered alot the previous day we drove straight to Osprey Bay as this was just so beautiful. We spent most of the morning here and enjoyed lunch looking out over the bay. We went for a long walk along the beach seeing lots of wildlife in the ocean. We both snorkelled and really enjoyed the whole day. On the way home we called into a couple of the bays but still decided Osprey was the best.

Wednesday 22.09.10 – Today we drove down to Coral Bay after doing some chores in Exmouth. The drive took about 2 hours mostly desert on the way. When you finally drive into Coral Bay you see this most beautiful bay. Wow it takes your breath away. Unfortunately we had only booked two nights here. With the school holidays upon us we were not able to stay longer. Once settled off to the beach for snorkelling and swimming. The reef is very close to the shore , the water crystal clear and fish everywhere. You can actually see fish as you walk along the beach. At 3.30pm each afternoon they have fish feeding, and these fish are huge and they come in very close to the shore and lift themselves out of the water and swim through your legs, it is fantastic.

Thursday 23.09.10 – Same as yesterday, just beautiful. I went on a glass boat cruise which was great.

Friday 24.09.10 – Sadly we had to leave Coral Bay behind us. We will return to this special place one day. Off to Carnarvon, settled into our camp and went for a drive in the late afternoon. We also passed the Tropic of Capricorn on the way to Carnarvon.
Did you Know?
• The Gascoyne River is 764km long.
• Charles Kingsford Smith started the Gascoyne Transport Company
• Carnarvon’s One Mile Jetty is one of the longest jetties in WA
• Carnarvon’s OTC dish (Earth Tracking Station) was built in conjunction with NASA in 1966 as a satellite communications and tracking station. The station was involved in the Apollo space missions. The dish is 29.6m in diameter and weighs 300 tonnes.
• NASA Tracking Station 1964-75 was involved with the Gemini, Apollo and Skylab space projects.
• Jack Bluzolic produced the first bunch of Carnarvon Bananas in 1928.
• Carnarvon is home to Australia’s rarest Thornbill – the singing Bushlark. It can be spotted in Bush Bay
• Carnarvon’s seafood industry produces over 56 million dollars per year
• Carnarvon supplies 70% of WA’s winter vegetables requirements.
• Carnarvon produces over 30,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables every year from it 176 plantations, worth approximately $73million
• Carnarvon’s egg farm is the most northern commercial egg farm in WA, producing over 4 million eggs per year.
• Many varieties of stone fruit are grown and produced in Carnarvon for commercial sale.
• Chinaman’s Pool used to be the main source of fresh water for the town
• Bibbawarra Bore is 914 metres deep and produced a continuous flow of hot water at a temp of 65degs
• Mt Augustus is twice the size of Uluru but clad in low shrub and 1650 to 1750 million years old.
• Lake MacLeod produces both salt and gypsum and occupies 2072 sq km, the lake is 110km long and 40km wide.
• The town is situated at the only point of the Australian coastline where the central desert reaches out to the sea.

Saturday 25.09.10 – Up for early morning walk. Today is Grand Final Day, so we set the tele up outside and settled in for afternoon of footy. We telephone the footy group at half time. What a great game, but unfortunately no winner so we do it all again next Saturday.
Sunday 26.09.10 – Our morning walk this morning turned into a 6km marathon. We then packed up to explore Carnarvon. Out to One Mile Jetty and yes we walked it so that adds another 3km to my walking today. This also included climbing steps to the water town lookout. From there we went to the OTC dish – more steps. Then we drove down the HMAS Memorial drive which they have all 665 men are remembered.