West Australian coast Kalbarri to Geraldton

The coastline along the WA coast can be rugged and oh so windy.

Another natural bridge near Kalbarri on the road south. The other natural bridge we saw was in Qld just across the NSW border.

This is the Pink Lake at Port Gregory. The colour is due to a bacteria (Dunaliella salina) trapped in the salt granules. This provides a rich source of beta carotene which is harvested from small ponds. As the sun sinks, the lake apparently changes colour from mauve or pink to a slightly darker purple. Unfortunately we did not stay to see the change. This shot was taken in the early afternoon.

A closer view of the pinkness of the water. Pretty isn't it?

Activities around Kalbarri

Andrew skippering the motorised tinnie on the Murchsion River. It does not seem an onerous task does it?

The flies are so pesky around these parts that it was time I invested in a "real" Aussie hat. I get quite a few comments on it.

Some of the feral goats watching us on our walk in the national park.

They have been feeding the pelicans in Kalbarri for some 30 years at 8.45am. The locals take turns. One of the recipients.

Kalbarri, WA

The above shot is of the famous Nature's Window in the Kalbarri National Park. It is a natural rock arch that superbly frames the upstream view of the Murchison River below. It is also the start, and end, of a lovely 8kms walk called the Loop which we did.

Further along the river along the walk.

The view from the top of the walk shwoing a longer stretch fo the river
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This shot is of another part of the Murchison River, showing the view from Castle Rock. We hired a motorised tinnie with Val and Gordon for three hours and travelled up the river and then did a walk to Castle Rock.

Some of the wildlife at Francois Peron NP

Ever heard of a shag on a rock? Here are some dozens - otherwise known as cormorans
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A pair of dugongs, mother and chick I think.

This goanna unfortunately moved as I was trying to take it and the dolphin behind it in the water - see the next photo. I nearly captured both in the same shot.

Dolphin swimming right on the waterline hunting for mackeral. It has to finely judge it so it does not get stranded. I nearly caputred it together with the goanna.

All the above were seen on the same day at Cape Peron right at the tip of the national park. We also saw some manta rays but the phtos of them did not come out.

Tomorrow we are going to see dolphin feeding and also going on a boat cruise. Watch this space..........

Shark Pay continued - Francois Peron National Park

The sandy 4WD tracks of Ftrancois Peron National Park. The NP offers a unique experience of dramatic landscapes and unusual wildlife.

The contrast of the red cliffs, white sand and blue water - that is how I will remember WA - not by its other name Windy Always.

More of the coloured cliffs.

Andrew and Nikki enjoying the Hot Tub of artesian water at the Peron Homestead. The water temperature is supposed to be 40C but I don't believe it. Just how I like my hot bath though.

Shark Bay, WA

Shark Bay is one of Australia's World Heritage Areas. The blue of the Indian Ocean is startling and there are so many creatures in it the mind boggles. This is a shot of Hamlin Pool as Andrew, Gordon and Val are walking out towards Shell Beach and the stromatolites.

Shell Beach, as the name implies, is not your everyday sandy beach. Instead, it is a beach made of trillions of tiny compacted shells, all from one type of shell Hamilin Cockle which abound because of the super salty water here. The white you see is the trillions of small shells heaped into massive piles of up to 10m thick.

The stromatolites - living fossils which are the oldest type of living organisms in the world.

Rocky Pool and Quabba blowholes (near Carnarvon, WA)

Two lovely spots near Carnarvon that allowed us weary travellers to rest and gaze upon the wonders of the countryside.

Rocky Pool is some 50kms towards the Kennedy Ranges and it is a little beauty spot with a nice water pool where bathing is very inviting. The soil is a coarse grained sand that does not stick to you. And as you can see on the photo, nice flat rocks.

It is a well known rest area which still appears in Camping Australia 4 but they are threatening to not allow over-night camping in the future which would be a great shame as it is such a lovely spot.

The blowholes at Quabba about 50 kms towards the coast are natural phenomena of small holes in the hard rockface through which the sea produces great blows of water and steam. They were blowing nicely on the day we visited.

The splashwaves just to the left of the blow holes.

To the left of the blowholes at Quabba Point there is also snorkling right at the shoreline a bit like at Coral Bay. It is however very windy as we understand most of the WA coast is from Sept-Dec. Our torrid hot days may be over.