May 17 - 23

Day 46 – May 17 – Cape Range National Park

Michelle and Erin went for an early morning walk on the beach, they had it all to themselves. National Park rules prevents collection of any items, including shells and coral. Big shame, there’s some great stuff there! While they were walking, a shovel nosed ray followed them all the way along the beach.

Later we all did a 3km walk through Mandu Mandu Gorge. We had a serious energy depletion issue but nothing a jelly snake or two couldn’t solve. A tough slog along a dry rocky river bed, but then up to the top and back along the top of the gorge back to the car park. Great views from the top, well worth the effort.

We returned to our camp ground mid afternoon to find it half under water! A combination of high tide plus big swells plus strong winds caused water to be pushed up into the camp site. We turned around to do some snorkelling at Turquoise Bay for a couple of hours (sensational!). On one side of the bay you can enter the beach at one end and let the current drift you along, over the coral bommies to the other end of the beach. Just beautiful, spectacular coral and hordes of amazing fish. The fish are unafraid of humans as well – once a school of over 100 fish surrounded us! Later we returned to our camp site to see the water had subsided with the lower tide (a bit…)

Day 47 – May 18 – Cape Range National Park

We drove down to Yardie Creek this morning, where we did a 1 hour hike up through the gorge. More beautiful red cliffs. We then did a 1 hour boat cruise up the creek and learnt about the local flora (rock wallabies and egrets), fauna (red and white mangroves) and environment (ancient rock formations in the gorge). The water level was very high (the highest the ranger had ever seen) – we were wondering whether our camp site was going to be inundated again!

We decided to go back to Turquoise Bay again, where we did the Drift snorkel again – just fantastic. Nice and warm in the water. We stayed a while and let the kids have fun in the water.

Small world – at our camp site we met a lady from Wingham (near Taree in NSW). That night we went crab hunting with torches on the beach back at Lakeside. Ben counted 21 crabs – some small, some v. big. The kids were a bit scared when we were between the crabs and their holes, and they would run towards us (Bruce and Michelle were unafraid of course…) The biggest surprise was seeing the biggest crab of the night waiting for us at the step of our motorhome! Erin was screaming and Ben was in tears.. Luke said ‘we are never going out at night again’!

Day 48 – May 19 – Cape Range National Park -> House Creek Bridge

Michelle and Erin went for a final snorkel at Lakeside in the morning. Quite sunny so the visibility was good, the fish were particularly bright. The Wrasse (lovely purple, pink, green and peach colours) and the Moorish Idol (think ‘Gil’ from Finding Nemo) were a highlight. They got a fright when they small two rays – one small but one behemoth (5 foot wingspan and 6 foot long tail). They were the same colour as the sand so only saw it when they were right on top of them! Made a quick getaway…

We restocked with food, fuel, gas etc in Exmouth and then headed inland for the Pilbara. Beautiful drive – through the red soil, yellow spinifex, green bushes and purple mountain ranges as the afternoon daylight faded away. We drove during dusk, and we found out why this is not advisable – we had to stop several times for cows which were perched on the road.

Day 49 – May 20 – House Creek Bridge -> Karijini National Park

We continued driving towards Tom Price, dodging cows, kangaroos, corellas and road trains. Quick stop in Tom Price for tourist info and then on to Karijini National Park in the Hammersley Ranges. At Karijini we had our first shower in 5 days – good to have clean hair and put on clean clothes…

We settled at Dales camp ground, which provides good sites in a bush setting. The kids rode bikes around and worked on some activity sheets provided by the ranger. We had a roast for dinner (not bad for camping…, thanks to the Winnebago) – Ben said “Nothing could be better than this!”

NB: Far less flies than we had expected – bonus!

Day 50 – May 21 – Karijini National Park

Awesome day! We hiked from our camp site around the rim of Dales Gorge, then down into the gorge to Fortescue Falls. Spent the rest of the day (4 hours) swimming in the cool water under the Falls, lazing like lizards on the rocks in the sun, walking to Fern Pool for another swim and shower under a waterfall, then lunch, another swim at Fortescue Falls, etc, etc…

Not much more to mention, but what a day!

Day 51 – May 22 – Karijini National Park

Another great day in Dales Gorge. This time we hiked along the floor of the gorge from Fortescue Falls to Circular Pool and back, about an hour each way. A very pretty and exciting walk, as there a number of creek crossings on precarious slippery stepping stones. Somehow we managed the walk without any slips and broken bones, and had a swim in Circular Pool – very cool, clear, deep water completely surrounded on 3 sides by steep cliff faces. Back at Fortescue Falls we did more swimming, more lazing, more sitting in the waterfall. Michelle and Erin went back to Fern Pool for a massage (from the waterfall) and a pedicure (from the little fish nibbling their feet).

Day 52 – May 23 – Karijini National Park -> Port Hedland

Big driving day today, from Karijini to Port Hedland. Played lots of games in the car, Michelle did spelling tests with the kids. Ben learnt how to spell ‘palaeontology’ – did I spell that right?

We’re not impressed with Port Hedland – obviously not built for looks but for functionality to the mining industry. Quite impressive for ports, ships, trains and piles of salt and iron ore however. Amazing to see how much infrastructure is required for a large mining company these days.