It’s a Long Lonely Highway

[Noel Mugavin]

Half an hour out of Carnarvon, mobile sign on the side of the road saying the Carnarvon Firies serving coffee and breakfast up ahead. Was about 11.30 so thought breakfast probably over, don;t need another coffee as I had one in Carnarvon, so a no go for me.
Approaching the rest stop, a little more activity than I expected, clearing up maybe. I was committed to keeping going, so hadn't slowed down at all. As I passed noticed a bit of smoke, then the smell hit me - bacon. Bugger, had over committed and missed out.
On the way up had noticed a marker on the side of the road directing to an area of historical importance. Had made a note of where it was and stopped to have a sticky beak. Some sort of riot? Discovery of minerals? Early explorer death?
Nope - water tank



2 minutes of my life I wasn't getting back and to add insult I managed to put a smudge on the lens of my camera. Not picked up until I returned home.
15 minutes or so later and my sojourn to the North-West was officially over



Quick run over to the over side to get the shot I missed a week ago



Bright day, not much traffic



Stop at Overlander Roadhouse, stretch of the legs and a toilet break



Overlander is about 200 metres before or after the Shark Bay turn-off, dependent on which direction you are traveling from





More open road



Turned off and headed towards the coast, much narrower road and a bit of a concern with a few emus meandering around. Driving had become a lot less comfortable with the sun getting in an awkward position and contradicting my discomfort with the sun, it was becoming a bit overcast, back of the mind kangaroos would start to get a bit active.



Eventually came to the coast, greeted with the sight of Kalbarri, little town sitting at the mouth of the Murchison River. The road approaches from a height, would make a great photo.
It had been about 25 years since I had been to Kalbarri and to me it seemed it had grown about 10 times its size.. Lady at the front desk of the motel assured me it hadn't
My abode - Palm Resort

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Sign in the office window saying they would be back in 5 minutes so wandered over the road for a look at the newish recreation centre and football oval, courtesy of Brendon Grylls and Royalties for Regions



Resort from the rec centre and the newer apartments at the front



Down the back for me though



Old and dated but good enough for the night





Playground and tennis courts



Pool



Short walk down to the river mouth. Had turned out to be a magnificent afternoon weather wise

 

[kelvedon]

Loving the road trip. Reminds me of this song.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

More wandering







There's a lookout overlooking the river mouth and townsite commemerating the Zuytdorp Shipwreck








Other shipwrecks form the coast of WA are acknowledged, including the Batavia which was wrecked off the Abrolhis Islands which are about 80km's west of Geraldton. Part of WA's coastline along this region has been named the Batavia Coast.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Bit rough at and outside the reef


Walked back down to the beach



A couple of people on the fishing jetty



A few pelicans on the spit



Rough outside but an absolute mill pond inside



Tried to get a few sunset shots

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Meandered back to the room, picked up a very ordinary pizza on the way, bit of footy on TV then bed.
Up early next morning, back to the Zuytdorp Lookout to try my luck at a sunrise shot.



Bit of a drive around town, a little bit further up from the river mouth



Up top the golf course



Grabbed some breakfast, checked out, then hit the coastal road



Quite a few points of interest along the coast just out of Kalbarri, stopped at a couple before I lost interest





Very little traffic along here, very green though



Chose not to visit the Prince



Stopped in at Port Gregory, a town I had never been to before



Pink Lake, more like a mauve lake

 

[kermatu]

Pink Lake, more like a mauve lake

View attachment 149668

Is that due to algae in a salt lake? Looks pretty good.