Way into the WA wilderness

[JohnM]

Day 29, Monday 31 July.

Camp near Robe River on NW Coastal Highway to Carnarvon, with a detour to Point Quobba on the coast N of Carnarvon. I decided to stop at a motel in Carnarvon, which turned out to be a good decision as it rained quite heavily that evening.





There were sand dunes through which the highway cut – courtesy of Messrs CAT and Kohmatsu. A bit different from riding over them on the CSR! Wedgetail eagle.



Blowholes near Point Quobba.



Plenty of whale activity - but difficult to photograph.

 

[JohnM]

Day 29, Monday 31 July (Cont.).

HMAS Sydney memorial. The vessel sank directly off this point.



Sunset over a couple of beers and fish ‘n chips in Carnarvon. The rapidly incoming cloud suddenly dumped more rain than forecast as I sprinted back to my motel.

 

[JohnM]

Day 30, Tuesday 1 August.

Carnarvon to Denham (aka Shark Bay) via Hamelin Pool stromatolites and Shell Beach. A 4WD excursion to Cape Peron on a very sandy track was late in the day so unfortunately had to be done in a rush. I caught up that night with our very own Moderator Jessica Tam and a pleasant BBQ at her friend’s house.

A little plotting that evening over wine had JT lined up to use her (working) friend’s vehicle the next day to drive S to the turnoff and then travel in my vehicle to Steep Point (westernmost point of Australia), which avoided me having to backtrack to Denham afterwards.



Hamelin Pool and stromatolites.



Shell Beach.





Along the coast heading into Denham.

 

[JohnM]

Day 30, Tuesday 1 August (Cont.).

After a slow heavy-duty 4WD drive to N Cape Peron, there was only time for a few quick pics of the spectacular red cliffs before hitting the track to ensure getting back to Denham before dark.

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>

Hamersley Gorge is a stunning example of folded sediments.

View attachment 104943 View attachment 104944 View attachment 104945

They wouldn't be folded by the time I've finished mining them

Stromatolites are cool.

 

[JohnM]

Day 31, Wednesday 2 August.

A full day Denham to Steep Point with Jessica Tam and then overnight camp at Hamelin Pool.



The drive to Steep Point (Correction to my earlier description as it being the westernmost point of Australia: it is the westernmost point of the mainland) was fairly serious 4WD (sand, limestone).

Serious sand dune field. Dirk Hartog Island over the way.

 

[JohnM]

Day 31, Wednesday 2 August (Cont.).



Blowholes.



Thar she blows and turtle battling the swell.



The old shell quarry at Hamelin Pool. The shells become concreted over time and cut blocks were a common building material.



Then it was time to watch the sun go down over the stromatolites with a glass of wine. A fitting end to a sensational trip! All that remained was the 700-odd click run to Perth the next day.



And… That’s all, folks!

 

[Tiki]

Wow, just read all 15 pages, that was absolutely stunning! Did you by chance see Princess Parrots? I heard the CSR is one of the areas they have been seen. I loved your bird pics and the dingo puppies, the flowers as well!

I would love to do this trip but there is no way I could drive a large 4x4, maximum I can handle is like a Rav4. We'd have to win Lotto to do the Outback Spirit tour, 23k for 2 people!

 

[JohnM]

Wow, just read all 15 pages, that was absolutely stunning! Did you by chance see Princess Parrots? I heard the CSR is one of the areas they have been seen. I loved your bird pics and the dingo puppies, the flowers as well!

I would love to do this trip but there is no way I could drive a large 4x4, maximum I can handle is like a Rav4. We'd have to win Lotto to do the Outback Spirit tour, 23k for 2 people!

No, didn't see any Princess Parrots.

 

[JessicaTam]

Triffic Trip Report JohnM.

Thank you for sharing a day of it with me.

 

[love_the_life]

Thanks JM. It was great to read along and share the trip vicariously. It sounded like a wonderful (if challenging) experience.

 

[OZDUCK]

Thanks very much for this fascinating report.

 

[VPS]

Just finished reading the last bit - once again thanks - great trip and well written

 

[emma fehon]

My limit was going down ungraded gravel tracks in the goldfields and down to surfing spots. I had a battery jump out of its retainer on a very remote stretch. Never went back to that surf track.
These days it has been sealed roads and I don't miss trying to figure out whether to speed up or slow down to get over the corrugations.
The Australian bush is amazing and JohnM is bringing it to us in his TR. Well done JohnM.

I agree with you hat abouo the kimberley holiday packages