Karijini National Park

We took our car around the rough roads of the National Park to see waterfalls and go on long walks around the gorges.





The best was a 'Handrail' walk, named because you need to use a handrail and a rope to climb down the slippy rocks that lead to the secluded pool. We swam through narrow gorges to get to the furthest point. We camped in the park (no tent or showers though) and cooked burgers on the hotplate in the dark!

Exmouth (22-26 October)

Funny old town, Exmouth, the place seems fairly over-run with emus, they keep pottering and snooping round the caravan park place we're staying in. Speaking of which, we are staying in a rather crudely converted portakabin.
Saw some more amazing gorges and hilly, beachy, coasty, creeky scenery, including an old shipwreck and a some whales coming up for air in the distance. More snorkelling and Turquoise Bay and the brilliant Oyster Stacks, loads more bright colourful tropical fish.
Driving home at dusk the road was crawling with wallabies and kangaroos, most of which observed the green cross code and seemed to be hanging out on the edge of the road waiting for us to pass. Caz has gone diving as well...

Coral Bay

Went snorkelling on the ridiculously large and close-by Ningaloo reef, saw loads of cool fish and rays and turtles and coral and er, sea cucumbers. Had a look at a bay where sharks come in to give birth and all that, there was about 100 of them, so we didn't swim out to say hello. Snorkelled with manta rays, had to chase them, Rory swam so hard (he has to cos he sinks easily) that he pulled a muscle in his leg - what a dipstick... Had a few parties on the beach, sometimes serenaded by a perculiar Irishman with bagpipes.

Denham & Monkey Mia

Saw some dolphins at Monkey Mia, who come into the beach to be fed. One took a shine to us and became our private dolphin, a dolphin for money, do want you want it to do. Sunbathed on a beach made of billions of tiny white shells, more brilliant scenery.


Went to a bizarre hot springs tub thing in the dark in the middle of nowhere.

Kalbarri

Saw some amazing coastal cliffs, gorges, rivers and stuff.

Went to a great little parrot zoo place and befriended a sulphur-crested cockatoo. Ate some crocodile, rabbit and goat...mmmm.

Geraldton (Gero!)

Spent a bit of time here waiting for Neil and picking courgettes. This was fairly back-breaking work, but at least we managed to mix it up a bit with some seed-planting and weeding. Neil joined in for a few days, when we managed to step on a couple of large snakes, tame the farm dog, Jess and bomb around on a battered old farm ute.