Welcome to Cindy and David's 2013 Adventures
Note 26 - Onslow, Exmouth
Out on to the west coast. Desert all around, red dirt, low scrub, spinifex and grasses but this time of the year there are flowering plants everywhere. We started at the top, Onslow, which meant a long drive off the main south road and we did wonder why we bothered. No offence to Onslow but truly a town devoted to gas and oil lines and fishing which a lot of caravanners love to do so, as usual, the caravan park was full.
Crested pigeon
With quite a distance between places up in this mostly unpopulated part of the world, a free camp gives us a good break and prevents us having to drive too far between destinations. This one was huge. We counted 60 vans that we could see but there were lots more right back into the scrub and we all had lots of space and privacy.
Then on to Exmouth, a town also at the end of a long peninsula. A much larger, livelier town than Onslow with two large caravan parks. We chose one close to town and settled in for a week's rest, and stayed for two. Such is the atmosphere of the park and of the town. Huge spaces in the park, lovely occupants and a few things to do such as Ningaloo Reef.
Then on to Exmouth, a town also at the end of a long peninsula. A much larger, livelier town than Onslow with two large caravan parks. We chose one close to town and settled in for a week's rest, and stayed for two. Such is the atmosphere of the park and of the town. Huge spaces in the park, lovely occupants and a few things to do such as Ningaloo Reef.
The pool at the c/park, the far end is nearly 3 mtrs deep.
The lighthouse at the end of the peninsular from the view looking down from its grounds to another caravan park.
A long way from town but right near all the Ningaloo Reef beaches.
A long way from town but right near all the Ningaloo Reef beaches.
The radio masts are a joint project with the USA and a main source of employment here apart from of course the gas and oil rigs.
The harbour in Exmouht.
The harbour in Exmouht.
The photos that are at the end of this page were taken on the Western side of the peninsular, beach after beach ending up with Yardies Creek (left and right) - a beautiful gorge.
Another attraction of the area - two adjacent gorges, although one is officially a canyon.
Whilst in Exmouth, they had a special service on August 18 for Vietnam vets (left) which we are told happens countrywide every year. It was a very moving service and done very well.
During a walk one morning with friend and neighbour, Lorraine, who hails from Augusta, WA, pointed out this rather lovely property. The garden features bouganvillea cut into trees and a show of the lovely desert peas.
David and Lorraine snorkelling at Oyster Stacks. I did some snorkelling too which most of my family would probably disbelieve. However, the highlight for me was fish swimming around my legs when merely standing at the edge watching.
Onslow 1Km walkway
Onslow caravan park from the start of the walkway
Sturt Desert Pea growing on the verge of the main road
The shipwreck of the Mildura from pre lighthouse days.
The masts of the very low frequency "submarine detecting" radio centre
Brown Falcon
The Cape Range National park
The Mingaloo reef stretches all the way down the west coast line. Reef snorkelling is a step off the beach and is just as attractive as the G.B.Reef off Queensland
Above is another beach further along the peninsular called The Lakes. Left are our friends and neighbours, Lorraine and Fred at one of our get togethers, this one was also a bbq. We are very settled in Exmouth and will find it extremely difficult to drive away!
Sea Eagles made a nest in the comms tower. This is one of the two juveniles returning from a test flight.
The last full day of our Exmouth stay the WA Variety Big Bash event started off from the town for the first time. All the drivers dressed up and their cars are nothing short of magnificent. The event combined with the opening of a water park in the town. Right is during the ceremony young Jack was the first child to enjoy the water park. (Jack has officially raised over $40,000 for the Variety Club charity).
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Salt mine, Onslow
These photos were taken by Lorraine with her underwater camera. Far right, Cindy's legs as mentioned above.