Welcome to Cindy and David's 2013 Adventures
Note 27 - Carnarvon
On our way to Carnarvon we stopped at Coral Bay for tea and decided to check in as it really is a beautiful spot and we did not stay here on our last trip. Fortunately we were there early enough to get a spot before the midday hordes arrived! We actually stayed for two nights (this was decided after a walk along what must be one of the world's most stunning beaches).
You can see above the dark part of the water is the Ningaloo Reef so you can literally walk out to it. The boat will take you over the reef if you wish to look at the fish and coral thru their underwater windows. It is exceedingly safe swimming/snorkelling with the water a lovely temperature, as it was back further in Exmouth.
Lower left photo shows beach goers watching the fish feeding. A member of the National Parks brings along a small amount of feed for everyone as the large fish swim around our legs snatching up the food. Only a small amount of food is allowed by National Parks of course for obvious reasons. However, great fun is had by all as the fish are large (mostly Snapper or Red Emperor plus one lone Parrot fish) and very keen indeed to eat absolutely everything! However, they are harmless, just brushing against us).
Below is the caravan park in Carnarvon. In the background is the satellite dish used in bygone days to track the various USA space shuttles. Our van is in the far background and below left is our van just having been parked. Herein lies a tale.
Lower left photo shows beach goers watching the fish feeding. A member of the National Parks brings along a small amount of feed for everyone as the large fish swim around our legs snatching up the food. Only a small amount of food is allowed by National Parks of course for obvious reasons. However, great fun is had by all as the fish are large (mostly Snapper or Red Emperor plus one lone Parrot fish) and very keen indeed to eat absolutely everything! However, they are harmless, just brushing against us).
Below is the caravan park in Carnarvon. In the background is the satellite dish used in bygone days to track the various USA space shuttles. Our van is in the far background and below left is our van just having been parked. Herein lies a tale.
We expected to have neighbours by the end of the day. However, what we did not expect was the park owner guiding a van in behind us, as in FACING us, so at the back of where the table is, with their van against the bushes. They also had a door at the back so we were literally living together! Very strange arrangement. Their tv was our tv and their phone calls were our phone calls. Absolutely no privacy. When we left we did draw the attention of the park owner to the ludicrous design but they said they had had no other complaints!
Whilst in Carnarvon we backtracked a bit and went to visit Quobba Station. We had heard a lot about it so decided to find out what all the fuss was about. We were so glad we did as the grandeur of the wild ocean, rock cliff formations and of course the famous blow holes will remain in our memories forever. A lot of caravanners stay out there but it is without services and about 70 kms from anywhere. A bit too isolated but what a lovely spot to visit. The blow holes can be seen long before you actually arrive, they are so impressive.
Just along from the blow holes is a small part of the Ningaloo Reef and we sat on a rock just looking down into this beautiful coral pool with all the different types of fish casually swimming around. Just lovely.
Just along from the blow holes is a small part of the Ningaloo Reef and we sat on a rock just looking down into this beautiful coral pool with all the different types of fish casually swimming around. Just lovely.
On the road again, this time down to Denham, and on our way we called in at this lookout which really shows the miles of not much at all which is Western Australia.
Over the years a trend had taken over of collecting gnomes and other momentoes in a couple of piles on top of this lookout. At the end of the page is the roadhouse being the only buildings anywhere between the towns which we are visiting which are hundreds of kms apart.
Over the years a trend had taken over of collecting gnomes and other momentoes in a couple of piles on top of this lookout. At the end of the page is the roadhouse being the only buildings anywhere between the towns which we are visiting which are hundreds of kms apart.
We took a drive further along the coast and found the memorial for HMAS Sydney which sank with all hands during a battle with a German cruiser. A sad story.
The half-hour long engagement occurred on 19 November 1941, during World War II and resulted in the ships' mutual destruction and sinking.
318 of the 399 personnel on Kormoran survived, there were no survivors from the Sydney's 645-strong crew. It was the largest loss of life in the history of the Royal Australian Navy
The half-hour long engagement occurred on 19 November 1941, during World War II and resulted in the ships' mutual destruction and sinking.
318 of the 399 personnel on Kormoran survived, there were no survivors from the Sydney's 645-strong crew. It was the largest loss of life in the history of the Royal Australian Navy
Wild desert country.
During our visit to Quobba, there were continual amounts of whales playing around on their journey south.
Carnarvon town centre (above two photos)
Left is the bowling green provided for residents of the caravan park, next to which was a huge shed built by the owner for his guests to use for Happy Hour. Our Close Neighbours are in this picture. We made friends with them in order to survive! (We should have moved sites really but to do so is such an upheaval we made the best of it). It certainly was a lesson to check out really carefully where we are placed on arrival but you would think we had learnt by now!
Left is the bowling green provided for residents of the caravan park, next to which was a huge shed built by the owner for his guests to use for Happy Hour. Our Close Neighbours are in this picture. We made friends with them in order to survive! (We should have moved sites really but to do so is such an upheaval we made the best of it). It certainly was a lesson to check out really carefully where we are placed on arrival but you would think we had learnt by now!