Welcome to Cindy and David's 2013 Adventures
Note 28 - Denham, Monkey Mia, Shark Bay
World Heritage Criteria
1 Earth's History - "The place must contain outstandind examples representing the major stages of the earth's evolutionary history."
2 Ongoing Evolution - "The place must contain outstanding examples representing significant on-going geological processes, biological evolution and human interaction with the natural environment."
3 Natural Beauty - "The place must contain unique, rare or superlative natural phenomena, formations or features of exceptional natural beauty."
4 Threatened Species - "The place must contain the most important and significant habitats where threatened species of plants and animals of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science and conservation still survive."
1 Earth's History - "The place must contain outstandind examples representing the major stages of the earth's evolutionary history."
2 Ongoing Evolution - "The place must contain outstanding examples representing significant on-going geological processes, biological evolution and human interaction with the natural environment."
3 Natural Beauty - "The place must contain unique, rare or superlative natural phenomena, formations or features of exceptional natural beauty."
4 Threatened Species - "The place must contain the most important and significant habitats where threatened species of plants and animals of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science and conservation still survive."
Shark Bay History
25th October 1616
The first recorded landing on Australia by a white man, Dirk Hartog left a pewter plate nailed to a post on Dirk Hartog Island.
1697 William de Vlamingh replaced the plate with the original inscription and his own. He took the original to the Netherlands
1699 William Dampier went ashore to collect plant specimens which is preserved in the Oxford University
1801 Baron Hamelin nailed it to a new post.
1818 Louis de Freycinet believed it belonged in the French museum and took it there.
1974 The French govt returned it to Australia
25th October 1616
The first recorded landing on Australia by a white man, Dirk Hartog left a pewter plate nailed to a post on Dirk Hartog Island.
1697 William de Vlamingh replaced the plate with the original inscription and his own. He took the original to the Netherlands
1699 William Dampier went ashore to collect plant specimens which is preserved in the Oxford University
1801 Baron Hamelin nailed it to a new post.
1818 Louis de Freycinet believed it belonged in the French museum and took it there.
1974 The French govt returned it to Australia
Stromatolites which we overheard called "Strum-a-lots"
Bob-tail Shingle-Back Lizard
Welcome Swallow
Thick-Billed Wren
Stromatolites viewing walkway at Hamelin Pools
Shell beach made from Coquina molluscs,a burrowing bivalve, which thrive in the hypersaline water is 120km long, 20m wide and 10m deep.
On the road into Denham (Shark Bay), we called in to the Stromatolites in Hamelin Pools. Cyanobacteria, the first living single cells on earth still living can be seen here and is one of only two known sites in the world where these are found. We also had a look at Shell beach (see left).
Setting up in Denham with a view over the bay. The ground in the park is all shells, hence the colour.
Denham township from the jetty.
The above vessel took us out from Monkey Mia to spot dugongs. Amazingly we met up with Brian and Julie Catley on the cruise. How far do you have to go to meet up with long lost old friends?
We saw a good many dugongs cruising around plus a large turtle who did not stay around for the photo opportunity. The young men, below righ,t sat in the net at the back of the boat until they were actually quite distressed (David eventually persuaded the crew to let them out!)
Visited the Ocean Park Acquarium and enjoyed a fabulous tour and discussion with the staff there on the amazing fish found in the area, not to mention the famous sharks of Shark Bay.
Peron Heritage precinct is the preserved remains of Peron sheep station. The Peron sheep station was closed and the Peron Heritage precinct is open to the public. Very interesting display of how a sheep station worked in a remote location. All sheep and cattle have been removed and efforts to rid the entire peninsular of feral animals like goats, foxes, cats have been a success,
We tried to go on into the Park but it was 4WD only and our car is definitely playing up so it would be too risky - very isolated.
On the left is a beautiful spot just out of town called Little Lagoon where we had a bit of a picnic. Underneath is our lovely morning at Monkey Mia and feeding the dolphins. It is not as bad as it sounds. There is very little food really given to them, just a taste but the social way these mammals interact is amazing. They are so friendly and come and take a look at you.
On the left is a beautiful spot just out of town called Little Lagoon where we had a bit of a picnic. Underneath is our lovely morning at Monkey Mia and feeding the dolphins. It is not as bad as it sounds. There is very little food really given to them, just a taste but the social way these mammals interact is amazing. They are so friendly and come and take a look at you.
David spotted this turtle from the jetty at Monkey Mia.
Below are some shots of the Denham water front. It is an amazingly wonderful World Heritage area and very carefully managed. We were sorry to leave but know that Kalbarri, our next stop has just as much to offer. This coast of Australia holds continual beauty and many surprises wherever you go.
Definitely the most amazing place we have ever visited.
One of only 20 places in the world and the only one in Australia to qualify on four world heritage criteria
One of only 20 places in the world and the only one in Australia to qualify on four world heritage criteria
Shark Bay has the biggest banks of sea grass in the world. It reduces the flow of tidal waters and evaporation increases the salinity of the water. The bays support many unique forms of life that have adapted to the unique conditions .
Denham, the view from the main road
Shark Bay Discovery centre - a must do visit
Sunset at Blue Dolphin caravan park
Did not try out the Hot Tub (fed from a capped artesian bore) as it was at 40 deg C !!!)
Part of the cruise was a visit to the Pearl Farm. It is on posts out in the water. The host described in great detail how pearls are cultured. Highly skilled Japanese women use surgeon-like skills to plant beads into the Oyster mantle and extract them years later. Very few are perfectly round.