Kalbarri - The winter destination!

So with hot glaring sunshine we arrived north of Geraldton in Kalbarri (pop. ~ 2000). This sleepy town is located along the Murchinson River as it meets the wild and powerful Indian Ocean. Other than not being able to locate a decent swimming beach today, we loved the quiet evening as it cooled down to a nice warm still evening as we listen to the 4 meter/12 foot swell crash into the reef protecting the river inlet. Watching the sunset over the inlet.



Town Beach - Kalbarri, W.A.

The town is surrounded by Kalbarri National Park where red, red rock has been eroded by the river creating 'a true old-school Australian river' as my hubby puts it. Crystal blue waters deep inside the gorge winds its way through what otherwise is a stark, bland landscape.


Hawks Head - Kalbarri NP, W.A.

I am still trying to picture what it was like in this harsh place for the early settlers and pioneers of this land. It's all fine and good to travel along in our comfy air-conditioned car at 110k's/hour (70mph) for half a day, pull over and find a nice air-conditioned hotel almost always with a swimming pool to knock the edge off the day after sitting in the car. To walk into a pub, order a substantial meal and sip on an ice-cold drink whilst waiting for the food to arrive... But to travel across this land and have to survive... Just to find fresh water would have been such a struggle. But to then work or travel through the soaring heat with no shade to be found for miles and miles around. Why would you persist? How would you survive? These people did not have near the conveniences we have today. Landmarks. They are very subtle, and few and far between.

We all know Matt would get lost in a five street town if he had to go to a store across town and back on his own (with a GPS mind you). But I'm struggling to find telling signs that I would normally navigate by. Nearing the 26 _Degree_ parallel, when the sun is high overhead... it is literally overhead. Near mid-day I can't tell which way is north - except in towns where there are trees. It seems all the trees slightly lean to the north east. Must be the prevailing winds.

Now even after my 5 years here in Australia, I still have moments, very occasionally, where I forget that the sun is in the northern sky rather than the southern. This is one of the challenges of changing hemispheres. But, I really am looking for something to help me direct my internal compass. Please, anyone who has some suggestions... please tell me what to look for!