The Ranges to Reef experience

Heading North from Monkey Mia (south first to get to the highway) we had a one night stop over in Carnarvon - the place of production for 80% of W.A.'s bananas... and not a whole lot else... oh, except fishing. They do a lot of seafood exports from here. Luckily, one night was more than enough and we continued north to Exmouth (pop. ~ 1500). This little town was mostly just a place that supported the Naval Communication Station.

It has now become a destination hot spot where tourist can experience Cape Range National Park and the Ningaloo Reef. We camped 40 minutes past town on the western side of the peninsula at Yardie Homestead Caravan Park. This used to be a sheep station and has since been converted into a caravan park for 'the serious fisherman'. With easy access to the boat launch just 5 minutes down the road, and 4wd tracks in the National Park we were the only ones in camp without either a 4wd vehicle and/or a boat. We were also the only ones who didn't make use of the fish cleaning station which was right next to the tent camping area. It was by far the smelliest place we've stayed!

Surrounded by arid grassland, were close to the Ranges and close to the ocean. Other than the baking heat during the day, and the tiny sunburn I got whilst snorkeling the reef, it really was a lovely place to stay. Another month from now and the weather would cool down just slightly and make it perfect! We saw plenty of kangaroos, a few resident emus, a couple of lizards on the land... and then I persuaded Matt to buy some snorkel gear from the visitors center and we headed out to the water. Matt learned how to snorkel and I darted around chasing all sorts of fish until I scared the crap out of myself when I encountered a reef shark! the dangerous kind! Matt loved seeing the underworld and we wore ourselves out in the heat of the day.



Kori Beach - Cape Range NP, Exmouth, W.A.





Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray - Cape Range NP, Exmouth, W.A.

The next day we hiked up Yardie Creek Gorge to see some incredible red rock gorge.



Yardie Creek Gorge - Cape Range NP, Exmouth, W.A.

 I was in need of avoiding the sun after copping just a little too much the day before, but Matt headed out to test his snorkeling skills. As the sun started sinking towards the sea and the intensity was knocked out of it's heat, I ventured down to the water, but that is when Matt pointed out a VERY large sting-ray... So, I just waded around near the shore and then we headed back to camp.

We did make a quick stop at this little beach where we found some of natures work in mosaic.

Natures Mosaic - Cape Range NP, Exmouth, W.A.