Australia Westcoast Roadtrip

Travelling from Ranthambore/India was quite a journey. The 5 hour train ride seemed quite long but was comfortable, a bed with fresh sheets and even breakfast was served, so I got some rest. In Delhi I joined my other colleagues in a hotel close to the airport to get more sleep.

My flight was late that evening, so we took an Uber together on time since the others had their flight to Bali at the same time. 3 1/2 hours to Bangkok and almost 7 hours to Perth, finally arrived in the afternoon. Without problems at immigration and customs I ran out where Melli was waiting for me with our camper van :). We decided to spend one night in Perth for getting settled, have a proper shower and wash some things. The next two weeks we would spend our nights in the camper, sometimes on camping sites without showers. In town we had great dinner at one of the various Asian restaurants Thailicious, a drink in the hostel Witch's Hat and fell to bed quite early.

Next morning after breakfast we stopped at a shopping mall to get my SIM Card at Telstra, 30 days 30 dollars 20GB. Next door was the grocery store Aldi, where we bought all necessary food and drinks. Fully equipped we hit the road up north. After 2 1/2 hours we reached the Pinnacles Desert, funnily formed rocks randomly places in a yellowish sand desert. On the 4km drive we could stop for pictures and look outs.

Only 20 minutes from there we got to the camping site Sandy Cape North of Jurien Bay. Located in the middle of nowhere, but directly at the beach. We even saw 2 kangaroos next to the road. Most of these cute creatures could be seen along the main road dead probably from car accidents. We were lucky to see these two alive.
This place was magical, just behind a little hill was the beach, perfect for our first beer at sunset.

Even though there wasn't a shower at the site, but a gas grill where we prepared our dinner. Omlette on toast and avo. We spread out the sheets and got ready for our first night in the van. Waking up after a good night sleep with the sound of the ocean, what do you else need?!

Before leaving we had to take some memory pics on the beach dunes, pure and untouched nature!

Only two hours drive was ahead of us to Geralton. So we relaxed a bit at Jurien Bay, had some fish & chips and off we went further along highway 60.

Next stop was Geraldton cost town. We got to a campsite with proper shower and kitchen, called Belair for 30 Dollars per night. We freshened up and made some dinner, followed by some Gin Tonics since we still had some ice left ;).

The night was stormy and rainy, but by the time we woke up the clouds had disappeared and the the sun warmed up the air and we enjoyed our breakfast.

Short after Geraldton we took the coastal road to Gregory Port located at a lake, the Pink Lake. Almost unreal this lake seemed colours by the reaction of algees that contain carotinoid and heavily salty.

Besides the lake there was nothing else to discover, so we continued to the Kalbarri National Park. At the park entrance we were told that temperatures inland can raise up to 30 degrees and more. In order to hike the full 9km loop we should have been there earlier. Anyway we drove 45 minutes to the first lookout of Nature's Window. An hour easy hike gave us amazing views down the canyon along the river. Only annoying thing were the flies that kept on bothering us. So we turned back to the car and drove to the next lookout. Only 600m walk lead to a completely different view of the canyon. All other paths would have taken several hours and we were not motivated to spend another day.

Our further journey took us to a free campsite Galena. Kind of dusty and only equipped with toilets. Anyway we managed to make some dinner and enjoy the sunset. 

Soon it got pretty cold, so cuddled up in our sleeping bags back in the bus. A really cold night ahead of us...couldn't wait for the next day, beach and sun.

Following the highway no. 1 up north the temperature raised and by the time we reached shell beach, it was hot. This beach was insanely beautiful, white and covered with millions of shells that lead into an endless shallow water. We took some steps in the water before enjoying some sunshine speeding up our tan.

Searching for our next campsite we got to the town Denham at Shark Bay. Cute little town just at the beach. Still very windy, but a few steps from our campsite we sat at the beach watching the sunset with a chilled bear.
For the first time we gathered amoungst people in a bar for good food and some beers. 

Right after breakfast the next short ride took us 30 minutes through outback scenery until we reached Monkey Mia. We kind of expected a little village like Denham, but the "village" was simply the campsite with direct beach access, pool and restaurants. As a visitor you pay a 15 dollar entrance fee per person, if you stay over night or not. We fell in lve with this paradise spot and booked two nights on the campsite for 68 dollars.

Main attraction here is the dolphin encounter that happens every morning from 7:45 o'clock, for which we of course were too late. Next morning then...
We got settled with our van and layed at the beach. For lunch we sat in the restaurant, immediately with entertainment factor....a large emu family joined in the yard and almost reached our table.

Luckily we could gently chase them away, enjoy our food and spend the rest of the day with relaxing at the pool. Oh wait, happy hour distracked us or caught our attention, so no harm in having wine at sunset ;).
We cooked dinner and watched the stars and listened to the sound of the ocean in front of our van...

Early morning already around 100 people gathered along the beach boardwalk to watch and listen to the dolphin encounter. These dolphins are wild and come to this bay since the early 60s. People here have managed to also protect the animals living here, almost 2.000 in this bay. During the encounters they are only being fed 300-500g of their daily 12kg of food they need. Even two calfs we amongst the four dolphins that came this morning. Curious and friendly they swam along the beach. By 9 o'clock the three encounters were finished and we went back to our van for breakfast.

For the rest of the day we enjoyed a layed back day at the pool and beach. A happy hour drink shouldn't be missed before we prepared our dinner wraps. 

Hoping for a long sleep I woke up from knocking sounds on our van. Curious I opened the curtain and saw the emu family wandering around, father with 18 kids! Suddenly interested in us as we opened the door the father almost streched his head into our van. Since we luckily didn't have food he backed off and continued his path amongst the vans and trailers.

The whole distance was too long for one day, so we decided on a stop in Carnarvon half way up to Exmouth. We got there early afternoon, but instead of spending that half day in this non-attractive town, we drove to a coastal sight. One hour North there were supposed to be Blow Holes. What we saw was more than that...crazy wild waves splashing against the rocks formations pressing water from underneath the rocks up to several meters high fountains along the rocks.

As the sunset was about to arrive, we made our way back to Carnarvon and settled at a campsite in town.

We filled up the tank in Carnarvon and took off in the morning planning to arrive in Exmouth early afternoon...not a problem with enough petrol. Well we realized that it wasn't by the time we got to an outback area and petrol stations we out of reach. Nearby campsites couldn't provide either, most of vehicles around here were on diesel and not petrol. A lady at a campsite advised us to rather try and make it to Coral Bay 65km South instead of getting stuck North, where there were less chances of help. Sweating without AC, low speed and silence of hope for about an hour. Didn't even know the needle could go that far below the last level. Finally we made it just in time

Even though it was a detour, we turned back and drove to Exmouth, tomorrow we were booked on a dive trip :)

Just across the road was the dive center where we met a nine o'clock. A bus took us to the other side of the Peninsula and we got on a boat. A group of female dive instructors gave us information and our equipment. I was kind of nervous. My last dive experience was only two months ago, but still I wasn't that confident. Melli was my dive buddy and we agreed to swim just behind our instructor. Our group of six jumped in the water and made our way down a rope to the maximum depth of 13m. Unfortunately the visibility was bad, only 5-6m. My mask regularly filled up with water and currents occured every now and then. Anyway we got to see turtles, barracuda and a giant grooper. Lots of other small fish and even a white tip shark beneath a rock. Also crocodile fish were on the ground. After 45 minutes me and another guy went up again while the others remained for a couple of minutes more.
Soon after lunch we descended again and the comfort didn't improve although I got used to the current a bit better. Anyway I believed that confidence would come over time and experience.
We got back to the peer in the afternoon.

We got back to the peer in the afternoon. For sunset we drove to 5 mile access, sat on the beach and watched some turtles in the water. Hoping for them to come to shore for nesting, but just as it almost got dark nothing had happened, so we left.

A close by campsite Yardies had some late check-in spots, so we got comfortable and slept early.

Before heading 1 1/2 hours to Coral Bay we chose to spend the day at Turquoise Bay. The most beautiful beach up to now with few people, white sand and calm shallow water at just the right temperature. Until early afternoon we layed there and tanned-up.

At this spot I felt fully in comfort. Got used to travelling, enjoying the moment without any regrets. My trip had almost come to an end this year and my thoughts were spinning around....not in any way negative, but more reliefed. I had seen parts of three continents, mostly travelling by myself, meeting people, being in uncomfortable situations, but mainly being blessing with lucky and happy experiences. I have learned a lot about myself and being happy with myself. A lot has changed and I have become a different, more relaxed person. Seeing things in a wider angle and letting things happen as they come, knowing everything happens for a reason and I am so thankful for every little things happening to me. 

With this feeling we made our way back to Coral Bay for the last few sunny beach days before heading back to Perth.

After a beach day we were excited to go on a last trip tomorrow. First my manta snorkeling trip was canceled and just an hour after I had signed up for snorkeling on Melli's dive tour hers was also canceled, both because of too bad weather caused by high winds. Well then we thought that it wasn't meant to be and there was another beach day to come. For the evening for a change we made our way to a bar, had some beers and played pool....but still returned to our comfy van early ;)

Even without our trip we enjoyed our beach day so much...did some nice pics, had lunch at a café and spent the evening cooking and chatting to a couple from Perth and German girls. They had told us to walk the beach almost all the way to the dune side, where they had spotted some sharks in shallow water. So next morning walking in the late morning sun along the untouched beach with rocks, cristal clear water and white sand, we met the girls again. Together we walked a bit until one little black tip shark after another showed up. Seven of them gathered close to the beach simply hanging around. Also some sting rays could be recognized.

Around 1pm we continued our drive towards Perth with two stops planned. First one after 4 hours at Gladstone Bay, where we got by sunset. Two little dogs welcoming us were the invitation to an evening with nice people from Australia and originally UK travelling around. Next morning we had the best shower on the whole trip....surrounded by goats we got a perfectly tempered shower from natural fountain water, that also the goats liked to drink from ;).

Also our second and last stop before getting into Perth was special. Green head campsite 6 hours away was located directly at the beach. Magical sunset, sport session with a view and same for breakfast were the reward for the long drives, that then didn't feel that long. 3 more hours to Perth, drop off the van, check in to the same hostel "Witch's Hat" and barramundi fish at sunset dinner Clancy's Fish Bar, City Beach.