Monday, May 24, 2010

Carnarvon to Exmouth


G’day everyone.  Well after 6 nights in Carnarvon and many hours of boredom, Skeat’s car finally got fixed and we could finally continue the journey north. 
 Poss... a creature of the night?
Fishing on the Gascoyne River in Carnarvon
From Carnarvon we headed about 100km north to Red Bluff and Gnaraloo which are some pretty gnarly surf breaks and fishing spots.  Unfortunately for us the whole time we were there the weather was crap (one day it rained all day which apparently was their first rain for 12 months… good for them but shit for us) and there wasn’t much swell.  We did still get to see some pretty amazing stuff though.
Fussy doing a bit of light reading
Views near Red Bluff
 Blowholes
Gnaraloo Station
Gnaraloo Bay
After the rain and cold of Red Bluff and Gnaraloo we headed to the sunny warmth of Coral Bay which is a small resort town (permanent population of around 150 people) on the Ningaloo Reef.  It would be fair to say we weren’t expecting much from Coral Bay, especially after driving about 3 hours through GAFA (Great Australian Fuck All) to get there, but we were all very surprised when we drove down the main street (the town’s only street) and saw people everywhere.
In total we spent 3 nights in Coral Bay and were we treated to some indifferent weather (amazing for two days, a bit of rain for the other two days and too much wind) but enjoyed some great but chaotic times. 
Our first full day in Coral Bay (after another night of dodgy free camping) started with a morning snorkel in the crystal clear waters of the Ningaloo Reef… the best way to start the day!  From here we checked into the caravan park for a night, hit up the beach in the arvo then got stuck into the beers and headed out to the pub.  The pub was amazing; full of people on holidays having a good time.  The Moonta lads were in fine form too… very loose! 
Some of the awesome 4WD tracks around Coral Bay
Another night of free camping with views all to ourselves
Coral Bay
 Ningaloo Reef
Poss stole those chips from that kid... what a prick!
Loose times in Coral Bay with a chick we met for The Netherlands
Friday was a very interesting day.  It started with us all completely in love Coral Bay and the good times that it had provided so it was decided that we would stay another night at the caravan park.  It was a great plan and we were all stoked for another night of Coral Bay partying but it just wasn’t meant to be… turns out we weren’t very popular with our fellow caravan park guests (due to our noise when we got home the night before) and we weren’t welcome to stay an another night at the caravan park.  We also apparently broke some rule of the Caravan Parks Act by having both our cars on the one site which meant we were also required to pay for an additional site (not good for the budget).  That caravan park owner was doing his best to make Coral Bay less awesome.
Anyways we weren’t going to let that stop us from having a good day so headed to the beach and decided that the night would be spent sleeping wherever we could for free. 
At first we struggled through the day but eventually again got on the beers and again hit up the pub but this time for happy hour with a local dude we met during the day (he was the biggest tripper – great value) and his mates.  Happy hour was a massive success too as we got to hang with some pretty awesome West Aussies and for the first time in a while we managed to leave the pub with a bit of money left in the wallets.
Gilbert being a creep
On the final sleeping arrangements for the night, they all varied in the end from a mattress in the sand dunes to a nice warm bed in the backpackers.  Another night of free camping successfully negotiated!
We then left Coral Bay and headed north along the coast to the Cape Range National Park near Exmouth which is still located adjacent to the Ningaloo Reef. 


Cape Range National Park

Our first creek crossing - Yardie Creek

Cape Range National Park - another dodgy free camp

Turquoise Bay

We have spent 3 nights in the area checking out the sites, snorkeling and swimming with the largest fish in the world, the whale shark.  It is an unbelievable experience which everyone should do once in their life… the best!
Us on the Whale Shark boat
Whale Shark
Westie our Whale Shark tour host... an alright dude for a kiwi
 Ningaloo Reef
Whale Shark Tour
Whale Shark Tour

Celebrating a great day with the whale sharks

6 comments:

  1. Im getting sick of these boys they never let me out of this fucking car, and it stinks of dirty clothes, shoes, and spilt goon. I hate my life!! Im on a holiday too you know... you guys are jerks!

    And you know what, I wouldn't mind a shower either.

    Gilbert

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  2. SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU STUPID SLOTH, GET BACK IN THE FUCKING CAR!

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  3. Amazing adventure guys. All looking a little buff too!! Sounds like Coral Bay was pleased to see the end of the Moontalads. Lets hope they don't warn caravan parks further north about you all. Probably too late for that. I'm sure your reputations have preceeded you all. What a reputation to uphold. Bad boys. The whale sharks look fantastic. Bet it was a great day. Jealous. Send more pics. Great photography too whoever was responsible for all the great pics. Love the blowhole. Take care, beware of beer belly's. Miss you all. Deb and Pete, Judge is bored, bet he'd love a whale shark hug. xx

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  4. Wow guys..Looks amazing...I am so jealous as I sit here in my office typing this staring out my tiny window to the grey clouds and drizzle of A-town counting down until 5pm...bbbooooooohhhh! Glad your'e all still having a blast...look forward to more pics and another update!
    Quinny
    xxxxxxx

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  5. haha looks aweeesome!!
    so jealous! i wanna tag along for another crazy weekend and swim with those freaking giant Whale Sharks!! why is the weather so intense over there. i swear i havent seen the adelaide sun in about a fortnight.
    peaaace roadies xxx

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  6. Nice one fellas, those whale sharks look amazing! anyone manage to spear a feed off the reef?? post some pics of the main street of this little town you boys rolled. good to see the cars back on the road skeat. looks like you guys have overcome that hurdle with some amazing times in the water.

    keep on updating, gives me something to do at work!

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