Monkey Mia

7 - 10 July

Passed our first lot of wild goats on the Coastal Hwy.

We were having trouble finding a camp spot in Monkey Mia so ended up at Nanga Bay resort about 50 kms east of Denham and 75 kms from Monkey Mia. Nice position right on the ocean but the word "resort" is probably stretching things a bit far. Anyway we went for a nice walk on the beach and relaxed for the afternoon and collected some shells. Patch came home with a very wet jacket as he didn't have his bucket so used his pockets to gather the shells.

 

 

First thing the next morning we headed into Monkey Mia for a 7.45 start to the dolphin feeding. We paid our $16 and were pleased to find out that this gave us access again for the next day if we wanted to come back. The water was cold but we all lined up along the beach and went in up to mid calf to wait for dolphins and listen to the narrative from the rangers. We gave up after about an hour or so but had enjoyed chatting with the ranger. We went up to have breakfast at the resort and had only just paid for the smorgasbord when it was announced that the dolphins had arrived. So off we all went and went back down to the waters edge. The dolphins were magnificent and we loved watching the mother and baby swim by. Somehow Lincoln got chosen as one of the few to go in and hand feed the dolphin, what a magical experience. Milly and Patch were allowed to join him although Patch was too scared.

Back up for breakfast and after pigging out the dolphins returned and we got a second look.

We spent the rest of the day wandering around the beach, looking at the resort and just relaxing.

 

They had some guys from fisheries run a workshop on fishing for the kids which was really entertaining.

 

 

Back to the van via Denham which is also a lovely little town nestled right on the coast that has bragging rights as the most easterly town in Australia.

 

We stopped in at Little Lagoon which was beautiful and drove along the beach for a look.

 

 Also went to Eagle Bluff lookout and  visited Shell beach which was a big hit with TJ, the shells were up to 10m deep and the area was still being mined for the shells.

 

 

Had been told about a recording of a dog barking which is triggered as you drive over a cattle grid on entry into the area. The idea is that as the feral cats or wild animals pass through the beam they get scared off by the dog barking. It was a real hit.

 

We enjoyed it so much we decided to do it all again the next day and headed off, not quite as early, back to Monkey Mia. This time the dolphins didn't show up for quite a while so eventually we decided to go up for breakfast. So off we went and as we walked in they turned up. So back down to stand and watch these beautiful little creatures play and feed . How lucky were we when Milly was chosen to feed. She was beaming and Lincoln got to join her.

 

No time for a smorgasbord now as it finished at 10 so we had a bit of a put together breakfast and went back down for the second feeding. Then we headed off  to Francois Peron National Park which is 50 kms along a dirt road from Denham. First stop was the old homestead.

 

 

Then lots and lots of soft sand and hard driving along a single lane road with occasional sidings for passing oncoming vehicles. We went right out to the coast to Skipjack point where we could look down from the cliff onto the crystal clear water below. We spotted a shark but couldn't see much more at first. Then we realised that what we thought were rocks were actually stingrays and then we saw lots of shadows moving . The water was alive with rays, sharks and fish. It was incredible.

 

Then we headed back and stopped in at Bottle Bay for a walk on the beach. Just beautiful. A lady had just caught a fish and let the boys have their photo taken with it.

 

On the way back we came across a head on accident. There were some minor injuries and the volunteer ambos had just arrived with the local SES guy. The ambulance wasn't a 4wd. After helping get the injured into the SES car and another car the tow truck moved the cars out of the way and we all got to move on. Then it was a quick top at the tyre filling station set up at the entrance and back to Nanga.

10 July

On the road to Coral Bay

After hooking up the van and a little bit of school work we headed back to Shell beach for a last look.

 

 

Then stopped in at Hamlin Pools for a look at the stromatolites.

 

 

 

Soon after  we came across another accident this time a Wicked van had rolled five times. Two of the occupants were out one injured but the other was still in the van. Went to help as best we could. Bit of first aid and a lot of positive talking. It took over an hour and a half for the volunteer fireys and ambos to turn up. I was happy to leave as the guy was doing okay considering a really nasty compound fracture to his right arm but I couldn't watch the volunteers at work without saying something so thought it best to leave. The flying doctor was in bound so we knew the guy would be okay.

To Carvarvon for a resupply and then up to a free camp about 90kms up the road which was really noisy.

Tomorrow we head off to Coral Bay which we are all excited about as we have heard very good things. How good is this trip!! However the two accidents in two days certainly made us realise how easily it can all go astray. We are very thankful for our safe journey to this point and will not take it for granted and are reminded of the need to stay vigilant and alert.