We left pretty much on time with 6 vehicles in the convoy. Dongara Bakery provided lunch for us then dessert at the beach. Set up camp at Murchison Station along the banks of the Murchison River amid river gums and wattles. That night, the camp fire burnt beautifully with the very dry wood Markus supplied.
We had intermittent rain during the night then lots of wind to dry everything. Camp was moved to Ian’s Camp on the other side of the river on the station and after setting up camp, we explored the Tutula and Tutuli areas, while driving over rocky, sandy and corru-gated tracks passing vast numbers of the goats they run there.
We also saw a large feral cat, some large red roos and a bright yellow crab on a track. Castle Rock had great views of the Murchison River. Lunch was enjoyed at the river mouth opposite Kalbarri. On the way back past camp Roland and Donna, Markus and Andrea stayed there but the remainder went to Bully Pool then up a rocky incline near Ellie’s Pool, where we climbed a rock for views over the area.
Continuing our exploring near the rifle range, we came across a panicked emu that couldn’t find the many gaps in the fence to get to its mate.
Next morning we started with the jump up, then drove over the very corrugat-ed tracks to the boundary of Tamala Station. Followed the boundary to an old wrecked hut then we turned around and came back. Some rugged coast line where some clambered down to the beach where there were thundering waves crashing over a rock shelf. At the next beach there were a couple of blow holes and some whales. Took another track to a tank but the road was too precarious so we went back to camp. Andrea’s birthday was celebrated with cake!! Next morning was a lazy start until 12.30 when we packed up and took a short cut to our next camp via the Warribanno Chimney built for a lead mine in 1858.
The Billabong Roadhouse was a fuel stop and leg stretch then we took the Shark Bay turn off to set up camp just past the corner.
Next morning we took the Useless Loop Road heading to Steep Point. Emus and bobtails were seen on the sometimes corrugated and sometimes sandy track. Turned left at False Entrance then went to some blowholes that weren’t blowing but the coastline was dramatic. Zuytdorp Point was very rocky with nice scenery for our lunch break. Tony had a problem exiting the beach so he let his tyres down to 12psi then got out. We powered up a sandy incline then more corrugations, a fox and sand dunes.
There were glimpses of aqua water for 29 km’s. Checked-in with the ranger. Camped opposite Dirk Hartog Island with a beautiful outlook. Some went for a swim. The beach was a starfish graveyard from a cyclone. It was a very windy night.
Next morning we watched the barge taking one car at a time to Dirk Hartog Island. The western most point of the Australian mainland was our aim. We made it after a tough walk over rough rocks, then plenty of whales were spotted cruising up and down the spectacular coast. There was a fault line there too. Monkey Rock was next then a memorial to a ship wreck that only the captain survived after 14 days at sea in 1965. More whales spotted and a turtle. Back to camp for a lazy afternoon of swimming, reading, sleeping etc. Markus and Andrea had a stingray swim with them. Saw 22 Starlink satellites in a row—very impressive.
Less wind blew that night. On our way to Thunder Bay we stopped at Dicko’s look-out for views of the water either side of the peninsular and the long sand dunes. The blow holes lived up to their name by blowing cold air up regularly. Spotted more whales. Thunder Bay had rock shelves, awesome waterfalls from the rocks, a fox and a sea eagle. Crayfish Bay had loads of pretty shells. We went to the headland. Markus was the only car to make it up a sandy incline so it is now named Markus’ hill.
Roland and Donna decided to head back to camp through the dunes but this proved difficult as the track disappeared so they came back to the convoy. Then the convoy headed into the dunes also finding the track difficult to find. There were pyramid style rock structures. Tony decided to head for False Entrance instead. Our tyre pressures were reduced again to tackle a soft sandy hill. Saw a dead turtle. Lots of corruga-tions on the way back to camp. That night we saw 4 Space-link satellites in a row.
We had a fox come into camp during the night. Pam set off early for Perth. The remainder of the convoy set off later tackling the corrugations again. Tony’s mirror shook off but luckily it was found in tact. Stopped at Baba Point for a look. Shell Beach was lovely. Drove to Denham Caravan Park then the rest of the day was free to do as you pleased. We all met up again for dinner.
Looked at the Heritage Centre then onto the sandy track that had corru-gations and whoopty doos. Skipjack Point was magic with great views of dolphins herding fish, birds heading south in a vast number of formations, shags, red cliffs with kestrels nested underneath and crystal clear water. Saw a caterpillar conga line. Cape Perron had birds galore on the beach and the dolphins again. Bottle Bay was very nice. Looked at campsite for future reference. The Gregories had rocks extending out into the water covered in birds. Paul’s awning was popular for lunch at Herald Bight. At the end of the track were kindly placed tyre pumps, somewhat quicker than our own pumps.
Camp was further north at Gladstone. We walked to the old jetty then back to camp to watch the spectacular sun-set.
The hot artesian tub beckoned for Roland and Donna and Tony which they enjoyed but the 40 degree temperature was a bit hot for others. We all met up again for dinner at the Pearlers Restaurant in a cute little building made from small shells. Lovely meals all round.
Next day Markus and Andrea headed back up to Peron Point, Paul headed home, Roland and Donna headed to Perth so the convoy was down to two vehicles.
Later we heard that Pam had broken down at Neren Ne-ren but the RAC took her and her car back to Perth and they covered to cost. Luckily Pam and Graham were able to get away on their next adven-ture on time.
