Francois Peron National Park is a large national park occupying the northern half of the Peron Peninsula in Shark Bay. It has arid shrublands, sandplains and circular depressions bounded by spectacular coastal scenery. Most of it is only accessible in high clearance 4WD. With increasingly large “monster” 4WD becoming popular, this makes sand tracks in … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 32 – Monkey Mia
Shark Bay is in the vast World Heritage Area. It was pretty expensive staying in the Shark Bay area – it cost me an arm and a leg. Immature Pacific gull over the road from our accommodation Rum the labrador is a permanent resident where we are staying. Number two dot point of the house … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 31 – Shark Bay
A nearly semi-circular drive of 350km around Shark Bay. Wattle We disturbed a few Wedge-tailed eagles on roadkill. They flew away and then circled for a while. Wooramel Roadhouse – no towns and two roadhouses between Carnarvon and Denham (Shark Bay). Wooramel and Gladstone Scenic Lookout with views over the low lying coastline with Shark … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 30 – Around Shark Bay
Lake Macleod is a vast salt lake Wildflowers near Lake Macleod Coastal sand dunes behind Lake Macleod as we near Quobba. Dampier Salt has a huge operation north of here on the lake. Quobba Lighthouse An important reminder of the freakish king waves that have caused deaths and severe injuries along the coast here. The … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 29 – Carnarvon and Quobba
Today we journeyed from Exmouth to Carnarvon via Coral Bay – a distance of 390km. But first a drive up to the Murat Point area at the north of the cape. Bundegi Beach Naval Communications Harold E Holt towers. The white tower (Tower Zero) is the second highest artificial structure in the Southern Hemisphere (387.9 … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 28 – The Ningaloo Coast
Cape Range National Park has a rugged limestone range and arid coastal plain adjoining pristine waters of Ningaloo Marine Park. Our first botanical find of the day – Banksia ashbyii growing on red sand dunes near the lighthouse. This is the northern most banksia in WA and the only species found here. Green birdflower growing near … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 27 – North West Cape
Cape Range National Park – today we visited the scenic high country and gorges of the park. Is this the dirtiest bird in WA? Outside our accommodation, a Western bowerbird Chlamydera guttata appears on a fence. We had seen some in gorges of Central Australia but they are a disjunct population to the ones in … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 26 – Canyons of Cape Range
After a nice break in Karratha, we continued south-west for 550km to Exmouth on North West Cape. Miaree Pool on the Maitland River. Australian reed warblers were active. Low range at Fortescue Roadhouse Turnoff to Pannawonica and Tom Price Robe River has a long and lovely stretch of water Great egret with Little egret feeling … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 25 – NW Coastal Highway
Another morning rest today to recharge the batteries. Charging batteries is usually revolting but we had a great day. The Mulla Mullas are a distinctive natural feature of the Pilbara and street art sculpture in Karratha reflects this. Dampier salt has three solar salt operations at Dampier, Port Hedland and Lake MacLeod near Carnarvon. It … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 24 – Karratha and Dampier
Millstream Chichester National Park is accessed via Warlu Rd west of Karratha. The road was built and upgraded as it follows the coal train lines for maintenace access. It wsn’t long before we saw our first train of the day. There were many more seen throughout the day before the national park access roads. Sturts … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 23 – Millstream-Chichester National Park
Slower day today with sleep in, washing then a look around the Dampier and Karratha. Red Dog Statue Dampier. Red Dog (c. 1971 – 21 November 1979) was well known for his travels through Western Australia’s vast Pilbara region. Red Dog had a series of owners and lengthy periods travelling on his own, essentially becoming a beloved friend and … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 22 – Red Dog, red rocks
Desert walnuts (Turtujati) Owenia reticulata stands out with its very dark green leaves. We had seen them over the past two days but they were abundant south of Port Hedland. Other species of Owenia are found in rainforest and dryer scrubs on the east coast. Some of the branches have very twisted limbs give the … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 21 – The Road to Karratha (pm)
