Blogs from Exmouth, Western Australia, Australia, Oceania
May 15th 2012
Exmouth 15th May One of the newest towns in Australia, Exmouth was founded in 1967 as a support town for the Harold E Holt US Naval communications station, and a joint venture with Australia, which is the main source of local employment (spying?). As we drove into Exmouth for the first time, it was evident that it was new and growing and attracting ‘money’. The magnificent Novotel Ningaloo Resort based next to the marina and the new estate being built on a canal system is the first thing that greets you, and it is pretty impressive. With no wet season, the region has a dry climate with hot summers and mild winters, Exmouth has around 320 days of sunshine each year. We were here at the start of winter and experienced weather temps down to 33 ... read more
April 21st 2012
Saturday the 21st we checked out of Exmouth and drove south. We stopped to check out some gorges along the way. Driving along the highway, the land to the inland side of the peninsula looked very flat, and then rose a bit into a hill, as if the peninsula had a spine. On closer examination, it was amazing how deeply the gorges carved into the landscape. We drove along the bottom of the first gorge, Shothole Canyon, so named from the oil and gas exploration work in the 1970's. When we climbed the path that led us up to the rim, I was surprised at the height. The approach to the next gorge was from the rim. Here it was more obvious that we were climbing. When we stopped at the lookout, the ocean was very ... read more
April 20th 2012
Woke up and it was very windy again. Checked with the DEC office to see which snorkeling sites were recommended given the high winds, choppy seas and big swell (2 aspects of reading the weather bulletins which I have never previously payed much attention to). Turquoise Bay was the suggestion, but the beach snorkel, not the drift snorkel. So, off we went to the West side of the peninsula, and there was the Ningaloo Reef, the largest 'fringing' reef in Australia. We had great snorkeling. My new prescription snorkel mask was worth every penny. So was the more expensive snorkel with the one way valve so that the waves constantly breaking my head (see 'big swell') didn't drown me! There are no underwater pictures you will note. I am much too busy breathing andlooking to cope ... read more
April 19th 2012
Thursday the 19th: Day 3: Carnarvon to Exmouth, 367 km Susan and I are now at the most northerly extent of our journey. We have reached Exmouth, which is 1260 km north of Perth. For Yukoners, it is about the same distance as Edmonton to Muncho Lake.... What did we see today? Termite mounds - very peculiar things really....Goats that might be feral or might have strayed.....emus, single and in little groups.....solar installations and a VLF antenna array that used to be the highest structure in the southern hemisphere. Close to Exmouth there is a naval base, and a solar observatory. It was across from the latter that we saw the sign of the cow being abducted by aliens! In some ways I am reminded of the Alaska highway. Long distances pass with nary a settlement ... read more
Day 5 Perth to Broome - Exmouth
Published: April 23rd 2012Oceania » Australia » Western Australia » Exmouth
April 17th 2012
When we were looking into what we wanted to do on the west coast of Australia we picked out diving with whale sharks, so today was the day!As per every day we were up early for the transfer to our boat with an exceptional lively crew of Jess and Laurie (they'd clearly been drinking double espressos), but they told us a lot about the sharks and that the conditions were great with the seas full of the corals' eggs following the recent full moon; perfect feeding conditions for the whale sharks. With the positive energy flowing we were soon on the boat being briefed on what to do when we were in the water with these giant fish. Much to the crews amazement we found a whale shark ... read more
April 14th 2012
Well, we've made it just over a week and after a few small teething problems like realising we have way too much stuff and ditching it and testing out our jack on our first blown tire, we're still going strong. We have pit-stopped our way up the beautiful west coast stopping at Coronation Beach, Kalbarri, Denham and are now kicking back in Exmouth after having snorkelled over the beautiful Ningaloo Reef. I have to admit that even though Tom has settled into the nomadic way of life quite nicely, it has taken me a while longer to get used to the campervan lifestyle; 'nesting' each evening and things being in a less convenient place than at home. But saying that, we have stayed on glorious beaches watching the sun set over the ocean with a glass ... read more
Heading south - more heat, more flies, but still wonderful!
Published: November 23rd 2011Oceania » Australia » Western Australia » Exmouth » the city
November 23rd 2011
I feel more and more reluctant to update my blog, perhaps because we are nearing the end of our wonderful adventure, and while I am looking forward to returning to ‘normalcy’ and home, another part of me doesn’t want to stop this amazing - though at times exhausting - trip. Particularly now as we have hit the coast, and are finally spending lots of time at the beach. We are currently in Exmouth, right by Ningaloo Reef, a fantastic fringing reef easily accessible from the beach, which is great for the boys (and the budget). And not only is the snorkelling amazing, but the beaches are white with lots of shells to keep the younger boys entertained, and the water is clear and beautifully turquoise. I am in Heaven! But first, what ... read more
October 22nd 2011
Yardie Creek(YC) with day at Turquoise Bay(TB) with quick stop ay Sandy Bay(SB) (11524 km to 11580 km)... read more
October 22nd 2011
Yardie Creek(YC) to Oysters Stacks(OS) and to Turquoise Bay(TB) (11580 km to 11638 km)... read more
October 22nd 2011
Yardie Creek(YC) to Yardie Homestead Park with visit to see the Green Sea Turtles(GST), Mildura Wreck(MW) , Vlamingh Head Lighthouse(VHL), and Jurabi Turtle Centre(JTC) (11638 km to 11800 km)... read more
