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Published: November 19th 2007
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Brochure Text:
• Kalbarri National Park
• Natures Window/Z-Bend
• Bushwalk
• Shark Bay
• Monkey Mia
This morning, we have a short drive to Kalbarri National Park where we begin the day with a bush walk to check out the magnificent views of the Murchison River - Z-bend where (time permitting) you can take a cool freshwater dip and then the famous Natures Window . We continue north to Shark Bay which takes us through station country, where we cross Meadow and Nerren Nerren sheep stations, and another opportunity for wildflowers in season. Next stop is to visit the Stromatolites (the oldest living things on the planet) and then on to Shell Beach , probably the longest shell beach in the world. Now onto Denham (the most westerly town in Australia) for an important bottle shop stop before arriving at Monkey Mia Resort for the night. Other operators tend to stay in Denham but we would rather you experience a stay at the Monkey Mia Resort itself, situated right on the beach so that you can relax around the Barbie or swimming pool/hot tub. You may even see the Dolphins hunting at night for fish along the shore line. Overnight stay.
Monkey Mia Resort all facilities. (B,L,D)
Friday 16th 445! Up, dressed and in for breakfast. Did warn people last night that I'm not a morning person but maybe they've not seen anyone quite so monosyllabic at that time before! Into the bus - I'm in the front seat today... It's 555 before we set off and the sky is various pretty shades of blue - we're also keeping an eye out for roos and emus dashing into the road. We head into the Kalbarri National Park (and onto some of the most shocking roads I've seen since... Cambodia), keep trying to capture the sunrise (I don't see that many usually!), but we soon stop in the bush (although by this time the sun is really up) where we're heading off for our bush-walk to the Z-Bend Gorge - pretty impressive. After a visit to the 'bush dunny' (a natural bacterial toilet), we drive 12km to 'Nature's Window' (based within 'the Loop'), where I decide to bring out the decidedly uncool looking anti-fly head-net - it works! Whipping it on and off for photos (off which we all take many), on the way back we
see a nasty looking spider!
After this early start it's back on the road for many kms, stopping at currently very low Murchison River for a quick look. We went over the low bridge, next to which is a tall bridge as every year when the river rose the only road to the North was cut off. When they had severe flooding last year though it came only centimetres away from cutting off the new bridge. On the road for many kms, stopping about 35km short of Billabong (refers to a pool of water formed by turbulant water, last bit to dry up?!) to pick up a woman who's engine is steaming... We leave her at the garage at Billabong to arrange a tow. Lunch stop is at the 'Overlander' - 'gateway to Monkey Mia', where there's a chance to see female 'big red' kangaroos and some goats!
Finally, we head into the area marked as 'Shark Bay', which encompasses Monkey Mia (Me-ya, aboriginal for 'the place of'). First stop is 'Shell Beach' - formed from many cockle shells and hyper-salinted water. After 20 minutes we're ready to move onto Eagle Bluff where we look out to sea,
and then look out for sea creatures - we see several tiger sharks in the water - each about 2 metres long, although we are so far up it's difficult to comprehend. Next stop Denham (the most western habitation in Australia), where we stop at the supermarket before heading onto Monkey Mia.
Unloading the bus and claiming a dorm bed, we head onto the beach which looks idyllic. As always, the water is colder than expected, but after a while we adjust! Head inside with plenty of time for a shower and get into the kitchen to help set up for the barbie, with steak, sausages, kangaroo (just a taster - pretty expensive) and a load of veggies. Was expecting the make veggie kebabs, but unlike UK burn-fests Aussie BBQs seem essentially to be a steel hot-plate on which much can be cooked! Looking good - leave cooking to others as I tuck into some Port! Kimberley (another coach tour guide) and Laurie claim some too. Then it's into the food which is pretty tasty - steak was perfectly done, Kangaroo was tasty and I would say tasted quite beefy. After heading into the bar (Drambuie - not sure
if I like or not?!) catch end of the sunset on the beach and hang-out before another shower and an early night. Couple didn't want too much fan so instead of 2 at full speed we just had one on the lowest speed - which was OK until I woke soon after 12 feeling suffocated as someone had turned even that one off! Turned it back on and eventually drifted off...
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