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Denham
View from our campsite We had heard so much about the Dolphins at Monkey Mia so that was to be our next port of call.Alas no sites available at the Monkey Mia resort on the dates we required so we settled for a camp site in Denham which was only 20ks away and an easy drive for a day visitor.Well we scored a site overlooking the beach and ocean at Denham how good is that.Denham and Monkey Mia are on a peninsular surrounded on three sides by the Indian ocean and in a bay named Shark bay.First discovered by a Dutch captain in 1616 both the French and English followed, however not until the early 1870's were there any settlements in this area.Today Shark bay is a World heritage area and covers 2.2 million hectares of both land and sea.The road leading into the peninsular is aptly named the world heritage drive and along it's route are numerous well signed iconic visitor attractions before you reach Denham.Shark bay was given this name by a now famous English man William Dampier because when he visited in 1699 he saw sharks in abundance.The bay and surrounds have a chequered history with whaling and pearls being the early
industries before giving way to fishing and agriculture.Many ships were lost in the waters around Shark bay caught out by bad weather or the hidden reefs.Two ships however came to grief in these waters in 1941 not because of natural elements but because of war. HMAS Sydney and HKS Kormoran fought a battle in these waters at which both ships were lost, a memorial stands in front of the Shark bay Discovery centre following the discovery of these wrecks in 2008.
Denham is the only town on the peninsular Monkey Mia is a resort.Although only small with a population of 800 Denham caters well for the influx of year long visitors and tourists having all the amenities required to support tourism, which along with fishing is the major industry here.It is only when you arrive in these small communities that you realise the significance of their past and the influence they had on the growth of Australia. Denham is to host a commemorative 400year celebration in 2016 to mark the landing of the first Europeans in the area,sounds like a good party is on.
Heading off to Monkey Mia we are exited at the thought of feeding wild
dolphins.Monkey Mia is a resort built around the feeding of bottle nose dolphins but with many other activities on offer for both day visitors and guests alike.Go snorkeling off the beach away from the dolphin area,take a 4x4 drive among the sand dunes,hire a canoe or take a trip on one of the many boating tours available.But we are here to see the dolphins and we were not disappointed.Having walked around the resort and small shopping complex we heard the call the dolphins are coming in.Every one heads for the beach in front of the resort,reserved for dolphin feeding.Sure enough two dolphins are seen heading in toward the beach and the rangers are at the waters edge to take control of the event.The rangers proceed to inform the gathered visitors, about 30 all told, the history of the feeding and information about the dolphins.Only 5 dolphins are currently being fed all recognised by their individual dorsal fin just like a fingerprint and the quantity of fish is strictly controlled so that the dolphins don't become reliant on the feeding for their daily intake of fish.More dolphins approach and the ranger now in control identifies them all as they arrive.Time to
feed the dolphins as two volunteers arrive with buckets of fish and we are asked to move back out of the water to the waters edge.Having been advised to hold the fish by the tail and present it to the dolphin head first, we all eagerly await the feeding of these beautiful creatures.Not every one wants to feed the dolphins but I do and hold out my hand for a fish from the volunteer,looking into the face and eyes of this magnificent creature as she took the fish from my hand was magical .Are we glad for digital cameras with instant playback.A place well worth a visit Monkey Mia will be a cherished memory with many photographs to ponder over.
Shark bay is not all about Monkey Mia there is much more to see. Adjacent to the Monkey Mia reserve is Francois Peron national park, many of the tracks require a 4x4 but some are passable by 2 wheel cars.Rich in natural wildflowers in season this park offers an experience not to be missed, where the rich red sand meets the clear turquoise waters.These waters are home to over 14,000 Dugongs feeding on the rich sea grass which abound
Denham
Sunset from our camp site in Shark bay.We venture a little way in to the park enough to give us a feel of this wonderful place.
Along the heritage drive there are several viewing platforms accessible by only a short walk from the car park. With names like Eagle bluff and Red bluff we are enticed in to have a look.The views are spectacular looking out to sea and along the mighty cliff faces as they plunge to the ocean below.The water is so clear and we hope for a glimpse of some aquatic creatures but not today.Our time is over here in Denham which we have enjoyed so m uch,so time to move on, our next point of call is Carnarvan.
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marian
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Looks magical, great photos