Wind, wind go away...


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Published: July 29th 2016
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When we stopped over at Cape Range in 2008 the sun was shining and the beaches were inviting. Things weren’t quite as good in 2013, but it was pleasant enough (and Geoff caught fish). On this trip, so far we have had 2 days that we would call sunny and we think we might get some good weather here on the day we are to leave! The greatest problem is that there has been constant strong wind and although it is generally consistent in its direction during the day, it has certainly come from every point of the compass over the period that we have been here. But you have to be grateful for what you have got in this world; a week before we arrived, the campsite was awash. It sounds like doom and gloom, but that is only because we are sleep deprived due to the constant efforts of the wind to rip the awning from the caravan while we try to sleep. It is a wonderful place really and we have just been unlucky with the weather. I suppose we should be writing to Tony Abbot and his band of climate change deniers...

We have done a lot of exploring (even though we have been to this Park before, we still have not seen all it has to offer), and we even squeezed in a swim over the coral on the one warm day we have had so far. We have looked at a lot of the other camp sites here and are happy to say that we think we are at the best one, with its little lagoon behind the main beach. The main beach and its rocky outcrop have been largely deserted due to the weather, and that has affected the fishing as well...well that’s Geoff’s excuse anyway. However, we did find a fish shop in town and bought some lovely fish and prawns that someone else had caught!

Although the camping area does allow generators for power, there is no water (or corner shop for that matter), so our time here has been punctuated by a couple of trips to Exmouth, to replenish supplies. We now have a couple more water containers (paid for) that, had we planned better, we would not have needed as there are a dozen under the house at home. That aside, after all, who would cart an empty
Charles Knife Gorge views Charles Knife Gorge views Charles Knife Gorge views

Not quite the Grand Canyon
25 lt. barrel 6000kms just so they had it available for 2 weeks camping?

On one of the better days (note that I did not say good days), we took a boat cruise up Yardie Creek. The creek is the dividing line between the N.P and what is defence land to the south. The creek does not always flow into the sea, but given the weather that the area had experienced, it had broken through and a few folk with boats were making the most of a safe haven to launch their boats and head out to the reef. The creek cruise is hailed as one of the things to do in the N.P and a fellow camper said it was very good, so we parted with our $30 p/h (pensioner rate) and stepped aboard. Geoff had reservations about it having any ‘wow’ factor, and it lived up to his expectation. Perhaps $10 p/h pensioner rate would have been closer to it value wise. Nonetheless, we did see stingrays, some mullet, a number of rock wallabies that really tested one’s eyesight, and some white galahs that were all sitting in pairs. The commentary was good although there were a
Charles Knife Gorge viewsCharles Knife Gorge viewsCharles Knife Gorge views

Couldn't resist the face in the sandstone
number of wallabies that were sighted by the skipper and no-one else!

We also did a day trip to Charles Knife Gorge which runs through the range separating the N.P and the eastern side of the isthmus and Exmouth town. Access is mostly on bitumen and rises very quickly on a very twisty road that had Geoff rueing that he did not have the clubbie handy to get the most out of it. As it was Margaret reminded him that she was applying her brake strongly on the way down! There are some amazing views to be had and although the road is only 11 kms. Long, it demands a large number of stops for ‘photo opportunities’. It is not quite as good as the Grand Canyon, but pretty impressive in its own way nonetheless.

The wind persisted and SWIMBO (who and what is that) insisted on keeping the awning out, and eventually suggested that we purchase a pair of curved rafters to stop the awning flapping. They have been surprisingly effective, and we were somewhat lucky to get them as we enquired at the caravan parts store on Wednesday and were told that some would be coming
Charles Knife Gorge viewsCharles Knife Gorge viewsCharles Knife Gorge views

Approx 9 kms from the sea.
in on Thursday, but as they sold as quickly as they come into stock we should reserve some, which we did. They were at an absolute bargain price of $270 for two (thieves I bet that was more than twice the price in a city.) We did not plan to return until at least the weekend, but the weather was so bad, Marg decided getting Geoff out of her hair for a couple of hours was a good idea, and so off he went the next day. He stopped at the aforementioned Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, half way back to town, and made a call to ensure that they had arrived. As he called an SMS come in confirming that they had arrived. Fortunately, the caravan parts shop was his first destination, and as he walked into the shop, he spotted another customer walking out with a rafter under his arm. Inside he was lucky to be the only customer and asked for the rafters. “Oh, yes 10 came in this morning and we only have 2 left...” Methinks that our order/reservation might have been overlooked in the event on another customer getting in before Geoff!

Well the weather has
Yardie Creek, Rock WallabiesYardie Creek, Rock WallabiesYardie Creek, Rock Wallabies

That's about half the length of it!
not improved and there are rumblings beginning to emanate that we might be better starting our journey back South and East. Geoff knows that when the rumblings start, it is inevitable that nothing will stop them until the foreboding comes to pass. Thus, we are now headed for home, although we are now a lot more positive about heading inland from Geraldton to try to catch some of the legendary wildflowers. It will be too early to get to see the best of it, but we are still hopeful.


Additional photos below
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 Yardie Creek, Rock Wallabies  Yardie Creek, Rock Wallabies
Yardie Creek, Rock Wallabies

Severely enlarged so the wallabies can be seen. The big one is about 350mm tall.
Around Mesa on a rainy dayAround Mesa on a rainy day
Around Mesa on a rainy day

They weren't the only shags on a rock.
Around Mesa on a rainy dayAround Mesa on a rainy day
Around Mesa on a rainy day

Hanging out to dry


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