Snapper Rocks

Day 92 - Snapper Rocks

Snapper Rocks

Saturday, 20 April 2013
Start of the WA school holidays so I expect a lot more people to come into Tentlanding and the other camping sites.

Went for an early morning kayak to Baba Head and around to the next beach. Although I didn't see any marine wildlife the water was calm and peaceful so It was enjoyable paddling.

Later in the day I went for a paddle to the nearby seagrass beds. There was a strong SW wind that caused the waves to break over the bow. It was worth geting wet as I saw a Green turtle swimming on the surface. I couldn't get close enough to take any photographs but it was fun to watch the turtle swimming through the waves.

Late in the afternoon a couple of guys from The Hut campsite drove in and said hello. Tuka was quite excited to see new people. Probably bored with just seeing me each day.

	Baba Head [Map]		Looking towards Snapper Bay [Map]
	Tuka and kayak [Map]

Snapper Rocks

Day 91 - Snapper Rocks

Snapper Rocks

Friday, 19 April 2013
Breakfast and then a walk with Tuka.

Went kayaking south, paddled around the seagrass beds but didn't sea any fish. It had become windy so visibilty was not good because of the waves. Went down near the Tentlanding campsite and then paddled back. Stopped at various times and looked down around for any movement. Finally saw a snout and the back of a dugong in the distance. Of course by the time I got to where it had been it was long gone.

Came back to camp, had a cuppa and then took Tuka for walk. As it was windy I spent the rest of the day photographing, reading, watching dvds and walking.

	Clear water near Snapper Rocks [Map]		Coastal vegetation near Snapper Rocks [Map]
	More coastal vegetation [Map]

Snapper Rocks

Day 90 - Snapper Rocks

Snapper Rocks

Thursday, 18 April 2013
Suuny day, clear and no wind. Went for an early morning kayak up north to end of the headland, Baba Head. On the way there were hundreds of little silver fish jumping out of the water. At the end of the headland there was a strong current coming around it from the east. I didn't try and fight my through instead turned around and followed the cliffs back south. Noticed a couple of plaques on the cliff in memory of drowned people. Went past twenty Pied Cormorants and four Pacific Gulls sitting on the limestone rocks jutting out from the cliffs. Stopped at Snapper Bay and went for a walk along the headland.

Back at camp I had a late breakfast, fed Tuka and then took him for a walk. As it was still calm I decided to go snorkelling. Swam out to the nearby seagrass beds. Their condition is varied from high and thick with plenty of small fish to very short and disturbed with no fish. While in the thick seagrass I came upon two marine turtles!! One took off but the other slowly swam around. I was able keep up and watch and photograph the turtle for a few minutes until it suddenly it moved its flippers very fast and it was gone!

Did some more snorkelling than came back to the van. Got Tuka and we went for a swim. Afterwards did some reading. Then decided to go another kayak as it was so calm. Put Tuka in the van with food and water and the back door open.

 I wanted to explore the island on the other side of the bay so away I went. The water was so clear that I could see the bottom even if it was one metre deep or five metres deep. Passed by a Pied Cormorant diving and surfacing and then I saw a dugong snout appear out of the water. By the time I paddled over to where it had surfaced it had gone. So kept paddling to the island and then saw two snouts emerge from the water. But that was all I saw as the elusive animals had moved on by the time I got near where I saw them.

I finally reached the island. It is a combination of limestone rocks and high sanddunes. I could see the van as a speck on the other side of the van. A sea eagle took off as I started walking around the island. Also saw a a dark grey half metre long fish swimming in the shallows chasing the smaller fish. Took some photographs of the view and then paddled back without seeing anymore dugongs.

Back at the campsite Tuka and I had a swim and then a late lunch. Rest of the afternoon spent reading and swimming. Hot day with only a small breeze - 33 degrees in the van and it feels cool.

	One of the plaques [Map]		Green turtle amongst the seagrass [Map]
	Closeup of the Green turtle [Map]		Green turtle [Map]
	Kayak on island [Map]

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Snapper Rocks

Day 89 - Snapper Rocks

Snapper Rocks

Wednesday, 17 April 2013
A cloudy cool morning then eventually rain and windy. Did some reading and backing up of photos. Later it became fine and hot and windy.

Went snorkelling in the seagrasses meadows nearby saw some bream which were quite tame. I was able to swim close to them. Also saw a small and very slender elongated fish.

Swimming and walking with Tuka. Some reading and rearranging the gear in the van. While sitting outside Tuka and I have company of two seagulls. I think they are used to being fed by campers.

Checked out the kayak. Abrasion on the bottom and on the top from the limestone. Worn through to the one of the inflation tubes. The tube has a hole in it so will not inflate. I can repair all of the abrasions and the holes when I get to hardware store. The kayak is still useable.

In the evening as it was a cloudless night and there were no lights near me so I photographed the stars

	Tuka on a walk [Map]		The two seagulls [Map]
	The Milky Way [Map]

Snapper Rocks

Day 88 - Snapper Rocks

Snapper Rocks

Tuesday, 16 April 2013
Woke up to a cloudy day with a slight breeze and a cool van. Had breakfast, fed Tuka, did some reading and then went for walk with Tuka.

Later put Tuka in the van (he prefers his bed in the van over his bed outside) and went Kayaking to the south of my camp. Only a slight chop so clarity ok. Plenty of seagrass nearby so will do some snorkelling from the kayak when the water is smooth. Very peaceful kayaking as no other boats on the water. Just the sound of the seagulls and the waves.

Came back and had a cuppa with Tuka. Did some reading and then a walk with the camera. Will try and do some experimenting with my photography while here.

Went for another kayak north this time and in another cove saw a 4wd set up with a camp and boat - must be Snapper Bay. While in the cove I saw a fin ahead of me and as I paddled closer saw that it was Bottlenose dolphin feeding in among the seagrasses. As I was following the dolphin I heard a snort to my left and there was a dugong surfacing! I saw the snout came out for air and before I could take a photo the dugong was underwater again and gone.

In the afternoon it became windy again so I did some reading, walking and photographing. Late in the afternoon I remembered I hadn't pulled the kayak off the little beach. I ran down to the water and found that it was high tide and the kayak had been swept against the cliff on the other side of my cove. It was still floating but full of water with the waves bashing it against the limestone cliff. I got a bucket and standing in the water luckily only up to my waist managed to bail the kayak out enough to move it away from the cliff and waves. I was able to drag it back to the campsite and empty it. The bottom has been abraded by the limestone but not enough to cause any leaks.  I am amazed it still floats because as well as being abraded on the rocks it was also being twisted by the waves. It is a strong little Gremlin.

	Kayaking in Henri Freycinet Estuary [Map]		Dolphin off Snapper Cove [Map]
	Campsite [Map]		Vegetation around Snapper Rocks [Map]

Denham-Hamelin Road to Snapper Rocks

Day 87 - Denham-Hamelin Road to Snapper Rocks

Hamelin, Tamala Station, Snapper Rocks

Monday, 15 April 2013
Woke up to a sunny morning, had a walk in the bush with Tuka, had breakfast, packed up and on the road again.

Detoured into Hamelin Pool Marine and Nature Reserve where there are 3000 year old stromatlites. They are the largest and oldest living fossils and dot the shore of the pool in rocky lumps. The stromatolites grow in Hamelin Pool because of the extreme salinity of the water, the occurrence of calcium bicarbonate and the limited circulation of the water.

Then drove on and turned off onto the dirt Useless Loop Road and 40km later arrived at Tamala Station. Met Joke, one of the owners and she told me where I would be camping and a bit about the Station. I also said hello to her dog and nursed a joey that Joke is raising as its mother died. There were two roos lying in the yard. Not pets but wild - they just like the shade and grass. She then said hello to Tuka.

I then drove the 8km to my camp site, Snapper Rocks.The site is situated on a little cove with smooth rock access into the clear blue water. The cove is located in Henri Freycinet Estuary. It is part of Shark Bay Marine Park which is 748,735 hectares in size and covers 1500km of coastline.
Tuka was in the water before I set up as it was hot and sunny. Set up the awning with sunshade and added a shade tarp at the end. Added poles and ropes to keep them all in place. I then assembled the kayak, had a swim and a late lunch.

Later in the afternoon SW winds came and the awning was blown up and down even with a deflapper on it. Eventually pulled down the ropes and tarp and wound up the awning. The Fiamma awnings are classed as sun shelters and not meant to be used in windy conditions which makes them bloody useless on the Western Australian coast.

Anyway the wind made it cooler but also stopped me kayaking as it was too rough on the water. Tuka and I went exploring instead. Around the corner I could see another camp site about a kilometre away. Other than that there is nobody.

	Campsite at Denham-Hamelin Road [Map]		Viewing platform for the Stromatolites [Map]
	Stomatalites [Map]		Red stomatalites [Map]
	Road to Tamala Station [Map]		Roos resting at Tamala Station [Map]
	Tamala Station office [Map]		Tuka coolling off Snappers Cove [Map]
	Sunset at Snappers Cove [Map]

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Kalbarri to Murchison River

Day 86 - Kalbarri to Murchison River

Kalbarri

Sunday, 14 April 2013
Had breakfast while watching tv (rare event), took Tuka for a walk and packed up. Spent some driving around Kalbarri. Plenty of places to access the Murchison River for a swim, kayak or boat ride. Tuka was able to get wet up to his shoulders.

Now going to visit the Kalbarri National Park and see the Murchison River Gorges at Z Bend, Hawks Head and Ross Graham.

Just a note to let you know that I will have no mobile or internet for the next two weeks so the blog will not be updated for two weeks.

I will be staying at a beach called Snapper Rocks on Tamala Station, Shark Bay. Tuka and I will there for two weeks in a cove by the beach by ourselves. I will be swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, walking, reading, eating and drinking. It will be hard. I hope to see the dolphins, mantra rays, turtles and dugongs. Possibly catch some fish for tea. I would like to avoid the tiger sharks

	Pelican feeding site, Kalbarri [Map]		Murchison River, Kalbarri [Map]
	Hire boats near the mouth of the Murchison River, [Map]		Tuka [Map]

Hutt River Province to Kalbarri

Day 85 - Hutt River Province to Kalbarri

Hutt River Province, Kalbarri

Saturday, 13 April 2013
Woke up early, took Tuka for a walk and then had breakfast. Packed and left Hutt River and returned to Australia.

Drove over to the coast and had a look at the Pink Lake. It wasn't very pink probably because it was a cloudy day. Continued on to the Kalbarri Coastal Cliffs. I saw the Natural Bridge, Island Rock, Grandstand, Eagle Gorge and Red Bluff. The tracks and lookouts were excellent but the cliffs were good but not exceptional.

Drove to Kalbarri and had a look at the Murchinson River - plenty of water in it. Booked into the Kalbarri Tudor Holiday Park. Set up and then borrowed a drill to finish installing the tv bracket. Then did the washing and defrosted the fridge. Later went for walk with Tuka to town, updated blog and bought a pizza for tea.

	Pink Lake [Map]		Natural Bridge [Map]
	Grandstand [Map]
	Red Bluff [Map]

Coronation Beach to Hutt River Province

Day 84 - Coronation Beach to Hutt River Province

Coronation Beach, Geraldton, Northampton, Hutt River Province

Friday, 12 April 2013
After a walk and breakfast, packed up, said goodbye to Corrimal couple and drove to Geraldton. Called in at the RV parts place to see about a replacement tv. The one they had wouldn't fit but manged to get one that did with a new bracket at the Good Guys. Now have a 21.5" instead of a 19" with a swivel bracket.

DVDs from Michael finally arrived at the PO so was able to head north after a walk on the foreshore with Tuka. Drove north to Northampton and gave Tuka another walk.

Then on to Hutt River Province. The Principality of Hutt River is an Independent Sovereign State having seceded from Australia on the Twenty First Day of April 1970 and is of comparable size to Hong Kong. I was personally shown around by H.R.H. Prince Leonard. He showed me through the buildings (PO and admin, Chapel, souvenir store), gave me a Visa (my first international trip this year!) and told me the history of the Principality (more info at http://www.hutt-river-province.com/). He even has a Rolls Royce for official functions.

I then drove down to the camping area. Nice flat area with plenty of gum trees but spoilt by the flies and flies. I talked to another camper and he told me the flies had only become a nuisance in the last week due to the hot weather. Tuka and I went for a walk past the gums and to the nearby wetlands and then retreated to the van.

	Leaving Australia! [Map]		Bust of the Prince and an information booth [Map]
	Admin building and Post Office [Map]		Chapel with seats for the Prince and Princess [Map]
	Campsite [Map]

Coronation Beach

Day 83 - Coronation Beach

Coronation Beach

Thursday, 11 April 2013
Bit of rain last night so morning initially humid, misty and hot. Eventually became hot and humid.
Walked up to the lookout and updated blog as it the only place with good Telstra reception.

In the afternoon i had a chat with the Corrimal couple and then I went swimming while Tuka watched. Later we went for another walk and watched a kite boarder.

	Kite at Coronation Beach [Map]

Coronation Beach

Day 82 - Coronation Beach

Coronation Beach

Wednesday, 10 April 2013
Lazy day spent walking, swimming, eating, drinking and reading. Talked to some of the campers. Met a camper that I had last seen in South Australia. He and his wife are from Corrimal.

	Camping ground at Coronation Beach [Map]

Glenfield to Coronation Beach

Day 81 - Glenfield to Coronation Beach

Glenfield, Geraldton, Coronation Beach

Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Up early as Greg had to go work. Had a cuppa, packed and then Tuka and I said goodbye to Greg and Gucci.

Drove into Geraldton, had a walk along the foreshore and then breakfast. Another walk and then to the PO to find out parcel I was waiting for had not arrived.

Drove out to Coronation Beach which is a cheap camping ground ($7 per night). Set up camp and went for a walk. Had lunch, did some reading, another walk, a swim and then watched the windsurfers and kiteboarders.

It seems that the area has a reputation for good windsurfing and kiteboarding. Day areas have been set aside for setting up rigging. There are also picnic areas, gas bbqs, toilets and showers (bring your own water). There is also a lookout with seating to watch the windsurfing and kiteboarding.

	Gucci and Tuka watching Greg [Map]		Gucci and Tuka watching me [Map]
	Geraldton foreshore at low tide [Map]		Campsite at Coronation Beach [Map]

Glenfield

Day 80 - Glenfield

Glenfield, Geraldton, Glenfield

Monday, 8 April 2013
After breakfast we drove into Geraldton and went shopping for cameras for Greg. Then it was food and other shopping.

In the afternoon we had a look around town and then we went to the vet to get Tuka checked before I went north.

In the evening Greg gave me some fishing gear. Then he spent a a lot of time explaining to me how to fish and how to use the gear

Glenfield

Day 79 - Glenfield

Glenfield, Geraldton, Glenfield

Sunday, 7 April 2013
After breakfast we all went to the beach. Gucci tried to attack the ocean waves and would have kept swimming west until she drowned so after a while we had to move her away from the water. Tuka managed to get wet and cool.

Took the dogs home and then went and had lunch at Hungry Jacks. Came back and watched the AFL. Later I cleaned and filled van. After tea that night we again fed the possums.

	Tuka, Greg and Gucci at the park near the beach [Map]

Glenfield

Day 78 - Glenfield

Glenfield, Geraldton, Glenfield

Saturday, 6 April 2013
After breakfast we went Shopping. Met a few off-duty prison officers in the shops that remembered Wayne. Came back and Watched the AFL.

Then in the afternoon we visited the National Memorial to the HMAS Sydney II again, then Gleenough Regional Prison where Greg works and Wayne used to work. Then onto Wayne and Trish's old home in Geraldton.

Later that night we Fed the possums that live in the roof of the house.

	Gucci driving the 4WD [Map]		National Memorial to the HMAS Sydney II [Map]
	Gucci and Greg next to the Waiting Woman at the Me [Map]		Greenough Prison [Map]
	Wayne and Trish's old house at Geraldton [Map]		Feeding the possums [Map]