Another wonderful place, no cheap camping but that is what you get in prime tourist locations.
Drove through the morning towards Coral Bay with a view to staying at 9 mile beach at the Cardabia Homestead, this was listed in a camping book that Steven had previously bought. We were unable to find the homestead and had to retrace our tracks after getting bogged in soft sand, very hot and uncomfortable but we stuck to the job and after using and wrecking my training mat the connecting rubber floor mats and taking air from the tyres we moved backwards until we reached the more solid ground. I knew that the small folding handled shovel would have another use. We had gone around 10kms of the bumpiest corrugations and uneven terrain before we realized that we must have missed the unmarked turnoff so after un bogging ourself we had to go backwards for what seemed like several kms before finding a suitable area to turn round. The van didnt like the low gear reversing and decided to boil. So we had lunch whilst things cooled off then refilled the radiator and eventually arrived at Coral Bay. Our camping plans had been unsuccessful so we had no choice but to book into a caravan park in the centre of Coral Bay. $16 per person per night for an un powered site was reasonable and the camp has many facilities, we were able to refill the water tank under the van and have hot showers. I am looking forward to snorkelling the reefs just off the shore, the map provided by the park suggests that the best area is just a little way from the park. Steven has booked in to go on a tour to snorkel with the whale sharks apparently the tour has spotter plane and guarantee a successful outcome or a repeat tour the next day, a good idea since the day has cost him $370. My snorkelling is improving but still not confident to get out of my depth especially since I was on my own with Steven off on his tour. Not much coral where I snorkelled but saw several large whiting. This is a lovely spot with beautiful beaches and blue clear sea. The sunrise was taken at Quobba and ended up on the Coral Bay file. John
bill12 said
01:28 AM Apr 16, 2012
I had the same experience of expensive site fees at Coral bay. Swimming with the huge sweetlip was good , and the people in the visitors centre great , but the caravan park people were "take it or leave" . So I camped in the dunes down the road( I had a 4wd). A lovely spot spoiled by grasping tourist operaters. Bill
Gerty Dancer said
03:01 AM Apr 16, 2012
We got a bit lost in the dunes near coral bay too, those tracks are a maze. The caravan park was expensive as it was peal season but still loved Coral Bay. Beautiful, beautiful spot.
fireheart said
08:25 AM Apr 16, 2012
Wow, Yeoeleven, that is what seeing this country is all about. That sunset pic, my goodness, all I can say is again WOW! Glad you got out of the bog though. Just think another story to tell and laugh about in the days ahead.
Sharon.
-- Edited by fireheart on Monday 16th of April 2012 08:25:46 AM
Kaid said
03:59 PM Apr 16, 2012
WOW WOW WOW, that sunrise. You would think you had died and gone to heaven. That is spectactular
pricey43 said
07:12 PM Apr 16, 2012
One of my special memories is snorkel drifting around the point to the left of the beach. We were surrounded by thousands of bait fish and just drifted around the point. Magic !!!
Cruising Granny said
08:20 PM Apr 16, 2012
All these experience, adventures and pictures - there must be a book in there somewhere. A lot more than a coffee table book. John, you could even use the comments of the other posters, quoting the writer of course, to make your book "live", and not just your travelogue.
Esmeralda said
12:27 AM Apr 17, 2012
John that sunset is gob smackingly gorgeous!!!!! Helen
HeadnHome said
01:25 AM Apr 17, 2012
Loved Coral Bay, but that was probably 15yrs ago when I was last there, just caravan park and shop/tavern? but loved what pricey43 said jumped in and the current just slowly floated us around the corner, one of my favorite memories on that trip.
yeoeleven said
06:32 PM Apr 17, 2012
We will be in Coral Bay for a few days more because the tour that Steven went on did not find a Whale Shark and the operators will take the tourists out again as part of their guarantee. The next time he can go is Wednesday so we have booked in here until Thursday morning, not a real inconvenience the Bayview is well appointed as mentioned previously and Coral Bay is worth a few days just to soak up the ambience. We have been told about a giant groper which frequents the boat ramps so I went there yesterday for a walk and missed seeing Merv and today we went by car and still he was missing, I think he appears in the evening as the fishermen come home to the ramp and possibly throw him the odd fish.
Went for a walk to Pt. Maud along the beach passing the Shark Nursery with its sign not to disturb, a bit unlikely that you would want to disturb a shark with her young. Not sure how far it was but it took over an hour to get to the tip and by the time we got back the water looked very inviting so we swam and returned to the van for lunch.
We intend to set off Thursday morning heading for Exmouth and a spell in some of the many National Parks so the next post will be when internet access is available from there.
John
Cruising Granny said
11:42 PM Apr 17, 2012
The water colour is unique. It's a very interesting coast. Enjoy Ningaloo and all points.
jules47 said
02:31 AM Apr 18, 2012
Just loved the area John. Stayed in Exmouth at a caravan park which was part of a station. Pretty rough - but ok - and the last one on the road out to the national park and the reef - you get on a "drift" and it take syou out over the reef - I am not a strong swimmer, so this was ideal for me - the coral and the beautiful fish were amazing. Hubby swam further out and saw turtles and heaps of huge colourful fish. A most beautiful place. Love your photos.
Another wonderful place, no cheap camping but that is what you get in prime tourist locations.
Drove through the morning towards Coral Bay with a view to staying at 9 mile beach at the Cardabia Homestead, this was listed in a camping book that Steven had previously bought. We were unable to find the homestead and had to retrace our tracks after getting bogged in soft sand, very hot and uncomfortable but we stuck to the job and after using and wrecking my training mat the connecting rubber floor mats and taking air from the tyres we moved backwards until we reached the more solid ground. I knew that the small folding handled shovel would have another use. We had gone around 10kms of the bumpiest corrugations and uneven terrain before we realized that we must have missed the unmarked turnoff so after un bogging ourself we had to go backwards for what seemed like several kms before finding a suitable area to turn round. The van didnt like the low gear reversing and decided to boil. So we had lunch whilst things cooled off then refilled the radiator and eventually arrived at Coral Bay. Our camping plans had been unsuccessful so we had no choice but to book into a caravan park in the centre of Coral Bay. $16 per person per night for an un powered site was reasonable and the camp has many facilities, we were able to refill the water tank under the van and have hot showers. I am looking forward to snorkelling the reefs just off the shore, the map provided by the park suggests that the best area is just a little way from the park. Steven has booked in to go on a tour to snorkel with the whale sharks apparently the tour has spotter plane and guarantee a successful outcome or a repeat tour the next day, a good idea since the day has cost him $370.
My snorkelling is improving but still not confident to get out of my depth especially since I was on my own with Steven off on his tour. Not much coral where I snorkelled but saw several large whiting. This is a lovely spot with beautiful beaches and blue clear sea. The sunrise was taken at Quobba and ended up on the Coral Bay file. John
Wow, Yeoeleven, that is what seeing this country is all about. That sunset pic, my goodness, all I can say is again WOW! Glad you got out of the bog though.
Just think another story to tell and laugh about in the days ahead.
Sharon.
-- Edited by fireheart on Monday 16th of April 2012 08:25:46 AM
WOW WOW WOW, that sunrise. You would think you had died and gone to heaven. That is spectactular
One of my special memories is snorkel drifting around the point to the left of the beach. We were surrounded by thousands of bait fish and just drifted around the point. Magic !!!
John, you could even use the comments of the other posters, quoting the writer of course, to make your book "live", and not just your travelogue.
We will be in Coral Bay for a few days more because the tour that Steven went on did not find a Whale Shark and the operators will take the tourists out again as part of their guarantee. The next time he can go is Wednesday so we have booked in here until Thursday morning, not a real inconvenience the Bayview is well appointed as mentioned previously and Coral Bay is worth a few days just to soak up the ambience.
We have been told about a giant groper which frequents the boat ramps so I went there yesterday for a walk and missed seeing Merv and today we went by car and still he was missing, I think he appears in the evening as the fishermen come home to the ramp and possibly throw him the odd fish.
Went for a walk to Pt. Maud along the beach passing the Shark Nursery with its sign not to disturb, a bit unlikely that you would want to disturb a shark with her young. Not sure how far it was but it took over an hour to get to the tip and by the time we got back the water looked very inviting so we swam and returned to the van for lunch.
We intend to set off Thursday morning heading for Exmouth and a spell in some of the many National Parks so the next post will be when internet access is available from there.
John