The Pilbara and Coral Coast

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From Broome we drove to Cape Keraudren which is at the southern end of Eighty Mile Beach. We camped overlooking a bay which was full of water when we arrived, but almost entirely dry except a small channel when the tide was out. A drop of almost six meters. A peaceful place with brilliant sunsets and sunrises.




We then drove into Karajini National Park in the heart of the Pilbara dodging road trains and enormous tipper trucks. Karajini is amazing, the red rocks, muted greens of the spinifex,  and blue skies are not to be missed. There is also lots of great infrastructure in the lookouts and walks, all made of steel which is no surprise given the mines nearby. We climbed down multiple gorges and swam in some lovely waterholes. One of my favourites on this trip.





We spent a night at a forgettable roadhouse then proceeded to Exmouth.  We stayed two nights here after failing to get sites in Cape Range National Park that apparently book out soon after they are available 180 days before you go. From Exmouth we caught a boat out to the Ningaloo reef to snorkel and swim with the Whale Sharks.
This was an unforgettable experience. The tour was well organised and had us lined up, jumping in, swimming  alongside and being picked up multiple times. We also had a few snorkels on the reef and then went home for a dinner at a local place serving seafood tapas. We decided  to call this my birthday as we doubted things would get better than this day. The next day we drove in to Cape Range National Park did a drift snorkel  in Turquoise Bay and walk up Yardie Creek.





From there we drove on to Warroora Station enjoying the increasing number of wildflowers as we went. We camped near the homestead and did day trips to swimming spots along the Coral Coast. We sat up on dunes and watched the many passing humpbacks.







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