December, 2011
When we ventured north of Perth for a road trip up the Coastal Highway to Kalbarri we certainly didn't now what we had in store - how magnificent are the Sunset Coast, the Turquoise Coast and the Coral Coast in WA - stunningly beautiful! Nature's palette for her paintings cannot be matched! - the colours and beauty take your breath away! The beauty of this coast must be seen and experienced! Certainly lots of idyllic settings!
The Sunset Coast stretches from Cottesloe in the south of Perth all the way up to Lancelin. From Lancelin to the Beagle Islands, just north of Leeman, is the stunning Turquoise Coast. The Coral Coast begins at Cervantes, 2 hours north of Perth and stretches more than 1,000kms north along pristine coast to Exmouth. We went as far as Kalbarri this trip but we'll certainly be back to drink up more of this magnificent coastline with its myriad of natural attractions! Just spectacular!
From Perth we called into Yanchep, Two Rocks, Lancelin, Cervantes via the magical Pinnacles in the Namburg National Park, pretty Jurien Bay, Green Head, Leeman, Dongara, Geraldton - capital of the Coral Coast, and Kalbarri and its amazing National Park.
Have a look!
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The coastal bush, the white sand and the green,green sea!
Two Rocks
1658 this coast was mapped by a Dutchman - untouched then, and almost untouched now!
Read below |
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The monument erected at the spot where First Officer Abraham Leeman Van Sandwits
landed to look for survivors of the ship wrecked "Gilt Dragon" - they found the wreck but no survivors.
The wreck "Gilt Dragon" was only discovered in 1963. |
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| The fishing harbour at Two Rock. |
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| Fun with the limestone at Two Rocks |
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WA Christmas Trees - they were in heavy bloom -
the orange flowers looked spectacular against the green foliage and the blue sky |
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Grass Trees are everywhere up the WA coast -
looks extraordinary! |
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| Yes!!!! |
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A sea bird haven on the rocks -an idyllic green playground and feeding ground for them!
How beautiful is the colour of the sea! |
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Lancelin - a quaint, sleepy fishing village with amazing
white sand beaches -you can stroll for miles and take in the beauty! |
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The white sand was like castor sugar! - contrasted against the green sea and the blue sky it
looked amazing! |
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| Lancelin jetty |
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On our return to Perth from Kalbarri we stayed in Lancelin overnight
and we were treated to another amazing sunset as we ate our fish (freshly caught!) and chips at the beach. |
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| The sea birds were still on the rocks - settling in to roost for the night! |
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As the sun set the moon rose amongst the pink/purple clouds!
Just beautiful! |
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| The sea turned purple!!!! |
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Heading north along the coast on the new Indian Ocean Drive to Cervantes -
great new road!!! - cuts off 30mins from the trip from Perth to Cervantes |
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| Nature's wonderland! The wild flowers formed a pretty carpet amongst the Grass Trees |
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| We knew we were in Australia! :) |
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The pure white sand hills emerging from the coastal landscape -
the sandhills move and change shape due to the winds artistry! |
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| Just gorgeous! |
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| More beautiful wildflower displays |
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| Can't blame the Aussie wildlife for loving living here! |
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| The sand hills looked like snow capped mountains! |
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| Stunning! |
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| The Pinnacles Desert in the Nambung National Park just south of Cervantes |
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These amazing limestone structures were created from ancient shells!
Over the millennia natural processes have combined to remove surrounding
material to result in the limestone pinnacles jutting out from their surrounds today. |
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The pinnacles were formed approximately 25,000 to 30,000 years ago after
the sea receded |
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| Otherworldly!!!! |
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Dutch sailors who first sighted the area in the mid 1650's mistook the Pinnacles for
ruins of an ancient civilisation. |
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You can take the 4k designated car trail through the Pinnacles or take a stroll!
Where am I???????? |
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| Loved the Emu's strolling around! |
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Hangover Bay in the distance is a must see as well - great for a swim and surf within the
National Park! |
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| Some of these limestone structures stand as high as 5 metres |
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www.visitpinnaclescountry.com.au
and
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A "must visit" interpretive centre with really interesting information about
the flora and fauna of the region |
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The building and boardwalks have been constructed in an
environmentally sensitive manner.
Such an interesting area!.............. |
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| A very common resident in the beautiful area |
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| The amazing flowering kwongan heathland! |
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| Spot the honey possums! So cute! |
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The Tuart trees like WA!
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| The impressive Black Cockatoo |
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| Even though this is a coastal desert it is abundant with life! |
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Amazing that this Pinnacle Desert area was relatively unknown until the 1960's!!!
It was declared a National Park in 1968 |
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| Geological puzzles! |
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| Click to enlarge |
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So, the Turquoise Coast is certainly worth a visit! Fascinating!!! It has it all!!
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We loved it here!
Beautiful white sand beaches to stoll on, great swimming in the warm water. and for divers
there are amazing limestone reefs with caves, grottos and overhangs to dazzle! Wish I was game
to learn to scuba dive - too claustrophobic for me!!! |
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| Certainly a water lover's paradise! |
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Very inviting for a swim! Perfect!!!
Jurien Bay Marine Park is just off shore |
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| A key sea lion breeding area |
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About the Marine Park - interesting how it was formed!
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| The beautification around the Bay |
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| Looking to shore from the new Pier |
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| A great swimming platform |
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| A stroll along the new Pier |
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| The white sand beach stretches for mies |
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| The old pier adds character to the Bay area |
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| What a beautiful beach! |
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heading further north to Geraldton - harvest time! lots
of rolled bales littered the paddocks along the road |
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| We have mesa's too!!! |
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| 37,000 people love living here! |
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| The country side around Geraldton |
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The Bill Sewell Complex.
This beautiful historic building now houses the Information Centre,
it was formerly the Victoria District Hospital and later the Geraldton prison. |
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The HMAS Sydney Memorial - Australia's second national memorial.
This landmark commemorates the loss ofAustralian sailors who met their fate in
WWII naval battle in1941.
After 66 years of mystery, the wreck of the German "Kormoran" was found in March 2008 at a depth of 2,560 metres,
and a few days later the "Sydney" was found at the depth of 2,468 metres about 250 km's from Shark Bay
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The Pool of Remembrance - a place of commemoration, contemplation and peace.
Click below to enlarge and learn about the symbolism of "Closing the Circle" |
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A bronze statue of a woman gazing hopefully out to sea as she
awaits news of her sailor at sea and the ill-fated Sydney |
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| View from the memorial looking south over Geraldton towards the harbour. |
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This beautiful silver dome is made up of 645 seagulls to represent each
sailor lost in this wartime disaster.
The symbolism of the memorial is explained............... |
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The semi-circular wall displays photographs of the HMAS Sydney II
and the names of her crew. |
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What happened and how!
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A mysterious unique marine area beckoning off Geraldton.
The islands are clustered in three main groups -
Wallabi, Easter and the Pelsaert
Diving in the coral gardens is described as
" an underwater fantasia of the most incredible colours"
Sounds wonderful!!!!! |
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| Some lovely architecture in the historic buildings retained in the main street |
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The new foreshore development allows everyone to enjoy a stroll or ride along the cycle way ,
to relax on the lovely beach or sip coffee at one of the oceanfront cafes and take in the scenery. |
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Heading from the beach the HMAS Sydney Memorial proudly watches
over the CBD of Geraldton |
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| The main street all ready for Chrissy and new year! |
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| The historic clock tower |
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Famed architect Monsignor Hawes designed this magnificent Byzantine style cathedral .
The buildings foundation stone was laid in 1916 and was completed in 1938 |
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| The interior is very interesting! |
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"Natures Window" in the National Park
As they say "The vast river gorges, staggering coastal cliffs and soaring sand dunes have sculpted Kalbarri
into a natural adventure playground." |
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Approaching from the south
Loved Kalbarri!!! the surrounds are stunning!!!.................... |
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| Chinaman's Point |
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| The surf off Chinaman's Point |
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| Chinaman's Beach and the Murchison River |
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| Dredging the river mouth |
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Chinaman's beach and picnic area - right in the heart of town
it is great for fishing, snorkelling and just relaxing! |
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| Beach fishing is very popular |
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| Seabirds fishing! |
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| We were treated to another amazing sunset over the Indian Ocean! |
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| Great wildflowers in the sand dunes! |
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| Looks like popcorn! |
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We missed them ( slept in!!!!!:) ) but the Pelicans come in here for their breakfast each morning.
The tradition started with a local Kalbarri fisherman who cleaned his catch and threw the scraps to the pelicans.
The majestic pelicans became accustomed to their breakfast being served on the foreshore and have
been waddling up the beach ever since! |
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We headed for the awesome Kalbarri Coastal Cliffs in the National Park
for our morning sightseeing and exercise!
Stunning!!!! |
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| Looking towards Red Bluff and Jacques Point |
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Jacques Point and Bay
(pronounced Jakes)
Renowned for its superb reef break it is considered one of the best breaks along the Mid West coast. |
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Click to enlarge
The rustic hues of Red Bluff herald the start of the coastal gorges -
the earea is well knwn for its amazing scenery, snorkelling, fishing and swimming spots |
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| Walking onto the top of Red Bluff |
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| Looking back towards Kalbarri township and the beautiful coastline |
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| Click to enlarge |
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| The stunning cliff scenery |
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Eric Pederick who was a keen conservationist who helped pioneer the establishment of
the Kalbarri National Park in 1963 |
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| Great walking/hiking trails along the cliffs with lots to view along the way! |
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| Avid hikers can take on the entire coastal cliff area on the 8km Bigurda Trail |
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| Castle Cove and its castle! |
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| Natural Bridge |
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| The artistic red ochre cliffs contrast with the beautiful green of the ocean! |
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| A must to visit!!! We'll be back - want to get amongst more of the National Park! |
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Heading back south from Kalbarri to perth the Pink Lake must be seen to be believed!
Certainly an intriguing site! |
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Port Gregory is bordered by beautiful Hutt Lagoon, known as the Ping Lake due to its
colour created by the naturally occurring beta carotene. |
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| The harvest continues!! |
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The leafy main street of Dongara
Dongara is full of charming historical buildings and has an excellent heritage walk
of 1.6kms highlighting 28 heritage buildings |
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| Some of the historical buildings |
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