Pinnacles, Kalbarri and Monkey Mia

We drove up the Great Northern Highway through Bullsbrook then continued up the Brand Highway. We stopped off at the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park after a couple of hours driving, we saw a couple of wild Emu's on the way,and they were pretty amazing. It was so hot though so after driving round them we had a wander
around for about 10 minutes then had to get back into the car. The pinnacles seem to go on forever!! We also saw wild kangeroos chilling in the shade at the side of the road.
We drove on a little further and stopped for lunch at Hangover Bay which was just stunning, with beautiful white sands again and lovely warm water. We also went to
the toilet here....now I only mention this because they were drop toilets!! Mum and I went, one of the toilets had a load of caterpillers and the other had a snake - ohhh!! Mum choose the caterpiller loo but was so scared that something would come up the toilet and bite her bum, it was the quickest pee ever!! Ha ha.....at least she used it!
We drove on and had quite a way of just not much around, lovely. We drove through Dungara and then onto Geraldton where we decided to stay for the night, we just got a motel room. Geraldton isn't the prettiest of places but I think thats partly due to the fact that they seem to be trying to improve it. We didn't do much here except a quick walk, dinner then a bit of TV before bed.

We got off and headed off after breakfast in the morning and drove to Kalbarri National Park, only a couple of hours away. We arrived there around 11am and checked out the visitor centre first to see if there was an afternoon tour we could do as we couldn't get to all the gorges due to unsealed roads and our hire car. Unfortunately there were none for the afternoon so we decided to check out what we could which included the coastal areas and also a couple of gorges inland. Before we set off we had a little wander then thought we'd see if we could check into our room already, we could. So after unpacking, having rolls for lunch and a little relax we headed out.

We drove down to the cliffs and started at Eagle Gorge where we had a short stroll but again it was way too hot to be out in the sun for too long so we walked out a bit and then back to the cliffs, it was still quite nice. The cliffs were pretty stunning all along the coast. We went to the Natural Bridge, Island Rock and Shellhouse Grandstand which were all great. Its so beautiful on the West coast. So after wandering round them we drove to the Pot Alley coastal area and walked down through a little canyon type area to a small beach there, I got a little wet.
Mum and I walked along a big flat rock to see more of the coast and Dad went wandering up some other rocks and had lots of fun watching some crabs he found.
The last cliff area we stopped at was Red Bluff which was also cool. By the end though we had no water left, not even the yucky warm stuff so on our way back we stopped at the shop and along with food got some ice creams and drinks - yummy!!!
Well Mum and I didn't waste anytime changing when we got back and off we went for a swim in the ocean but it was so bloody shallow that we couldn't swim so we didn't last too long and ended up in the pool!!
We went out for a really nice meal and chilled.

The next morning we checked out at 8.30 and headed out of Kalbarri. We stopped at Hawks Head and Ross Graham lookouts on the way. We walked down to the River at the Ross Graham lookout so off we went, the river was really dry though and didn't flow all the way across which was a little sad. We saw some wild goats on the otherside on some rocks. Mum and I saw a little lizard when we got back to the top as well which was good. There was a wedgetail eagle circling high above us so it was nice to see one so free.The River was really beautiful as well with the jagged rock edges rising high above.
So we continued up the coast to Shark Bay and Mum's birthday pressie of going to Monkey Mia to see the wild dolphins. We only had one stop for some fuel and we arrived around 1.30. We grabbed some lunch while we waited to check into our Park Cabin. We had a little walk on another beautiful beach!! Had a quick look round the shop and headed back to grab the key.
It was a very hot day so when we first walked into our cabin we weren't majorly impressed what with bunkbeds, feeling like an oven and a weird orange bathroom that stuck out the side but after we had gone out and left it with some aircon on it was much better. Plus it was more about the place than where we stayed.
So Mum and I went for a swim in the sea, a little snorkel, and Dad joined us later!!! Yipeee.... Mum saw a little ray while snorkelling. So after our little swim and play in the sea we went off to book a wildlife cruise for the next day and had a couple of drinks.
Dad and I then went on a little battery powered glass bottom boat that we hired. It was rather hard to move around but we saw quite alot of the little rays and little fish - not too much though as there was alot of sea grass not far off shore. We were out for about an hour so that was cool.
Meanwhile, while we were in the boat, my Mum had been following some wild emus around taking photos. We all met on the beach and headed back to our cabin as it was about 7pm.
Mum washed a few things in the sink and as she was hanging them out Dad saw her bolt past the window at the back of the cabin and then we saw them.....the Emus had returned for revenge. They were outside the door so I opened it to see if I could see mum but I couldn't, the Emu's just looked at me and then headed round the front of the cabin in Mum's direction....! I asked these two girls camping where she was and they pointed round the back laughing!! Mum appeared at the back window again so we told her to comeback round because they had gone!! Funny...ha ha.
We bbq'd some steak and carrots for dinner which was pretty good. Had some wine, relaxed and then sleep - ready for the dolphins.
I woke up around 7 and got up, which woke everyone else up as well!!
We had breakfast and then walked down to the beach and waited for the dolphins. The dolphins come in daily for small feeds, less than 1/4 of their daily allowence if they attend all 3 feeds, (3 times a day) between 8am and 1pm. There were quite a few people there as well.

The dolphins appeared just after 8 and after a 30 minute talk from the CALM volunteers they started to feed them. It was amazing, these wild dolphins are so gentle and come so close, very trusting, and there were so many calves as well - cute. People were choosen at random out of the crowd to help with th feeding. We didn't get the chance to this time. Once the feed is over the dolphins swim out again to deeper water and then return later. Once they had all gone Mum and I went into the sea and Dad popped back to the cabin for a bit.
Mum and I were wandering back when we noticed a small crowd at the dolphin interacton area then we saw the dolphins, they were back already, so we went straight back to them and listened to the end of the talk. I was hoping that Dad would get back with my camera in time before they left and thankfully he did. I had
just got my camera sorted when they asked Mum if she wanted to feed Nicky the dolphin so luckily I was able to get a photo. Mum was so excited and kept telling us that she had fed Nicky exactly as she had been told to. I don't think she could've had a better pressie!
They are just all so stunningly beautiful and I feel priviledged to have been there.
We all went and sat on the beach then to wait for the final feedof the day and the dolphins didn't disappoint, they came back really quickly. Mum and I went down for even more photos, its very addictive!!
One of the babies, a couple of months old, was really funny this time randomly jumping out of the sea with little coordination!! No photos of that I'm afraid, thats a strickly memory moment!
After the dolphins had been fed again we rejoined Dad and started to watch the Pelicans who, because it was so hot, were catching the sprinkler water to drink - quite entertaining.
A few dolphins popped in again but wouldn't get fed since the 3 feeds had happened. This dick went into the sea and bent right down so he got told off and told to get out!!
We went back to the cabin to chill out a little and then at 12.30 we headed to the jetty to join our cruise. We jumped on the boat and sat down. The boat left the bay.
Once we were out far enough we started to spot Dugongs, it started slow with the odd one or two but once we'd been going a while it was like Dugong city and they were everywhere!! It was pretty impressive and because it was so calm we could hear the water break and them breath. It was pretty hot on the boat 39 in the shade and 46 in the sun. We were told that the beach was up in the 50's due to no wind!
We were out for a couple of hours and on the way back we saw a turtle and I think I saw a sea snake but it was fast. There were more turtles around the jetty. It was good.
We went for some dinner in the restaurant then after a quick relax in the cabin we went for a walk at 6. We saw lots of animal tracks - Emus, kangeroos, lizards and not sure what else. We walked round the the bush and then ended up back on the beach
so as the sun was setting we walked back round along the beach which was beautiful.
I was knackered when we got back so after a chat, look at photos and read it was time for bed. What a great day though!!! A highlight.
We had another early morning and after packing our stuff Muma nd I went down to the dolphins. They were already there so we heard the end of the talk again and watched the feed. The water wasn't as clear today but it was still good. Just as we were leaving more dolphins came in so they started the second feed on the day, we decided we should go as Dad had a long drive ahead! Awesome though.
We all got into the car, checked out and then we were off saying goodbye to Shark Bay, Monkey Mia and the wonderful dolphins.
We stopped at Shell Beach on the way out for a look which was cool. Its just covered in little white shells - great!!
We were on the road again!!
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