Geraldton to Shark Bay via Kalbarri NP - Day 200
Trip Start
Jan 31, 2008
1
134
254
Trip End
Ongoing
Where I stayed
In my car somewhere
Denham, Western Australia, Australia
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
After leaving the jagged cliffs I passed through Kalbarri town, which looks like a really nice resort with beautiful beaches and good facilities. If you're looking for a relaxed and quiet beach holiday, this place would be absolutely perfect.
Drove inland in the early afternoon to the river gorges which have been carved by the Murchison river as it meanders towards the sea. To reach the river I had a 25km drive on a dusty and very bumpy corrugated dirt road. I was driving really slowly at first but myself and the car were being shook to pieces, think I may of dislodged a kidney ;o) Then I realised if I just nail-it and be a bit throttle happy the ride was a lot smoother, but any aggressive movements with the steering caused the car to fishtail and slide in the deep sand. Thought I was in the Paris to Dakar rally (Don't tell the hire car company!).
Parked the car up and walked the short distance to a rock formation called "Natures window". A multi-coloured rock arch which frames the up stream view of the Murchison river like a beautiful landscape painting. The rock offered a bit of shade from the hot sun, so I sat under the arch for a while and enjoyed the superb view.
Left Kalbarri national park and I'm now heading for Denham in Shark bay. On the way I watched the sunset on "Shell beach" which is covered in brilliant white broken cockle shells. These shells cover the entire beach and have been deposited over thousands of years. The sea was completely still, no waves at all. The beach is protected by the Peron peninsula and the waters looked more like a lake or lagoon than the Indian ocean. Had some dinner before the light completely faded and drove a further 40km to a parking spot around 10km from Denham.
I noticed today that I've suddenly left temperate Oz and arrived in tropical Oz in just one day on the road, 20 to 28 degrees. As I head further north it's going to get a lot hotter too. I won't be freezing in the car at night from now on.
