You might have heard of this place, either because of the dolphins at Monkey Mia or because it's near Australia's most westerly point.
It's this bit here.
The stromatolites on the way are a significant thing to view as well but unfortunately a cyclone in 2021 (funnily enough, we watched the news of this unfolding while we were in Broome previously) ripped up parts of the board walk at Hamelin Pool and it's now closed, so will have to keep our eye out for other places that showcase this significant ecological phenomenon.
We're staying at Denham. It's a small town (population 700 that swells to thousands in peak holiday periods, especially Easter).
You know when you lob somewhere and you love it but can't say why? That's Denham.
We thought maybe two or three nights here but we're in no hurry so we stayed five.
Actually, I DO know why I like this place... there's 750 people and two pubs. Who wouldn't want to stay in a town with one pub for every 490 people?
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| Historic pearl lugger anchored on the foreshore, which has been done really well. Lots of grass, BBQs, swimming areas and fishing jetties. |
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| They've done a great job on the foreshore |
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| Denham foreshore |
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| HMAS Sydney II sits off Shark Bay in the Indian Ocean, sunk by a German cruiser in 1941. It's Australia's greatest maritime disaster, with all on board killed. The names of the 644 who lost their lives are listed are listed in this beautiful artwork. |
It's windy! I'm surprised we haven't been blown away. We deliberately chose to stay at a park a short walk back from the beach so we aren't sand blown as we have experienced previously. The ground here is a shell grit (picture camping in the bottom of a budgerigar's cage) but it's definitely better than sand whipping around your legs.
We can feel the van being buffeted while inside.
Late each afternoon, when the sun went down behind the trees, we made the precautionary move to wind in the awning. It's really sturdy in the wind but without it, there's less buffeting and it's quieter.
Each morning we woke to clear skies (surprise!) and one morning we walked down the hill to town to the visitors' centre which was fruitful and we gave us a list of things to do.
One afternoon we drove out to Skipjack Point, the northern end of this finger of land.
Shocking road (again! Glad we didn't wash the car as initially planned at Carnarvon!)
We saw rays, turtles, a shark and thousands of birds.
The rangers are very keen for everyone to air down their tyres to protect the toad... so keen in fact they provide a facility to air back up.
Shells are a thing here!
Metres deep here at Shell Beach!
They are even used as a bricks! There's an old shell quarry that they would saw white blocks out of for building.
Of course we drove the 30km to Monkey Mia one morning to see the dolphins. We were rewarded with a good view of half a dozen.
We also saw a turtle and a sea snake in the shallows.
A golden retriever (and her owners) pulled into the park... Robyn got her dog fix.
We enjoyed a morning sail and cruise on a boat out of Monkey Mia.
We were rewarded by seeing a stack of wildlife...
Quite a few dugong, both mothers and calves and young adults mating.
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| A party (that's the collective noun) of dolphins) |
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| Osprey and their fantastic nests |
It was a great day!
Our final day here was relaxed- a couple of local visits and walks.
Moving on tomorrow rowards Kalbarri.
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