Wednesday 2 May to Friday 11 May 2018
Whale Shark swimmers.
Nanutarra River.
The West Australian camp led by Rob started off in Exmouth where the highlight was to swim with the Whale Sharks off the Ningaloo Coast, a World Heritage Area. Snorkelling the reefs off Turquoise and Oyster Stack beaches was also an attraction. Walking Yardie Creek, Mandu Mandu and the Badjirrajirra tracks were undertaken on our other days in the area. The weather was in the low to mid 30s which gave us warm water for swimming but necessitated the need for early starts to our walks.
Rob provides us one of many interesting geology lectures.
Cameras in action as Pat and Rob capture the view.
Helen, Betty and Martin above Yardie Creek.
Rock Wallaby.
Morning tea.
Dingo posed for Donna.
Shothole Canyon
The tracks were rough on the boots.
Martin curious as ever!
This track has sea and land views to offer.
Dust storm approaching.
Our Whale Shark adventure was postponed from the scheduled day due to rough seas but it may have been in our favour as the crew of MV Jazz spotted, with the help of an airplane 5 young male whale sharks. It was an amazing experience for us all and a day to remember.
Briefing from crew member. (Photo by Jazz crew photographer)
Donna and Helen ready for the ‘swim’.
A practice snorkel.
One many underwater sights.
Coral garden on the Ningaloo Reef.
Donna is enjoying the experience.
This is what we came to see and experience.
We were not disappointed as our first Whale Shark appeared
Mary with her first Whale Shark.
On Sunday fully stocked with food and water for the next stage of our trip, we left Exmouth to drive about 710km to Karijini National Park where we were to camp in the EcoResort. The scenery became more spectacular as we headed eastwards. Two fuel stops were made along the way, the last being at Tom Price a delightful town far from any other.
Shady spot for lunch.
Kay and Betty.
We are in the Pilbara
The EcoResort was a great place to camp. There was water, showers and flush toilets, more than I expected and very welcome. Although I and some others did not use the shower as the green and blue, clear pools we came across in the gorges were more to our liking.
Leader Rob in his camp gear.
Helen G.
Philip, Erika, Val and Wendy.
Helen and Martin.
Elaine and John.
Heather and John.
Donna, Bev and Mary.
Betty and Kay .
Our walks in the Karijini took us along gorge tops and ridges and down through deep gorges. Each were spectacular in their own scenery. The gorges were rough underfoot and care needed to be taken whether on a dirt or rocky track or negotiating stepping stone rocks around narrow ways to avoid wet feet or worse. None of the running water was deep but the rocks were slippery and injuries were best avoided. Weano Recreation Area and Gorge was our first taste of the walks to come. We left directly from the camp to the first lookout. Some group members formed a second group to walk the gorge ridge while others descended into the gorge. In places the walls were quite close together as we made our way along. Rob told us the geological history of the area pointing out many interesting features. Rock faces, billions of years old of browns, russet and orange and in places yellow strata were beautiful. After climbing the steep incline out of the gorge we went off to Joffre Falls which included a Class 5 section. The reward of this part of the gorge was a swim in a clear, cool pool complete with waterfall.
Setting out from the camp.
Rob shares his knowledge.
From the ridge to the pool.
Down near the pool.
A rest off the track.
Up out of the gorge.
At Joffre Falls the swimming was wonderful, however the walk down and scramble up was a little hair raising!
Camp members at top of gorge.
Looking across to the group on the lookout.
Swimming in the green waters.
John, Helen, Philip, Martin and Erika at Joffre Falls.
The scramble up from the pool.
After Karijini we drove to Dales Gorge where the camping facilities were very basic, only toilets but the site was well laid out providing ample space for tents and camper vans. A tourist centre provided very interesting information on the area, flush toilets and ice-cream! A drive on a dirt road took us to Kalimina Gorge which was all Rob promised, most spectacular both in the rock formations, colours and variety of lizards and other flora and fauna. Of particular interest was seeing raw asbestos for the first time. The gorge contained 3 pools, all excellent swimming holes and the group took advantage of the cooling, cleansing water, remember, no showers at the camp site! The pools, one of ‘olympic’ proportion were home to many fish and water boatmen, the fish willingly provided a pedicure if you could take the nibbling and tickling. The red layered walls towing above us were set off by a creek running through with white tree trunks, bleached grasses and blue sky compiling the classic Pilbara landscape.
Val descending into the gorge.
Track though first part of gorge.
Martin enjoying the waterfall.
A free pedicure from these obliging fish.
The lush gorge flora lined the shady wall.
A break for the group.
This fellow thought if he played dead he could escape the camera lens.
Betty stands under a lovely overhang.
One of many locals we encountered along the track.
Helen R contemplates the creek.
Wendy and Helen G refresh along the way.
The track disappeared but Bev showed the way.
Thank you Rob for organising a great camp, so varied taking in land and sea.
Thank you Rob!
Photos by Donna and Mary
Report by Helen R and Mary
Photos by Donna and Mary
