In search of outback WA

Mike and I are now back in Perth having spent a week driving part way up the West coast and back. We realised that it would be very difficult to access many of the sights without being on a stupidly expensive tour bus or getting our own wheels. No contest. We hired a very nippy Toyota Corolla in which the miles flew by, even when faced with crazy outback roads.

The West coast consists of a long string of beautiful beaches which quickly changes to bush when you go inland. We were both amazed by how much 'nothing' we drove through. Much of our driving time was spent on Kangaroo watch, our eyes scanning the bush hopefully. Unfortunately, the countless Kangaroos we saw were all dead- they seriuosly need to learn some road crossing skills! Our various stops included The Pinnacles desert which was created by columns of resistant rock that were left standing when the surrounding rock was weathered away. We also saw the sights of Kalbarri National Park, a place of red rock and gorges.

One of the highlights for me was our trip to Coral Bay from where the Ningaloo reef can be easily accessed. I went on a glass-bottomed boat and snorkelling trip of the reef. The minute I got in the water I was compeletly surrounded by fish of all colours. It was amazing. To top it off, we swam a bit further out and found oursleves hanging out with a couple of sharks. They were only about my size, and completely uninterested in us, but it was still a little scary when one swam directly underneath me, only two metres away. Pretty damn cool.

For the most part, our free camping was successful and we found oursleves cooking and drinking wine on deserted beaches or in the bush. We weren't quite so lucky in Coral Bay, however, as camping was prohibited. We didn't think anyone would notice if we pitched after dark at the foot of the dunes. What we hadn't anticipated was that some crazy folk think it normal to go fishing at 3am so we found oursleves in the headlights of a 4X4. We had to pack up and run the hell away to avoid a possible fine. Ah well. Sleeping in a car is not so bad.

We now plan to head south of Perth for a few days where we will find some vineyards and more beaches.

BTW- I have now changed the settings on this blog to allow people to post comments without signing in as I know it has been frustrating a couple of you. Big love to all xxxxxxxxxxxx