27th – 28th Aug - Exmouth

We arrived in Exmouth late morning after a really good run from Barradale.  The park we moved into was full so they placed us in an overflow area which was quite comfortable.  We are finding almost everywhere we go at the moment the parks are full.  Apart from tourists such as we are there are still southern residents who are staying long term in the warmer weather and those who had moved as far as Broome for the winter are now on their way back home.

 Exmouth is an extremely interesting town.  Originally established as a Australian / USA Naval radio tracking base in grazing country it later developed as a fishing industry support town and now its major attraction is tourism.  Supporting the Naval Radio Base is a RAAF base which appears mostly to be a sleeper although there were two Orion submarine tracker aircraft sitting on the tarmac.  The peninsula on which Exmouth is placed is bordered on the west by Ningaloo Reef and on the east by Exmouth Gulf.  Both have crystal clear waters and white sands / coral grit.  The western side of the peninsula is home to the Cape Range National Park. 

A small section of radio antennas making up the Naval Radio Base.
Photo is taken from adjoining beach in Exmouth Gulf.

 The coast around the cape is almost totally accessible to the public apart from one short stretch around the Naval Base.  The beaches are a mixture of white sand and light coloured pebbles.  There are short lengths of beach at the point where surfers had opportunity to pick up a wave but most of the ocean front coast is protected by Ningaloo Reef.  This reef offers divers & snorkelers many opportunities.  Reef viewing boats operate from several points.  In May to July the famous Whale Sharks swim through these waters and attract many diver tourists but while we were here we saw whales, turtles and dolphins swimming quite close to shore. 

The surf beach at the point from the lighthouse.

The lighthouse

Inner beach near town looking toward the point.

We spent a great day exploring Cape Range National Park.  This is a coastal park bordered by a range of hills approximately 200 metres high, (high for this area).  There were some great views over beaches bordering clear blue seas.  The water in every case was calm due to the bordering reef.  One could see the surf hitting the reef about 300 metres from shore but this resulted in some beautiful peaceful lagoons inside the reef.

One of many such beaches.  The water colour is accurate. 
Note the surf on the outer reef in background.

We were looking for a shady tree but they were all taken.

There was also a bird hide looking through mangroves over a small lagoon viewing migratory shore birds.  For us we did not visit this site at a suitable time for the best viewing.

A few klms along the road and we came to Turquoise Bay.  Two small coral cays about 500 metres wide greeted us and scores of people were enjoying swimming and snorkelling.  The water really was turquoise and the beach glary white.  It certainly was a popular place.

One side of Turquoise Bay.

Side 2 of TB.  Scores of people were snorkeling here.

In the nearby carpark the neighbours were partying. 
Theres always a galah somewhere.

Then in contrast we reached Yardie Creek.  Here was a small narrow gorge through which Yardie Creek ran down to a lagoon closed off from the sea by a sand bar.  It was not a long gorge but it was in total contrast to the surrounding landscape.  A boat trip was available however we chose the walk which took us up one side of the valley where we could look back toward the sea.  The walls of the gorge were a deep red ochre colour with areas of white stain through the seams.  The colour of the walls together with the green of the shrubs with the white sand and blue sea in the background certainly was a picture to remember.

Yardie Creek Gorge.

The upper gorge.

Looking south down the gorge.

The moth of Yardie Creek sanded over.

The actual range ran parallel to the coast at about 200 metres high. It was more a range of hills than a mountain range. The rock formation was unique in that it often appeared like a man made retaining wall in structure.

Cape Range.

Cape Range is a really special place.  Apart from the birds mentioned previously we saw kangaroos and emus.

Our stay in Exmouth was short but wonderful.  This is really a place that everyone should see.