The Amazing Colours of the Coral Coast

Western Australia WA

July 2023 – Month 6 – Temp 23/11 – Distance travelled 11,000km

We’re saying ‘bye bye’ to our feathered friends in Exmouth and driving into Coral Bay. Wow! We’re greeted by brilliant turquoise blue and green colours of the Coral Coast.

This mini seaside town has easy access to the extraordinary Ningaloo Marine Park, by stepping into the clear waters just meters off the white sandy beach.

We managed to snorkel most days despite the water being an icy 18 degrees temperatures. Trevor bought me a wetsuit for my birthday, which was an excellent idea. Though I did ask the shop assistant… Does my bum look big in this? Never mind …without the suits we would have not experienced the amazing marine life.

We snorkelled with a blue spotted ray, colourful parrot fish, convict surgeon fish, clark’s anemonefish and arrays of unidentified schools of fish of all colours of the rainbow. ( ha ha…did I mention fish before 🙂 ) It really was that awesome.

On one of the days, we walked along the coast to Five Finger Reef. One of the best places we snorkelled from shore on this trip.

We quickly embraced the beachside lifestyle with lazy mornings, beach walks and watching the epic red sunsets.

Next, we stayed three nights at Quobba Station south of Coral Bay. Picture having breakfast on top of the rugged coast cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean whist spotting pots of humpback whales casually swimming past with their calves in tow.

On day three the wind gusts intensified which bode well for our next adventure to the Quobba Blowholes. Located circa 70km north from Carnarvon WA, along wild cliffs where the sea water shoots vertically out of porous rocks some twenty meters into the air.

Travelling on, one kilometre south to the Aquarium we experienced the very best snorkelling from shore, even better than Five Fingers reef, which was already amazing. The Aquarium is bordered by a small island and its shallow clear waters display plenty of colourful coral and the most fish seen on any of our tours.

We quite enjoyed spending time in laid back Carnarvon. Recharging and attending to essentials like hair- and nail treatments, playing space cadets at the Space & Technology Museum and taking advantage of the renowned Gascoyne hospitality.

Next stop Wooramel Station a huge 1,430 square Kilometres outback property complete with thousands of cattle and goats and not to forget the abundance of birdlife. There were flocks of colourful finches and hundreds of white cockatoos who couldn’t resist the station’s appeal either. Think John Williamson ‘ song ‘Home amongst the gum trees‘, that was us for a few relaxing days.

Our next adventure is exploring the Shark Bay Heritage area with stops at Denham and Monkey Mia.

Please don’t wake us up from this beautiful dream!