Our room is so dark with its blockout curtains and so comfy with that great big kingsize bed that I never know what time of day it is when I get up. All the other days it worked in my favour and allowed for a nice long sleep in. Today it had the reverse effect and I woke up way too early thinking it was probably really late. Once I wake there isn't much chance of getting back to sleep. So the day started a bit earlier than I expected, but it wasn't a day I was looking forward to much as I have to pack up and leave Shark Bay, heading to Kalbarri. Sure, Kalbarri is a gorgeous place and I can't wait to explore it, but I always get sad when I have to leave the north, especially past the 26th Parallel where the sun has a bit more bite to it than below.
We were packed and checked out of our hotel room by 10, but stopped at the foreshore for a play on the playground swings and I bought a sandwich from the Shark Bay cafe for the road (seeing as their sandwiches are bloody awesome).
Thankfully the road on the way out was uneventful, no kangaroos, emus, lizards, or snakes. We waved goodbye to all the off roads on the way through, a bit like Muriel leaving Porpoise Spit lols! At the end of Shark Bay Road, 130km in, we hit the North West Coastal highway and there stands a sign saying left to Exmouth and Coral Bay or right to Geraldton. It took all our strength to go right instead of left, so close yet so far. Hopefully next time our travels take us a lot further north than this time.
A quick fuel stop at Overlander Roadhouse I was touched to see a couple of sheep drinking out of the sprinklers on the roadhouse front lawn. They were so adorable. I snapped a couple of pictures not getting too close so as not to scare them onto the busy road. Overlander is one of my favourite roadhouse stops, it is kinda like a gateway to the north. Wooramel a bit further up has the best food tho, so if you are driving up save your tummy space for a snack there (read their tripadvisor reviews).
We took a turnoff at a dirt track called Geraldine road which detoured past a heritage listed site called Warribanno Chimney, it is the remnants of WA's first smelter mine built in 1851, and the chimney is in really good condition considering how old it is and how exposed it is up high on that hill in the desolate outback. The sun was scorching and we were not sunscreened up because we didn't expect to go bush walking so we had a quick look then hopped back into the air conditioned car to seek refuge from the black cloud of flies that had gathered around out heads. This road then links on to Kalbarri road so we were then only 60km out of our final destination.
We arrived at Blue Ocean Villas around 3 and were so impressed with the villa, it is absolutely gorgeous. Has all the equipment one needs for a really comfortable stay and is so clean and pretty. The complex has a pool and BBQ area, and is across the road from an IGA and is one street back from the river mouth and ocean. The villa is two story and upstairs is two bedrooms and a lounge area with a TV, downstairs is another lounge and TV, dining, kitchen, laundry, storage room under the stairs, bathroom with spa, and king sized bedroom. Well picked!
After loading our stuff in, we went for a lovely walk along the foreshore. Now, we both remember being here before, but couldn't remember how long ago, we think our last stay was the honeymoon trip in May 2012. My gosh, so much has changed in this little town since then! There are beautiful walkways and paths all along the beach and road, there is a gorgeous kids playground by the river waters edge, lookouts over the ocean and river mouth, and a little jetty. Many new looking shops and accommodations, and a really inviting and refreshed look overall, without losing that small country town atmosphere and charm.
Kalbarri itself is where the Murchison River meets the Indian Ocean. The actual spot itself where the two meet is a mesmerising merger of really wild seas and strong tides, the water is really angry looking. The waves are quite large and they crash down over rocky reeftops, foaming and splashing in an effervescent whitewash. The sea is so active that is sends a fine mist of water and salt up into the air and Kalbarri looked like it had a very fine mist engulfing the town. As you got closer to the water you could feel the droplets on your face, like a fine drizzle of rain. Not good frizzy hair conditions, but a spectacular display of mother natures strength and might. The town recommends people to swim in Chinaman bay, which is just behind the safety of an outcrop of rock, more in the merging river, but still lovely clean and blue from the constant flow of fresh water from the waves just behind the rocks. It still has some small waves, but a lot less menacing than the ocean behind.
We planned our next 4 nights (three full days to do stuff) and according to the weather we have 27 and overcast tomorrow, 27 and sunny day after, and 24 and overcast after that. So we decided to do the Gregory drive tomorrow, boat hire and swimming/snorkeling Tuesday, then walk the National Park trail on Wednesday when it will be a bit cooler.
There is an Indian restaurant in town, The Grace of Kalbarri, which has exceptional trip advisor reviews, so we decided to buy a feast of that tomorrow night. Tonight we just had a platter whilst watching telly and relaxing.
Looking forward to tomorrows adventures, hopefully tomorrows blog will be full of rave reviews and lovely photos to share.
#Denham #SharkBay #Kalbarri #BlueOceanVillas #OverlanderRoadhouse #SharkBayCafe #WATourism #WARoadTrip #RoadTrip
