14 Jun 10 – Ningaloo, Coral Bay & Exmouth

By Craig - Referred to Ningaloo Station by Wedge Island and Kalgoorlie contacts we were ready for the beach break, camping on the beach, fishing and a chance to get the boat in the water, Yeehah!
Getting there was a trip to remember, corrugations that shook the vehicle to its core. At times we couldn’t speak, we lost a centre cap off a wheel and my eyesight became blurred, although the sunset on the way in blew us away.
As we have done so many times we arrived late and not knowing what to expect or how far from the station camp was we weren’t surprised when darkness fell and we hadn’t arrived.
We pulled in to where we thought the camp site was and our neighbour shed some light (literally) on the site numbers and there it was No.38. Beauty - set up camp time, beer and bed.
Camp all set up all there was to do was relax, fish and do some schooling 'beach style'.

Yeh right the station owner forgot to tell us about the potential extra high tides and the site they had given was just on the other side of a low sandbank. OK we did ask for a site on the beach to make it easier to get the boat in but I’m sure I didn’t ask for a site in the water.
Tide was one thing. The wind causing a tidal surge was another. So in came the tide and as the water encroached on our camp site and started to surge in waves higher and higher we continued building a wall around the front of the cruiser and at one point I can remember standing in front of the cruiser with a hand on the bonnet and standing knee deep in water.
Sam took advantage of the moment and played with the boogie board and on a couple of occasions a chap paddled by in his canoe to check out the fuss.









One thing that comes to mind are the people that just appeared from out of nowhere, with shovels to lend a hand. Just as quick they were off to save the caravan around the corner. Thanks to you all, cheers.


All in all we won the day but we were reminded of the power of the ocean and its beauty as a rainbow shone through in a distant storm and the seagulls struggled against the wind.
We did get to meet the neighbours and have a couple of beers but only after we had packed up and moved out as the tide was to be even higher the next day and we weren’t taking any chances.




One other curious feature of the area was the termites, more the point the mounds. Wow, why would such a tiny ant need such a tall house? The view I guess LOL.

We spent a total of 1 hour in Exmouth and in fairness to the town we only saw a coffee shop and a toilet. The sky was dark and heavy rain was predicted and we wanted sunshine, head north we agreed and we were on the road for Point Samson. Our decision was a good one as we experienced some flash flooding just out of exmouth but we found sunshine the further we headed north.


By Lou: This was our first experience with a Port-a-loo which we had to hire as a requirement of camping beachside on the private property of Ningaloo Station. What revolting contraptions! I would much rather head deep into the sand dunes and dig a deep hole. Instead we had to erect a shower tent over the porta-loo next to our camper, in 40 knot winds. Then we all contributed to the container over 4 days…what a stench when you opened the trap door! We are terrible marksmen and most sessions needed a wipe of the bowl. And then we just had to bury it in a hole at the back of the sand dunes anyway!

After being on look-for-the-missing-hubcap duty for the 32km of road we suspected shook it off, our day trip to Coral Bay was like a pleasant Sunday drive. It is not a very big town but was packed with holiday makers – many of whom were probably booked in to go swimming with the whale sharks which visit for a few months at this time of year. I had thought it might be fun to do that too but it would have cost a lot for all 3 of us to do it and our budget had taken a hit with the vehicle’s steering rack replacement. Besides, the weather was ordinary. It also struck me that we have become very blasé about natural and man made wonders as we have seen so many in 5 months...oldest cave…highest mountain…biggest open cut mine…Tidy Town entrant 1998… Some of the unplanned outings or discoveries have actually been the cheapest and most enjoyable.