Since our visit to Rottnest Island we have made our way up to the Mid West Coast of Western Australia.

I spent 4 weeks in Geraldton during May / June staying with the lovely kindhearted Tahnee, John & Bella while Fred went back to work on the ship.  Shout out & an extra big thank you to you Tahnee & John!!

Now we are free rangers once again & we’re heading north following the sunshine!

Shark Bay was next level. The over flowing abundance of marine life alone made it an absolutely fantastic experience.  After checking out the coastline on the way into the bay, it was time to ditch our caravan & off load Barney boy to the local ‘Dog Lady’.  We had got in contact with her through a friend of a friend.  I think she was caring for around 6 other border collies, all having the absolute time of their lives ruling the house!  She was legitimate enough – she loved & cared for dogs as if they were her children & Barney sure did have a good time staying with her!  It has been great making contacts through friends of friends – best way to get a local feel for things & we love meeting new people.

We left Denham, in just Perry the Patrol with the tinny on the roof, swag & fishing rods, making way for Steep Point ~ the most western point of main land Australia. Four-wheel drive is a necessity to get out to Steep Point. The road in is 100 k’s of corrugated gravel & then a further 40 k’s climbing sandy hills; max trax & low tire pressure are a must.  In saying that, it is definitely one of those places well worth the time & effort.

Literally within the first 5 minutes of launching our tinny off the beach from camp we were out in South Passage surrounded by a school of huge manta rays.  It was breathtaking.  Next minute Fred was in the drink swimming with them!!

Though we were only in our 13ft tinny, we were still straight out to the open ocean trawling for the big fish.  Between our trawling efforts we also explored inside the bay, spotting loads of turtles & pods of dolphins with their newborns.  At one point in the shallows I carefully slipped in next to some young dolphins hoping to say a closer hello.  They were so playful, & SO fast so my frolicking time was short lived.  We also lucked out, finding a prime spot off of Dirk Hartog Island for reeling in plenty of snapper for dinner.

We were very lucky with the weather.  For the 3 days we were there 2 of them were enjoyed with zero wind & constant sunshine.  When the wind did come up it made it a little tricky for trawling, coupled with a bit of a swell, I definitely had a few freak-outs thinking the tinny was going to tip or cop a wave full of ocean.  However Fred assured me we would be ok. Being a professional seafarer I’d be inclined to believe his claims, though the fact we had forgotten the oars didn’t give me much faith!!  Especially when the only time we had a hit on the lines we had a double hook up!  Two people in a small tinny trying to reel in big fish while steering the boat in large swell & wind chop isn’t exactly picturesque!

After one of our days out on the water we were on our way back to camp & spotted a humpback whale that had come up the passage into the bay.  She was playing around, throwing her huge powerful tail all about splashing & breaching.  It was amazing being so close to such an enormous, majestic beauty.  Being the time of year when female humpbacks migrate north for breeding we spotted quite a few of them out off the point, this was the only one we saw in the bay though.

The coastline of Steep Point & neighboring Dirk Hartog Island is an endless view of hundred metre high cliff tops, hence the name Steep Point. With blowholes scattered along the coast there was also some entertainment to be had not on or in the ocean.

After our journey out at Steep Point we spent another night in Denham, staying with friends of friends Sharna & Byron ~ shout out to you legends, so kind having us crash your space & giving us the lowdown on Shark Bay!!

We finished our time in Shark Bay with a trip out to Monkey Mia.  There is a big tourist establishment out there with the main attraction being the local resident dolphins.  They come in close to shore on a daily basis to say hello to everyone.  I love dolphins, so would never pass this experience up!

The trip was topped off with a visit to an old shearing station inside of Peron National Park.  Here we jumped in the 40 degree natural hot springs for a lovely relaxing soak while watching the red kangaroos grazing & chatting to some fellow travellers.

All up the experience of Shark Bay has been a highlight for both Fred & I.  If you’re an ocean lover like us I would recommend putting it on your list!!!

Thanks for reading, hope you have enjoyed!

X o