Early start today, on the road by 8-30. Quite a long journey up to Kalbarri and quite a few things to see on route.
To begin with the countryside was much as it had been yesterday, low rounded plants with little of interest to note . Gradually the landscape changed, trees became taller and there were fields and farm animals around. Going through the town or Greenough we found that many of the trees were actually growing horizontal to the ground, quite strange but very attractive. Viewing them was a good spot for today's morning tea stop.
Another object on route was the pink lake; coloured by the same substance that make flamingos pink! Quite a nice colour but the interesting fact was that the sky above the lake appeared quite pink too!
We shared our lunch stop with the restored Port Gregory Convict hiring depot. An interesting scheme as despite WA being developed as a free settlement there was a real shortage of workers and so for a short time convicts were drafted into make up for the labour shortage. Life must have been tough as the area is quite wind swept and initially the convicts were housed in tents. Later stone structures were build to house them, 80 men in two tier rows of hammocks.
The guards who worked here ere retired soldiers who were given land, approx . three acres as well as their pay to look after the convicts. Their living conditions on site were not much better than the people they guarded.
This afternoon we were heading for the Kalbarri coast as all the information we had seemed to imply that it was pretty spectacular. We were not disappointed; big dramatic bays, amazing wave cut platforms and some beautiful geology made this a really fantastic place. A perfect example of living geography. The sea was blue, the sand white and the Rocks such a variety of pinks and browns and creams, stunning.
After such spectacular views it was time to find a place to stay, our home for tonight Is the Murchison River Caravan Park. It's quite quiet, well organised and right opposite the river with the ocean pounding in the background. It is extremely pretty and had the most amazing sunset.
Moving on again tomorrow but we are strongly considering coming back here on our return journey next week.