The 12 days of Papa (part 8)

Exmouth has an interesting and varied history. First surveyed in 1818,it had the most treacherous coastline. Evidence of this is the 1907 Wreck of Mildura, a cattle ship wreck which is still visible from the shoreline. A secret base was established here during World War 2, and during the 60's a  US Naval communication station was built. It was named in honour of Harold Holt. Today this is an Australian Navy Communication Station, involved in the secure operation of the Australian submarine fleet. The US Navy remains involved in the station..........but really all we came here for is the NINGALOO REEF!

Ningaloo Reef is a fringing coral reef and is approximately 260 kms long. It is Australia's largest fringing reef and in many areas this is reef is 5-10 metres offshore, so this means that we can go to the beach, put on our snorkelling gear and start exploring this incredible reef. It boasts 250 species of coral and 500 species of fish.  But first, we need to explore the town itself.......

......and some of its local inhabitants.

Ensuring that all gear was comfortable.

Exmouth town is on the eastern side of the peninsula, facing the Exmouth Gulf, and this lighthouse is situated up on the tip. We are staying in Exmouth for a few days and then we will move to Cape Range National Park, which is on the western side with the Ningaloo Reef right on its doorstep. We have come to check out the camping sites. We also hear stories how during the winter peak season, people will queue from early morning to obtain one of the limited camp sites available within the park. There is no pre-booking available, so it is first in best dressed. Many people will wait days, during this time, till they secure a spot. 

Our campsite investigations comes to a halt when we spy the white sand and turquoise water at Turquoise Bay. This is one of the prime snorkelling spots of Cape Range. How can you resist this!!

Lets go swimming!!!!!

Call Greenpeace.....a beached animal!!!

Heading back at the end of the day we return to the lighthouse to watch the incredible sunset over the reef.

Although beautiful, it did get rather windy and chilly.

The next morning finds us at the local craft matket. Beautiful morning, and nice to sit back and watch the passing traffic whilst listening to some local music.

Benj has now discovered that he has a back up plan should his sporting career not work for him.......join the circus! Papa gave the kids each $10 to spend and the circus toys were the go. This is Benj and his new Devil Sticks, nearly good enough to put out the hat!!

Today we enter Cape Range from the Eastern Side.

On our way to Shothole Canyon, which takes its name from the shot holes left by seismographic explosions during oil searches in the 1950's.

We continue on our way and decide that Dad should get a chance to visit Coral Bay before he leaves. Situated about 1.5hours south of Exmouth, this  little town of 200 locals is all about the reef and what it has to offer. This is where we are planning to catch up with our  friends from Katherine, however as we were only staying for a quick snorkel we decide not to make contact and save it for next week when we return. A few days later we received a text....." are you guys in coral bay??? Fab thinks he saw you at the beach...kids searched CP's looking?????" It will not be untill we return to Coral Bay that we fully appreciate how small the town really is. But here are our first pictures of a place that is soon to become very special to all of us. This is taken from the car park looking into the bay.

Despite some wind, we do some wonderful snorkelling and it still blows us all away with what we can see with such little effort.

It was hard to leave Coral Bay that afternoon, such a pretty place. But we look forward to returning after we leave Cape Range National Park.

Tomorrow we head into Cape Range National Park. Our departure is the centre of discussion for the rest of the evening and the following morning, How early should we leave, will we need to queue, do we leave the van and take the car just in case the camping sites are full?? In the end we pack the van and after a quick swim for the kids we head off all together, fingers crossed...what will be will be.