Thursday

After breakfast we arrived at Monkey Mia around 7:30 to meet Bottle Nose Dolphins.  These dolphins come very close to shore and some people are allowed to feed them.  It was very touristy as about 400 people were gathered on shore with their cameras to watch these dolphins.  After this we drove for about 3 hours until reaching Eagle Bluff.  We did see one shark out in the distance from this panoramic.  We entered an area called Big Sky country and is home to longest straight road in Australia, that stretches for 100 miles without any turns.  Tonight was an interesting sleeping accommodation, as we stayed in Outback Sheep Station.  We arrived around 4:30 pm and were taken down to a private beach.  The water was quite warm probably about 85 degrees, and the beach was pristine since it was private and our small group was using it.  That evening we had a delicious dinner of chicken, corn, potatoes, and peas cooked by Darren.  After dinner we sat around a campfire and toasted marshmallows.  The cabins were twin share and very rustic, although they did have electricity. 

Friday

We finally made it to the much anticipated Ninagloo Reef.  We passed the Tropic of Capricorn on the way before we made it to Coral Bay.  The Ningaloo reef is just feet away from the white sandy beach.  You could go out for 200 feet and the water was only up to your knees.  We went out on the reef on a glass bottom boat, which we able to snorkel on the reef.  The reef is quite colorful, however the waves were quite choppy and it made snorkeling a bit difficult.  After lunch on shore we decided to sit on the beautiful beach for the rest of the afternoon.  Around 3:30 we got back on the bus to head up the Northwest Cape to Exmouth, our destination.  We arrived in Exmouth around 6:00 pm at the Potshot Resort.

Saturday

Today was a later start, 8:00 as Darren took us to the Cape Range and Turquoise Bay.   Some people snorkeled at Turquoise Bay but I just swam in the water which was quite clear.  You could go out 2 or 3 feet and see some small fish swim in the water around your feet.  The beach had a very strong current which meant you didn’t really have to swim the water would just take you down stream.   We ate lunch at the visitor’s center.  We looked at the view from a lookout point where a lighthouse was placed.   From here we drove about 30 minutes to Cape Range.  The view from these mountains was spectacular.  The road going to them was quite steep.  From here we headed back to the Potshot Resort.  Tonight we went out for dinner to a local pizzeria, I split a Hawaiian Pizza with someone else.

Sunday

Early on the road, we drove for 10 hours stopping every 2 hours for a break to Northampton where we stayed in an Old Convent.  Northampton is a small town and we explored around.  Tonight Darren bought us fish and chips for dinner. 

Monday

Another 6 hour drive back to Perth, we arrived back around 1:30 PM. 

Location: Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef