We have high hopes for Coral Bay but it’s all going to be down to the beach as that is all there really is. We’re lucky to get a spot for one night and arrive after lunch to set up, Ben reckons he’s got down to 2min now.
We grab masks and our 1 snorkel and hit the beach. It's strange but some of the beaches here are pongy, though to be honest the overwhelming number of flies make it seem ten times smellier than it probably is. Ben takes the girls for a swim while I check out the place recommended for snorkeling, I wave the others over and Ben and Alila head out but are soon back to report that it's too murky to see anything but we do spot some big fish that swim by. I have a quick snorkel but its way to murky for me. Later April and I hang on the beach together while she makes mermaids like Ruby showed her. Our neighbors back at camp are celebrating an 11th birthday and Ben and Alila are over next door to help blow out the candles on the tiramisu.
Our plans for another snorkel in the morning are foiled as we wake to deep rumbles of thunder. The flies are persistently attempting to climb on eyeballs and up nostrils here and I’m hoping they’ll be less intense in the next town.
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Large termite mound, a common site here.
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| 5am stargazing |
We pick up a few essentials for our night on the coast on our way through Exmouth. Again we are lucky to get a spot as everything is booked solid. Turquoise Bay is rated well so we pull in for a swim and snorkel - murkier, then on to Yardie Creek for a short walk through the flies. We roll up to camp mid afternoon and head to the beach there. Yep, this is what we've been searching for - stunning. The girls love snorkeling here, watching strange fish digging holes and simply floating along in the current. We pop back to the van for some dinner then head back for our last swim as the sun sets. It is truly an amazing spot and people here have driven as far as Melbourne, 4 days drive away, to come here for their holiday. They’ll stay two weeks then drive all the way home again.
At 5am the planets align, so we're all up standing outside in the dark to see Saturn, Jupiter, Venus and Mars. It’s lovely out, so warm and no flies. We sleep some more then at 6:30 it’s up and in our seats to head to Exmouth as Ben has an 8 o’clock meeting. Despite the wind, low battery and looming meeting Ben is determined to fly his drone out over the reef, so we park out on the road away from camp (as you’re not allowed to fly drones). It’s all good until he realises the drone isn’t making much headway in the strong wind on its return flight. There's beeping and alarms are sounding, it's attempting to land but Ben is hitting override managing to land it at a crossroads of dirt trails back near camp instead of snake infested sand dunes covered in scrub. Then its back across the corrugated, potholed road, then on foot down the gated sand road to search the bushes nearby. Ben is smart and soon spots Droney "exactly" where he parked him.
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| Yardie Creek |
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The water here was crystal clear at Osprey Bay Campground
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| This photo is merely here as it has a fly in it :) |
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