Amazing drive into Cape Range National Park-the only thing we booked before we left- our only real deadline....can't believe we made it!!

Such different beach side landscape to the East Coast. The mountainous range and sand,covered in low shrubs, very little rainfall, just so arid looking. But amazingly beautiful with the bright turquoise Indian Ocean, and bright blue sky, magical place.

Our camp ground was right on the coast, just behind a sand dune. Past the sand dune was a spectacular beach (white sand), in a bay. About 500 meters off the beach was the Ningaloo reef, with massive waves crashing onto the reef. Effectively giving us a sheltered, calm bay to play in.

The camp ground has a brand new toilet block, compacted shell ground-and NO red dirt!!! We had sites opposite each other, which for us, is the biggest distance we have camped apart! Barb and John bought an instant hot water system in Exmouth, and we shared their joy with instant hot water!!! Bush showers have never been more pleasant! Not that we were dirty-but lovely to wash the salt off at the end of the day, and tough the days were......

We literally spent the next 7 days on the beach. Alternating between fishing, snorkelling, canoeing and lazing in the sun!

It is difficult to describe the snorkelling at our beach. Just 2 meters into the water, the first coral bommie, was surrounded with about 15 different types of fish. The visibility was good- up to 15 meters. The water was cold, but we all seemed to forget once we were in and snorkelling. We had an area of reef that was very easily accessible for everyone to snorkel. We did have noodles for the kids to use with their snorkelling gear, but mostly they all just swam along. We enjoyed all snorkelling together, and kids enjoyed going off on their own. Aden especially enjoyed the snorkelling, and even went in when we were all on the beach, running in to let us know what he had seen each time. Craig, John, Barb and I ventured out further, to the deeper reef. The fish and coral life was even more spectacular, and we were lucky enough to spot stingrays, crayfish and turtles. It became Craig's challenge to try to catch a crayfish with his hands. He spent many hours trying, at one point grabbing onto the Cray's feeler. But in the end-the Crayfish lives on happily under his rock ledge! One for next time. I thought the snorkelling here was just as good, and more accessible than any snorkelling/diving I have done in the past. Next time though-I will wear a wet suit, just to be able to stay in a little longer. After each snorkel we lazed on the beach to warm up-and all ended up with a great tan!! (Oops).

Craig, Coen, Eli and John spent loads of time in the kayaks fishing. We ended up with fish to eat for us all a few nights. But the thrill of just being on the water was as big an attraction as the fishing. At one stage I was Craig's guide, and paddled the kayak around the bay whilst he fished. The coral and the fish was all visible from the kayak, it felt like a glass bottom boat. It was also a thrill to get out closer to the waves crashing on the reef.

The wind blew up on the third day here-it made camp unpleasant-but the beach was sheltered-so even more time spent down there. The kids just loved the spot-only coming up to camp to eat and play cards when we nagged them to get out of the sun. Emma, Eli, Coen and Ebony took a kayak out, the girls paddled, picking out the fishing spots. Eli caught lots of cod-and they generally had a ball!

There were many places we could have gone around the park to explore-but our spot was so spectacular -we didn't move all week. The only downside was pack up-we had everything out!! And it was tricky with the wind. I still wasn't ready to leave-but the trip goes on-plan is to head to Carnarvan, south and into the colder weather.