Days 23, 24. Quobba Station for a few nights. An operating sheep station with 10,000 damaru sheep, a South African breed mainly for meat, right on the wild Quobba coast. Massive waves at the Quobba Blowholes spouting forth high into the air. We are warned to watch out for king waves which have killed some 63 people here over the years, mainly rock fishermen. We are welcomed by Station hands lovely Olivia originally from Dublin and her partner Isaac from Gundaroo NSW. Tim and Sara have owned and operated Quobba Station for the past 22 years. We are sent to The Cottage, a three room fibro and stone cottage built around 1930. Very rustic and cosy, with an outside shower and fire pit. A walk around the Station we see a yard full of sheep which have been mustered the day before. Old shearing sheds and buildings complement the large Homestead. The homestead beach is beautiful but wild and rocky with countless large white shells. On our first night we pan fry some fish we caught at Exmouth, a feast.

Next morning we rise early to drive 60km north on the dirt to Red Bluff, a favourite camping, surfing and fishing location. In 1942 this is where sailors from the German raider ‘Kormoran’ landed in life boats after they sank the HMAS ‘Sydney’. Fishing off the beach we catch several small angel fish and one large threadfin salmon, a keeper. The wind starts to rise so after lunch we head back to Quobba Station. Tonight we have a camp fire outside the cottage and bbq lamb chops and sausages. A full moon rises and looks beautiful against the big sandhill and campfire. Warm 23 degrees.

On our second day the wind is howling 50km per hour so that prevents any serious fishing. Too dangerous, the waves are smashing against the rugged cliffs. Very few sandy beaches on the Quobba Coast, just rocky ledges and cliffs. Today is Ross’s birthday so I buy him an ice cream to celebrate and a walk again on the homestead beach. A lazy afternoon reading and watching the Canberra Raiders win and the Wallabies get thrashed by the All Blacks. We can watch the footy on my iPhone, just getting enough signal from the distant Telstra tower. Dinner tonight pan fried fish, just delicious with a nice white wine. Early to bed as we head back to Carnarvon tomorrow. It’s been a great experience at Quobba. Cool 20 degrees.