Slept like logs - woke at 8am to the phone ringing ! Glorious day of sunshine so headed straight down to North Beach, a short distance from the motel entrance. The beach was quite rocky, though didn't seem to deter the surfers nearby. Enjoyed this area plus Ada Beach and Waterman's Bay. Picturesque coastline and beaches, fabulous walkways and playground areas, all appearing very new and many parts still under construction. The residences along the esplanade were consistently amazing - new, up market, modern and opulent ....no yards to speak of, just massive homes filling the entire blocks. This continued as we cruised up the coast north past Hillary's, Joondalup and Mindarie Keys. Overwhelmed by the amount of residential development - new estates and house and land package development appeared unending! Incredible ! Stopped for
brunch at Quinns Rocks and continued north through Yanchep. Route finally became less residential and bushland/scrub like....not farming at all. Coastline never far away. Veered into the seaside holiday town of Lancelin - gorgeous white sand beach with brilliant green sea. Can understand why this area is called the Turquoise Coast ! A quaint backwater. Continued on to the next seaside town and tonight's stop, Cervantes. Checked into The Pinnacles Motel by 2pm, took the extremely brief reconeuter of the town then visited "the Lobster Shack". Unfortunately we were too late for a tour (run from 12.30 till 2pm daily !) but sampled a lobster roll before preparing to head out to The Pinnacles. Stopped enroute, just out of town on a short stretch of dirt road, at Lake Thetis. This is one of only a few places in the world with living marine stromatolites, or "living fossils". They look like rocky lumps and have been dated to about 3370 years old. Quite fascinating.
Then it was only about 17km through the Nambung National Park to The Pinnacles. Arrived in time to visit the Desert Discovery Centre, for an introduction to this phenomenal desert. Certainly not what I expected! Quite overwhelmed by the expanse of the thousands of huge limestone pillars protruding from the yellow sands! Unique, eerie and almost bizarre! A definite highlight! Brilliantly set up with a 4km dirt track to drive around a view from various angles as well walking tracks to follow. We deliberately lingered for the sun to set. Disappointing that a little cloud built up on the horizon but the effect was still evident. Sensational! Beautiful colours, shadows and light. Quite an experience
Headed back into Cervantes for a delicious meal at the restaurant at our motel.