Kalbarri 20/5/15

We decided it was time to move on North to some finer weather, destination Kalbarri. Our drive continued up the Indian Ocean Drive on the Coral Coast to the National Trust village of Greenough for lunch. The scenery was quite striking along the way with many enormous white sand dunes then flattening out to flood plains of the Greenough River. The region is very susceptible to southerly winds, hence the intriguing 90 deg leaning trees. Further north to Geraldton taking in a heritage drive and spending time at the HMAS Sydney ll Memorial at Mt Scott . It commemorates the loss of 645 sailors by way of a steel dome constructed with 645 seagulls as a memorial to each sailor who lost his life. Moving north through the Chapman Valley with unique flat topped ranges in sight and further flood plains between the Greenough and Murchison rivers. The road brings us to Red Bluff cliffs to the south of Kalbarri - spectacular!
Just loved being in this little coastal town on the Murchison River which offers great coastal walks, lookouts viewing dramatic red coastal cliffs, and a range of cycle tracks. We cycled most days in particular one day to The Parrot Sanctuary 'Rainbow Jungle' taking our picnic lunch to enjoy while in the bird enclosure. This has to be one of the best breeding habitats of parrots in Australia. The golf course appeared very inviting, after how many months of not playing a round? We dusted off the golf clubs, limbered up and set off to the course for the challenge. The golf not too bad ( first class greens) and the course a credit to the club, quite a scenic course. Even though our visit to Kalbarri is early in the season, Mother Nature has still turned on a good display of wildflowers after good seasonal rain. Colourful displays of flowers against red rock or white sand backdrops- just stunning.