155kms / 5 1/2 hrs

Coral Bay - Exmouth - Cape Range National Park

We were up early and got the caravan ready, had brekkie then left Coral Bay around 8:30am. We drove the 155kms to Exmouth and saw lots of termite mounds and the RAAF base at Learmonth. Our first stop was to DEC @ Exmouth to sort out our accommodation in the Cape Range National Park. We had booked on line but there was an error in the system. They couldn't fit us in to Tulki Beach but luckily they found us a spot a Mesa Camp instead. We then went to the visitors information centre, did a quick shop at IGA then went to Hunters Beach for lunch. I crumbed the last of the fish fillets that Rog caught and we had fish sandwiches for lunch. We then walked to the beach and watched the whales swimming past close to the beach (whilst I also spoke to another travelling couple). We then drove to Vlamingh Head Lighthouse and admired the views over Exmouth and the Indian Ocean and continued watching lots more whales. We went to stop at the Jurabi Turtle Centre but it was all information boards so we kept driving.

We arrived at Cape Range National Park and our campsite 'Mesa' and it's great. The ranges are on onside and the Indian ocean with the beautiful crystal clear blue water on the other side. While we were setting up our lovely camp host came and got us as there were 4 emu's having a cool off in the creek/lagoon. It was really interesting to watch. They pretty much sit till their feathers touch the water then they stand up and shake off. When they emerged from the water they were playing around, chasing each other and one would sit down then chase the others, then do a funny head/neck wobble. It was very entertaining. We also saw our first goanna today on the road as we entered the national park and we hit a lovely 25 degrees.

Once we were organised we went straight to the beach and met a family with a 51/2 year old girl Ruby. Josh & Ruby had so much fun playing on the beach, in the water, on the rocks, up the sand dunes and collecting shells. We saw dolphins and sea turtles right in the bay. Poor Bronte was very tired so Rog bought her back to the caravan for a sleep. I spoke to Ruby's mum Kaylene for hours while the kids played. We left the beach around 5pm then Josh & Ruby had a ride on their bikes/scooters. We had left over risotto for dinner then spent hours sitting around talking to Kaylene & Chris while the kids played. We went for a walk up the sand dunes to look at the water and poor Bronte freaked out. I thought it was because she dropped her ice cream but I think either an animal went past her or she stepped on a stick or grass. Rog & I have never heard her scream and be so scared like that. It was dark and we were using head torches so limited light so it might have been a shadow! We put the kids to bed later tonight around 8:30pm as they were having so much fun.

Rog also saw some sting rays today.