Update on Exmouth - We drove out to view a cattle steamer called the SS Mildura that was ship wrecked in 1907 on the beach. Visited the Vlamingh Head Lighthouse that provided a lovey outlook over the Ningaloo Reef where we spotted some Humpback Whales and learnt about what Exmouth did during the Second World War. Viewed the VLF (Very Low Frequency) Towers that are the second tallest man-made structures in the Southern Hemisphere. Swam at Wobiri Beach and took a photo of The Big Prawn.

Saturday 15th September 2018 - Today we left Exmouth and drove around the cost into the Ningaloo Coast National Park to camp by the Indian Ocean for a few days. We were told that to get at site we'd need to book six months in advance, so we were lucky to get a site for the next four nights. However, it did mean that we had to move camp a couple of times.

Our first stop was as Mesa that gave lovely view of the ocean. After setting up camp we decided to investigate what the area had to offer. On visiting the Milyring Discovery Centre we were informed that the only opportunity within the next week to snorkel at a place called the Oyster Stacks was today because to snorkel safely over the coral you need a high tide. So we went straight there.

Snorkelling gear on, we got into the shimmering warm turquoise water and drifted along to the Oyster Stacks that were rocky outcrops covered in oyster shells that seemed to be particularly interesting to the numerous reef fish that we saw there. Together with the variety of different coloured fish we also saw Reef Sharks and a Turtle.

After a while looking around the stack and the other coral formations along this stretch of the Ningaloo Reef we got out and walked back to our things and did it all again, twice.

We finally made our way back towards camp and stopped off a Turquoise Bay for another snorkel along this beautiful part of the ocean. Back to camp for a quick rinse off and a change of clothes before dinner.

Note: To camp in the Ningaloo Coast National Park you have to be self-sufficient as the on facilities available are drop toilets. This means that we have to be careful with the usage of our water supplies and carry lots of drinking water.

Sunday 16th September 2018 - We are moving camp today and going further down the coast to a place called Osprey Bay that sits on a small cliff overlooking the stunning Ningaloo Reef. Just stunning!

Did the usual, set up camp etc. before getting into our snorkelling gear for a look around the coral reef with more beautiful fish. We went out twice and swam beside a very large Logger Head turtle for a while that was ripping up sea grass off the ocean bed before seeing a few smaller Green Turtles.

Later on we walked over to the picnic area for 'Happy Hour' with the other campers - Happy Hour seems to be a tradition where the campsite hosts who are volunteers managing the site, invite everyone to bring a chair & a drink for a chat watching the sunset.

Monday 17th September 2018 - It's been very windy since we've been in the North West Cape both here and Exmouth, so much so that we haven't been able to put our awning out! We're still at Osprey Bay but have moved to another site that has a specular view across lagoon to the reef. During breakfast we saw 2 or 3 Dolphins making their way across the lagoon.

Later we drove down to Yardie Creek where we walked along the rim of Yardie Creek Gorge. The view from the rim was lovely with the green river flanked on either side by reddish marbly looking stone sides that led down to white sand dunes, the Ningaloo Reef & Indian Ocean beyond.

As we walked along the rim with a few climbs up & down some ridges the appearance of the surface was like walking across the bottom of a sea bed as stone appeared to be ancient coral from being under the sea some millions of years ago.

After our walk and a look around Yardie Creek we went back to camp for lunch and a chill. Later Phil prepared his fishing rod to try a spot of fishing off the rocks. We walked out to the edge of the cliff where unfortunately the only thing that Phil caught was a large piece of coral where his lure got stuck and the line broke. End of Fishing!

I on the other hand had walked along the cliff where I found numerous fossilised coral fans and other crustaceans that had left their impressions behind.

Returned to camp where we sat with a drink & some nuts and Nuts to watch the sunset.

Around 2pm we were disturbed by the howling wind and for some reason decided to go outside where we were greeted by an incredible brightness from the vast number of stars illuminating the night sky. The clarity was such that we were able to pick out Mars that was bright red amongst the other stars. The best star lit sky we've seen.

Tuesday 18th September 2018 - We woke with a South Easterly wind still blowing and prepared for another day of snorkelling. We're going out regardless as it's our last day here on the Ningaloo Reef.

We went out twice this morning to attempt to film the wonderful array of reef fish and the turtles before taking a break for lunch. On the way to our caravan we spotted a lovely green & yellow monitor walking across the track to take some shade within the bushes and vegetation. We saw another one doing the same thing sauntering across the track before scurrying under a bush.

After lunch we went out snorkelling twice more. We swam with a beautiful Green turtle, saw a large Cuttle fish that changed colour as we swam past to blend in with the sand, a big shoal of large Spangled Emperor's, a Blue Spotted Ray that tried to disappear by burying itself in the sand plus lots more reef fish.

After another wonderful afternoon we came back to watch the sun set before dinner.

Wednesday 19th September 2018 -Up early as we're on the move again but before we left we stood on the beach to take in the spectacular views of the place that had captivated us the last four days. Ningaloo is truly a very special place and we feel lucky to have been able to spend some time here camping on the beach and marvelling in the wonders the reef had to offer.

On the way back along the coast heading towards Exmouth we stopped at a place called Lakeside as we intended to snorkel amongst the large coral bommies, but sadly we weren't able to as the wind and ocean was too rough to go out alone so we carried on.

We stopped in Exmouth long enough to re-stock and refill with water before heading for Coral Bay, where a couple of hours later we arrived and set up camp and went out to Bills Bar for fish n chips.