Thurs, 19th Oct, 2017 Principality of Hutt River, WA (Port Gregory & Kalbarri NP coastline)

7am 13.5 degrees, clear sky and still windy.

Mum rang to say Val had had a fall and they suspect she has fractured/broken her hip. Poor thing – hope it isn’t too bad. Sent off a text to Lorraine to get her to pass on our love. Mum said they had a wonderful long storm last night which dropped 6 inches of rain – so opposite to here where they forecast 6mms as being big.

Tried ringing Erica to let her know about Val and to see how she is going after the flu but no answer – hope that is good news that she is up and about. Sent off a text about Val and about meeting the Hutt River Princes.

On with the jeans and jumpers then we headed southwest following the Hutt River to the coast.

First stop was the Convict Station at Lynton. The sun is out and it has warmed up quickly so I took off my jumper and on with my fly net back on as the flies have warmed up too. Wandered around reading all the plaques and all the information in the renovated Depot.

Mum will be interested in this bit about the real ‘Miss Anna’ from the King & I.

Back outside to continue with the other buildings etc.

Around to the officer’s quarters where we look across to the Hutt River travelling beside the sand dunes with the ocean on the other side.

Hundreds of snails on the trail leaving silver snail trails.

Tucked around the corner is the Magistrate’s quarters. Currently being restored.

Shady spot for the graves though the church was never built.

Wow this tree really has a problem.

Around the hillside to the main station area where there is a new modern shed opposite the original stables and barn.

Lots of information and photos inside. Free to look at everything though donations appreciated which is wonderful.

Great aerial photo of Hutt Lagoon – known as Pink Lake near Port Gregory.

Well fancy the Japanese getting that close.

The station owners also have a farm stay/van park  here called Linga Longa.

Through the gate and up to the original homestead. Captain Sanford certainly picked a beautiful spot with fabulous views out to sea and across to the Pink Lake from the verandah.

The engraved stone above the front door. Peered in the windows then walked around to the back and inside the house. Obviously someone souvenired some whale bones.

Back down the road and across to the new homestead to check out the granary/mill in the garden.

Had a cuppa near the barn at the picnic tables. Got a text from Lorraine saying Val hadn’t broken any bones so she will be going home from hospital. What a relief. She is one tough chook.

Continued along the road then turned off into Port Gregory. Stopped at the lookout to get some photos of ‘Pink Lake’. Hutt Lagoon was given its other name by explorer George Grey who camped on its edge in 1839. The pink hue is due to the presence of the carotenoid-producing algae, dunaliella salina, a source of beta-carotene, a food-colouring agent and source of Vitamin A. The lagoon contains the world’s largest microalgae production plant and a commercial supply of artemia parthenogenetica (brine shrimp). Artemia is a speciality feed used by prawn and fish farmers as well as the aquarium fish trade. The lagoon covers a huge area – going a lot further north from here.

I took a photo through my sunglasses as they make the pink much brighter.

Zoomed in on the plant on the far shore.

Pretty flowers.

Continued along the road to Port Gregory across a causeway. Someone has set up a ‘fisherman’ by the water, complete with TV.

Still windy but the reef offshore provides a calmer bay for the boats to moor. Port Gregory was originally established to serve the Geraldine Lead Mine and whalers. However, it soon became clear that it was not suitable for large vessels.

The sand is taking back the picnic area.

The map shows the reef area. I think Whalebone Passage is the spot where the Japanese submarine bombs hit.

Walked down to the jetty where a truck is waiting for the fishermen to bring in the live lobsters. Zoomed in on the reef then up the beach.

Watched the cray boat come through the reef then unload the lobsters into his dingy to bring across to the truck.

Drove to the other side of the township – looking back over Port Gregory.

The lake continues along way north.

Erica rang – feeling a bit better, the cough has settled. Glad to hear that Val has no broken bones. Erica suffering from Vertigo to and had a fall herself but luckily she didn’t break anything.

Back to the main road and we continued north running alongside the Lagoon. Past the Garnet Sand mine in the sand dunes opposite the lake. The sand is red due to the algae.

Turned off and followed a good formed road into Lucky Bay campground. The shire has just negotiated with the 30 odd fisherman who have shacks here and gave them a 20 year lease. We stopped at the caretaker’s office and he told us about all the new changes here. They have just put in new toilets and picnic shelters. $15 per vehicle per night. They had 3500 people here over Easter so no wonder they can do the upgrade. People are catching good fish at the moment. The track out to the beach is very sandy/boggy at the moment and he said the beach is a bit of a mess due to recent 3 metre tides bringing in lots of seagrass and rubbish. We drove to the end of the track before it went over the dune and had our lunch in the shelter.

We walked up the dune for a look. Lucky Bay is actually further along the beach. It is protected by a reef too.

Looking back to the shelter.

I spotted a white thing in the distance – looks like a lighthouse.

Steve found a broken rod – big fish or did he back over it!!

Back to the main road and we continued north past all the open pastures with sheep with the sand dunes between them and the ocean.

Into Kalbarri National Park on the coast. Turned off the main road to Natural Bridge. Oops I must have deleted my photo of the Natural Bridge!! Wasn't too exciting.

Too windy to spot any whales today – the humpbacks can be seen along the coast up to November.

Looking south.

Further north is Island Rock.

Someone lost their hat – we are hanging onto ours as the wind is very gusty.

There is a road around to it but we will follow the new path around to it as part of the 3.5km Bigurda Trail.

Looking down on Island Rock.

Around to the lookout platform for Island Rock. The bit sticking out above the rock on the coast is Natural Bridge. Just like the rock but the top is still connected to the mainland.

The Bigurda Trail continues as a dirt track. We turned around and went back to the truck.

Drove back along the track then turned off to Shellhouse & Grandstand. The terraced rock face is the grandstand.

Fishermen at sea though they could see a shell-shaped house on the side of the cliff, hence the odd name. Bit hard from this angle to see what they thought was a house.

Back to the main road and further north, then we turned off to Eagle Gorge. There is a better grandstand here. Around to Eagle Gorge and the beach and up the valley.

A falcon landed below us. I waited for him to take flight to get a photo when another falcon landed on him/her.

Continued north to the next spot called Pot Alley. Named by the local cray fishermen after losing many pots to this hazardous cove. The valley leading down to the beach is impressive.

Steve spotted another Natures Window.

We walked down the rock platforms towards the beach. A big bit broke off.

Looking up the valley and down to the beach. Don’t think we will go in for a swim!!

Great shapes in the sandstone.

Out onto the point looking south then north.

Walked back up then up to check out Steve’s Window. Not so exciting view this side but much nicer from the other side looking north.

Further north to Red Bluff. 

Great view over the beach with Kalbarri in the background from Pederick Lookout.

Continued onto the top of Red Bluff to the Lookout.

Fabulous view from south to north.

Zoomed in on the Zuytdorf Cliffs.

Some kite boarders were enjoying the strong winds today.

Drove down onto the rocky platforms beside Red Bluff Beach for a cuppa.

A fisherman was comfortable on the back of his ute. He hooked something but it got away.

Zoomed in on a truck which is near where Wittecarra Creek would reach the sea if it is flooding. This is where the two men from the Dutch ship Batavia would have landed.

As we headed out a kangaroo jumped out of the bush followed by a rabbit!! Looking back on Red Bluff.

Headed back along the coast and back to the van via another dirt road – all roads lead to Hutt River Providence!!

Warm in the van as it was a lot warmer today. All quiet in the campground as we were the only ones here.