Sat, 7th Dec, 2019 Lyndon River West Rest Area to 14 Mile Camp, Warroora Station, WA

7am 26 degrees, clear sky and no wind. The wind stopped in the middle of the night.

Headed off over the Lyndon River.

Stopped for a photo as we crossed the Tropic of Capricorn.

Drove past the turn off to Warroora Station homestead. They have 4WD campsite south of the homestead too and along the coast up to 14 Mile Campground which is suitable for vans and 2WDs.

A goanna stopped in the middle of the road to let us pass then Steve saw in the rear-view mirror that he continued across the road – what good road sense he has.

Ant hills start appearing – this one look like a face.

Turned into 14 Mile Campground track. Stopped to let air out of the tyres and Steve chatted with a family who were reinflating theirs. He said the track was a bit bumpy but the sand was hard and you can camp right on the beach with the van.

Lovely view of the aqua sea of Ningaloo Reef, which is easily see with the white wave line.

There is campsite along the ridge but we wanted to be on the beach. Chatted with a couple we met as we reached the beach at the caretaker’s camp. They said to follow the track along the beach and we would find Barry the caretaker there.

Now we are talking – beautiful calm day and clear, crystal water.

We found him – he was leaving today so we just paid for one night @ $10 each. He said someone from the station would call in every few days to collect fees. This time of the year there isn’t too many people travelling so we could choose any spot as there were only 4 other campers and two of them were leaving today too. The posts marked the different camp sites.

Chose our spot and set up camp then had a cuppa.

Put on our togs and headed into the clear water. It was so clear and cool.

I got out and got the camera to prove Steve got in.

Walked out into the water with the camera – spotted a cuttle and one Dart.

Looking back at the van – now this is luxury, until the wind blows of course.

Looking around the coastline to the south.

I found a couple of shells.

11am the wind picked up from the west so the calm water was chopping up. Glad we got to see it at its best.

Had lunch – great view out the front window over the bed.

Headed off to explore the other campsites. Back to the main track then north along another sandy track beside a big sand dune covered in grass to Turtle Rock. Up and over a sandy ridge in low range – all good, Steve said easier than on the Canning Stock Route.

I thought there would be a rock looking like a turtle so when we arrived we were just on a flat rock. We wandered to the edge then Steve spotted turtles – hence the name.

View north to limestone shelves.

South with the white sand.

There were quite a few coming up for air occasionally. Managed to get a photo of one. We also saw a big school of what we think were mullet.

Drove back along the track passed the turnoff to camp and continued south. The homestead is 23 km away. There is an overflow area for campers to wait until there is a vacancy – first in best dressed which is good and everyone has to have a chemical toilet. Obviously it is very popular if they need an overflow area.

Stopped to check out the posts which mark the north boundary of Pelican Point Sanctuary – I think that is for fish not pelicans!

Looking back along the beach the vans and our van on the beach.

Then south.

Spotted a cute chappy enjoying the sunshine.

Passed the overflow area for people waiting for sites at Sandy Point. Drove on the high side along Sandy Point beach and passed the turn off down to the camp sites. There used to be track out the other end but they have now made it one road in which could be a nightmare when it is busy.

Continued on to the end of the track – on the Hema the track continues but it now closed off. We walked up the dune to check out the view.

There is another dune to cross before we reach the water.

Took a photo through my sunglasses to compare.

Drove back to the turn off and headed down to Sandy Point campground. There is a boat launching area so I walked down to the water to take a photo. It smells of rotting weed.

The 14 campsites here are back from the beach.

There is only one camp spot taken here. Drove back up the track – nice view down to the point.

Back along the track to the turn off to the homestead. Next turn off took us down to Pelican Point. Marine Park map shows where we are.

Walked up around the sheoaks.

Looks lovely but there are no pelicans. Should be called Urchin Point as the beach is covered in them.

Steve made a cairn of them. It stayed up for a moment.

We wandered along the beach through all the urchins.

Found some shells too.

There was a big sand dune so I told Steve he needs to run up it like he did on our honeymoon. There was a race on Great Keppel Island and he and Graeme went in the race. Graeme fell coming back down taking out the other competitors so Steve won the champagne – we never did open that bottle! He didn’t get very far on this one.

As we walked around the shore line we spotted a small shovel-nosed shark working its way along the water’s edge. Found this crab hiding in the rocks too and some funny slug things.

Getting pretty hot and the wind has come up. This roo has the right idea – rest in the shade.

Back to the main track and continued south. Startled two bustards as we turned off to Elle and Maggie Beaches where people can camp. Over soft sand ridges which are on average 7 metres high according to the Hema.

Passed the turn off to Elle’s Beach and continued north to Maggies through a narrow valley between sand ridges. As we approached another ridge a sign warned to watch for oncoming traffic – we went up and over and had to dodge 2 roos and a joey – the sign was right.

We pulled up beside a pole with a buoy on top marking a campsite. Put on the kettle and I said to Steve we could sit up on the rocks in the shade but when I looked it was full of kangaroos. They stood and watched us but didn’t want to give up their shady spots.

Nice bay. Someone has been collecting shells.

I walked down to the water and along to check out a sign. Further along to the point is a turtle nesting area.

I walked along looking for turtle tracks – nothing. Looking back to the rocky point.

Looks nice with the sunshine shimmering off the water.

I found my smallest abalone shell yet.

Drove around to the south end of the camp area. The reef is closer here.

The last camp spot was out a rocky point. Rocks one side and sandy beach the other.

Around to Elle’s Beach – lots of camp sites but well back from the beach. Glad we had our swim this morning while it was calm.

There are still more campsites further south but we decided to head back to the van. Spotted a couple of goats.

Checked out the 14 Mile Ridge campsites too – nice view from here.

On the way in to our camp area we took a track to more campsites behind the dunes. Very sandy here – someone has been bogged recently. So glad we are on the front. Off season might be windy and warmer but at least you don’t have to fight with the crowds.

Stopped to chat with a couple parked near the caretaker’s camp. They were waiting for the caretaker so we let them know there wasn’t one at the moment so they decided to stay right there. They had gone down the track we were just on and were the ones bogged in the turn-around with their van. The chap was not impressed.

Back to our van – the lovely calm sea is very choppy now.

Had drinks while we played a few games of Skipbo then I wrote some of my blog up.

Joined our neighbours, John and Amanda from Brisbane for drinks as the sun sunk into the ocean. Amanda is a nurse and had worked in Tully and stayed at Mission Beach. The wind has picked up but we aren’t feeling any sand or sea spray being blown onto us.

Chatted away until it got quite chilly so headed back to our van with the glow in the west and a star in the sky.

Late dinner, 8pm 26 degrees with the wind blowing so we closed up the van.