Mon, 3rd Oct, 2022 Beasley River Rest Area to Bush camp in Pot Shot Gorge, near Exmouth, WA

Cool, 17 degrees this morning, clear sky and windy.

Nephew, Ben, is 21 today. They had celebrated yesterday with lunch with his grandfather who turned 80 then. Hope they had a great time. Will send a message when we have phone service.

Continued on the road we haven’t traversed before - I like marking in new roads travelled. Heading towards the North West Coastal Highway. Travelling through flat flood plains then back into hills.

Pulled in for a cuppa at the House Creek Rest Area - the creek was dry.

Continued on through low boulder-strewn hills then open ground for as far as you can see.

A few hills appearing in the distance.

Winding through low hills that are still covered in spinifex.

Turned left onto the North West Coastal Highway then across the Ashburton River.

More flat country with hills in the distance.

First sign of wildlife - a dead roo on the roadside. A small goanna played chicken with us but Steve steered around him and was amazed to see him continue to slowly walk across the road after we passed.

Little pink and yellow wildflowers by the road edge and the bright red stood out of a few Sturt Desert Peas.

So open the wind is buffeting us on the side and then head on at times - not good for the fuel economy.

Dead emu just before the turn off to Emu Creek Station. We turned the other way into a rest area. We had stopped here in Dec 2019 when we were heading up the coast.

Across Yannerie River which is dry. Open flat country.

Long sand ridges start to appear - red dirt and spinifex. The road cuts through them.

Turned off to head across to Exmouth and Cape Range National Park so the wind is behind or on the back corner so it is pushing us along - that will help the fuel economy. Steve certainly noticed the difference on his gauges.

Running parallel with a very long sand ridge now then we eventually cut across it.

Rolling up and down more sand ridges, closer together now. Past entrances to two stations that have camping facilities.

Turned off and headed north (80km) towards Exmouth. Spotted the turquoise blue water at the south end of the Exmouth Gulf which is on the eastern side of the Exmouth peninsula.

Lots of ant hills, spinifex and sand ridges still.

First through Learmonth which has a RAAF Base and airfield of course.

Pulled into the Learmonth Jetty for a cuppa.

Very windy. Lots of people about having a fish but not much catching happening. Good phone reception here so I uploaded my blog etc.

Continued along the road then turned off onto the track to Pot Shot Gorge. We couldn’t get a campsite in the national park and the van parks are dear and full up any case so we are going to camp here tonight. Found a track off the main track onto the river rock and set up.

There is a hill over the dry creek with a couple of good caves.

Not sure about the rocks up top - they look like they could roll off at any moment!

We had explored all this area in Dec 2019 but we just wanted to come back and snorkel as we didn’t have any goggles at that time and everyone said how wonderful and plentiful the fish were just off the beaches along the Ningaloo Reef.

Drinks outside listening to the chorus from the birds. Nice cool breeze.