Cossack

Cossack is an Historic Town north of Karratha. It had amy uses throughout its time, for example, Pearling and shipping. Parts of the town have been restored for visitors.

Cossack

Old court room

Gaol

Settlers Beach where ships were unloaded. Point Samson in far right.

Spot the Lighthouse on Jarman Island in the background.

Point Samson

Point Samson is located near the mining town of Karratha. As there is not much to see in Karratha itself we decided to stay at Point Samson.

During our stay we decided to embrace the Tour de France and do a Tour de Mum on our bikes to see the sights of Point Samson. Our tour went for approximately 1.5km and had 6 stages (or stops).

Stop 1: Honeymoon Cove

Stop 1: Shipwreck off Honeymoon Cove

Stop 2: Historic Jetty - or as Ethan called it Prehistoric Jetty (although he could not explain how the dinosaurs built it)

Stop 2: Carriges used at the Historic Jetty

Stop 3: Samson Beach - Soldier crab hunting

Stop 3: Samson Beach - octopus in the pools when the tide is out (about the size of a plate)

Stop 3: Samson Beach - octopus spitting water at us as a warning.

Stop 4: Park

Stop 6: Cape Lambert iron ore loading facility

The family enjoyed this Tour de Mum much better than the Tour de Mum in Carnarvon where we were stopping at the roadside fruit and veg stalls.

Karijini National Park - Dales Gorge

Karjini National Park is spectacular. It is so popular that is has 140 campsites. Even with this many campsites we still had to camp in the 'overflow' with about 30 other campers. Fortunately though we had were able to move down to the campground.

Dales Gorge was a fantastic walk, with many things to see on the way. Our walk started at Circular Pools.

Looking down on Circular Pool

Look hard to find Ethan and Mitch

We past some cascades on the way.

We then found some rocks (good climbing ones too)

Next we walked through a mini eucalypt forest.

Then we walked along some stepping stones (to keep our feet dry) through the gorge.

We found some rocks supporting a cliff along the way.

And then arrived at Fortescue Falls.

We had to climb up the falls to view the gorge below.

From Fortescue Falls we walked onto Fern Pool. Along he way we passed some awesome trees.

Then we arrived at Fern Pool where Ethan had a swim. Look to find him.

On the way back where took the rim walk. Here you could see down into the gorge.

Unfortunately the weather turned bad after we completed the Dales Gorge walk and we had to leave Karijini. We are hoping to return after the weather improves to walk some of the other gorges.

Shark Bay - Denham and surrounds

On our way out of Shark Bay we stopped at a few places to do some sight seeing. In Denham we visited the most Westerly Pub on the mainland (only have the most southerly left).

Just outside of Denham is the Aquarium. This was a great spot to visit. The Aquarium has many large tanks with different local sea species in them. A Marine Biologists takes you on a tour and tells you about interesting facts of the various animals located in the thanks.

Mitch with a Lion Fish and Puffer Fish

Next we stopped at Eagle Bluff. The boys were not impressed with this stop and stayed in the car while Prue and Chris checked it out. An impressive view.

Our final stop was Shell Beach. Shell beach is completly made of small sheells about the size of your thumbnail. Due to the extra salty water here only the cockle lives and survives here. ALso due to the salty water the cockle can only grow to a small size.

View along Shell Beach

Shark Bay - Monkey Mia

We came to Monkey Mia to see the dolphins. Monkey Mia is located within a reserve.

Here the dolphins naturally swim up to beach to see people.

Mitch and Kia

Kia

Chris was selected to feed the dophin 'Puck'. As it is hard to get selected due the amount of people and the feeding opportunites availible, he let the kids have a go. Only Mitch wanted to do it.

We enjoyed the bay by going fishing (unsuccessfully) and hiring a paddle boat.

Shark Bay - Francois Peron National Park

Francois Peron was another spectacular national park we have visited these holidays. Our campsite at Bottle Bay was situated on a beautiful beach.

Of course Mitch was keen on fishing and caught some Whiting and Dart and we all particpated in oyster hunting. Prue, Chris and Mitch ate them fresh of the rocks.

We also visited Cape Peron and Skipjack Point.

Cape Peron

View of Cape Peron from Skipjack Point

Skipjack Point

Shark Bay - Hamelin's Pools

On our way to Francois Peron National Park we stopped at Hamelin's Pools. Hamelin's Pools is the home to largest stomatalite population in the world. Stromatalies are important as they date back billions of years and house the cyanobacteria that was used to create oxygen as Earth was created. There are only a few stromatalite sites remaing in the world.