Day 64: Tue 21 May 24 - Lancelin to Jurien Bay (Via The Pinnacles and Cervantes)

Tue 21 May 24 - Lancelin to Jurien Bay (Via ThePinnacles and Cervantes) (127km) 

17 to 25 Deg C with a gentle NE breeze in the morning, shifting to a very light S breeze at Jurien Bay in the afternoon. We had just one night at Lancelin - two to three nights would have been nice and relaxing, and maybe worthwhile unpacking the fishing gear. However, we have planned to arrive in Geraldton on Friday to stay with long time friends Rick and Sharron, so we decided to stay two nights at Jurien Bay and one night at Dongara as well. 

We drove away from the Lancelin Caravan Park at 09:00am, stopping briefly at the bakery for fresh bread before continuing north along the Indian Ocean Drive with several planned stops along the way. First stop short after leaving Lancelin was Nilgin Lookout with nice views back to Lancelin and across the coastline. Continuing north we stopped again briefly at the Wedge Island lookout in the Wanagarran Nature Reserve. Wedge Island is a 400m long wedge shaped island, with a settlement of about 350 beach shacks on crown land that are used by crayfishermen and holiday-goers. Continuing along the Indian Ocean Drive were vast mountains of sand forming an otherworldly landscape. After a quick stop to get the mandatory photo we continued to Cervantes for a quick drive through. Understandably, Noel wasn't interested in visiting the Lobster Shack Lobster Factory and Restaurant, so I did a quick walkthrough to so see what all the excitement is about. Looking like a major Chinese tourist destination as I walked through, and prices a little over the top for my liking, I decided there was nothing to keep us from continuing on our way. Next stop was at the Nambung National Park Pinnacle Desert where we stayed for about two hours including walking through some fascinating landscape. The Pinnacles are natural limestone structures, formed about 25,000 to 30,000 years ago after the sea receded and left deposits of sea shells. Over time, coastal winds removed the surrounding sand, leaving the pillars exposed to the elements. The Pinnacles range in height with some standing as high as 5m and 2m wide. From the Pinnacles we continued another 29km to our final destination for the day, a two-night stay at the Jurien Sport and Recreation Overflow paid campground in Jurien Bay ($20/night Unpowered). After setting up, I went for a short bike ride along an excellent coastal bike path, before returning for a refreshing ale with a stunning sunset as backdrop, ending another wonderful day on the road.


Nilgin Lookout just north of Lancelin on the Indian Ocean Drive

Huge Sandhills along the Indian Ocean Drive

Huge Sandhills along the Indian Ocean Drive

Huge Sandhills along the Indian Ocean Drive



The Pinnacles - Nambung National Park 


The Pinnacles - Nambung National Park. The flys were very friendly.

The Pinnacles - Nambung National Park


The Pinnacles - Nambung National Park

The Pinnacles - Nambung National Park


The Pinnacles - Nambung National Park

The Pinnacles - Nambung National Park

The Pinnacles - Nambung National Park


The Pinnacles - Nambung National Park

The Pinnacles - Nambung National Park

The Pinnacles - Nambung National Park

The Pinnacles - Nambung National Park

The Pinnacles - Nambung National Park

Cervantes

Cervantes Jetty

Cervantes Jetty

Cervantes Jetty

Cervantes

Jurien Bay

Jurien Bay

Jurien Bay Jetty

Jurien Bay Jetty

Jurien Bay - Jurien Sport and Recreation RV Overflow 

Noel says hello from Jurien Bay







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