Day 66: Thu 23 May 24 - Jurien Bay to Dongara (Via Eneabba)

Thu 23 May 24 - Jurien Bay to Dongara (Via Eneabba) (163km)

12 Deg C, clear with a gentle NE breeze at Jurien Bay, reaching 29 Deg C at Dongara - feeling like a hot summer day. 

We packed and drove away at 0800 (without the distraction of any fridge issues this morning 🤞), only a short distance to the foreshore to top up our water tanks for another off-grid stay tonight. We eventually drove away from Jurien Bay at 0830 heading along the Indian Ocean Drive with a 32 km detour inland via Eneabba and the Brand Highway to Dongara. Apart from the occasional nice coastal view, at times driving very close to the waters edge, it was a fairly uninteresting drive. We arrived at our destination the Town Oval 24Hr Stop at Dongara at about 1030. Dongara is a quiet rock lobster fishing port and holiday destination at the mouth of the Irwin River.  When we arrived there was only one other van parked at the camp ground, but by nightfall there were 10 other van set up. The lady who collected the fees ($10) at 5:00pm, said this was the quietest night she had seen in weeks. She said she had 33 vans parked here a few nights ago. After choosing our site, furtherest away from the main road, we set up for the night then had our morning caffeine fix. We then unloaded the bikes and set off for a ride into town not too far away. After a look around and a cold (soft) drink in the beer garden at the hotel, Noel returned to the van while I continued riding for a couple of hours out to Port Denison and back along the very scenic Ocean Drive. I think I underestimated how hot it was, because I was quite thirsty and needed a nap when I returned. For dinner we walked into town to the hotel and had a very underwhelming and overpriced meal at the hotel. The ambience sitting outside in the beer garden was very pleasant, and importantly my two beers were cold and refreshing, so it wasn't all bad. Tomorrow we continue a very short distance to visit and stay with long time friends Rick and Sharron who live in Geraldton. 

Dongara - Irwin River

Dongara - Church 

Port Denison Boat Harbour

Port Denison - South Beach

Port Denison Boat harbour

Port Denison - To commemorate the loss of the Brigantine Leander near this point on 11 Nov 1853.
Due to a fault in its chronometer, Leander on route from Fremantle to Singapore turned into Geraldton too soon and collided with South Leander Reef. The Obelisk was erected as a navigation aid in 1869

Port Denison

Port Denison view along Ocean Drive

Port Denison ANZAC Memorial Walk along Ocean Drive

Port Denison Wetlands boardwalk along Ocean Drive

Port Denison Wetlands boardwalk along Ocean Drive

Port Denison Wetlands boardwalk along Ocean Drive


Port Denison Wetlands boardwalk along Ocean Drive

Dongara - Poppies Coffee Shop

Dongara - Memorial Park

Dongara - Old Flour Mill

Dongara - Our $10/night site at Dongara Town Oval 24Hr Stop

Dongara - Our $10/night site at Dongara Town Oval 24Hr Stop



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