Day 82: Sat 8 Jun 24 - Carnarvon to Coral Bay

Sat 8 Jun 24 - Carnarvon to Coral Bay (235km) 

15 Deg C at Carnarvon, clear with a light NW wind reaching 28 Deg C, clear strong N Winds at Coral Bay. Our 235km drive today was into a solid headwind which pushed our fuel consumption to an unusually high 19.5 l/100km. 

It was a very boring drive - flat, dry, and undulating with not much to see along the way. Our only stop was at Minilya River Rest Area for coffee, before continuing to Coral Bay where we arrived at 1230. Coral Bay is a small remote coastal settlement bordered by the Ningaloo Reef which fringes the water's edge, making it easily accessible and very popular for snorkelers. Ningaloo Reef is the world's largest fringing reef system, covering 6,045 sq/km and stretching over 300 kilometres along the WA coast. Currently the beaches are covered with seaweed though, so they don't quite look as pretty as in the travel brochures. Hopefully the wind is a lot lighter in the morning so I can get out into the bay for a snorkel. 

After setting up the van, then lunch, Paul and Tracy called past and joined us for a short walk to show us where they are staying at the other caravan park. We left them soon after, returning via the small shopping complex for very refreshing Gelato. I also enquired about snorkelling and eco safari tours (swimming with Whale Sharks, Manta Rays and Turtles), but there aren't any available for the next two days while we are here. Apparently, the winds are expected to increase tomorrow and all tours may be cancelled anyway. Stays at the Coral Bay caravan parks include power but the local artesian bore water is not suitable for connecting to caravans or for drinking, so we are using the caravan park facilities for showering (bore water), and water for cooking and drinking is supplied from our water tanks, which we have plenty of. 

Another afternoon evaporated quickly, but we did go for stroll to the beach to watch the sunset, before returning to the van for evening.  

Minilya River - Coffee Break

Minilya River - Coffee Break

Minilya River - Coffee Break

Road into Coral Bay - You can just see the ocean on the horizon

Our site at Ningaloo Coral Bay Bayview - Directly opposite the hotel on an end site with plenty of room..

Coral Bay beach walk for sunset


Coral Bay beach walk for sunset



Coral Bay beach walk for sunset

Coral Bay beach walk for sunset


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