Exploring the top end: Carnarvon

I am falling in love with the WA coast. Every seaside town I stay at, the coastal views are just breathtaking. School holidays have finished and this means the end of the busy season. Some tourtisty spots, shops have closed down for 4-5 month.

I spent three nights at Carnarvon and it is a gorgeous place, except for the wind. I was told by a regular visitor to Exmouth, that his mates don't come to Exmouth from Oct on wards to fish, due the wind. Every day for the last week, we have had strong wind warnings.

1 Mile Jetty. One of the longest in the southern hemisphere built in the late 1800's. It was an effort getting to the end and a breeze coming back. That was due to the strong winds. 2 fisherman sheltered away from the wind were fishing in the turbulent water but had only caught a dart. As I was leaving, a turtle came up to the surface. Almost a metre in diameter I was mezmarised by the animal. As I was getting the camera ready, the turtle headed down again. Only on the surface for about 15 seconds. So no photo :(

End of the jetty looking back to land.

Start of the jetty.

Carnarvon, whilst being famous for it's coastal area, is also known as being an integral part of the Apollo missions and getting Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin & others to the moon. Carnarvon had a NASA tracking station which monitored the spacecraft's vital systems and also the astronauts heath - ie blood pressure, heart beats etc. Whilst the base is now closed, you can visit a museum giving you more insight into the 1960's space program, Carnarvon's place in history and view the dishes. They have a life sized capsule which you sit in and they simulate blast off and the various stages of rocket separation.

Gascoyne River - Empty now, but in a few months there will be a raging torrent of water going through here.

This fella (big BOY) and another male mate were alongside the road. I'd rather his another car than him. Huge!!

Quobbo I think, is a national park, if not, an area not far out of Carnarvon on the coast. It's famous for it's blow holes, but given the gale force winds, I wasn't in the mood to get drenched, but there should be some great photos. In the Quobbo area there are 42 shantys over looking the water and in the sand dunes, which I assume in the busy season, this place is packed.This time of year, only 1 shanty had occupants. It's 1 star accom but I reckon this place would rock with great weather, plenty of booze and night life. The day after's hangover would be spent swimming over the reef or surfing.