Denham & Monkey Mia to Carnarvon, WA
7th to 16th July 2012

We left Kalbarri and headed north today to Denham where we are spending 5 nights in the Shark Bay Marine Conservation Heritage Area.  Stopping for lunch on the side of the road (nothing in between), we watched the passing traffic heading north (*clapping hands 'coz we booked ahead and somewhere to live when we got to Denham*).

Shark Bay became World Heritage listed in 1991 after meeting all four of the required natural criteria and covers and area of 2.2 million hectares of land and sea.

Denham has the wonderful honour of being the "gateway" for the exploration and enjoyment of this wonderful area, taking in the mainland along with Dirk Hartog Island, Shell Beach, Steep Point (the most westerley point of Australia), Francois Peron National Park and Hamelin Pool (home of the Stromatolites).

Arriving at the Blue Dolphin Caravan Park we set up on a nice spot on Level 2 (B.D.C.P. Heights Estate!!!) with a lovely shell grit patio and crushed shell driveway.

Quite a little walk to the amenities block, but a nice stroll when not in any hurry.

Whilst taking one of these strolls I happened upon Rose and George's cottage (6-monthers in Denham, 6 monthers in Perth) and managed to purchase myself a few leaves of silverbeet, some parsely and eschallots and some chives for the priestly sum of $2.00.  Nice quiche we had with Rose's addition to our dinner.

We went for our customary walk to check out the town and it's 'happy hour' spots and found the Pub with a little view of the Jetty across the road -

 Beautifully clear water here too!

After a drink at the Pub we wandered across the road and went to check out the jetties, the rock wall and the sunset,

 

and the bay was gloriously calm during our evening stroll, so a relaxing arrival to Denham was enjoyed.

 

The next day, we booked on a boat tour of the bay for Tuesday and set of to have a look around the near vacinity, starting with a visit to Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery & Visitor Centre,  Ocean Park (Shark Bay's natural aquarium), Eagle Bluff, and Little Lagoon.

Outside the Heritage Discovery Centre was "The Velsheda", which was used by Jarvis Hoult for net fishing in 1933.  It was then used by his son, Richard, when he took over the pastoral lease of his fathers on Faure Island in 1948 for servicing the island by way of transporting vehicles, wool bales and livestock.

This handsome speciman of a stonefish really does have a face that only a mother could love doesn't it?

The puffers had a sign warning against putting fingers in the tank!

LUCY (She is a grey reef shark, caught in a net and being released shortly)




Ah ha!  Tiger baby (approx. 1.2 mtrs, found tangled in fishing line with hook in dorsal fin - due for release shortly also)

Many turtles(tortoises) are also taken here for medical assistance, a lot from propeller and boat injuries, but mostly with the flotation disease (which stops them from being able to dive & hence avoid predation), and plastic bag ingestion.

All animals at the centre are cared for and then released back into the wild when able to fend for themselves again.  During their rehab time, mostly they have to forage for their food so as not to become dependent on us.

A nice time and we learn quite a lot as well.  Good work Ocean Park!

After Ocean Park we drove out to Eagle Bluff to see Shark Bay from some height:-To the right and to the left....

                              

and straight out the front of us!









These two above and below show the amazing lengths we go to just to get you guys a wonderful photo (and no, it is not because Greg wants to take up mountain climbing!)