From Newman back to Perth

On our way back to Perth we called in at the Whaleback open-cut iron ore mine near Newman, the largest in the world. The scale was incredible. Twelve 2 km long trains depart the mine every day with iron ore for export, and this is only one of several mines in the region. 

Back in Perth, we chose to stay in Fremantle.

The mine from a nearby hill. Massive dumptrucks are the size of ants. 

An idea of the scale of the equipment in use. 

Back in Perth (Fremantle) and yet another awesome sunset. 

One journey ends, another begins. After almost 4 weeks on the road together, it finally was time to say goodbye to Chris. We're standing infront of my ride across the Nullabor Plain to Adelaide.  

Karijini National Park and the Pilbara

On 15. March, we headed inland to the Pilbara, a region of Western Australia famous for mining and the amazing Karijini National Park. In the national park, we climbed Mt Bruce for an impressive view over the Pilbara, and explored several gorges, including the Weano Gorge, Knox Gorge, Dales Gorge and Hancock Gorge. This whole region was an absolute highlight of WA. 

Heading to the Pilbara, always under Clint's steely gaze. 

A brilliant desert sunset. 

On the way to Mt Bruce. 

The view of the Pilbara from half-way up Mt Bruce. 

On the summit. 

Peering down from Oxers Lookout into the Weano Gorge. 

Swimming in the Handrail Pool. 

Deep inside Hancocks Gorge. 

The first of three  swimming pools in Dales Gorge. 

A local inhabitant out for a hunt. 

Dales Gorge from above. 

The beautiful light is part of what makes this place so special. 

Monkey Mia and Ningaloo Reef

North of Kalbarri, the landscape becomes increasingly rugged. The beaches are thin slivers of white sand sandwiched between turquoise blue ocean and the ochre arid land. The real highlights are in the water: dolphins at Monkey Mia and elsewhere, and the whalesharks, manta rays, sea turtles and multicoloured fish around the Ningaloo Reef. I was lucky enough to spot all of these creatures while out snorkelling. 

Dolphins at Monkey Mia. 

Pelicans at Monkey Mia. 

Car camping at sunset. 

Snorkeling at Oyster Stacks, where the Ningaloo Reef comes closest to shore. 

North of Perth to Kalbarri National Park

By 6. March, we were back in Perth and ready to follow the coast north. We had two weeks avaiable and planned to drive as far north as Exmouth and inland as far as Newman. From there, we'd follow the inland route back to Perth. So we still had a lot of driving ahead of us!

The Pinnacles, Monkey Mia, Kalbarri National Park, Ningaloo Reef and Karijini National Park were the main places we wanted to visit.

The Pinnacles at sunset. 

The Murchison River, which flows through Kalbarri National Park. 

An impressive rock window overlooking the Murchison River.

Death to all flies.

Swimming at the bottom of the Z-Bend in the Murchison River, Kalbarri National Park.

After a day of adventures in the gorges, we drank a well-earned Emu and ate & chips on the beach. 

The rugged coast near Kalbarri. There were many shipwrecks along this coast in the early days of settlement.

Heading Inland

After following the coast and swimming at numerous beautiful beaches, we decided to head inland for a change of scenery. We stopped off at the Nannup Music Festival in Nannup, the Stirling Ranges, Wave Rock and spent a night at Louis' Lookout.

Hanging around at the famous Nannup Music Festival. 

Clouds spilling over Bluff Knoll in the Stirling Ranges. 

We had to stop here, just for Louis!

Our rooftop tent. 

Our camp kitchen. 

Outback art. 

Chris dwarfed by Wave Rock. 

South of Perth

By 26. February, we were ready to leave Perth and see some of WA. We hired a car with a rooftop tent and followed the coast south in the direction of Margaret River and Albany. We enjoyed swimming and camping at beautiful beaches with white sand and turquoise blue water. The karri forests, with trees up to 65m high, were another highlight. 

Chris!

First the sunset and then we slept on the beach. 

Cape Naturaliste. 

The lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin.

A 65m high bushfire lookout in the karri forest, which I climbed up to. 

A beautiful beach near Windy Harbour. 

Another beautiful beach: Greens Pool.

Great coastal scenery in Torndirrup National Park near Albany. 

The rugged coast near Hopetoun, our most easterly point. 

Out to the West

On 24. February, I flew to Perth to meet Chris, who'd flown over from Switzerland. We spent two days in Perth getting organised , then set off on a 3 week roadtrip to see Western Australia. First we headed south to Margaret River & Albany, then north as far as Exmouth. 

Perth

"Getting organised" involved drinking pints & making plans...