A long trip up the beach today, I’m aiming to get up as far as Ngkala Rocks. This is only about 15-20km from the top of the island. I’d like to go all the way to the tip, but the track, if you could call it that is more than I want to tackle. So that will be far enough for me today. Still about 70-80km from here.
We leave around 9, with a quick stop at the bakery…for bread…..not pies this time.
My aim is to drive all the way to the top and then stop at places we want to on the way back.
As the tide is low we can drive around Poyungan Rocks and later Yidney Rocks
Past Eli Creek and I’m sure the creek is crossing the beach further to the north than last time. Also, the crossing is nowhere near as deep as last time too which is nice.
Past the Maheno, which given the low tide is even more exposed. From here on is new territory, well at least for the kids
We spot a Dingo, not far from one of the fenced off Garbage area, must be irresistible to smell all that food!
Inland at Indian head, and as we hit the beach again, it’s so clear the beach here is so different than the wide hard stretch south of the head. The sand is so much softer, with only a narrow bit of wet harder sand.
This next stretch of beach is only short and we soon reach Waddy point where the Champagne pools are. Inland again, and this track is much longer than most of the others and it several K’s before we hit the coast again Orchard Beach. From here it a few more K’s before we hit Ngkala Rocks. I’ve seen some videos of this section and it’s just something I don’t feel like doing. The Rock pass itself is not too bad, but it’s the stretch of several hundred meter of really soft sand beyond that is more than I want to do today.
So we park up and climb up onto the rocks to see a few groups of cars tackle it in both directions. All quite amusing. Probably not has difficult as I feared, but this is far enough north for us.
After 20-30 mins we head back, via the Orchid Beach township which seems to be pretty sizable with at least 20-30 houses. Finally we stop at Champagne pools around 12ish.
It’s a bit of a walk down to the pools with a large staircase down to the beach. While busy, it’s not crazy and everyone has room. The small carpark acts as a natural limiter on the number of people here.
Justine, the kids and Dawn go in for swim. While I’m feeling better, I’m just not feeling up to it. While swimming, they are surprisingly treated to the view of a whole bunch of small fish in the pools. The tide is coming in as the day wears on, so the champagne effect is getting better and better. As some people leave, they move around to the bigger pool and amazed to find some really large (~30cm) fish here.
Finally into the pool closest to the ocean for a proper dunking. Caitlin is not keen on crossing the sealife but does make it finally. (Getting back is just as traumatic!)
We’ve been here about an hour, everyone has had enough, so time to move.
We’re on the short beach, between Waddy point and Indian Head, we’re just about to get off the beach which means crossing this extra soft sand. I go to position the MUX better for the exit, but get caught in some track and we’re bogged, not badly. I think about letting the tyres down some more, but try low range first. In Low Range reverse, I’m able to back up onto some better sand we take 2. This time we’re OK. Phew that was easier than I feared.
Back over Indian Head and back on the wide main beach. We come across a small freshwater creek opening up to the beach. It looks like a great spot to stop for lunch. As it’s nice and sunny, seems a perfect opportunity to use the new Car mounted awning. We infold it, setup the poles. “Hmmm, that’s some nice Shade!” I’m looking at what needs to be done next, when a gust of wind comes, and in slow motion it picks up the front of the awning and proceeds to wrap it over the top of the car in ways it was never designed for fold! Ah Crap, Crap, Crap!. Both supporting pole snap off and the awing has popped some rivets that hold it to the mount. A bunch of colourful language is spoken. This is the first time I’ve used the awning and the damn thing is in three pieces and useless. I knew it would need the tie down ropes, I just thought I’d have more than a few seconds to fit them. I’m fuming! Nothing for it, but to roll it back up and pack it away as best we can. Boy am I pissed off…. mostly at myself.
Lunch done (we bought some overpriced paper plates from the general store) and we continue south. I had thought we might stop at Red Canyon or The Cathedrals, but we just don’t feel up to it.
We continue onto Eli Creek and find a pretty good spot to park. We pump up from oversized inflatable rings and the kids go for a lap of the creek. Boy, is the water fresh when you first get in!
I thought there was something different about the creek. When we were here last time, the creek veered south and followed the bush covered dunes for about 50m or more before turning and hitting the ocean. The crossing was pretty deep at one side. Now the creek does a 90° turn to the north, head along the beach top for at least 150-200mts before turning again to the ocean and it’s at most 20cm deep. Hard to think this is the same location.
The kids enjoy a few loops, but Liam soon has had enough. When Caitlin and Justine are done we pile back into the car. This time we make sure the rear door is closed!
Finally back to the unit and I for one am looking forward to a rest. The fever has gone, but I just feel flat and tired. Caitlin goes for another swim. Being able to keep an eye on her from the balcony makes things so simple.
Early evening we head down to the restaurant for dinner. As we go to leave, there is this amazing lightning show off to the east over the ocean. So bright and so much of it, but oddly no thunder at all.
The dinner was OK, but not the best we’ve had and pretty pricey too.