We packed up and left Derby for Broome. Just out of town there was another large boat tree that was used as a prison tree. It was very large - but it is still hard to comprehend that it would be used in this way.
We continued driving into Broome where we stopped at the Visitor Centre and hit the shops for some supplies. We drove out of Broome to the north to start exploring the Dampier Peninsular up to Cape Leveque.
Our first stop was Quondong Point with was only about 40km north of Broome. It was a lovely elevated site to camp with direct access to the beach. We enjoyed a swim and collecting shells and of course fishing! The amazing thing about this place was the hundreds of hermit crabs that surrounded us that evening. I have never seen so many in my life. They were amazing! The sunset was also great...yes I know that it is hard to believe!!!
I will never forget the Kimberly sunsets - I just wish we could capture them in a photo. They look better in real life.
Middle Lagoon
Our next stop on the way up to Cape Leveque was Middle Lagoon. It was a sandy drive in there but worth it when we arrived. After setting up we got on our bathers an hit the beach. It was really lovely.
We enjoyed fishing, playing in the sand, swimming, the sunsets, shell collecting and playing in the sand. One of the things I love about the WA coast is the Red rocks, the white sand and the blue water all close together. It's just such a beautiful sight to see.
Charlotte dancing on the beach
Olivia doing cartwheels
A sand croc
A sand mermaid
Another beautiful sunset
Cape Leveque
We drove up to Cape Leveque via Beagle Bay. It was an easy drive up - a sealed road most of the way. The Beagle Bay Church was built and decorated by some spanish monks in the early 1900's. What makes it unique is the decorations of local shells and mother of pearl shells decorating the altar and the rest of the church. It is really a quaint place to visit.
We then moved onto Cape Leveque to stay up at Kooljaman Wilderness Camp. The beaches were beautiful. Ed and the kids had a snorkel and Ed also had a fish. We also caught up with a family who are travelling around Australia for 3 years! The girls got along well with Elizabeth and Kate who were around the same age as them.
The red rocks on Western Beach at Cape Leveque
Ed in action fishing. He caught a reef shark but he let it live another day!
Sunset over Western Beach
One Arm Point
We went for a drive up to One Arm Point. I remembered that I went to school with a girl from here. She is now a teacher in Derby but her parents still live there so I left them a note which I hope finds its way to Kylie and she gets in touch with me.
We visited a hatchery rugby an older man who had many good stories to tell. There were tanks with Barra and turtles and clown fish. The kids loved it - especially when the opportunity came to feed them.
They also polished up beautiful troches shells and the girl each got a necklace made of parts of a shell.
We drove out to a beach near the hatchery where they launch boats and we saw 7 Lemon Sharks swimming close to shore. It was amazing to see. Ed got in with a mask and snorkel to get up close. The colour of the water was amazing!
We did not get into Lombadina as it was virtually closed down due to a big wedding happening in town so it was the only place we didn't get to.
Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
We did a tour of Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm which was really interesting. As it's close to the end of the season we went on the tour with only us. It was very informative learning about the pearling business. I was very tempted to buy a pearl (my favourite was the golden pearls) however I held back (just!). The funny thing is that loads of people go on a tour of the Willie Creek Pearl Farm and it is a fake. It is just set up for tourists and is not a working pearl farm!
Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
We did a tour of Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm which was really interesting. As it's close to the end of the season we went on the tour with only us. It was very informative learning about the pearling business. I was very tempted to buy a pearl (my favourite was the golden pearls) however I held back (just!). The funny thing is that loads of people go on a tour of the Willie Creek Pearl Farm and it is a fake. It is just set up for tourists and is not a working pearl farm!
We had a great time exploring up around the Dampier Peninsular and we were very glad we came up here. Off to Broome for a few days before heading south on the homeward stretch.
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