2012, Sept 4 - Canarvon to Point Quobba

Me and my dad having quality time strolling alon the beach at Gnarloo
Bay, north of Gnarloo Station and Point Quobba

Trip Meter Reading Start –  3288
Trip Meter Reading Finish –  3550
Total Km Travelled –  262 km

Filled Up Canarvon
Gas $ 1.01 per litre; 63.80 litres; $65.01

Accommodation
Free camp at Point Quobba south of the Lighthouse and Blowholes.  We stumbled across this place which is not marked on any maps or in the Camps 5 book.  It is a large area tucked in behind sand dunes a couple of hundred metres from the lighthouse filled with old tin shanty’s and people camping. Normally $5 per night; but the caretaker was away, so we got a spot with our own walking track to the beach for free.

Thar she blows....Point Quobba blow holes, home to
killer king waves

Comments – Luke
Today I played my PSP in the car till we got to Quobba were we set up camp behind a beach.  After that we drove to some blowholes and saw heaps of king waves ater that we drove to another campground and we also drove to another beach and walked on it.  After that we went back to camp.

Comments – Mum and Dad
Up early, we decided to travel the 73 kms north of Carnarvon (caravan in tow) out to Point Quobba to explore the Blowholes, Red Bluff, Gnarloo Station and Gnarloo Bay.

Before taking off we unhooked the van 1km south of the blowholes where a beach protected by coral reef offered a free camp for the night. 

Today was windy and sea swells were high; the blowholes did not disappoint and some water blew out up to 20 metres.  There is a sign “King Waves Kill” and today we saw one on our drive up to Red Bluff where the road runs right alongside the ocean and cliff faces.

Her comes a king wave, right on cue - watch out Mario (the falcon that is)

Heading north from the blowholes is 80km of rugged yet stunning coastline with beautiful swimming beaches and cliff faces rising over 400feet.  Passing Quobba Station (which offers camping) we pulled into Red Bluff where a shark attack occurred last week.  It is a surfers mecca and the place offers cheap camping complete with a surf shack cafe with views and opportunity to purchase essentials.  We enjoyed a hot pie heated up by one of the locals “Reid” who used to be a an old Sandy Beach resident who knew Scott Dillon who owns the surf museum in Coffs.

The road to Red Bluff, a surfers mecca and home to tiger sharks apparently

We travelled a further 20 odd km’s up through the Gnarloo Station which offers employment to anyone willing to roll up there sleeves in exchange for free accommodations, meals and a small wage.  The station farms sheep and for those young surfers wanting to work 4 hours a day then go surfing, it is a great opportunity.  Passing through the station we drove up to Gnarloo Bay, which was absolutely beautiful with white sandy beaches and turquoise waters and completely protected from the elements.  It is the size of Coral Bay times 3; stunning.