2012, Sept 10/13 Kalbarri to Geraldton (4 days)

Luke explores the Pink Lake - water is extremely salty

Trip Meter Reading Start –  4559
Reading at Geraldton –  4727 (168 km)
Trip Meter Reading Finish –  4968
Total Km Travelled –  409 km

Filled Up Geraldton ($0.15 per litre discount)
Gas $ 0.89/ litre; 62.46 litres; $56.15; ULP $1.51/ litre; 60.57 litres; $73.46 ($129.71)
Accommodation

Drummond Cove Caravan Park $30 per night (x2 adults). Situated 13km from Geraldton.  Unfortunately we booked this online, thinking it was closer to the CBD.  The website looks better than what it actually is and we had the misfortune of getting a site backing onto the highway (very noisy).  One positive is that the ablutions were extremely clean and the staff friendly with a shop stocked with essentials including alcohol.  For those with dogs, it is also pet friendly.

Comments – Luke
We did lots of shopping, went to Mcdonalds.  I got to go to a push bike shop and fell in love with a Red Line Pro Line bike.  I didn’t want to leave it but I might get for Christmas.  We also got a new windscreen fitted.  We also went to the HMAS Sydney memorial were a Sydney ship and a German ship fort out at sea and all died.  Geraldton looks like Newcastle.

Wheat farms north of Geraldton

Comments – Mum and Dad
What a beautiful drive from Kalbarri along Grey and Point Gregory Roads south to Northhampton.  The wildflowers and coastal cliffs were spectacular. 

Rockpools south of Kalbarri

We took our time stopping along the way to view Red Bluff and Pink Lake.  The colour of the lagoon known as Pink Lake is due to bacteria (Dunaliella salina) trapped in the salt granules; this provides a rich source of Beta Carotene which is harvested from small ponds.  As the sun sinks, the lagoon changes colour from mauve or pink to a slightly darker purple, so weird!.

We stopped the lunch at Point Gregory which is a beautiful fishing village complete with natural harbour surrounded by 5km of exposed reef and large jetty.  Simply gorgeous!

Me and mum having lunch at Port Gregory

Further on we passed through Northampton on the North Coastal Highway stopping in at Coronation Park for a look where the Tarplees had camped.  Gorgeous little camp on the beach, fairly protected.


Drive out to Coronation Park

Set up camp at the park we booked online.  Over the next few days we did what normal people do for a change and spent time organising for Mario to get fitted with a new windscreen and an inspection for registration; we had to extend our time here an extra day waiting on a part to be couriered in overnight from Perth. 

Apart from this we drove around the area which is alot like Newcastle with the big port and cargo boats out to sea but on a much smaller scale.   Extremely friendly place and we were very impressed by the HMAS Sydney memorial which stands out above the city itself.  This place is really going ahead and has strong industries in crayfish, wheat, farming and tourism.  Plenty to like about this place.