Nature's Window, Kalbarri NP.
CARNARVON TO PERTH
About 900km north of Perth is Carnarvon, a good
place to stock up on supplies. To say that Shark
Bay, about 330km south of Carnarvon, is a top
spot is obvious, with the stromatolites at Hamelin
Bay, the fishing village of Denham, the dolphins
and beach at Monkey Mia and a never-to-be-
forgotten 4WD trip to the tip of Francois Peron
National Park.
Next on the top spot list is Kalbarri, with a
national park split between the Murchison River
and gorge, and the coastline. A base at one of the
caravan parks will provide several scenic day trips
to highlights such as Z Bend, Nature’s Window
and Ross Graham Lookout.
From Kalbarri, hug the coastal roads as often as
possible, especially Indian Ocean Drive from Cliff
Head to Cervantes. The Pinnacles of Nambung
National Park are the tops, literally, of an eroded
sandstone plateau.
Perth, a few hours’ drive south of Nambung NP, is
a top spot for a week or two of exploring; in fact,
it is the perfect place to wait out school holidays
when every place else is jammed.
Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse.
ON TO ROCKINGHAM
Leaving Perth, it’s a short drive to Rockingham
where a visit to Penguin Island is a must.
From Mandurah, a side trip to Dwellingup with a
few nights of camping in Lane Poole Reserve, is
very nice. The Old Coast Road from Mandurah
to Bunbury is pretty, with the Bussell Highway
leading to Busselton. A few nights here should
include a walk on the jetty to the Underwater
Observatory, and a drive to Cape Naturaliste for
a tour of the lighthouse.
William Bay NP.
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