Kalbarri is such a beautiful part of WA it should not be missed, but unfortunately it is a little difficult to get to, but where there is a will there is a way!!!

There are numerous tour companies running from Perth to Kalbarri, up to Shark Bay, Coral Bay and beyond.

Can’t afford it or don’t want to stick to an itinerary?

Transwa travel from the East Perth Terminal three times a week to Kalbarri via Geraldton.

Leaving Perth at 8:30am and arriving at the Kalbarri Visitor Centre at 4:55pm – both very reasonable times!

It only cost about $75 and they do offer discounts with concession cards such as student cards and YHA/VIP cards.

Getting out of Kalbarri is still quite easy, as Transwa also pick up from Kalbarri at 7:10am on a Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday, getting to Geraldton at 9:10am same day.

Continuing North from Kalbarri, you would need to hop on with Greyhound Australia or Integrity Coachlines , Greyhound pass by Binnu Roadhouse (closest to Kalbarri) three times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri) at approximately 2:55pm. Integrity pass by Ajana (Kalbarri turnoff) at 2:40pm twice a week (Mon, Fri).

So as you can see the bus services do not match up with each other, which is a nuisance; which does mean spending the night is either Northampton or Geraldton to catch the next connecting bus or catching a lift with someone on a day  bus services comes past.

Departing Perth on a Sunday and Thursday night at 7:30pm Integrity Coachlines operate between the city and Exmouth at the top of WA’s coral coast. Running along the North West Coastal Highway stopping at roadhouses and towns along the way.

Reasonably priced and at much more convenient times, Integrity are one of the only companies to operate between Coral Bay and Exmouth.

Leaving from the Bayview Caravan Park at 10:40am and arriving at the Exmouth Visitor Centre at 12:10pm the same day. For a mere $45, who can complain?

Also keep an eye out for any discounts they may be running, very cheap and cheerful!! Perth to Coral Bay for $135!! Woop Woop – yes please

With various booking agents along the way, you can book segments at a time (depending on where you want to go) or just book the whole trip in one go.

Contactable on a free phone number: 1800 226 339 or via email at iclperth@iinet.net.au

No stinky hands for us

On a warm spring evening in early September, the tri nations went on the second fishing expedition to Bateman’s Bay.

The previous week, the three had gone out on an adventure, but they only thing they caught were crabs!

This week was going to be different; you could feel it in the air.

Armed with fold out chairs, torches, rods, bait and most importantly drinks, the intrepid fisherwomen marched onto the beach of Maud’s Landing, ready to take on the ocean.
As fishing pros (after two weeks) the English and French had come to the conclusion that stinky fish hands are not the way to go, so wore gloves! And didn’t they look cool – too cool for school in fact. Did this stop their hands smelling afterwards? Err…. Not really. But it was worth a go.

It was a glorious evening out at Maud’s, the sun was setting across the ocean and the three were relaxing supping a beer and taking in the evening air.

The first catch!!

When all of a sudden, something grabbed the end of the Irish’s fishing rod!! Woo hoo – here we go!!! After battling the mighty fish for at least a minute, the fish was on the shore and what a sight it was. A huge Dart fish – it was at least 6 inches long!! Unfortunately, too small to keep and apparently not good eating either, we set the thing free to swim amongst it friends again.

The next to snag a catch, was the English, and wasn’t it exciting.

After a casting out into the waves all night and recasting and recasting, she had given up on even getting the bait beyond the waves. ‘Ooh something’s on your line!!’ ‘No, no, it’s just the waves…’
As she reeled it in, it’s wasn’t just the waves at all….

It was a small ray!!! Utter devastation!! The poor thing inked up the beach as it was reeled in and flipped and flapped around. Luckily, it wasn’t hooked too badly and could be released easily back into its habitat.

After a bit of action, we all wanted more!!

As true professionals now, we caught a further Dart fish and the greatest catch of the day was a threadfin salmon. All were thrown back into the water to swim another day.

As the sun went down on Coral Bay, the three trekked back to the trusty troopy and hauled all the gear into the back and returned to town with smiles of their faces, and bait on their hands.

No animals or people were harmed in the grand expedition of the tri nations.

Departing Perth every Tuesday.

Greg, the tour guide will show you the best bits of Western Australia, through the gorges at Kalbarri, to the Monkey Mia dolphins and finally to the best snorkelling on the Ningaloo Reef at Coral Bay.

Check out their website, drop an email or just give them a call.

www.easyridertours.com.au
easyridertours@hotmail.com
Tel: 0427 983 929

The only way to see WA and definitely the most fun!!

Red Earth Safaris run Coral Bay – Exmouth, Exmouth – Coral Bay once a week.

Leaving Coral Bay on Fridays at 3:30pm to Exmouth

Returning from Exmouth on Sundays at 7:30am to Coral Bay.

$50 each way

Tel: (08) 9279 9011

The two companies in Coral Bay that operate airport transfers, can also take people into Exmouth.

Coral Coast Tours: 0427 180 568

Coral Bay Adventures: (08) 9942 5955

These are a little more expensive at $95 one way.

Exmouth has some fabulous diving and snorkelling spots and it would be a shame to miss out on them.

The Ningaloo Club is looking for a housekeeper to start in a few weeks:-

30 hours a week (sometimes more)

Cheap accommodation & Great working environment!!

If you think you’re fit for the job, contact them on (08) 9948 5100
Or send your resume through to: ningaloo.club@bigpond.com

The times and dates this year are as follows:

Coral Bay - Ningaloo Reef locals

Over the past few weeks, the whaleshark season has really swung into full swing in Coral Bay!!

With thirteen consecutive days of seeing whalesharks off the coral coast, Ningaloo Reef Dive have begun the whaleshark season early, with sightings as early as 5th March!! And tours have been running ever since!

With only one day of bad weather and one day of not sighting any whalesharks, this is the season to get in the water with these gentle giants!!

The largest shark so far has been a whopping 10 metres!!!

As of April 1st, tours will be running at $390 per adult, with the DVD souvenir priced at $40.

It does sound like a lot of money, but really the experience is well worth it!

There is a backpackers, which is full all year round, with a waiting list to get a room fifty people long! So even if you put your name down, there’s still not much chance of getting a bed in the next twelve months anyway.

With long term residents staying weeks, months, even years, it makes is hard for the roaming backpacker, just passing through to even get a look in at this place.

With several caravan parks located in the town and one just a little way out, you would think there would be something available….. Not a hope I’m afraid, unless you book a long way in advance or have your own caravan.

This does make it difficult for people heading to Broome to have a half way stop over in Karratha. The closest place with McDonald’s on the northwest coast from Perth – let’s hope it’s a drive through!

Although, there was no availability, all the people spoken to were very helpful and do understand the difficulty for a lone traveller, trying the visit their little town of Karratha.

If you do really want to stop off here, then do try the following places for accommodation;

Balmoral Holiday Park: (08) 9185 3628
Pilbara Holiday Park: (08) 9185 1855
Karratha Caravan Park: (08) 9185 1012
Dampier Transit Caravan Park: (08) 9183 1109
Karratha ‘Backpackers’: (08) 9144 4904

The whalesharks have arrived so now is the time to get your foot in the door in Coral Bay!!!

Ningaloo Club needs reception and housekeeping staff!

Call them quick before someone else does – (08) 9948 5100 or send in resumes to Ningaloo Club