Australia 2014: Minnie Creek to Coral Bay

Day 13 – August 1, 2014 – Minnie Creek to Coral Bay - distance travelled: 289 kms - 28^oC high; 16^oC low. Drove another almost 200 kms on mixed quality gravel roads before we were back on the bitumen. Wildlife on the way included kangaroos hopping across the road, lots of cattle not used to seeing vehicles, and flocks of galahs and white cockatoos flying up from beside the road. Stopped at Minilya Roadhouse for air in the tires (after deflating them to drive on the gravel) and an exorbitantly priced “Paddle Pop”, a type of Australian popsicle. We pulled into the tiny settlement of Coral Bay mid-afternoon and were lucky to get the last tenting spot in the second (and last) caravan park in Coral Bay (the first one we tried was full). Coral Bay is situated on the coast at the southern end of the Ningaloo Reef Marine Park and clearly a popular place to spend time. Although they pack a lot of people into the campground here it is not nearly as cramped as some of the caravan park we stayed at on the east coast where our square would only fit one tent. Here we actually quite comfortably managed to set up both tents. We booked a boat tour for the next day to do some snorkelling and hopefully see a good selection of the local wildlife. Enjoyed a nice dip in the slightly heated pool before supper, and worked on the blog in the camp kitchen after supper while the kids played in one of the playgrounds.