Monkey Mia and Peron NP

Today was another huge day...exploring this magnificent region.

Monkey Mia
First stop was the very popular tourist destination Monkey Mia. We arrived just after the first dolphin feeding as we had heard it was less crowded.
We wandered down onto the beach and within minutes several dolphins could be seen heading towards us. It might be a bit touristy...but the opportunity to see these gentle, beautiful animals up close was jut magic. There were about 30 or so people standing in the water while the dolphins played, splashed and frolicked right in front of us. The ranger talked for about 20minutes, giving us loads of info about the dolphins and how the feeding is managed...of course times have changed, the dolphins aren't touched by human hands at all and the feedings are strictly controlled...all to help keep the dolphins safe and healthy.
The boys were mesmerized and pretty happy when a couple of dolphins came up so close, laid on their side...and seemed to be checking us out!





Francois Peron NP

Peron NP has been transformed from a large working sheep station to a magnificent NP. It must have been a huge undertaking to clear not only the sheep, but the many feral animals which have wiped out some native species. A serious looking electric fence marks the entrance to the protected peninsula, a part of the project to reintroduce several native animals.
Our first stop is the original sheep station where we wander around the shearing sheds, shearers quarters and information centre.



The station has relied for years on artesian water which is pumped from deep in the ground, and is a constant 40dgrees. We had a dip in the old water tank/spring fed pool which didn't look too inviting, but was a really nice temperature!



The drive up to the northern tip was slow going. Deep sand and pot holes, but worth the effort. We stopped at one of the camping areas for a swim and some fishing. It was a very hot day so we enjoyed cooling off. You can camp here right on the beach and for a little while I wished we had brought up the camper...but once off the beach we were covered in flies and midges...yuck!



Our last stop was the northern tip of the cape.
Within just a few minutes we were thrilled to see more marine life up close than we would ever have imagined! About a dozen dugongs were lazily swimming amongst the seagrass, a turtle popped up his head as if to say hello, a ray glided by...but the most amazing sight was a whaler shark so close to the shore we could have reached out and touched it, it bit a large fish in half, then spent the next 30 mins or so circling near the shore!

Dugong...


Mr turtle...


Is that a shark??...


We arrived back in denham just before dark, after a very long and enjoyable day.

Cazz x

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