..Exmouth marks the spot.....

 


        For todayd adventure we decided to venture down the west coast of the North West Cape, the Ningaloo region.

    Our first stop was the Vlamingh Head lighthouse, built in 1912 after the SS Mildura ran aground, at the tip of the Cape in 1903.   


The remains of the S.S. Mildurs


    The lighthouse operated from 1912 until 1967, when its function was discontinued.  The lighthouse was replaced by a radio beacon from the nearby U.S./Commonwealth base.   The Naval Base, the Harold E Holt Comminication Station.


The central antenna is 387 metres tall
    The joint establishment utilises an enormous radio array, operating in very low frequencies (VLF), is used to communicated with submarines throughout the world.   This base is the reason Exmouth exists, prior to 1962 the only settlement in the area was at the lighthouse.  It is said to be the most powerful radio transmitter in the southern hemisphere.



    

    After climbing the 387 metre antenna, we moved on to the Tantabiddi boat jetty, where we boarded a semi-submersible boat for a cruise of part of the Ningaloo Reef.   

    Ok.....we didn't climb the antenna.....


    We saw, stingray, green turtles, any amount of fish (apparently taking your fishing rod on board is frowned upon...).    It was difficult to take pictures of the fish, because of the lighting, and the little buggers are quick, but you get the idea.   All in all a fascinating look without the getting wet bit...



        After our nautical adventure we toured the rest of the North West Capes scenery, befor returning to the van.

















Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

...A big day out....

Image
           Well, that was a big day out.  This morning I was picked up at the front gate of the caravan park and driven to the airport.        The family have gifted me a flight over Lake Argyle, the Bungle Bungles, and the pastoral Kimberley (an early Birthday pressie..)     Our pilot, Rebecca, bundled us into a 12 seater plane, and took to the skies...     Once in the air you start to appreciate the vastness of the region.   Lake Argyle, the second largest man made lake in Australia (a surface area of about 1,000 sq/km)     It was constructed between 1969 and 1971, as part of the Ord Irrigation scheme.          There are vast swathes of farmland service by the scheme, in the eaerly stages cotton was the primary crop, but pests and diseases made commercial success impossible.   Today there are a wide variety of tropical fruits, vegetables and more recently I...
Read more

...The Northern Capital

Image
                We have arrived into Darwin, and are staying at Howard Springs.   Over the past couple of days we have ventured into the city, had a wander around.               We had a stroll around the waterfront area, and took in some of the history of Darwin.   On the 19th of February 1942 Darwin, 242  Japanese aircraft, in two waves, attacked the town, shipsin the harbour, and allied airfields.                    As the result of these raids, the fuel stored in huge tanks at the port were destroyed, so it was decided to move the fuel storage underground.   To this end 11 storage tunnels were commissioned, but only 6 were completed.    They are extraordinary.                               The walls of the t...
Read more

...and so the journey south begins...

Image
           We have moved on fron Darwin, and made camp for 2 nights in Katherine.  Last night we caught up with Ken & Bev Lomas, friends from Hamilton.   It was good to see a familiar face (other than Bevs...) a few beers and a heap of fun.          Today we took a tour of Katherine Gorge,  one again the scenery did not disappoint.   there was the odd croc.... Some rock art.... yes...we both went...          Tomorrow morning, we will commence our journey south in earnest, we intend having 4 nights free camping between Katherine and Coober Pedy, days of around 400km.   Then we will see what the weather brings, and just make the best of what comes.          Not looking forward to the cold.....the weather has been amazing up here, we will have to do it again....
Read more