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The Fitzy Mob Safari, 16 stuart Street, Daly Waters (2026)

05/10/2025

Day 9
Wednesday 24/09
Exmouth coast

Today’s goal was to find some turtles. No we are not hunters however I do love to observe the amazing sea creatures of our ocean… Each creature has a different sound, movements and for some grace - even though they each are masters of the sea.

Stupidly we stopped off at the turtle discovery centre thinking we would have some spotting luck! Note to self - they are not found where you expect so we had an unsuccessful adventure! So we retreated from the mid day scorching sun with a plan to pop our heads out again as the UV declined…

Today’s boating and snorkelling expedition lead us to the outer of the inner reef! Here we found many whales on their journey south. It really is something to behold and we are all on ‘the spot’ - all of the time 🤣

After a few hours of observing Matt took Ethan and I back in and home and he and Liam went finishing again. With no success … the pi**ed off with fishing factor is rising 😬

05/10/2025

Day 8
Tuesday 23/09
Exmouth and Cape Range National Park

A reasonably early start to find that the wind was the worse we’ve experienced so far🤣

Coffee to start the day was $8.50 a cup - a new record for our travels of this vast country!!! At least it tasted reasonable!! Here they charge heavy for all coffee with alternative milk only an extra 50 cents!

We decided to head into Cape Range National Park for some on foot exploring - specifically to Yardie Creek Gorge. We ended up getting stuck at some roadworks - what a debacle! Multiple traffic management cars, a traffic light, sign after sign and an es**rt to take us through the road works… A true circus and I can only imagine the cost to tax payers..

Yardie Creek Gorge was impressive with red limestone cliff faces contrasting against brilliant blue and turquoise waters and sandy beach pockets. Unlike Katherine Gorge there are no smelly bats here 😉

Against the wishes of the second smallest, we set off for the gorge walk - 2km (quoted difficult and 2 hours return) Well it was bloody windy - difficult and rocky in one spot only and took no where near the two hours. The views from the top looking into the gorge were spectacular- as were those looking back out to the reef. It was very, very hot - even at 9.30am! Given you could drive along the beach into the Yardie Creek Campground - of course we did 🤣

Next stop - home for some reprieve from the heat of the day.. red hair/pale skin best practice!

Late afternoon we ventured to the renowned snorkelling spot - Turquoise Bay. The water here is just stunning and as we arrived we saw a dolphin near the shore so I grabbed my phone to video it just as another came through and all of a sudden fish started jumping out of the water in a flurry and with a huge amount of noise! I have never seen anything like it and I was so excited to have captured it… except that I didn’t 🙈 A combination of poor sight and chubby fingers sadly… what a disappointment!

Luckily snorkelling here wasn’t a disappointment - lots of schools of all types, sizes and colours of fish. The current here was fairly strong and was all about the ‘loop.’ Matt and the boys are strong swimmers - me not so much. I’m extremely lucky tha Mattt keeps a close eye on me 😅r

05/10/2025

Day 7
Monday 22/09
Coral Bay to Yardie Creek Homestead 186km

We took our last walk along Coral Bay Beach just after sunrise. A ‘hike’ up to the lookout provided a 180 degree view - what a sight!

Pack up was pretty quick - not because we have four capable sets of hands but we have four (old) hands that are well versed in this pack up/set up thing!

The drive to Exmouth was uneventful - 150km of the same scenery - surprisingly lots of Mulla Mulla - purple wildflowers.

The forecast was for 28-31 degrees for the five days we would be at Yardie - until it became 35 😬 Plan A was not for the faint hearted and we conceded (thank f$*k!) that sleeping in a swag and roof top tent with no daytime shelter - just wasn’t going to make for a happy wife or memories! We managed to book an extra night in Exmouth (town) to reduce our homestead stay by one night and thought we would check out Yardie and ask if they had a cabin (nothing available but an unpowered/unwatered tent site when we booked in January!) I had my ‘positive’ on and would you believe it - someone cancelled (sorry and thank you) and they had availability in the shearer’s quarters 🙌

The shearer’s quarter space is interesting and just two rooms. It means we can sit, relax, cook, sleep - all in air conditioning after being out in the heat - perfect for everyone.

A late afternoon fish saw Matt and Liam catch a couple of small ‘sh*t reef fish’ (Matt categorised) but not big enough for keeps…

Once the dark time hit, we watched TV (The Block) for the first since we left home…withdrawals be gone Ethan!

PS Where do the flies go at night?

05/10/2025

Day 6
Sunday 21/09
Coral Bay

Matt and Liam left early to fish as the winds were the lightest they’ve been since we arrived. They pushed the limits to the outer reef (likely where the sharks will visit you) - but again had no joy… They managed to make it back to the ramp before the winds picked up - both a little nauseous from their outer reef adventures!

Given it was windy again - rather than take the boat back out, we decided we would drive out to Bullara Station - a place we first visited/stayed four years ago and somewhere I truly loved. Wow! So many changes in four years…just amazing! We loved it then - but wow they’ve made some awesome additions in keeping with an outback station. A 250,000 acre cattle station that is killing it in tourism - who would have thought 🤔 I’m not sure if Buckley (the goat) is still around and we weren’t there long enough for a visit from Maggie the roo (if she’s still with us too?)

Our car indicated a temperature of 36 so we returned to the cabin to keep cool - it sure does feel warm 😅

Ethan was desperate to go on a buggy (Z Force 1000) tour of the dunes. Today he finally got his wish and I’m so glad he did! There was much debate in initial discussions around hiring a four person buggy or 2 x two person buggies until the four pax wasn’t available… Neither child felt I was up for the drive. Liam rode with me for the first half (just how he eats his dinner - whatever he doesn’t like he eats first) and then swapped with Ethan. I don’t think driving with me was the ‘bad, boring and Nana’ they expected. Regardless - I had a blast and would do it again on a heartbeat 😉

05/10/2025

Day 5
Saturday 20/09
Coral Bay

The plan was that Matt and Liam would go fishing early - but the wind was back and fierce! If you know Matt well enough - you’ll know he doesn’t have a lot of patience so even though the wind was a howling and they weren’t going and they knew it was going to be sh*t - they went! It was no surprise that returned very wet and without fish!

Matt left Liam in the boat at the ramp and came back to get Ethan and I for an inner reef snorkel.

The water is truly spectacular - so clear that you can see the sandy base or bommies where there is coral. Five Fingers Reef is a recommended spot so we went back there. Plenty of bleached coral and some fish schools - but nothing like our second spot. Here there were schools and schools of fish - hundreds and of varied colours - what a treat! Another short lived highlight was a turtle I spotted - which eluded us when we returned for some further observation..

The afternoon was slow with a few quiet drinks and footy prelim watching at the Reef Cafe, a walk down to the beach for sunset and dinner back at Reef. All before an early night (again!)

04/10/2025

Day 4
Friday 19/09
Exploring Coral Bay and surrounds

Matt and Liam had planned to head out fishing early this morning however the wind gusts were next level! Much to Matt’s disappointment, the boat has not left the park due to said winds - 4500 of dry km for the boat so far. Hopefully it will get a dip soon🤞

We ventured out to the Shark Nursery at (morning) high tide in anticipation of seeing a plethora of baby sharks (doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, baby shark) however we didn’t see any - none! Clearly our timing, the season or the tides just didn’t align 🤣

After breakfast we headed off to Oyster Bridge for some (next level) snorkelling. The trek out was deemed 4WD only and appeared to be ok for non 4WD’s too - until it wasn’t!! In order to reach the prize - we had to climb a sand dune that was the whitest and softest of
sand. It was also untouched which in hindsight is a clue 😳Third time lucky and much stress in between attempts and we made it up and over 😅 Feeling grateful for our good fortune and luck as there was no one else around if we needed a tow out.

Sadly it was now windier and snorkelling meant potential skin shredding on the bridge and nearby rocks. Plan aborted.

Next stop the lagoon. Also amidst the striking white dunes. This track was non virgin, very tight and already heavily rutted. It was a sketchy trek in and even sketchier back out - with Matt and Liam filling holes even before our attempt. Mmm - the max traxs were in the boat - at the caravan park and wouldn’t prove very useful if required 🤦‍♀️

Our third off road stop was Bruboodjoo - which was really just a (well maintained) dirt road. This would have been a great spot to stay on our first trip (when we were self contained) had a spot been available….

The flies have become a little too friendly - causing some ‘weird arse’ not weird ‘arse’ dancing action at times 🤣

04/10/2025

Day 3
Thursday 18/09
Coral Bay

A sleep in was called for as I have not been well and it was time to listen to my body…

A venture out through the dunes to the renowned Five Fingers Reef to snorkel was the plan. A few bumps and ‘horrugations’ to navigate but all in all not a bad run.

Matt and the boys had a blast snorkelling in the inner reef whilst I watched on as the wind and tides took them farther away - and rapidly!

After they’d worn themselves out - we ventured south into the sand dunes to Turtle Cliffs.. This sandy track was slightly challenging and we saw one guy stranded on a hill edge leaving him to balance - a bit like a sea-saw!

As I was sitting out on our verandah enjoying the beautiful 30 degree temperature I was hit on the back of the head! Before I worked out what it was - it happened again but it pulled at my hair. It was a (small) bird that is protective of our verandah and is a swooper!He/she has got me multiple times plus Matt and Ethan 😬 Liam has escaped the swoop so far! Now if I’m sitting outside - I wear a hat so it just feels like a ‘gentle’ punch and not someone trying to tear my hair out!!

The afternoon saw some paddle boarding and swimming in Coral Bay Beach before a chill night…

A great way to start our Coral Bay adventure and settle in

02/10/2025

Day 2
Wednesday 17/09
Kalbarri to Coral Bay 675km

Matt and I took an early morning walk for coffee and to watch the sunrise from Black Beach Sunrise Point. On the way out we watched a roo and her joey graze just outside our unit. Little joey was quick to flip back into the pouch upon hearing us moving! On our return - Mr roo had joined the family. He was ripped and ready to take anyone on! That stance! 😬

We packed up and headed off by 7.35am with seven hours of driving ahead of us - first stop Hamlin Pool for fuel.

The migration of vans from north to south at this time of year (weather warming rapidly) is truly epic! Within the first leg of travel we passed 37 vans or motor homes. My Jesus handle was in use again as we overtook road trains and slow van towers - over and over again 😬

It’s wildflower time! Amongst the arid landscape - there are fields of purple, white, yellow and pinks as well as sprinkles of colour along the roadside.

Carnarvon felt a little more ‘unsafe’ than when we were here last however it was a great stop for a last minute grocery shop before Coral Bay.

The 12km drive in to Coral Bay is very ‘bland’ compared to what awaits! Our cabin is a 300m walk to the shops or beach. No Matt, there is no need to take the car to get milk!

Our first (of many) sunsets at Coral Bay was a beauty 💕

I look forward to returning to Kalbarri for two nights on our way back to Perth. A revisit of Kalbarri National Park, the Kalbarri Skywalk and Natures Window. When we were here in 2021 my back was playing up (after corrugations) and walking was difficult, painful and awkward!

Time to relax!

02/10/2025

Day 1
Tuesday 16/09
Perth to Kalbarri 570km

It was a long day for the boys and I! An early start with a ridiculously early wake up due to my worrying about oversleeping, missing flights and f*%king up our already tight itinerary…

We have 6.5 hours of driving today and seven more tomorrow. We are so out of rhythm to these long driving spates - it’s a chore and I’m not even driving!

The landscape heading north is vibrant and rich - a patchwork of colours due to the various crops, topography and an abundance of rain. Our timing is perfect (for driving) as all roads are now open and accessible 🙌

The obligatory wave when passing another vehicle is back - not just cruisers to cruisers, patrols to patrols or van to van - it’s just constant cheeriness over here and I get it! The sun is shining 😊

Our conversations are evolving with more ‘im/mature’ content - after all the boys are now 13 & 15… Much laughter and raised eyebrows around bum fluff, tea bags with a few 6 7’s thrown in, Porsche headlights being undetectable when home growing w**d and so very much more. Talk about an education 🤣

A mass bug ex*****on took place on the windscreen..It was like massive raindrops or a flock of birds pooping all at once! The splatter was so loud - and the clear sticky mess it left was vast even at 110km!!

We’ve again experienced the wag of the dog oncoming on the outskirts of Geraldton, an almost failed overtaking attempt (not us!) plus the old speed up in the overtaking lane only to slow down for double lines - s@*thead🤬

I had an Ubirr moment 💕 A replication of the iconic NT scenery. I have no photos due to the bug situation affecting multiple windows 😩

When we drove past Hutt Lagoon in 2021 it was overcast and the lake was missing its ‘pink!’ Today - the lighting made a stunning pink hue. Of course we were in a hurry and travelling far too quickly to (stop and) get a decent photo… I have burnt the image to my retina in case the lighting is all wrong on the return trip 🤣

The roadkill has been consistent (mostly roos) and the road killed has been few and far between this time around - perhaps this will change as we get further north and more remote?

Driving accomplished today - tomorrow will be even longer and it will be worth the reward that awaits 😊

First impressions - Kalbarri is looking better than our 2021 visit - during Covid and post cyclone Serajoa. Buildings repaired, rooves reinstated and businesses back up and running! Glad to be back!!

The Fitzy Mob Safari

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