Ningaloo- Cape Range

We have spent the last four weeks camping at Cape Range National Park. Two weeks at Mesa Campground and two at Osprey Bay. The latter being my favourite. The coastline is fringed by a reef that lies approximately three hundred metres off shore creating a lagoon that stretches over a thousand kilometres.

The beaches here are strikingly beautiful. Tranquil, turquoise water laps the sandy shoreline all along the coast. Looking out to sea the white caps of the waves hurtle over the reef and at night you hear their thunderous roar. There are secluded bays tucked away behind sand dunes and you often find yourself having it all to yourself.

Snorkelling is popular at Ningaloo. Two recommended spots are Tourquoise Bay and Oyster Stacks. Access into the water at Oyster Stacks is tricky as there are a lot of rocks on the shoreline, however it was well worth it and far better than Turquoise Bay. The water is so crystal clear it’s like swimming in a glass of water. Even at great depths, you can see the sunlight rippling through the water, whilst fish of all sizes and colours swim around you and the iridescent coral entices you to dive down further for a closer look.

Osprey is a gorgeous bay. From the shoreline, turtles large and small swim past poking their little head up, reef sharks glide past in the shallows and dolphins gracefully nose dive over the bommies. Gaze out beyond the reef and you catch a glimpse of what looks like a spout of water, only to have it confirmed by the breaching that follows. It’s a spectacular performance! I lost count of how many whales we saw heading north to warmer waters.

Behind us lies the range and within it lies the gorges and the one and only creek. It’s home to a range of wildlife. You don’t need to look hard to see, echidnas shuffling across paths, rock wallabies nestled on the edge of a cliff face, monitoring your every step, emus and roos foraging in the scrub and birds of prey soaring above you.  The Attenborough moment for us was seeing a dingo hunt a mob of roos.

We have been relatively successful with our fishing. We managed to catch Flathead, Whiting, Golden and Giant Trevally and  Cod. Unfortunately, the Spangled Emperor eluded us.

Sunset over the reef, beckons the “Happy Hour” gathering. Chilled drink in hand, laughter resonates across the campground. As the sun disappears beyond the horizon a rich golden glow forms across the water, Venus makes its appearance, the moon casts its light on the ranges behind us we begin to contemplate a new day.

These videos of Mesa capture the extensiveness and beauty of Ningaloo reef.  You can see our van, next to the brown Camper Trailer, (11.00 o’clock cordinate). Thanks to Bomber L for the footage.