Carnarvon

July 7, 2017

We slowed for a trip of goats to cross the highway and also a couple of stay emus.

Then we passed the 26th parallel - officially in the north west now - roll on warmer weather.

about 30 kms south of Carnarvon we caught up to two oversized monsters. On coming traffic had to pull off the road completely.

We were told when we were allowed to pass - but there wasn't much room left for us - oncoming cars that had pulled over, pulled further over
It was a bit hairy.









odometer reading 58,490
kms travelled today 247
kms travelled so far 8,659
campsite Outback Oasis Caravan Park

July 8, 2017

We went to the craft & fresh food market in town & then investigated the One Mile Jetty.

This jetty was built in 1897 (& it looks like it!)
It gives a good view of the Gascoyne River mouth, mangrove & marine life, migrating birds & jetty activity.

There is a nominal charge for walking out on the jetty - all monies going towards restoration - we didn't see much evidence of this happening since 1998

Jetty VERY unstable & full of holes & broken railings

an adventure in itself :)




odometer reading 58,527
kms travelled today 59
kms travelled so far 8,718
campsite Outback Oasis Caravan Park

July 9, 2017

Les went crabbing with Ken - someone we had met at Cliff Head South - & they came back with a great bounty - worthwhile getting that fishing licence Les!!









odometer reading 58,527
kms travelled today 0
kms travelled so far 8,718
campsite Outback Oasis Caravan Park

July 10, 2017

I went to exercises in the 'Big Shed' @ the caravan park - the youngest there by @ least 10 years, but it warmed me up!

Les went fishing again - but all the fish are safe.













odometer reading 58,550
kms travelled today 23
kms travelled so far 8,741
campsite Outback Oasis Caravan Park

July 11, 2017

We visited the Carnarvon Space & Technology Museum which Buzz Aldrin opened in 2012.

The museum focuses on 2 parts - the Tracking Station & the OTC Satellite Earth Station, each station played separate roles in the early space industry.

The tracking station was built to support NASA's Gemini, Apollo & Skylab programs. It was the last station to communicate with the space capsules leaving the earth orbit, and the last to make contact before splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

The OTC Satellite Earth Station was part of the global satellite communications system.

So, Carnarvon hosted Australia's first satellite TV broadcast in 1966 - long before they had TV reception in the town.

We got to ride in a flight simulator & Blast Off!!

There was a Planetarium within the museum. This photo of Earth was projected in the round during that presentation.

There were some hair raising objects to play with.

After tearing ourselves away from the Museum we drove 60 or so kms out towards Quobba.

It was a great day for whale watching - we followed a large pod for a few kms

The Blow Hole performed on cue!

HMAS Sydney II Memorial (just up from the blowhole) commemorates the battle between the HMAS Sydney II and the German raider the HSK 'Kormoran' on the 19th November 1941.












odometer reading 58,766
kms travelled today 216
kms travelled so far 8,957
campsite Outback Oasis Caravan Park

July 12, 2017

We cruised around town to find where the locals were eating ..... watched the first half of Origin @ the pub & then caught the finish back @ the van.










odometer reading 58,787
kms travelled today 21
kms travelled so far 8,978
campsite Outback Oasis Caravan Park

July 13, 2017

We travelled east to Rocky Pool - a deep fresh water pool - still not hot enough for swimming....


Sir Charles Kingsford Smith had a truck to run the Gascoyne Transport Company - he did a mail run from Carnarvon to the Bangemall goldfields near Mt Augustus - they say he'd boil a billy @ this billabong on his way




odometer reading 58,915
kms travelled today 128
kms travelled so far 9,106
campsite Outback Oasis Caravan Park

July 14, 2017

I walked into town to investigate the town pedestrian bridge.

lucky the siren didn't sound while I was on the bridge

Les tried his hand @ fishing again but the fish haven't read the tourist brochures - 'one can confidently fish in any of the waters around Carnarvon'



odometer reading 58,951
kms travelled today 36
kms travelled so far 9,142
campsite Outback Oasis Caravan Park