We’ve just returned from 9 nights out at Steep Point, and 6 in Denham itself. Organising the trip was a fair bit of work to ensure we had enough fuel, water, food and firewood and that the 3 trailers made it out there without any damage, but the effort was well and truly rewarded. Here’s what we got up to:
After fueling up at the Overlander, we entered the Shark Bay World Heritage Area
First nights stop; Hamelin Station Stay. After an uneventful 9 hour drive from Perth we were happy to have arrived
Heading out to Steep Point the following morning on Useless Loop Road
The first of a few issues with vehicles; replacing fan belts on the 80 series.
After setting up camp, we headed out in the tinny for a quick troll. An hour later we had a Shark Mackerel and Spaniard.
The next mornings sunrise. We caught plenty of these due to young Oliver waking early. We left both boats in the water each night.
Our camper trailer and Land Cruiser set up with Ocean views. The solar panels did very well again.
Lots of amazing stars when you are away from the light pollution
Relaxing around the fire. We had enough wood for a fire every night, except the first
The back of our 80 Series Land Cruiser
Living the camping dream
Our Camp site at Shelter Bay. The largest site, furthest west and called Wellard
Trolling the back of Dirk Hartog Island in our Tinny
Two Spanish Mackerel I picked up just out of Shelter Bay
Kyle’s Ford Ranger soaking up the stars
Fan belts flicked off and turned upside down on the Land Cruiser
A cold and misty morning at Shelter Bay
Another evening spent around the fire
After many failed attempts at a long exposure we landed a couple of great shots
Clayton’s 17kg Cobia from trolling
A stonker fish caught on a Gold Halco lure
1420mm long; trolling is full of highs and lows!
Early morning walks with Oliver
My custom 4WD boat trailer used for getting access to places like Steep Point
The Western most point of Australia
A little snake that struck Sarah’s ugg boot. Any idea what it is?
The Oven, Steep Point
Smoking some Mackerel. The most delicious way to eat fish
We saw heaps of Sharks just a few hundred metres from Shelter Bay
Some were about the same size as our boat (3.75m)
Another morning in paradise
On the way out the front left wheel bearing failed spectacularly and destroyed the spindle
With no way of limping it into town a tow truck was called
Checking out the Denham foreshore
Eagle Bluff, 19km from Denham
Eagle Bluff boardwalk
Lots of little Welcome Swallows
We called in for a visit to the Shark Bay Aquarium
A Coral trout that has turned black in captivity
A Stonefish. Step on this and you will be in a world of pain. You need to be very careful of these
Heading out to Francois Peron National Park for the day
Crossing the salt pan
Skip jack point. It was blowing a gale, otherwise this is a great spot to see marine life
The most incredible orange sand
Daniel replacing some flogged shock absorber bushes
Oliver having a shoulder ride from Granddad
Skip jack point lookout
Oliver learning to walk
Cape Peron. There are worse places to spend an afternoon!
An Emu with 4 chicks
The Artesian hot springs that were extremely hot!
A little Hawk on the way back into Denham
One final sunset at Denham
We live in the most amazing country in the world; with so much to see you’ve just got to plan it and go. I’ll put up more posts in the future covering each location, but I’d love to hear from you below.
Great spots Aaron.
The Skipjack lookout pic is a beaut.
Peron NP is on my to-do list.
BTW the little Hawk looks like a Nankeen Kestrel to me.
Awesome Job & Great Photography; Shark Bay is truly a world heritage area. We are so lucky to have it on our back door step.
I was in this area for 10 nights last month.
Cheers Ziggy,
You’ll love the National Park – so amazing and easy to get to as well. Thanks for the tip on the bird. I was going to put bird of prey, but figured that would look silly
Aaron
Thanks Trev,
Awesome to hear and yep, a truly magnificent spot. We will be back!
Aaron
Um, 4000 kms for me 🙁
We really are lucky, there can’t be too many places in the world where you can enjoy this kind of lifestyle. Little Oliver looks pretty happy too. Love the night photography (and the underwater shots too).
Yep, totally agree. Such an amazing country.
Cheers!
Aaron