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 AreaFirst nights stop; Hamelin Station Stay. After an uneventful 9 hour drive from Perth we were happy to have arrivedHeading out to Steep Point the following morning on Useless Loop RoadThe 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 pollutionRelaxing around the fire. We had enough wood for a fire every night, except the firstThe back of our 80 Series Land CruiserLiving the camping dreamOur Camp site at Shelter Bay. The largest site, furthest west and called WellardTrolling the back of Dirk Hartog Island in our TinnyTwo Spanish Mackerel I picked up just out of Shelter BayKyle’s Ford Ranger soaking up the starsFan belts flicked off and turned upside down on the Land CruiserA cold and misty morning at Shelter BayAnother evening spent around the fireAfter many failed attempts at a long exposure we landed a couple of great shotsClayton’s 17kg Cobia from trollingA stonker fish caught on a Gold Halco lure1420mm long; trolling is full of highs and lows!Early morning walks with OliverMy custom 4WD boat trailer used for getting access to places like Steep PointThe Western most point of AustraliaA little snake that struck Sarah’s ugg boot. Any idea what it is?The Oven, Steep PointSmoking some Mackerel. The most delicious way to eat fishWe saw heaps of Sharks just a few hundred metres from Shelter BaySome were about the same size as our boat (3.75m)Another morning in paradiseOn the way out the front left wheel bearing failed spectacularly and destroyed the spindleWith no way of limping it into town a tow truck was calledChecking out the Denham foreshoreEagle Bluff, 19km from DenhamEagle Bluff boardwalkLots of little Welcome SwallowsWe called in for a visit to the Shark Bay AquariumA Coral trout that has turned black in captivityA Stonefish. Step on this and you will be in a world of pain. You need to be very careful of theseHeading out to Francois Peron National Park for the dayCrossing the salt panSkip jack point. It was blowing a gale, otherwise this is a great spot to see marine lifeThe most incredible orange sandDaniel replacing some flogged shock absorber bushesOliver having a shoulder ride from GranddadSkip jack point lookoutOliver learning to walkCape Peron. There are worse places to spend an afternoon!An Emu with 4 chicksThe Artesian hot springs that were extremely hot!A little Hawk on the way back into DenhamOne 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.
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).
Um, 4000 kms for me 🙁
Thanks Trev,
Awesome to hear and yep, a truly magnificent spot. We will be back!
Aaron
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
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.
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.
Yep, totally agree. Such an amazing country.
Cheers!
Aaron
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).
Um, 4000 kms for me 🙁
Thanks Trev,
Awesome to hear and yep, a truly magnificent spot. We will be back!
Aaron
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
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.
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.