Yesterday we left Billabong Roadhouse and travelled north to Denham or Shark Bay as it seems to be known locally. We crossed the 26th parallel so we are officially in the north west of Australia. On the way we stopped at Hamelin Pool which was fascinating and very unique as it’s one of only two places in the world where Microbial Mats are found. Then onto Shell Beach which was just as unique, along with Monkey Mia, it explains why the peninsula has been granted World heritage status. We’re staying in the Caravan park in Denham and not Monkey Mia which is about 25 k’s from Denham mainly because the cost at Monkey Mia is over the top.

So this morning we were up early to travel to Monkey Mia for the “Dolphin Experience” as its titled. The chosen few were able to feed the Dolphins and Vicki got picked to do so. It was very good and we could get up reasonably close although nothing like years ago when you could go in and let them swim around you. I understand the conversation thing but it had been going on for years and I understand safely, so now its all changed. We really are the nanny state in some things, particularly when you can freely walk over dangerous rocky outcrops above a gorge to get a photo but not stand in the water and let the dolphins swim up to you, hard to understand the rationale sometimes.

After the Dolphins it was off to Shark Bay Aquarium to view some marine life including Sharks and Turtles. To finish the morning we sat and had a drink on the sunny balcony at the Aquarium overlooking Shark Bay.

Tomorrow we head further north for a free camp at New Beach which is about 35 k’s south of Carnarvon. I’m looking forward to seeing the Carnarvon Space Museum, especially the history on the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs in the 60’s.