Northward Bound: Heat, Wilderness, and a Hint of Netflix

After our incredible manta ray encounter, we pushed further north towards Exmouth, where the heat cranked up to a smoldering 38°C. For two days, we experienced the town in two very different ways—one involving adventure, the other, air conditioning and Netflix.

Our first full day was spent touring Exmouth, a charming but tiny outpost on the edge of the wilderness. As the midday sun turned everything into a shimmering mirage, we surrendered to the comfort of our campervan, letting the aircon blast while we binge-watched Netflix, avoiding the relentless heat outside.

The next day, it was time for an adventure—an incredible boat wilderness tour with Yardie on Yardie Creek. The tour company was brand new, but that didn’t stop the owner from delivering an unforgettable experience. He personally picked us up from our campsite, giving us a mini road trip of facts and stories about the landscape along the way. One unexpected highlight? Tasting a bush fig straight from the side of the road—surprisingly good! The boat trip itself was short, only about an hour, but packed with wildlife. We spotted ospreys, black-flanked rock wallabies, and a variety of other creatures against the dramatic red cliffs of the gorge. A truly breathtaking way to wrap up our time up north.

Southward Again: Carnarvon & the Quobba Blowholes

With Exmouth marking the northernmost point of our journey, we turned south, stopping at the Quobba Blowholes to see what all the fuss was about. The coastline was rugged and beautiful, but honestly? It didn’t quite live up to the hype for us. A nice detour, but not essential.

Next up was Carnarvon, another small town with an unfortunately noticeable social issue. Some shops even had signs up stating, "We don’t serve unaccompanied children during school hours"—a clear indication of truancy problems in the area. The contrast between the town’s laid-back coastal vibe and the evident struggles was stark, making it a stop that left us with mixed feelings.

Back to Kalbarri: Our Only Repeat Stop

With no other viable options nearby, we made our way back to Kalbarri, the only place we’re visiting twice on this trip. It’s quiet, scenic, and a good spot to pause before moving on. Luckily, the weather has cooled down a bit, making it a more pleasant stay than last time. But again, it’s a sleepy town—not much to do beyond soaking in the views and enjoying the peace and quiet.

From here, the road continues south, and new adventures await!