#ospreybay

Seasoned West Australian’s/Wickham locals Mitch and Elle (aka Moose and Tez from King Brown Tours) played tour guide and fellow east-coasters, Jebb and Andrea came along for the ride too. It was a good time guaranteed with this bunch on board. 

Osprey Bay:

First stop on the epic 2,500km road trip was Osprey Bay. Located in the Cape Range National Park, south-west of Exmouth, Osprey Bay is hands-down the dreamiest camping ground I’ve ever stayed at. Sandy enclaves between rich, red rock that plunges into the turquoise water of the Indian Ocean, views as far as the eye could see, and pit toilets you would happily spend time in (seriously, they were some swanky-as pit toilets). What more could you want? 

As if the dreamy, bluer-than-blue waters of Osprey Bay weren’t enough, we headed to Turquoise Bay for some serious beach and chill time on day two. There’s no beating around the bush with Turquoise Bay’s name, the water is quite literally turquoise, no filter needed. 

Coral Bay:

But alas all good things must come to an end so we packed up and shipped out to Coral Bay, roughly 200kms south of Osprey via Exmouth. 

Coral Bay was for squiddin’, fishin’, snorkellin’, and (more) XXXX drinkin’. 

And that we did do. There’s nothing quite like sitting on the beach watching the sunset over the ocean then heading back to camp and cooking up the fish and squid you caught a few hours ago. All this whilst sipping on Australia’s finest. 

Whilst squidding was hilarious fun, it turns out that fishing out past the reef is not something I take too kindly to; a violent case of sea sickness left me deck-ridden for 90% of the expedition. But from the deck floor, I got to hear the delights of honeycomb cod and spangled emperors being caught for dinner, a large pod of dolphins riding in the wake of the boat and many a tin being cracked. 

Coral Bay, as with Turquoise Bay, is fringed by the Ningaloo Reef, the largest near-shore coral reef in Australia. The Ningaloo is often viewed as a better alternate to the Great Barrier Reef due to it’s close proximity to the shore, accessibility and noticeably smaller tourist numbers than its east-coast counterpart. Having never ventured to the Great Barrier Reef, I can’t pass judgement on how the coral or marine life compare but I will say that the bar has been set and I have high expectations for the GBR if I ever get to it. 

From the shore at Coral Bay you could swim out to the reef and snorkel but it’s way more fun to hire a kayak and paddle out. After all, two activities is better than one! 

Now, I’m no seasoned snorkel-er, nor do I have an extensive knowledge of coral, fish or other sea creatures but snorkelling on the Ningaloo was pretty darn special. So many cool, colourful fish. So many different types of coral. So many wig-outs that there was something much bigger lurking in your peripherals. Special.

Our days spent in the water and on the beach were coming to an end and we were due to start travelling inland to the Karijini National Park, but not before hanging out with a few spangled emperors by the shore and one last west Australian sunset. 

Time to hit the road.