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Coral Coast 2025
  • Karen Cotton

Coral Coast 2025

A 27-day adventure by Karen Read more
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  • Trip start
    April 26, 2025
    Karen CottonCoral Coast 2025Karen Cotton
    1

    Wooramel River Retreat

    Apr 30–May 2 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Packed up from Horrocks and had an interesting drive to Wooramel. There were too many dangerous drivers on the road overtaking on double white lines. Ruby and I were treated to Graham's extensive swear vocabulary. We also had a tragedy on the trip. Our ensuite cabinet came open and something smashed Graham's full bottle of Jack Daniels. Apparently it's my fault for having too many toiletries. Of course it is.

    Our campsite at Wooramel is a lovely private spot on the side of the river, but with no water. Maybe that's a good thing (no wet dogs). Very peaceful. We don't know who was more scared when some cows arrived to say hello; the dogs or the cows. But all lived to tell the tale.

    Went to the homestead to cool off in their artesian bore baths, excect they were really warm so there was no cooling off to be had. Felt fantastic and refreshed afterwards though. While we were there their resident artist was on stage singing country and Elvis. He was a hoot. It was a fantastic afternoon, but we know to take some drinks with us next time!

    We headed back to camp to cook dinner and that's when 1,000 bugs of all sizes and shapes arrived to enjoy our dinner. It was like a David Attenborough episode on entomology. So there was nothing for it but to turn off all the lights and count the stars. Ahhhh.

    Everyone is feeling relaxed and refreshed. Peter and Graham have call signs when we travel. Pete's is Boofhood (courtesy of his Coke can) and Graham's is Short Cut (bacon). Peppa the dog has been named Ritalin due to her episodes of manic running around the campsite. I'm on my best behaviour as I don't want to get a new name. The boys are keeping us all very entertained.

    Life is good.    Read more

  • Karen CottonCoral Coast 2025Karen Cotton
    1

    Bruboodjoo

    May 2–8 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    The trip from Wooramel to Bruboodjoo pretty much filled most of yesterday, but one thing we have is plenty of time. Jules and Peter stopped in Carnarvon for a couple of hours for a quick repair while we headed to camp with Anne and crew.
    This morning's sunrise was spectacular. Might have to get up early tomorrow for another go.
    There are king tides at the moment so there are a few swampy areas in the campground. No biggie but makes it a bit of a longer trip to the beach. Stevie was very pleased to play in the swamp. She blends into the red dirt quite well now, which is good as we are worried one of the huge eagles is going to take off with her.
    Each day seems to revolve around the next meal. I don't know why things taste so much better when you are camping.    Read more

  • Karen CottonCoral Coast 2025Karen Cotton
    1

    Bruboodjoo day 2

    May 4 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    After a lazy day in camp around a jigsaw puzzle we headed to the beach. The water here is magnificent- warm like a bath. We saw a turtle and dolphins just off shore. Spent the night once again star gazing. I will let you know when we are sick of it.
    A quick detour to Coral Bay Bakery then off to Five Fingers for a bit of snorkelling. Anne has done an awesome job on the 4wd tracks.    Read more

  • Karen CottonCoral Coast 2025Karen Cotton

    Still in Bruboodjoo

    May 5 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    We had our first snorkel of the trip yesterday at Five Fingers. It was wonderful - full of fish but also quite busy. The girls kicked the boys out of the driver’s seats for the trip back to Coral Bay. Graham was surprisingly quiet. I don't think he enjoyed my driving.
    Up nice and early this morning to walk the dogs at sunrise. I will let the photo do the talking.
    The boys headed off fishing so Anne, Jules and I took the girls to the beach for a swim. Once again saw turtles and a seal.
    The boys were very happy with their catch today. They are already talking about the next fishing trip.
    It takes a while each morning to work out which day it is. I hope we remember to leave.    Read more

  • Karen CottonCoral Coast 2025Karen Cotton
    1

    Brudoodjoo day number can't remember

    May 6 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Spent another fabulous day snorkelling at Five Fingers, after a detour via Coral Bay Brakery. If anyone passes by drop in for a wagon wheel (just like the ones we had as kids).
    The snorkelling today was better. Saw so many different fish including a couple stingrays with blue dots. My favourite fish was the parrot fish.
    The best thing that happened today was Stevie did a poo and when Peter bent to pick it up his glasses fell in the poo. We all laughed because we are such great friends.
    The second best thing that happened today was Peter's go pro vision when snorkelling. He basically videod an underwater rock with a couple of fish around it and then forgot to turn the camera off and videod his legs swimming. Good work!
    The track in and out of Five Fingers was so rough I had to hold my boobs but poor Anne was driving so hers got a good bounce up.
    The dogs are living their best life, swimming, playing and running all day. Anne often has all the dogs and looks like the crazy dog lady. They are all shattered by the end of the day. Ruby was knocking on the van door last night to go to bed, then lay on the bed giving us the evils because we stayed outside.
    And now we will sit in camp watching the sunset and waiting for our dinner to be cooked by the boys. Ahhhhhh.    Read more

  • Karen CottonCoral Coast 2025Karen Cotton

    Bullara Station

    May 8–10 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    Spent our last day at Bruboodjoo at the beach snorkelling, swimming and relaxing. We were the only people (and dogs) there.
    Woke this morning and it was quite hot. Made the pack down not enjoyable. Arrived at Bullara and it was even hotter! Luckily they have fabulous open air showers and we are giving them a workout.
    There is an old boy on his pushbike who spends the day leading campers to their camp-site. He must be so fit.
    It is very beautiful here. The owners have done a fantastic job of making the station a destination stay.
    The dogs are exhausted after all the swimming at Bruboodjoo. We have all become very accustomed to the sound of Peppa snoring.
    And once again we are all saying "what a magnificent night".    Read more

  • Karen CottonCoral Coast 2025Karen Cotton

    Good morning from Bullara Station

    May 9 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    So last night I had the biggest fright of my life. There are sheep that wander around the camp-site and we heard something in the bushes at the back of the vans. I took off to get a photo of said sheep and this huge bull came out of the bushes at me. I took off and raced back to camp.
    Turns out I met Scratchie the camp bull. Even though he is 900kg he is very friendly and would have been coming for a pat.
    We were all up at 6am for a family walk to see the sun rise. Ruby decided to poop in the middle of a road and then a big truck came along mid poo. That was fun.
    The walk through the bush was just beautiful. The dogs loved all the cow poo to sniff on the way. Then headed to the Cafe for a breakfast of champions - scones and cream.
    Took the kids (dogs) to visit the goats and horses. They were suitably impressed.    Read more

  • Karen CottonCoral Coast 2025Karen Cotton

    Bullara Burger Night

    May 9 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    After our early morning adventures it started to warm up so we loaded the dogs in the car and headed to Exmouth. Had our first visit to a pub in two weeks and dipped our toes in the ocean. The water there was like a warm bath.
    Back in time for Bullara's burger night. They served 400 burgers in under an hour - a very well oiled machine. They do 400 burgers most Friday nights and 500 on school holidays. The staff here all appear very happy and everything runs like clockwork. It's a real credit to the owners.
    Was a great night and a fitting end to our stay at Bullara.    Read more

  • Karen CottonCoral Coast 2025Karen Cotton
    1

    Quobba

    May 11 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Today was lovely and relaxing. Started with a beach walk then headed for a drive to Blowholes and a swim at the Aquarium.
    Anne has started to hold Peppa when in the ocean so now whenever Anne is in the water Pep is on top of her. Today she somehow managed to climb on Anne's back, like a piggy back ride. Wish I had a photo!
    We were sitting doing a jigsaw after the beach and Graham hopped in the car to drive to the shower block. As he was driving along he could hear a dog barking and thought he recognised the bark. Yep it was Ruby chasing the car down the track. She sat in the car while he showered then drove back to camp. None of us had noticed she was missing! But at least she got some exercise.
    Pete had a haircut with a view. Check out the photo.
    The boys went fishing off the cliffs today and Graham caught a speckled emperor. He was pretty pleased with himself. Pete caught Nemo but returned him to his home.
    The fish was good eating and we were pleased the boys made it home as four people have died there.
    There's a full moon on one side of camp and a magnificent sunset on the other.    Read more

  • Karen CottonCoral Coast 2025Karen Cotton

    Last day at Quobba

    May 13 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Today:
    . Woke to the full moon setting over the ocean
    . Ate a fly
    . Saw whales out at sea from our camp-site
    . Had a snorkel at The Aquarium. My favourite snorkel so far. Feel like you could reach out and touch the fish. Biggest fish so far as well - looked like a seafood smorgasbord.
    . Had an icecream for lunch (we are on holidays)
    . Took a drive out to Red Bluff. The view here is spectacular. It is the middle of bum f*** nowhere, but there is a day spa. For whom? Looked like there were only about a dozen people camped. Also no dogs allowed. And apparently there is a cafe but we didn't find that either. Probably won't return next time we are in this neck of the woods, but it was a good adventure.
    . Back to camp. Crows have knocked over Graham's fly trap and shat on the tables and chairs. Thanks for that.    Read more

  • Karen CottonCoral Coast 2025Karen Cotton

    Denham

    May 15 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Here we are in Denham. It is such a beautiful little town with lots to see and do. Had an interesting drive here with a detour to Carnarvon vet for Ruby, who had been vomiting all night, and many trips to the toilet for Peter, who had gone out in solidarity for Ruby. Julie jumped in the driver's seat to tow the van and caught up to us in record time. You go girl. Spent a lazy day checking out the shops and being stopped by every second person to pat the dogs. The girls have all been so very well behaved.
    We were walking along the main street heading to our favourite destination (bakery) when a Dad emu and his two chicks wandered down the main street. They kept crossing over the road and back without a care in the world, not caring about the traffic they were holding up. We had to keep the dogs away as one of the locals said the dad will kill them with his sharp claws if he gets close enough.
    Somehow we keep ending up at the local pub. It is such a great location overlooking the ocean and watching the boats arrive in town. One Powerball!    Read more

  • Karen CottonCoral Coast 2025Karen Cotton

    Shark Bay

    May 16 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Today was a great day, full of fun, nature and a bit of culture (depending on your definition).
    Got up at sunrise and headed to Monkey Mia for the dolphin experience. A couple of dolphins made an appearance and it was interesting to hear about them. The crowds all left, we waited 15 minutes and then six dolphins turned up. It was fabulous. We stood on the jetty with the dogs right in front of where the dolphins were swimming. The dogs were absolutely mesmerised. It was a bargain for us - we didn't have to pay for our children to see the dolphins.
    Guess where we went next? Bakery for breakfast. While there Graham bumped into a brother of an Aboriginal copper he used to work with an arranged for a catchup later. More to come.
    We spent a lazy few hours in and out of the shops, helping support the local community. We popped into the museum and one of Anne's old netball friends was there. We can't take her anywhere.
    Next stop was Little Lagoon, where Graham had planned to meet up with old mate. The girls had a play in the water and I got the sup board out. Tried to stand - fell off. Graham jumped on and of course straight up. Peter jumped on and of course straight up. I had another go and I was up! Pretty wobbly and it was ugly but I stood up.
    And now for our cultural experience. Graham's friend David turned up with some of his relations. They stayed in the car but David came to have a chat and share some king browns. It was an interesting chat. There was quite a bit of language (Anne was cringing). He also tried to get Anne and Julie to go swimming with him. But he had some great yarns about his life and was incredibly funny. Was definitely a learning experience.
    We are loving Denham - such a beautiful town and easy to walk everywhere.    Read more

  • Karen CottonCoral Coast 2025Karen Cotton

    Final day in Denham

    May 18 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Sadly we are getting closer to heading home, but still enjoying our stay. We are very much relaxing today after a busy day yesterday. We are getting a lot of walking in, which is good for people and dogs. Going to miss our sunrise beach walks, but not as much as the girls.
    Not many photos as all of us are absolutely useless at taking them.
    Walked into town for breakfast then headed to Eagle Bluff viewing platform. Saw a tiny little snake in the carpark and a large school of taylor in the ocean but not much else. Lovely view though.
    From there we went to the Aquarium. Very informative and dogs are allowed. Our favourite was the clown fish that when they are fed will take the food and feed their anenome, which is their source of safety.
    Ruby jumped up to look in the tank to check out the fish, and the fish jumped up to check out the dog. Quick detour to Thong Shack on the way home.
    Anne and Stevie have been playing a game of finders keepers with a camp chair. The minute Anne is up, Stevie claims ownership.
    This is my second stay in Denham and I will be back!    Read more

  • Karen CottonCoral Coast 2025Karen Cotton

    Milligan Island

    May 20 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Sadly, today is the final day of our holiday. We kept talking about a group photo with us and the dogs but we are all useless. This has been such a lovely relaxing holiday. We are sad it has come to an end. Lots of different experiences and adventures. Has been a great success.
    Spent the night in Northampton after leaving Denham. Nice little caravan park but right on the highway, with trucks going past all night.
    This was a great pick for our final stay. We are once again off grid and with our feet in the ocean.
    Will miss our sunrise beach walks with the dogs.
    Signing off, until the next adventure.    Read more

    Trip end
    May 22, 2025
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