Kayak Expedition Gearing Up

Our new adventure kicked off in Exmouth under clear skies and a tinge of nervous excitement. Day 1 was all about meeting the crew – twelve of us in total, plus three guides who knew the Ningaloo coastline like the backs of their hands. Zoe (Jan's niece joins us here from Perth).Friendly introductions quickly gave way to business: the briefing.
There was a lot to take in. Safety first, of course gear– life jackets, wetsuits, masks, snorkels, fins, dry bags, camp mats, water shoes, rashies, sleeping bags – the list felt endless. The challenge? Fitting five days of living into two small wet bags. I reckon we packed and replaced several times before finally having the absolute minimum.
Once packed and loaded, we hit the road – kayaks strapped to the trailer, bags tucked beneath our feet and on the seats and in the trailer. We were all so excited before our next big journey. The bus bounced its way toward Cape Range National Park, where towering limestone ranges meet the reef-fringed coast. Once these ranges were part of the sea. We have a geologist on board with a wealth of information on all things rock. So fascinating.
Camp for night one was basic but stunning – red earth, open sky, and the ocean just over the dunes. We each set up our own tents, figuring out the poles and zippers with a mix of determination and comedy. Air mattresses inflated (eventually), we set up fast as the sun dipped and the temperature plummeted again. Nights are so cold.
Camp hosts cooked dinner and we were briefed on the plans for day 2. Introductions and getting to know our fellow travellers.
The night was freezing – the kind of cold that makes your nose go numb. But sliding into a warm sleeping bag after a big day was bliss. Under a canopy of stars, the dark emu was spotted! Tomorrow, we’d hit the water!Read more