Ninglaoo Reef to Red Earth

Today we said goodbye to the turquoise waters of Ningaloo, and our great new kayak friends and headed inland, leaving the coast behind for the heart of the Pilbara.
The landscape changed dramatically as we drove — from desert-like red sand dunes to the striking mesa rock formations that define this ancient region. According to our geologist, these mesas were formed thousands of years ago. They rise like flat-topped islands from the earth, remnants of a time when softer underlying layers eroded away, leaving behind these dramatic, table-like formations.
The scenery was breathtaking — raw and vast, with the rugged Hamersley Ranges unfolding around us in ochre, rust, and deep red tones. This land feels ancient.
We spent around seven hours on the road, slowly winding our way through the ever-changing terrain. We arrived at Karijini Eco Retreat just in time for sunset, the sky a blaze of gold, orange, and pink — a perfect welcome.
We set up camp under the changing light, surrounded by the beautiful white ghost gum trees and ancient stone. From sea to desert to mountains, it’s hard to believe all this beauty fits in one journey.Read more