Travelling North from Perth along the Indian Ocean Coast Road

We left the beautiful and serene historic town of New Norcia and travelled west to join the Indian Ocean Coast Road at Lancelin a town 130 klms north of Perth. Lancelin is a picturesque small town situated on sparkling turquoise waters and nestled against sand dunes. A popular past time is sand boarding and looked a lot of fun. I would love to slide down the sand dunes but one has to be sensible on holidays, I certainly wouldn't want to break a leg or two!
Further north we entered the Nambung National Park with its famous Pinnacles Desert. In this area of varying coloured sand there are thousands of limestone pinnacles, which range in size up to 5 metres tall and 2 meters thick at the base. These pinnacles were formed thousands of years ago when ancient plant roots formed a weak cementation of calcite within the dunes and have been exposed by wind and shifting sand.
Travelled onto Cervantes where we visited Lake Thetis which is one of only four known locations where Stromatolites (the world's oldest living fossils) can be found. We continued onto Jurien Bay where we camped the night.
Next day only travelled a short distance, further north along the coast road, calling into the small townships of Greenhead and Leeman. These small towns only a few years ago had only seaside shacks but today new estates have been developed and are popular seaside getaways with the usual seaside activities such as swimming, snorkelling, fishing and relaxing.
We camped for the evening looking out over the Indian Ocean at Cliff Head North near Dongara.
We woke with a strong easterly wind blowing and as we travelled further north the dust from farmlands were being whipped up causing an eerie feel over the coast. We stopped at Point Denison's Fishermans Lookout where you enjoy a panoramic view of Port Denison and the harbour. At the lookout is an obelisk, the only remaining of two built in 1869. Travelled down the lovely tree lined main street of Dongara and called into Flat Rocks to view the ocean where State Surfing Championships are held each year. A couple of surfers were catching some waves. Next stop was the historic area of Greenough. We stepped back in time and visited the Central Greenough Historic settlement and took a tour of 11 restored buildings, remnants of a once thriving community of 19th century pioneers.
We decided to camp beside the Ellendale Pool passing Alinta wind farm, the largest wind farm in WA boasting 54 turbines.
Ellendale pool is a great spot for bird watching where this natural fresh water pool laps impressive sandstone cliffs. It reminded Chris and I of Clem Walton Park a beautiful spot we stayed at last year when travelling. We first met friends Glenda and John at Clem Walton Park and I know they are visiting this region soon so here is a great place you can stay and once again go canoeing.
We enjoyed the late evening sitting around a camp fire and chatting with other campers. Tonight is the first match of the 'State of Origin' – go the blues!
Better luck next match for the blues........