We just returned from a place where massive grasshoppers roam, we saw the biggest cockroaches we've ever seen, and it was the hottest city we've visited yet! It's called Exmouth and it's the main city near the Ningaloo Reef and they also have whale sharks that migrate through the area this time of year. We flew up last Sunday and just flew back to Perth today. It's about an hour and a half flight from Perth and I think the nearest city to it is about 150kms away.
Our trip out of New Zealand was just fine except we learned the planes on domestic routes aren't as nice as the international planes. So we got stuck watching Burlesque en route from Sydney to Perth. But the flight attendant walked up and said, "Do you guys want some alcohol?" haha so that helped. We arrived to handwritten signs saying, "Welcome to Perf" and "2 Gypsy Gingers" - thanks to Theresa and her partner Mick. It was around 7pm and it was still so warm out! While in Perth they have been generous enough to have us as house guests so we spent tonight at their place again before heading south tomorrow.
We spent some time wandering the city centre of Perth and took a beach day only to find the surf really doesn't come through too well because of a reef and Rottsnest Island. But there's plenty of surf southward! In fact, we might make it to Margaret River in time to catch some of a pro surfing competition that's going on. It ends Sunday so we'll see how much ground we cover tomorrow and when we get on the road. We've hired a campervan for our 10 day tour of the southwest of Australia. The region is very popular for wine-making, surfing and other foodie type businesses. The place for us!
Exmouth was an interesting trip. We arrived, booked into our campsite and then before setting up camp I saw a sign posted in the kitchen warning of brown snakes in the campground (!!!) so got a little worried about being in a tent. Also since it was so hot we opted to veto the tent and booked into a couple of bunks as they luckily also have a backpacker part of the campground. The town itself has a population of about 2000 and the amenities sure lend themselves more to a town that size than of a tourist destination. We were on the cusp of high season which apparently starts this weekend so as far as finding me things to do that weren't diving or swimming with whale sharks, there wasn't much going on. Unfortunately the locals weren't that helpful of friendly so overall it was not really a place we would return to or even recommend. Either the conditions or the inexperienced dive operators didn't do justice to the possibly lovely reef for Dustin's dives. We'd heard that it was a top dive spot but couldn't confirm the fact. He really enjoyed the whale shark swim though and I think they got one around 6 metres long. Overshadowing the heat, the massive bug population and the less than impressive attractions was the fact a cyclone was brewing up north and we were told the airport would close on Thursday and Friday, when we were due to fly out! Asking around didn't get us any answers but luckily it petered out before it became a cyclone. Phew!
After 5 nights of highs around 38 degrees Celsius and lows around 25-28 degrees Celsius, Perth's cold snap was a welcome change for us. It was down to 9 here and is about 24 right now. But I think the low is an anomaly and it gets warmer again soon. Western Australia is really extremely different to the rest of Australia that we have seen. The dirt is red, it's typically hot and dry (aside from the wet season of course) and cities are further apart. Things are more expensive in general and you kind of do feel like you're in the most isolated city in the world.
So, a night with friends will recharge us for our road trip south where we hope to find good weather, good surf and great wine!
It's tough to believe we are back in BC in less than 3 weeks now! This part of the trip has felt like a bit of a vacation, whereas New Zealand definitely felt like travelling. I don't know if everyone recognizes that there's a difference between the two haha.
Our trip out of New Zealand was just fine except we learned the planes on domestic routes aren't as nice as the international planes. So we got stuck watching Burlesque en route from Sydney to Perth. But the flight attendant walked up and said, "Do you guys want some alcohol?" haha so that helped. We arrived to handwritten signs saying, "Welcome to Perf" and "2 Gypsy Gingers" - thanks to Theresa and her partner Mick. It was around 7pm and it was still so warm out! While in Perth they have been generous enough to have us as house guests so we spent tonight at their place again before heading south tomorrow.
We spent some time wandering the city centre of Perth and took a beach day only to find the surf really doesn't come through too well because of a reef and Rottsnest Island. But there's plenty of surf southward! In fact, we might make it to Margaret River in time to catch some of a pro surfing competition that's going on. It ends Sunday so we'll see how much ground we cover tomorrow and when we get on the road. We've hired a campervan for our 10 day tour of the southwest of Australia. The region is very popular for wine-making, surfing and other foodie type businesses. The place for us!
Exmouth was an interesting trip. We arrived, booked into our campsite and then before setting up camp I saw a sign posted in the kitchen warning of brown snakes in the campground (!!!) so got a little worried about being in a tent. Also since it was so hot we opted to veto the tent and booked into a couple of bunks as they luckily also have a backpacker part of the campground. The town itself has a population of about 2000 and the amenities sure lend themselves more to a town that size than of a tourist destination. We were on the cusp of high season which apparently starts this weekend so as far as finding me things to do that weren't diving or swimming with whale sharks, there wasn't much going on. Unfortunately the locals weren't that helpful of friendly so overall it was not really a place we would return to or even recommend. Either the conditions or the inexperienced dive operators didn't do justice to the possibly lovely reef for Dustin's dives. We'd heard that it was a top dive spot but couldn't confirm the fact. He really enjoyed the whale shark swim though and I think they got one around 6 metres long. Overshadowing the heat, the massive bug population and the less than impressive attractions was the fact a cyclone was brewing up north and we were told the airport would close on Thursday and Friday, when we were due to fly out! Asking around didn't get us any answers but luckily it petered out before it became a cyclone. Phew!
After 5 nights of highs around 38 degrees Celsius and lows around 25-28 degrees Celsius, Perth's cold snap was a welcome change for us. It was down to 9 here and is about 24 right now. But I think the low is an anomaly and it gets warmer again soon. Western Australia is really extremely different to the rest of Australia that we have seen. The dirt is red, it's typically hot and dry (aside from the wet season of course) and cities are further apart. Things are more expensive in general and you kind of do feel like you're in the most isolated city in the world.
So, a night with friends will recharge us for our road trip south where we hope to find good weather, good surf and great wine!
It's tough to believe we are back in BC in less than 3 weeks now! This part of the trip has felt like a bit of a vacation, whereas New Zealand definitely felt like travelling. I don't know if everyone recognizes that there's a difference between the two haha.
YAY!!! 3 WEEKS!!!!!! CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!! Let me know when your plane is coming in....if I'm not working I'd love to come pick you guys up :-)
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Can't wait to see you guys! I really interested in all the insects, can you post a picture?
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