One month down under

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Perth: A Change of Pace ☀️

Where to begin! This second chapter of our adventure is one I won’t forget anytime soon.

After leaving the sandy beaches and horse carriages of Gili T, we touched down in Perth right in the heart of the city. It was a refreshing contrast to island life, swapping ocean views for bustling streets, cozy cafe’s, and long walks. Our days were a mix of exploring, adjusting to the heat, and tackling paperwork in preparation for my new job. 🤓

With nine days to settle in, we eased into city life before heading further up the coast. First on our list was Caversham Wildlife Park, where we got up close with some of Australia's most iconic animals feeding kangaroos, meeting sleepy koalas, and even spotting wombats. 🐨

Next, we ventured to Fremantle, a charming port city famous for its markets. The fresh fruit was unbelievably cheap and delicious, making for the perfect snack as we wandered through the bustling stalls. And, of course, we couldn’t resist a bit of thrift shopping, packing light for this trip meant we had a great excuse to hunt for a few new finds.

Endless beaches stretched before us on Rottnest Island, a true slice of paradise. A surprise shoutout in the local newspaper posing as tourists (which, to be fair, we are) added a twist to the week. And to top it all off, a peaceful walk along the South Perth Foreshore made for the perfect way to soak in the city's skyline and sunset.

And so, the 1,890-kilometre journey began. Our first stop: The Pinnacles a breathtaking landscape of limestone pillars rising from the desert. These natural formations date back 25,000 to 30,000 years, created from ancient seashell deposits left behind when the ocean receded. Over time, coastal winds sculpted the terrain, gradually revealing the towering structures we see today. Some stand at an impressive 3.5 meters tall, each uniquely shaped by the elements a surreal and otherworldly sight to kick off our road trip.

A few hours further up the coast, we arrived at Hutt Lagoon Western Australia's famous Pink Lake. This marine salt lake gets its vibrant color from Dunaliella salina, an algae that produces beta-carotene when exposed to sunlight, creating the lakes striking pink hue.

As the day came to an end, we settled into Kalbarri with a cold beer, a pot noodle, and a sunset the perfect way to wrap up our first day on the road.

The next morning, we woke early to catch the sunrise at the Kalbarri Skywalk—a truly breathtaking and peaceful experience. As the first light crept over the rugged landscape, we spotted a little joey below, scurrying around in search of breakfast—a moment that made the early wake-up call even more special.

To top off the morning, we visited Nature’s Window, where the sun was perfectly framed through the natural rock arch—a picture-perfect moment in every sense! 🌄

We made it back just in time to catch the daily pelican feed on the foreshore a tradition nearly 50 years in the making. It all began in 1975 when local fisherman Cliff Ross would fillet his catch on the Kalbarri foreshore, tossing the scraps to the waiting pelicans. Decades later, the ritual continues just a stones throw from Cliff’s historic home, now known as The Pelican Cafe a charming nod to the towns feathered locals and its unique coastal history.

Before we knew it, we were back on the road for the next stretch of this long journey, heading toward Denham. Along the way, we made a stop at the breathtaking Shell Beach one of only two beaches in the world entirely made up of millions of tiny white shells. With no sand in sight, just a sparkling expanse of shells stretching for miles, it was a truly unique and surreal place to visit. 🐚

The main reason for this slight detour on our way to Exmouth was to experience Monkey Mia, a place where wild dolphins have been visiting the shoreline almost daily for over 40 years. Located within the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, it’s one of the best and most reliable spots in the world for up-close dolphin encounters.

And when we say up close we mean it. We stood just two yards away as these incredible creatures glided through the shallow waters, a truly unforgettable moment! 🐬

To top off one of the most unforgettable days of my life, the turtle in the header picture is one of the locals that call the jetty of this magical place home. Eek! 🐢

With hearts full and memories made, we set off on the third stretch of our journey traveling from Denham to Exmouth, stopping at every snorkeling spot along the way. Our first stop, Coral Bay, is a true marine lover’s paradise, home to vibrant coral gardens and pristine white sandy beaches. Some even call it the Great Barrier Reef of the west, and its easy to see why. We swam alongside colorful fish, graceful turtles, and stunning coral formations, completely in awe of the underwater world. 🪸

After a long eight-hour drive, we finally arrived in Exmouth. The plan? Total relaxation. We checked into a resort with a pool, ready to unwind and soak up the last bit of downtime before starting work the following week. ☀️

In Exmouth, there’s a special place called Jurabi Beach, where you can witness female turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs and if you’re really lucky, even see the hatchlings making their dash to the sea! 🌊

However, we thought it was too early in the season to spot any hatchlings, so we went with no expectations. But my gosh, were we in for a surprise! As the sunset painted the sky, we watched in awe as around six female turtles slowly made their way up the beach to nest. Staying low and still, with only the glow of our red light, we quietly observed this incredible moment.

It was nothing short of magical! ✨

On the second night, we decided to take another plunge and once again, we got lucky. As soon as we stepped onto the beach, we saw a baby turtle racing toward the sea. Our reaction was pure disbelief ‘No way!’. We quickly tracked where they were coming from and watched as they emerged from the sand. Guided by their natural instincts, they scrambled toward the ocean, hoping to make it safely. It felt like the perfect cherry on top of an unforgettable experience. I could hardly believe my eyes- life felt complete! 🐢 🌊

What an incredible experience! This entire coastal journey was filled with magic and unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. It really put things into perspective, reminding me just how fortunate we are to witness such wonders in the world. 🌍

Stay tuned for the next chapter- five months in the outback! 🤠

Rock on! 🤘