We thought we had a plan… turns out we didn’t, and somehow, it all turned into one of our best trips yet.
To the Ningaloo …
From the Lobster Shack in Cervantes and the pinks of Hutt Lagoon, to Sandy Cape and then Kalbarri— sunrise at the Skywalk.
Shark Bay & RAC Monkey Mia quickly became a favourite. We stayed a few nights… but honestly? It wasn’t long enough. Dolphin feeding, emus (everywhere!), mini golf, a pool, turtles, restaurants— it’s basically its own little resort and one you can’t miss checking on your way through!
Then we finally made it to the place we’d been hanging for…
Camping right on the beach. Days spent on the water with new mates who quickly became our travel family. Boating, fishing, fresh squid and self-caught dinners every night— the kind of days you don’t forget.
A highlight was snorkeling Five Fingers Reef— turtles, sharks, fish everywhere.
Matt went spearfishing… and got circled by his first shark!
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing…
Our awning snapped (RIP), and our outdoor fridge flew off on a corrugated road… $400 worth of groceries spread along the road, but somehow the fridge survived. Thank god!
Next level. Dare I say my favourite camp on the Ningaloo?
Turtles everywhere. I was swimming with three at once. Unreal.
Then Mauritius Beach, and something we’ll never forget—Baby turtles hatching and making their run to the ocean. The boys became their official bodyguards all the way to the water.
We sat on the beach, watching batch after batch hatch under the sunset. This was easily one of the biggest highlights of the past 18 months… right up there with swimming with whale sharks in Exmouth.
Then came the news…
And just like that, everything changed.
Our time in Ningaloo was cut short. We packed up and evacuated inland, cancelling Winderabandi and Bullara Station.
My heart goes out to everyone impacted, it was devastating to see what it left behind.
Tom Price Caravan Park became home for a week… and then:
And wow… it really is something special.
Kalamina Gorge
Joffre Gorge
Fortescue Falls & Fern Pool
Knox Gorge
Hamersley Gorge & Spa Pool
There’s something magical about this place. Deeply connected to the Banyjima, Kurrama and Innawonga people, you can feel it when you’re there. The place really is special. It’s hard to explain, but it stays with you.
And our little adventurers? 2 and 4 years old tackling Stage 5 hikes and jumping into gorges like little pros. So bloody proud.
Things broke.
Plans changed.
Cyclones rolled in.
And somehow… it still turned into one of the best trips we’ve ever had.
That’s life on the road, you don’t control it you just roll with it… fix what’s broken, laugh at what you can’t and keep going.
And we’d do it all again in a heartbeat.
– Tiarna
@bline.aus — Follow the Burney family on Instagram to keep up with their Big Lap ~
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