It’s a Long Lonely Highway

[Noel Mugavin]

When you’re travelling all alone.
To Coral Bay.
Stars had aligned with no football commitments during the middle of the school holidays, so way back in November made the decision to head to Coral Bay. Being holidays, accomodation was in Hugh demand, and even that far out only available space was a self contained unit, running at $215 a night. Would’ve been happy with a camping spot, however as it turned out, extremely pleased I got the unit.
As with the best laid plans a bit of a hiccup 2 weeks out when my boss cut her foot, and unless it was healed sufficiently I was going nowhere.
My boss
Doing this on my phone, photo not in the right place
Anyway within 5 minutes of the photo being taken, she’d worked out how to manipulate the collar to be able to get to the bandage. What followed was a multi hour battle of wits and wills to stop her chewing the bandage off before she finally flaked it and fell asleep.
Of course had to keep it dry, wrapped it in a sandwich bag, went to work and hoped for the best. Arrived home, miracle she hadn’t touched it. Soon as she was let inside however, ripped the plastic off and then in to the bandage. Message received, she’s in control.
Anyway, 2 weeks later, 5 visits to the vet for new bandages, 1 was definitely my fault, dropped her off st my friends house, a football game to coach, and then I was on the road.

 

[zig]

I think the look in her eyes says it all... not impressed

 

[Major]

I thought you would have worked out who was in control a long time ago

 

[love_the_life]

She’s gorgeous. Hope the foot heals well, poor thing.
Oh and looking forward to your trip report too.

 

[kermatu]

That look is priceless.

 

[juddles]

That look is priceless.

It is!

Almost like "you said you loved me!"

I get the need for those neck things for dogs, but imagine the look on your partner's face if you put one of those contraptions on them!

 

[Denali]

Oh, no. The cone of shame. She's not at all happy about it.

Where is Coral Bay?

 

[Mogul]

The old cone of shame !!!

 

[JohnM]

Slipping into 1A.

 

[GarrettM]

Oh, no. The cone of shame. She's not at all happy about it.

Where is Coral Bay?

I only know of the one on the WA coast, part of the Ningaloo reef area.

 

[JohnM]

I only know of the one on the WA coast, part of the Ningaloo reef area.

That would be it.

 

[Boca68]

View attachment 130688 When you’re travelling all alone.
To Coral Bay.
Stars had aligned with no football commitments during the middle of the school holidays, so way back in November made the decision to head to Coral Bay. Being holidays, accomodation was in Hugh demand, and even that far out only available space was a self contained unit, running at $215 a night. Would’ve been happy with a camping spot, however as it turned out, extremely pleased I got the unit.
As with the best laid plans a bit of a hiccup 2 weeks out when my boss cut her foot, and unless it was healed sufficiently I was going nowhere.
My boss
Doing this on my phone, photo not in the right place
Anyway within 5 minutes of the photo being taken, she’d worked out how to manipulate the collar to be able to get to the bandage. What followed was a multi hour battle of wits and wills to stop her chewing the bandage off before she finally flaked it and fell asleep.
Of course had to keep it dry, wrapped it in a sandwich bag, went to work and hoped for the best. Arrived home, miracle she hadn’t touched it. Soon as she was let inside however, ripped the plastic off and then in to the bandage. Message received, she’s in control.
Anyway, 2 weeks later, 5 visits to the vet for new bandages, 1 was definitely my fault, dropped her off st my friends house, a football game to coach, and then I was on the road.

It's a look telling you, that you best sleep with one eye open tonight. I'm coming for you!!

Just a beautiful dog Noel. Looking forward to this.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

I thought you would have worked out who was in control a long time ago

Agreed, I just need to be brought back in line occasionally.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Slipping into 1A.

Passenger seat of a Mazda 6; Food and beverage - packet of lollies and an iced coffee; Entertainment - WA countryside and my terribly bad singing.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Saturday morning with a bit of running around - dropping the boss off, fueling up, packing the car and my coaching commitments.
Another loss.
With the following game in full swing and closer to 1 o'clock than 12 o'clock, off I set hoping to be in Geraldton, and off the road before the roos came out, by about a quarter past 5.



Started south of the river, up the freeway then on to Wanneroo Rd which becomes Indian Ocean Drive. First time taking the coastal route, at least between Perth and Jurien, the road has has quite a lot of bad press due to some pretty serious accidents.



The attraction of the drive, ocean views.



Quick stop at Jurien to stretch the legs, radio had cut out by this stage so on went the ipod.
Road is nice and wide until the Eneabba turnoff just north of Leeman, bit of work needed to widen it a bit.
Between Dongara and Geraldton sun was in a bit of awkward position, convoy of about 8 of us quite happy to travel along at about 90, no one trying to overtake except for a P-Plater in a ute.
Timed it well and in to Geraldton at about 10 past 5 and my accommodation the Ocean View Villas



Situated on Brand Highway and about 200 metres to the North West Highway turnoff, very friendly lady at reception, unit at the back of the property so no road noise, and restaurant next door wasn't open, so a very quiet night.





About $90 a night, did the job
Servo and chicken treat over the road



I filled up before I went to the motel, car was already at the front bowser, so thought you beauty, get this done then on my way. Filled up, washed the windows then went in to pay. Came back out, car in front still there no sign of the driver. By this stage there were another 2 cars waiting behind me. Gave it another minute or so and then went back into the shop, worker was just inside the door asked him if he has any idea who was driving the car, telling him there's a bit of a hold up behind it. He didn't seem that interested which was fair enough, went back to my car and just gave a shrug of the shoulders to the cars, now 3 stuck behind me. Another 3 or so minutes an elderly lady came out, completely oblivious, even went to the plants by the side of the servo and picked some flowers before getting in and taking off very slowly.
2 options - 1, and I hope it's this one, she's old and just doesn't give a s***, I want that attitude when I'm older, or 2, she's just totally oblivious.
Anyway, I had to follow her in a bit of a wrap around behind a road behind the servo then across Brand Highway to get to the motel. She did this manoeuvre at about 8 km's an hour, got to Brand Highway, clear to the right, across she went, don't think she bothered checking left as a car traveling the other way had to come to a complete stop as she pulled out in front of it, and off she putted at about 30kmh up the highway
After getting to my unit, across the road to a very ordinary chicken treat.



Watched some footy on TV, and drifted off to sleep.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

I'm an early starter but didin't want to be on the road until after the sun had been up for a little while, not keen to be dodging the roos. Headed up to the HMAS Sydney Memorial for a bit of a photography opportunity.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Sun was up and I was on my way. Quite green around Geraldton.



After a couple of hours a quick stop at Billabong Roadhouse



Cattle station country up this way, on the way only saw 1 cow standing close to the road, herd of goats grazing, and thankfully no roos or emus.



North-West coastal Highway is a great driving road, nice and wide, plenty of straights for overtaking. Not really needed today though, not much traffic on the road, and very few road trains.



Just past the entering the North-West sign, as if put up as an entrance to a theme park, a few little miniature hills. Soon trails off to flat land again.



Into Carnarvon about midday.



Skies had just about cleared of all cloud and the temperature had risen enough to take off my light jumper. What I was chasing, sunshine and heat.
Story of Carnarvon on the side of a building along the maon drag





Carnarvon is much maligned and the highway bypasses it. I had never been in the town so took the opportunity to have a bit of a look. Very pleasant looking foreshore.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Fueled up, then a quick drive out to One Mile Jetty





A few information boards around





There's a Railway Museum and a cafe, didn't explore, just a few quick photos







Refreshed and stretched and ready for the final 2 hours or so to Coral Bay.
Quick stop to check out the footy oval, unfortunately gates were locked so as close as I could get



As I was driving the main road out of town an elderly couple were riding bikes along the footpath along the road. I slowed down to turn to get to the footy oval, unfortunately the lady riding couldn't quite find the brakes and went straight across the road in front of me, huge panicked look across her face. Fortunately I had read the play pretty well and was at about 5kmh and able to stop, so no harm done.
Sort of a big banana

 

[Noel Mugavin]

The final push, off the highway and onto the Exmouth-Minilya Road, just under 100km to Coral Bay



Pilbara scrub



Exmouth-Minilya Road.



Into the tropics



Arrived just after 3 to bright blue skies and about 25 degrees. Unfortunately the best weather I would get all week.

Into Bayview reception, lady asked me if I had been to Coral bay before, mentioned last time about 14 years ago with a school group, and prior to that a few times when I lived in Paraburdoo.
Without a hint of sarcasm from either of us - Lady - 'That's good, you were nice and close then'
Noel - 'Yeah, was always good for a quick getaway'
I'll let you have a look at a map, distances are relative up north

Bayview entrance



The villas, mine top floor, halfway along



Inside, has a stove top, microwave and small bar fridge. Spring loaded fresh water tap for drinking and all other taps supplied via a bore





View from the balcony

 

[Noel Mugavin]

4 choices of accommodation at Coral Bay, Bayview which has caravan/camping sites, cabins and villas.
Another vies of the units I am in


Peoples Park, similar set up as Bayview



Ningaloo Reef Resort, no camping sites, just villas/apartments



Also a backpackers as you drive into the main (only) drag
Caters for 1800 people at peak times, such as school holidays, only permanent residencies are for workers, so no chance to move and retire there.
4 restaurants/cafes, 2 pubs, shopping centre with a supermarket, newsagent, bakery, massage place and a couple of dive shops.

What to do? Why do people travel so far to get here?
Ningaloo Reef - can walk to it from the beach, sheltered bay for swimming, surface snorkeling, kayaks, paddleboards, laying on the beach, coral viewing.
Charter fishing, fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling on the reef further out, turtle watching, manta rays, reef shark nursery, catamaran cruises, whale watching and in the right months, swimming with whale sharks.
4wd tracks
And the weather, unfortunately not the week I was there.

Walk down to the water and a few shots of the sunset