28. Pink Lakes, Blue Tongues, Wreath Flowers and Memorials three quarters the way down the Coast of WA.

Against the trend of making all things gender neutral and bland, Hutt Lagoon Pink Lake proudly displays its pinkness without the need to follow suit of so many other lakes by not being the traditional blue or green hues.

The sky is blue because molecules in the air scatter blue light from the sun more than they scatter red light. 

The lake is pink due to the presence of cartenoid-producing algae Dunaliella Salina, a source of B-carotene, a food-colouring agent and source of vitamin A.

International tourists do not always follow signs about not entering the water; or on driving on the left side of the road which makes the Indian Ocean Drive one of WA's most notorious roads.  

Banded stilts do not pay heed to signs either.
Note their legs appear to be stained by the water. 

Local inhabitants along the way always oblige in showing their talents.

Who is cute with a big threatening mouth and a blue tongue?

I am!!
And I make a loud throaty noise as well!!!
Aren't you scared of me?

Russell's cousin Sheryl.
Quite a song bird. 

South of Geraldton are some fabulous coastal formations, all with great walkways to and around highlighting the features.

Natural Bridge

Washing machine action under Natural Bridge.

Island Rock

To gain a sense of scale, cars can be seen on the cliff top towards the centre.
A walkway runs along to the left of the cars. 

The Grandstand south of Geraldton.
Prime seating providing the seat does not start to slide.  

We took a drive inland from Geraldton beyond the town of Mullewa and further to Pindar to view the renowned Wreath Wildflowers that grow wildly along the side of the dirt road.

Wreath wildflowers growing along the side of the road for several kilometres. 

Assortments of colours, all with green within. 

Acting as a Great Barrier Wreath separating the road from the bush. 

Wreath flowers thrive in disturbed soil, either graded or burnt, hence they love the side of the road which gets graded regularly.

Driving back into the small town of Pindar, there was evidence the train was going to be late.

Maintenance of the branch line was not a priority. 

The town however was thriving. 

Hansel and Gretel plants leading us into the woods. 

Mullewa is a central area for wildflowers.

Steel Magnolias?

Everlastings don't last forever. 

As cattle can be trained to stay away from electric fences, these regimented wildflowers have also been trained to keep their distance from the fence.  

Back on the coast, Geraldton also features a very moving memorial to HMAS Sydney II.  One of the most poignant features was a bronze statue of a woman gazing out to sea for her loved one.  This statue was in place years before the wreck of the Sydney was found, and incredibly, her gaze was aligned almost exactly with where the wreck was found.

The heart-rending expression says it all!

67 years of searching before the ship was found.

The Dome of Souls has one seagull for each of the 645 souls of the departed.

The Pool of Remembrance features 644 seagull shadows in the black granite, surrounding a 5 metre map showing the location of the HMAS Sydney II.  The 645th seagull is the 2 metre high seagull which stands alone with its wingtip on the co-ordinate where the Sydney lies, 120 nautical miles off Steep Point.

The bow, later found to be upright on the ocean floor as depicted in this full size memorial. 

Geraldton has always had history so closely knitted to the sea in so many ways.

Sea Lion taking it easy at Geraldton Harbour entrance.
It is a hard life, especially lying on rocks. 

More tolerating a hard life. 

A replica of the long boat used in 1629 to safely ferry 48 folk from the wrecked Batavia, which sailed 1500 nautical miles from the Abrolhos Islands to Jakarta.
Meanwhile on the Abrolhos Islands, more than 125 of the survivors of the shipwreck were murdered by other survivors. 

Point Moore Lighthouse near Geraldton was constructed in 1877 from prefabricated panels.
Despite not fitting the original foundations laid down, it still stands and looks brand new. 

WA meaning Windy Always gives kite surfers ideal conditions.
The reef gives a level playing field. 

Dongara 60kms south of Geraldton and 350kms north of Perth is a peaceful settlement with an easy access harbour.

An idyllic setting sporting a safe harbour. 

Endless walking tracks to get folk outdoors.
The wind though regularly keeps them indoors.  

Pacific Gulls bewildered as to why the Indian Ocean is alongside them. 

Contemplating the lost Pacific. 

A bad feather day. 

Osprey eager to enter a talon quest. 

Camping at Green Heads' Milligan Island Camping Node was a real surprise, especially since we had never heard of a camping node, and secondly that we were not on an island.
The area was virtually deserted.

Our own private beach. 

An all time favourite, the Pied Oyster Catcher, generally seen in pairs,

A tour of the Stockyard Gully Tunnels saw some great countryside, flowers, road challenges, and a chance to imagine the droving days of the mid nineteenth century.
Drovers used the natural barriers of the gully as a cool natural stockyard, whilst the tunnel provided shelter and a relief from the elements.

The road to the tunnel started as an expressway and narrowed as we went. 

The "no dogs" sign was read by some as meaning they could take their dogs in, however others couldn't.
The Ranger however takes his tracker dog in, searching for a feral cat approaching the size of a German Shepherd which is inhabiting the area. 

The M1/ F3 needs one of these signs. 

Divided roads always mean a chance for overtaking, or do they?

Kangaroos leave distinctive tail prints across paths. 

Not wheelchair accessible 

Open wide and say Ahhh!

Back door to the tunnel.
During flood, the entire entrance is submerged by several metres.
Note dark native bee hive up high over entrance. 

Honey comb dropped from the top of the cave entrance. 

Looking back and reflecting that rocks are a potential hazard to tyres deflated for sand driving.

We continue south, with one more blog featuring swimming with Sea Lions and walking among the Pinnacles before we reach Perth.

Hoping all is well with all.
Till next blog,
Cheers, Don and Carrol.