The four of us took a 4WD trip into Louis Peron National Park which is to the north of Monkey Mia running on a peninsula to the Shark Bay Marine Park. This area was named after French Zoologist Louis Peron who discovered it in 1801. We had to deflate the car tyres at a special tyre station at the entrance to the park due to the soft sandy nature of the tracks.
The park is pristine with striking red sand dunes giving way to white sandy beaches. The vegetation is mainly low ground cover juniper with wonderful wild flowers. The marine life is very special and no wonder its a world Heritage Area – it ticks all the boxes and is so pristine its breathtaking!
We drove up to Skipjack Point at the northern most point, so named because of the Golden Trevally fish ( also called Skipjacks). The sea there was alive with fish, turtles, dolphins and Manta Rays. We were very lucky to witness a Manta Ray skim out of the water – it was magical. No photo though as it happened so quickly and a moment like that might not come again. We have never seen the sea so alive and rich with marine creatures. Hundreds of Cormorants ( Aussies call them Shags) were waiting along the shore line and on rocks – no wonder with so many fish it was like the fish counter at the local Fishmongers!
We then drove back along the 4Wd track to Cape Peron itself with more Cormorants and then Bottle Bay for a picnic lunch, and so the lads could get a quick fish in. Typically this is the allocated fishing zone and of course no fish to be had unlike Skipjack Point!
Paul, Nandor and Sarah at Skipjack Point
Waiting for dinner
Karen at Skipjack Point viewpoint over bay
Boardwalk at Skipjack Point
Cape Peron and red sand dunes
Lining up for a spot of lunch - fancy fish today lads?
Blending in with the colours
Track into the National Park
Goana narrowly escaping being squashed by the car!
Reinflating the tyres after the sand tracks at Louis Peron NP
Traditional wind turbine at the Peron Homestead Precinct outside the national park entrance
We then reinflated the car tyres and had a quick look at the Peron Homestead Precinct (old sheep station – now a museum to the National Park). A fantastic trip with great company! Later Sarah and Nandor had a meal at the restaurant back in Monkey Mia for their wedding anniversary. We sneaked them a bottle of bubbly via the waitress to help them celebrate which gave them a pleasant surprise (by way of thanks for taking us in their 4WD too!).