This Christmas, we ditched our annual routine of decorating trees, wrapping presents and pulling crackers, for the chance to interact with dolphins, manta rays and some rather tasty bottles of wine over in Western Australia.
With the aid of a Wicked campervan, some mozzie repellent and a truckload of sunscreen we made our way northwards along the coast for sun-drenched antics and then spun back south for a decadent finish.
This is our adventure as recorded via Instagram!
Our home for the next 2 weeks… Road-tripping #WA backpacker-style!
A dinner of hot chips on the go… #healthy
Good morning Jurien Bay! Pristine sands and turquoise seas but hardly anyone around…
The never-ending journey… Still another 300kms to go and just so damned hot!
Finally arrived at Monkey Mia after 8 hrs of driving. Just in time for a quick dip and a sunset beer.
We’ve got company for dinner #MonkeyMia
Oyster time at Monkey Mia…
Seafood in a paper bag @ Boughshed restaurant in Monkey Mia…
Good morning Mr/Mrs Emu! Big bird comes to say hi before our neighbour chases him off with a broom…
This pelican has the right idea. Swimmers on, time to laze on the Monkey Mia sand.
Dolphins swim right up to the beach – Surprise, Shock and Sonic #MonkeyMia
Seagulls try to keep cool in the shallows. Temperature is rising #MonkeyMia
Trying to spot a shark at Eagle Bluff, Shark Bay.
The dazzling white sands of Shell Beach, Shark Bay. Shallow crystal clear water goes out into the distance.
A lion fish at Ocean Park aquarium – pretty but lethal.
Chilling out at Little Lagoon… Shoes needed to enter water tho – stonefish lurk in shallows…
Santa has arrived in Coral Bay! By jet ski no less…
Not a bad spot to spend Xmas day! Loving Coral Bay…
All that snorkelling is hungry work – pie time @ Coral Resort Bakery.
Back into the sea to cool off…
Unidentified meaty objects for dinner… Burger/sausage hybrid? #joysofcamping
Setting off to find some manta rays! 620 mantas have been counted in these waters…
One night in Carnarvon as we head back south along the coast…
Bowled over by chilli lime prawns at the Gascoyne Hotel, Carnarvon – an unlikely gem.
Breaking up the drive with a chilled Emu Export (just one) & game of pool at Billabong Hotel Motel.
Hello hot and blustery Kalbarri… Tomorrow – exploration of national park. Now – beach vegging.
A huge flock of pink parakeets (?) hops from side to side of the road before settling up above… #Kalbarri
The view from Eagle Gorge in Kalbarri National Park. Not many flies…
Paddle boarders on the Murchison river, taken from our peddlo…
Lynton convict hiring station, established in 1853… #spooky
Stop off at a beach in Geraldton. Beautiful but a bit of a whiff in the air…
Sun starts to sink over Dynamite Bay, Green Head.
Crayfish demolition at Ronsard Bay Tavern, Cervantes. SO FRESH!
Finally! A Xmas brandy! Thanks Cervantes.
We finally make it to the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park. Wow!
We arrive back in Perth in one piece. Chilling at Cottesloe.
Hello vineyards! Just arrived in the Margaret River…
And the wine-tasting begins with a lovely chilled drop of Palmer semillion and sauvignon blanc. #NYE
Time to give this NYD hangover a kick up the bum…
Back on the horse again @ Aravina Estate, Margaret River.
Mmm, gnocchi stodge – perfect for a hungover, rainy day @Aravina Estate.
Slow roasted lamb @ Aravina. MMMM.
I heart pudding. Pavlova @ Aravina.
Wine pruchase numero uno. A cheeky bottle of Zinfandel – surprisingly tasty, particularly at 10am!
Tucking into a flight of wines and matching nibbles @ Leeuwin Estate
My kind of cellar…
Settling in for lunch at the Voyager Estate…
Belgian chocolate. Nuff said.
Our itinerary?
Day 1: Perth to Jurien Bay – 225km
Day 2: Jurien Bay to Monkey Mia – 629km
Day 5: Monkey Mia to Coral Bay – 580km
Day 8: Coral Bay to Carnarvon – 239km
Day 9: Carnarvon to Kalbarri – 446km
Day 10: Kalbarri to Cervantes – 377km
Day 11: Cervantes to Perth – 244km
Day 12: Perth to Margaret River region – 255km
Day 15: Margaret River region back to Perth airport and then back home to Sydney!
My Stinky Suitcase 
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