Going to the beach at Coral Bay is like no other beach experience I’ve encountered. It’s a short shallow wade across the sand which then cuts away sharply.
Goggles on and dive into a wonderland of coral
And fish
For an alternative to swimming there is even a glass bottom kayak to view the reef.
Tomorrow its a day in the water on the outer reef swimming and snorkelling off a boat.
The camera is on charge and I’m hoping I can capture some great images.
Departing Broome my next major destination was Coral Bay and the beautiful Ningaloo Reef. A distance of nearly 1,400km
Western Australia is a vast State covering around 1/3 of the Australian Continent.
In the north towns and settlements are few and far between and the roads long and straight.
Mining is prevalent in this part of Australia and relics of mining are many.
This part of Australia has had significant land returned to aboriginal control under Native Title which commenced in Australia in 1993.
Native Title aims to give back to Australian Aborigines land where there has been continuous connection since colonisation.
When I rode through Roebourne 43 years ago it was a town one didn’t stop in. It was the wild west rough and dangerous.
The Victoria Hotel was a bloodhouse that you entered at great risk. Now it’s a beautiful art gallery.
That I would recommend any and everyone to stop at.
The importance and connection to country that aboriginal people have can not be underestimated or understood by us from a colonial heritage.
At the Welcome Lookout overlooking there are silhouettes of aboriginal men from the local tribes looking out on country. Emblematic of the connection.
The indiginous culture has reclaimed and so has the name Leramugadu.
From Leramugadu I headed to the coast to Point Samson and the Indian Ocean.
The coastal land offering some wonderful views and a taste of the wildflowers to come now spring is emerging.
And the lovely coastal birds
But my aim was Coral Bay and the amazing Ningaloo Reef and Marine Sanctuary.
Have had a first little swim on the edge of the reef and look forward to exploring more.
I’m here for a few days and will explore and share some more of this remote and beautiful place.
It’s my last evening in Broome and I finish the way I started with a swim at Cable Beach.
It’s been 43 years since I first came to Broome much has changed but something remain.
Like Sun Pictures, the outdoor cinema that has been in operation since 1916.
But the cultural aspects have expanded.
Art and Street Art abounds
Reflecting the history and character of the town.
Old building have been repurposed.
The old sail makers shed now part of the museum. Housing a collection of then and now photos.
Mmm 1978, yes that’s when I was last here!
And it’s the Kimberley so big Boad trees in the streets.
But its not perfect.
Somedays a Crocodile decides to put a stop to swims at the beach.
But at festival time there is music in the streets
Tomorrow the Steinbock will be loaded and I start the trip south.
Western Australia, is a huge state, about 1/3 of the Australian Continent.
It’s nearly 3000km to Perth, the states capital, and a further 3500km across the country to my home town of Melboure.
So Broome I’m sad to leave but there is more country to see.
A mother Osprey guards her chicks in the nest built on the Pont Grantheaume
Broome on the shores of Roebuck Bay is a haven for birds and sea animals. In particular its home to the rare and threatened Snubfin Dolphin
Netting in the Bay had led to these dolphins coming under threat. Many of the dolphins I saw had scars on their skin or pieces out of their fins due to being caught in nets.
Since native title has been established netting has been banned and the area is now a Marine National Park. With all marine animals re establishing in the Bay.
The National Park is also home to various turtles this Flat Back Turtle an example.
Manta Rays and an amazing diversity of local and migratory birds.
Such as terns
And my favourite the majestic White Bellied Sea Eagle.
I did the cruise with Broome Whale Watching. Additional to these beautiful animals we say Dugong, other species of turtle and a Humpback Whale breaching.
Recreational fishing still part in the Bay and the local aborigines fish traditionally with spears.
Such a beautiful place.
The lustre of pearl drove the colonial development of Broome in the 1870s and remains a major industry to this day.
Prior to this for millennia the aborigines used and traded mother of pearl shell and used it for decoration and ceremony.
This Riji is the carving of pearl shell shell unique to the North East Kimberley.
These pieces of Riji are part of an exhibition called Lustre the history of pearling in Australia.
The Shinju Matsuri celebrates the role of the pearl in Broome.
The festival integrates culture of Japanese and Chinese pearl divers who came here over a century ago and made Broome home with indigenous and colonial history.
The lantern festival at Cable Beach captures a Japanese Tradition.
The street parade is led in a burst of colour and energy by the Chinese Dragon.
The Shinju festival also offers lots of exhibitions street music and art.
There is a beautiful projection down at the Town Beach
But it was the Riji that totally captivated me.
So I took a long ride, over 200km each way to the top of the Dampier Peninsula.
Over made roads and some thick sand roads
To meet Bruce Wiggan, a local elder and master pearl shell carver at his studio.
Aboriginal art tells a story. This piece tells the story of the making the laws of hunting between local tribes. These laws, this agreement bought harmony.
I’m now the keeper of this beautiful piece of Riji and it’s story.
