On tour WA: Fri 3 May – Thomas River, Cape Arid NP

Weather looking good - blue skies, occasional clouds, no rain.

Mouth of Thomas River- 5 mins walk from campsite

Thomas River Beach

We’re being joined by Showy later this afternoon, whilst we make our way to Bunbury over the next 9 days, so whilst Clive drove back to the National Park entrance and phone signal to send him a message of our exact location, I went for a walk. I started off climbing the rocks to the right of the river entry, and soon found myself on the marked coastal walk trail. I walked as far as the first point of interest, Dolphin Cove, half an hour from the river mouth. Great walk, magnificent views with the large granite boulders flowing down to the sea, sun shining.

My return trip took a little longer as I lost the trail on three occasions and had to back track here and there. All up it was an enjoyable hour and a quarter walk.

Coastal Walk Trail - on way to Dolphin Cove

Dolphin Cove

After lunch, we headed out on the 4WD track to Tagun Beach. Once hitting the beach, slightly stuck, Clive got an opportunity to try out the 200 series’ traction control on sand. Along with letting the tyres down, it impressively allowed us to drive on. Weather this afternoon not as good and one or two light showers.

I’m sitting writing this whilst Clive’s gone in search of firewood. Not allowed to collect firewood in the NP (so the Ranger specified very clearly when we saw him this morning), so hopefully some can be found on the other side of the border, not far away. (Showy is under instruction to bring firewood.) We have one bag of firewood with us which we collected in SA and which quarantine at the border checked and OK’d, but it’s not enough for much of a fire.