Road Trip Karijini National Park, Western Australia (2020)

Our first stop on the road trip to Karijini National Park in Western Australia was the town of Lancelin. More specifically we wanted to see the white sand dunes. We had been in Lancelin before but at that time we were not able to find them. This time we were better prepared and spent a few hours exploring the white sand dunes.

It looked easy enough to climb these dunes but in 37 degrees heat if was quite a challenge.

Our first stop on the road trip to Karijini National Park in Western Australia was the town of Lancelin. More specifically we wanted to see the white sand dunes. We had been in Lancelin before but at that time we were not able to find them. This time we were better prepared and spent a few hours exploring the white sand dunes. Quite a challenge in 37 degrees heat. This picture shows how extensive the area is.

After our visit to Lancelin and driving further north in Western Australia we passed an informal settlement known as Grey village containing some shacks. It was hard to reach as only dirt roads were leading there. Climbing the dunes around the settlement revealed a perfect turquoise bay with Wedge Island lying close to the coast.

After our visit to Lancelin and driving further north in Western Australia we passed an informal settlement known as Grey village containing some shacks. It was hard to reach as only dirt roads were leading there. We felt like walking around in a ghost town as no-one seemed to be present.

Travelling north from Perth towards Karijini National Park in Western Australia we passed 'The Pinnacles', an out-of-this-world desert area with thousands of limestone pillars. Even though we had visited this place a few times before we couldn't resist going again. This time however we opted for a time closer to the sunset.

This place is a delight for photographers as there are so many great opportunities for an awesome photo.

Travelling north from Perth towards Karijini National Park in Western Australia we passed 'The Pinnacles', an out-of-this-world desert area with thousands of limestone pillars. Even though we had visited this place a few times before we couldn't resist going again. This time however we opted for a time closer to the sunset.

It's amazing to see how certain plants and shrubs seem to be able to grow anywhere.

Travelling north from Perth towards Karijini National Park in Western Australia we passed 'The Pinnacles', an out-of-this-world desert area with thousands of limestone pillars. Even though we had visited this place a few times before we couldn't resist going again. This time however we opted for a time closer to the sunset.

This photo shows the awesomeness of the desert and the thousands of pillars that can be seen.

Travelling north from Perth towards Karijini National Park in Western Australia we passed 'The Pinnacles', an out-of-this-world desert area with thousands of limestone pillars. Even though we had visited this place a few times before we couldn't resist going again. This time however we opted for a time closer to the sunset.

The warm light just before sunset is always amazing and it had a very special effect on the yellow limestone pillars.

Travelling north from Perth towards Karijini National Park in Western Australia we passed 'The Pinnacles', an out-of-this-world desert area with thousands of limestone pillars. Even though we had visited this place a few times before we couldn't resist going again. This time however we opted for a time closer to the sunset.

Here I am admiring the sunset through a hole in one of the pillars.

Travelling north from Perth towards Karijini National Park in Western Australia we passed 'The Pinnacles', an out-of-this-world desert area with thousands of limestone pillars. Even though we had visited this place a few times before we couldn't resist going again. This time however we opted for a time closer to the sunset.

This photo was taken a few minutes after the sunset showing the desert through a hole in one the pillars.

Lake Thetis in Western Australia is close to the town of Cervantes and definitely worth a visit. The lake is relatively small but the stromatolites there offer an insight in life since the beginning of time. The 'rocks' are actually built up of micro-organisms too small for the human eye to see. Very impressive!

We had always wanted to see a pink lake and since Hutt Lagoon in Western Australia was on the way to Karijini National Park we took the small detour. The dark clouds on the way there were disencouraging but at the moment we came to the lake it cleared up a little causing a beautiful view on the lake. In case we wouldn't have noticed there was a small sign stating 'Pink lake' in the water.

While on our road trip north in Western Australia we spent some time at Kalbarri National Park. The amazing coastline is definitely worth visiting and offers phenomenal views on the Indian Ocean smashing its waves into the rocks.

The coastline in Kalbarri National Park, Western Australia is truly amazing and one of a kind. We spent a whole afternoon going from one lookout to the next one experienceing awesome views like this.

While exploring Kalbarri National Park in Western Australia we saw this amazing campervan in the parking lot. A great way to explore Australia and proof that the hippie lifestyle still exists.

While driving from Kalbarri to Monkey Mia in Western Australia we noticed quite a few of these beautiful 'golden' trees. They are actually eucalyptus trees, also called gum trees. I'd love to have one of those in my garden to be honest. One on the wall is nice too though.

On our way to Karijini National Park in Western Australia we stopped at Hamelin Pool to look at the stromatolites. Stromatolites are living representatives of life over 3500 million years ago when there was no other complex life on Earth. They are also referred to as ‘living fossils’. Standing there it is hard to imagine that these 'rocks' are actually living organisms that are around for billions of years.

On our road trip to Karijini National Park in Western Australia we had so many long stretches of road that were completely empty. Sometimes we saw one car every hour or so. It really felt like we were the only ones in this remote part of Australia.

On our road trip to Karijini National Park in Western Australia we passed Shell Beach, an endless beach consisting of billions of tiny shells. A unique place in the world and it felt really special to be here, especially since we were the only ones there.

Shell Beach in Western Australia is an almost endless beach solely consisting of small shells like these. It's unique in the world and we felt privileged to be able to walk here. Even better was that it was totally deserted.

It was a bit of a detour to get to Monkey Mia on our road trip to Karijini National Park in Western Australia, but it was well worth it. Beautiful nature all around the Monkey Mia resort and great for some nice walks. Here I am conquering the dunes in order to find my way back to our cabin.

After arriving in Monkey Mia, Western Australia we went for a walk around the resort. Some of the emus walking around there are begging for food. This one was particularly nosy.

After a great first day and night in Monkey Mia, Western Australia we got up early to watch the feeding of the dolphins. Apparently they were not the only ones looking for some fish. This beautiful Australian pelican was floating around peacefully in the calm water.

Staying in Monkey Mia, Western Australia while on our road trip to Karijini National Park was a great choice. Since forever, every morning between 8 and 9 am a group of dolphins comes towards the coast for their daily free fish. They are only fed a few as they should not become reliant on the feeding. It's a beautiful experience to see these friendly creatures up close.

In Monkey Mia, Western Australia we had a beautiful cabin at the beach. Excellent view on the Indian Ocean with dolphins visiting on a regular basis. Really felt like Paradise here.

Halfway through our road trip to Karijini National Park in Western Australia we stayed in the small community of Coral Bay. Idyllic location to explore the Ningaloo Reef and a perfect place to witness some amazing Indian Ocean sunsets. Here I am watching the last rays of sunshine on the dunes around Coral Bay.

Staying in the small community of Coral Bay during our road trip to Karijini National Park in Western Australia was awesome. The location next to the Ningaloo Reef is really great and the reef itself is phenomenal to see. I particularly liked the amazing Ningaloo Reef sunsets.

On our road trip through Western Australia we also stayed in Exmouth which is next to Cape Range National Park, a place we obviously needed to visit. It can easily be done in a day as the trip along the coastline is around 85km one way. Our first stop was at the Jurabi coastal park where I thought it was a good idea to cross the dunes and walk towards the Indian Ocean. It turned out to be a bit more strenuous than expected but I reached the top and eventually the ocean.

On a hot and dry morning we went for a short hike in Yardie Creek Gorge, part of Cape Range National Park in Western Australia. Hiking was tough in 40 degrees weather but it was definitely worth it. Along the way we found this termite mound next to the trail.

While exploring Cape Range National Park in Western Australia we visited Turquoise Bay, a serene bay with beautiful turquoise water. We were not the only ones there as there was a couple at the end of the beach enjoying what appeared to be a romantic moment. This is one of those beaches I like most, almost totally empty.

We enjoyed Cape Range National Park, Western Australia so much that we decided to go back to Sandy Bay around sunset. After a swim in the clear water of the bay I notice some shadows in the water and was scared to notice a few stingrays lying in the sand. I almost stepped on this one which would not have been good.

Earlier in the day we had visited Sandy Bay in Cape Range National Park, Western Australia and liked it so much that we decided to go back around sunset. It turned out to be a great decision as we were the only ones there. We enjoyed a nice swim in the bay before sitting down to watch the sunset. The sunset was not disappointing with a beautiful orange sky and reflections in the Indian Ocean.

While driving from Exmouth to Nanutarra in Western Australia we passed endless, almost empty fields except for scattered termite mounds all over the place. We loved seeing them and every single one is different.

When we reached the destination of our road trip, Karijini National Park, Western Australia a lot of the gorges and day use areas were closed off unfortunately. Three weeks earlier a heavy cyclone had made many of the access paths unstable. However, Fortescue Falls, one of the best areas was still accessible and we ended up spending quite some time there.

After climbing all the way down at Fortescue Falls in Karijini National Park, Western Australia I had an amazing view at the water level. It would have actually been possible to climb all the way towards the falls, but it was too much of a hassle for me. Besides I quite liked this view.

Just a short walk from Fortescue Falls in Karijini National Park, Western Australia is the beautiful Fern Pool. We were lucky to be the only ones there so we could admire its beauty to the fullest. The fairytale falls dropping into the pool made the picture perfect.

For our visit to Karijini National Park we stayed at a small caravan park in Tom Price, a small mining town in Western Australia. A huge advantage was the lack of artificial light which made it possible to see the Milky Way with the naked eye. A perfect opportunity to photograph the awesomeness of billions of stars in the sky.

On our way back from Karijini National Park to Perth, Western Australia we stayed at Nallan Station in the small community of Cue. As this is a very remote location it presented me with another chance to capture the Milky Way. I found it quite overwhelming to see the billions of stars above me.

Near the end of our road trip and approaching Perth we decided on a visit to Yanchep National Park, Western Australia. The park is known for its many native animals and the koala is one of them. It is very hard to see an active koala as they always appear to be sleeping. If they do move it's very slow.

Near the end of our road trip and approaching Perth we decided on a visit to Yanchep National Park, Western Australia. After our visit while walking back to the car I noticed a couple of black cockatoos.