Further North – Port Denison to Kalbarri
Had a lovely day today. Left Port Denison about 8am and headed for Geraldton only 45 minutes away. What a beautiful place. Of course, the sun was shining which helped, although when I left Port Denison it was drizzling with rain.
This colorful display of flowers caught my eye in Geraldton.
Beach at Geraldton WA
Attended a 10.30am free tour of the HMAS Sydney II Memorial in Geraldton, which is such a unusual and interesting memorial which has been very sensitively designed and built. Every part of this memorial has a meaning, for example the roof contains 645 seagulls all linked together representing the 645 souls lost at sea.
It was Australia’s worst naval disaster which took place on 19 November 1941 when RAN Cruiser HMAS Sydney II engaged the German armed raider HSK Kormoran. Both ships were lost and while most of the German crew survived, all 645 crew from the Sydney perished at sea.
On March 16th 2008 the ship wreck was found 112 nautical miles off Steep Point through the efforts of the Finding Sydney foundation. The memorial was built to help ease the pain of many Australians and others involved.
Our guide, David, is standing by the statue of a worried-looking woman gazing out to sea and waiting for news of her husband’s return (she has a wedding ring!)
A walk around Geraldton revealed 
many lovely old buildings.
But one main attraction that gets people looking twice is Port Gregory’s Pink Lake which is called Hutt Lagoon, and it is said to suffer from a serious case of extreme pink eye. Like many pink lakes in WA, the pink hue is created by bacterial (Dunaliella salina), which becomes trapped in the salt granules.
Couldn’t resist posting this sign which I passed in Geraldton!!
Arrived in Kalbarri thinking there must be a bush fire as the dark cloud could be seen from a great distance away. But no, this week Kalbarri has been experiencing a burning off. Shame the place smells of smoke but it’s actually a very scenic spot by the coast.
Slightly spooky looking sunset through the trees at Kalbarri.
8 Comments
Hello Tina, wow look how far you have travelled! I had to put Kilbarri into Google maps to see where you are. Thank you for the amazing photos, beautiful part of the country. I believe Coral Bay is supposed to be a nice spot too. Enjoying the blog.
Gee Sis you sure are a Gutsy Granny !!😉
Ha ha – I guess no-one knows what they are capable of until they try?
Yes…go granny go!!
“Living the dream” ! I’m really enjoying the scenic tour via your photos, the diverse landscape and stories of the past. I had no idea of the tragic naval disaster you mentioned, offering me a moment of reflection and gratitude.
Thanks Sheena. This trip is one of continuing education for me as well xx
Love the blue skies in the photos. And the smoke in one of those photos really makes a great photo and I love the sunset. Winter has started here in Melbourne today Tina! Snow at Mt buller. So cold ❄️
40 degrees in the Pilbara. 37 at 10.00am in the morning. My skin is fast changing colour.