2023.12 - Jurien Bay Islands Kayak Part 1
Our epic road trip begins, and we have our first taste of adventure in Jurien Bay
This is the first post covering our many adventures of summer 2023/2024, spanning Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.
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The Adventure Begins
The school camp season in Coral Bay finished on Friday the 8th of December and we were packed and on the road by midday of the 9th.
A series of dust tornadoes kept the drive to Geraldton interesting and we arrived shortly after sunset.
We checked into the backpackers then enjoyed a lively night out at the Old Man & The Sea rooftop bar.
Tyred Morning
The next morning, Saturday the 9th, started off great with a coffee on the Geraldton foreshore but was quickly derailed by a series of flat tyres.
What started as one soft tyre quickly became two and an immovable wheel nut, we had to call RAC to get us back on the road.
Favourite Island
It was lunch time by the time we arrived in Jurien Bay, we stopped in at The Oneh, our favourite local restaurant, then unloaded the kayak at the tourist jetty.
There was a cross breeze on our way over to favourite island which grew in intensity the further we got from the shoreline, but with a little bit of strategic zigzagging we made quick progress.
Limestone Cave
The northern end of the island featured a photogenic limestone cave.
Boullanger Island
From Favourite Island we followed the reef over to Boullanger, theorising it would lessen the swell. We made our way past the headland and landed on the beach facing back to shore.
After taking in the scenery we paddled and walked our kayak over to the southern side of the island to take in the rest of the archipelago.
A check of the distances plus, our dwindling supplies and energy made it clear that this was the natural point for the day to end.
Shortly after making this decision we were rewarded with a sneak peak of things to come, as a sea lion swam past us just beneath the surface.
Return Journey
Paddling back in from Boullanger proved difficult, with a 25kph wind coming directly from our destination. We made it back to the mainland, but soon realised we didn't have the energy to fight the wind further.
I walked the last kilometre or so to the car then picked up Leanne followed by some supplies.
The day ended with a bottle of wine in our beloved two seater camping chair, but also the realisation we now had a third flat tyre!
Reflections
If you're going to be stuck on the side of the road for a while having some shade, snacks and a comfy chair makes it a lot better, so does having a RAC membership.
Even better still address car problems early, perhaps even when it comes at a remote area premium.
Trail Tip
If you're pushed for time visiting the island Favourite is probably the one to drop as it is at the opposite end of the Archipelago to the sea lions at Essex Rocks.
That being said it has a beautiful little beach and on a calm day would provide excellent access for snorkelling the reef.
Next post: Thursday 2023.12.21
Synergy is achieved! Xander and Leanne explore the other Jurien Bay islands, and meet sea lions, while their car gets a full new set of tyres.
