Climate
Average temperatures: January max 40C (104F) - min 35C (95F); July max
25C (77F) - min 16C (61F). Average annual rainfall: 127mm (5 in).
Characteristics
Carnarvon, often described as 'the sun's winter home', is the commercial
centre of the Gascoyne district. It is a friendly town, with a tropical,
relaxed atmosphere, and an abundance of fish and tropical fruit.
How to Get There By Bus
Bus Australia and Greyhound have daily services to Carnarvon from Perth.
By Road
Carnarvon is 902km (560 miles) from Perth, via the Brand and North West
Coastal Highways.
Tourist Information
Carnarvon District Tourist Bureau is in the Civic Centre, Robinson Street,
(08) 9941 1146. Send emails to cvontourist@wn.com.au
Accommodation
The Tourist Bureau has a full list of the accommodation available, but
here we have a selection with prices for a double room per night, which
should be used as a guide only. &The telephone area code is 08.
Hospitality Inn Carnarvon, West Street, 9941 1600. 45 units, licensed restaurant,
swimming pool, bbq $105.
Gateway Motel, 379 Robinson Street, 9941 1532. 36 units, unlicensed restaurant,
swimming pool $99.
Fascine Lodge Motel Hotel, 1002 David Brand Drive, 9941 2411. 61 units,
licensed restaurant, swimming pool $105.
Port Hotel, Robinson Street, 9941 1704. 17 rooms (private facilities),
swimming pool, barbecue $40.
Carnarvon Hotel, Olivia Terrace, 9941 1412. 27 units (private facilities)
$65.
Caravan Parks
Wintersun Caravan Park, Robinson Street, 9941 8150. (No dogs allowed) -
powered sites $19 for two, on-site vans $50 for two.
Norwesta Caravan Park, cnr Robinson & Angelo Streets, 9941 1277 (No
pets allowed) - powered sites $14.50 for two, on-site vans $30-45 for two.
Plantation Caravan Park, Robinson Street, 9941 8100. (No dogs allowed)
- powered sites $18 -19 for two, cabins $22 for two.
Carnarvon Caravan Park, Robinson Street, 9941 8101. (Pets on application)
- powered sites $17 for two, on-site units $72 for two.
Carnarvon Tourist Centre Caravan Park, Robinson Street, 9941 1438 (No pets
allowed) - powered sites $17 for two, on-site vans $34-56 for two.
There are also several guesthouses in Carnarvon, and it is also possible
to stay at farms and stations in the area. The Tourist Bureau are the people
to see about these.
Eating Out
Most of the hotels and motels have restaurants, either licensed or BYO,
and there are many outlets specialising in the local fish, cooked to perfection.
The Tourist Bureau has a full list, and you can be guided by their recommendations.
If you're in the mood for Chinese, head for the Dragon Pearl at 18 Francis
St, 9941 1941.
Points of Interest
Plantations extend along both banks of the Gascoyne River for about 15km
(9 miles), and some welcome visitors to buy their mangoes, pawpaws, bananas,
oranges and grapefruit.
The Gascoyne River usually flows below the surface of the river bed, with
irrigation channels pumping the water to the plantations along the river
flats. Occasionally, after heavy rains upstream, the river can be seen,
and levee banks have been built to protect low-lying areas during floods.
The most obvious landmark in Carnarvon is the 'Big Dish', a 26.5m (87 ft)
diameter reflector which was of major importance to global communications
from 1966 to 1987. It closed down in May of that year, but is open to visitors.
The site also provides a magnificent view of Carnarvon and the plantations.
The building adjoining the Tourist Bureau has a museum with exhibits from
the NASA base, a large collection of shells and some local artefacts.
Pioneer Park, in Olivia Terrace, contains a number of relics of the town's
history, including the two whale bones which form the arch over the entrance.
The park is a popular picnic spot, and has coin operated barbecues and
swings for the kids.
Jubilee Hall, in Francis Street, was opened in 1887 and for years served
as Council Chambers and Shire Offices. The first 50 pounds received for
the construction of the hall was donated by Queen Victoria!
St George's Church of England, in Francis Street opposite the Shire Offices,
was erected in 1907. The first Bishop of North-West Australia was enthroned
here on July 4, 1910. It is the most westerly parish in Australia, and
part of the largest Anglican diocese in the world.
Chinaman's Pool is a great picnic area and swimming spot in the Gascoyne
River, between Marmion and Saw Streets. It was originally a watering hole
for the township, and now attracts many varieties of birdlife, especially
in the early morning or evening.
One Mile Jetty, on Babbage Island, actually stretches 1,493m (4,898 ft)
out into the bay. It was built in 1904, and widened in 1912, and was used
by ships until 1966. The jetty end was burnt by vandals in 1985, but the
locals raised the funds to have it rebuilt. To get there take the main
street to Babbage Island Road at the Caltex Service Station Corner, then
proceed 4.5km (3 miles), then turn right at the lighthouse. In the lighthouse
keeper's cottage there is a museum which is run in conjunction with the
Gascoyne Historical Society.
If you turn right just before you get to the One Mile Jetty you'll come
to Dwyer's Leap, a water ski area that is usually sheltered from the wind.
The Blowholes near the town are spectacular, as the trapped water is forced
out through a hole to a height of 20m (66 ft). Nearby is a good beach where
people go for oysters, fish and crayfish.
Cape Cuvier, 30km (19 miles) north of the Blowhole is a deep port where
ships load salt for Japan. It is fascinating if you are there when they
are loading, although not if you are too close. The port is situated beneath
a 60m (197 ft) cliff and they simply bulldoze the salt over the cliff onto
a conveyor below.
The HMAS Sydney Memorial Cairn was erected near High Rock, Quobba Station,
to commemorate the tragic battle between the Sydney and the German raider
Kormoran off Carnarvon on November 19, 1941. To get there, follow the signs
from the Blowholes and the memorial is 7km to the north.
The Fascine is the bay formed by the South Arm of the Gascoyne River. The
name is derived from the Latin word meaning 'bundle of sticks', because
in the old days bundles of sticks were placed on the foreshore to help
prevent erosion during the major river flows. Now the waterway is lined
with stately palms. The area is a favourite spot for a picnic, or an evening
stroll.
Pelican Point is a popular swimming and fishing spot about 5km out of town.
To get there turn left at the end of causeway on Babbage Island Road.
Bibbawarra Bore is 16km (10 miles) north of Carnarvon, and the best way
to get there is via the Bibbawarra Road Crossing (when the river is dry).
The Bore was originally worked for coal in 1905 to a depth of 914m (3000
ft), and now produces a continuous flow of hot water around 65C (145F).
Be very careful with children and pets, as many have been scalded.
Bush Bay and New Beach are both excellent for swimming and fishing. They
are reached from the Geraldton Road. The turn-off to Bush Bay is about
20km (12 miles) from town, that to New Beach, about 40km (24 miles).
Festivals
The Carnarvon Rodeo is held in July; Sandhurst Run, a rock concert, is
held annually in August; Dry River Regatta is held between July and September,
depending on the weather; and the Yachting Regatta, from Denham to Carnarvon
is also held every year. The Tourist Bureau can advise the dates.
Facilities
There are sailing, surfing, fishing, windsurfing, waterskiing, snorkelling,
boating, swimming, and tours, both local and further afield.
Outlying Attractions Shark Bay
Shark Bay is an historic area. Dirk Hartog, the Dutch navigator landed
on the island which now bears his name, in 1616, and nailed that famous
pewter plate to a post. In 1696, another Dutch navigator, William de Vlamingh,
removed Dirk's plate and took it back to Holland, and put his own plate
in its place. That plate was in turn removed by a Frenchman, Captain Freycinet,
in 1818. He took it back to France, and for 40 years no one knew where
it was. In 1947 the plate finally turned up and was presented to the Western
Australian Museum, where it has pride of place.
The French named many places in the area - Hamelin, Peron, Faure, Lesueur,
Freycinet, Heirisson, for example, but Shark Bay was given its name, albeit
a in a different form, by William Dampier, who visited in 1699. He called
it 'The Bay of Sharks'.
The only town in Shark Bay is Denham, the westernmost town in Australia.
It has a permanent population of around 400, and has excellent recreational
facilities - lawn bowls, tennis courts, mini golf, trampolines, golf course,
charter boats and tours.
The Shark Bay Tourist Bureau, 71 Knight Street, Denham, (08) 9948 1253,
has accommodation details, and information on sightseeing and the Shark
Bay Heritage Trail, a 130km (81 miles) self guiding drive which features
sites of historical interest and the unique natural environment.
The turn-off to Shark Bay is 200km (124 miles) south-east of Carnarvon
on the North West Coastal Highway. The sealed road travels west, then north
a further 129km (80 miles) to Denham.
There are only two beaches in the world made completely of sea shell that
has been washed up on the shore for thousands of years and compacted by
nature. One of them is close to Denham, and locals have cut blocks of shell
from the beach to build along the foreshore. Shell Beach is a natural wonder
which still has scientists intrigued.
Hamelin Bay, on the way into Denham, has another scientific mystery. In
the clear shallow waters of the Bay, stromatolites dating back millions
of years, can be seen. They are one of the world's two oldest living fossils.
Monkey Mia
About 25km (16 miles) from Denham across the peninsula, is Monkey Mia,
where friendly bottlenose dolphins visit, apparently just to interact with
people. The local Dolphin Information Centre has loads of information on
these creatures 9948 1366.
Monkey Mia is also an excellent spot for fishing, boating, or lazing on
the clean white beaches.
Gascoyne Junction
About 13km (8 miles) north of Carnarvon is the turn-off for Gascoyne Junction,
which lies a further 164km (102 miles) to the east, at the junction of
the Gascoyne and Lyons Rivers. It is the only town in the Shire of Upper
Gascoyne, which covers an area of 57,146km2 (22,058 sq miles). There are
huge sheep stations in the area which produce an annual wool clip of over
1.5 million kilograms (3,307,000 lbs). After the long drive on the gravel
road, which incidentally is well formed and graded, you will welcome the
site of the Gascoyne Junction Hotel, a real bush pub made of corrugated
iron, which seems to have stepped out of the past. Further along the road
you will pass Minnie Creek, and the Kennedy Ranges which have Aboriginal
caves and rock paintings. The Ranges are known for the semi precious gem
stones to be found there, so you might like to take some time out for fossicking.
Mount Augustus
The Mount is a rock. In fact it is the largest rock (monocline) in the
world. It is not as famous as that other one in Central Australia, but
by its geological formation it should be, and it is well worth the trip
through the rugged bush country.
Mount Augustus is 289km (180 miles) from Gascoyne Junction, and accommodation
is available at: Mount Augustus Outback Tourist Resort, via Carnarvon,
(08) 9943 0527. The Mount was of significance to the Aborigines, so there
are plenty of rock paintings, and at the pools close to the rock, ornithologists
catalogued more than 100 species of birds in just two days!
Coral Bay
Located 250km (155 miles) north of Carnarvon, and 150km (93 miles) south
of Exmouth, Coral Bay is situated in a lagoon formed between the Ningaloo
Coral Reef and the coastline. The Reef is the longest continuous and most
accessible reef complex in Western Australia, extending from north of Point
Murat, round North West Cape, and south to Amherst Point, a distance of
about 260km (162 miles). Coral Bay is a blue-water paradise, that has
yet to be commercialised. There is only one small hotel and several caravan
parks, and the beach and bay area provide a perfect place for beachcombing,
fishing, swimming and exploring. Offshore the occasional humpback whale,
dolphin and dugong can be seen, and in summer, if you are lucky, you may
see turtles lumbering up from the sea to lay their eggs.
Then, of course, there is the reef, considered one of the most beautiful
in the world, with its abundance of Spanish mackerel, tuna, marlin and
sailfish. Fishing tours and charter vessels can be arranged, and for diving
contact Coral Dive, (08) 9942 5940. Bay View Caravan Park has a glass bottom
boat tour (08) 9942 5932, and Sub-Sea Explorer has a semi-submersible craft
for viewing the reef (08) 9942 5955.
Exmouth
Located 155km (96 miles) north of Coral Bay, and 400km (249 miles) north
of Carnarvon, Exmouth is one of the newest towns in Australia. It was founded
in 1967 as a support town for the US Naval Communications Station, and
now has a population of around 3000.
Exmouth is the home of the big fish, and draws many people eager to experience
the feel of a taut line. To date, 13 world and Australian game fish records
have been landed at Exmouth, as well as the largest sailfish ever caught.
The town has six large charter vessels, an offshore rescue group, and a
variety of accommodation houses and caravan parks. The Exmouth Tourist
Bureau, cnr Murat Road and Truscott Crescent, (08) 9948 1176 is hopen daily
9am-5pm, and they have details of all accommodation and sightseeing.
The town is situated on a peninsula surrounded by Ningaloo Marine Park,
and the reef is accessible by small boat.
Surrounding Exmouth is some of Australia's best bush country with its wildlife
and flora. On a scenic drive through Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo
Marine Park's perimeter, there are many rugged gorges and canyons for you
to explore.
For details of the many wonders of the Cape Range National Park, visit
the Milyering Visitor Centre, about 52km (32 miles) from Exmouth in the
heart of the Cape Range National Park.
