Day 108 - Onslow to Exmouth

Today we travelled 230km from Onslow along the North West Coastal Highway before turning right to head towards the Minilya-Exmouth Road and our destination, Exmouth, a further 173km away.  The drive was more interesting as we got closer to Exmouth.  The flat, acacia covered plains with occasional hills, gave way to grass covered sand dunes trending NE to SW, some as much as 30m high, others 5m to 10m. The dunes were 100 to 200 metres apart.  Unsurprisingly, the sand was red coloured.

For the first time we saw sheep in the dunes area, hundreds of them, in full fleece with lambs aplenty.  There were no fences so they were all along the roadside.  They showed no fear of the traffic.

We saw a couple of new wildflowers and drove along an RFDS emergency strip.  It is a portion of the highway. 

230714 A new wildflower to us on the North West Coastal Highway

230714 Another new wildflower to us

230714 The previous wildflower photo - up close

230714 Sorry about the focus - markings on the road
 where used as emergency strip for RFDS

We crossed several rivers, only one of which had any water in it, the Ashburton.

230714 Ashburton River, one of very few with water in it

230714 Ashburton River on the other side of the bridge

Fortunately the rain has left us but the wind stayed with us, although it was not as blustery at Exmouth.  The entry into Exmouth was well presented, probably the best we have seen so far.  Exmouth and its surrounds promise much for us to see in the days ahead.

230714 Driving into Exmouth - looks promising