Jurian Bay, WA

After a delightful few days spent with friends in Mandurah (Thanks Paddy and Anne for the brilliant accomodation) and with family in Perth (So nice to see you Waves and meet your gorgeous family!) we moved on to Jurian  Bay, a small coastal town about 220 kilometres north. We (free) bush camped on the beach and it was great to get back to nature after a few days in the city. Our stay included remarkable sunsets over the Indian Ocean and plenty to see and do. 

There's nothing quite like dancing on the beach at sunset!

A lone paddler living the dream

A highlight was a trip to the nearby Pinnacles (limestone formations) situated in Nambung National Park near Cervantes. 

The raw materials came from seashells from years gone by, which were broken down into lime rich sand which was blown inland. Though scientists don't really agree on how they were formed, three ideas have been put forward.

1. They were formed by lime leeching through wind blown sand and then by rain cementing the lower levels into soft limestone. Over time vegetation grows over and harder limestone forms and then many, many years later this growth and sand eroded leaving the formations.
2. They were formed through presevation of trees buried when the tree roots became conduits for groundwater which then calcified.
3. Finally, that when the tree roots died the space occupied by the roots was filled by a carbonate material coming from the calcium found in the former roots. 

Regardless they are super impressive and some quite huge- 2-3 metres tall. Legend says that ships in years gone by actually thought they were remanents of an ancient city.

Taller than a four year old!

 Peekaboo!

 Would this look like a ruined city from the sea?