Fri 18th June '21 - Day 7
Monkey Mia
As we’ve discovered when driving in windy conditions,
there’s no escaping the fact you’re in a 7m long, 3.5m high steel box. So we
could tell upon waking that it was more than a little windy outside. Whilst a
few early risers were packing up and heading out, we made our way to the
dolphin feeding that has defined and made this spot an attraction. Our resort
has unpowered sites, powered sites, powered en-suite sites, dorms, family rooms
and differing levels of chalets all catering to those wanting to view the dolphin
feeding (and access some nearby 4WD off-roading). Begun in the 1970’s this
ritual attracts those making the drive North or South, despite the 3-hour
detour.
Approximately 180
people line the foreshore as today two mother and calf some in, take a look at
the crowd, mooch around, chase a fish until a couple of viewers are plucked
from the crowd to hand a fish to the dolphin. The feeding can occur up to three
tines a day, but its monitored which dolphin gets what amount. (From 1983-1994
only 4 of 16 calves survived – suspected over-feeding meant they weren’t
learning to fish for themselves or be fit enough for nature’s predators. Since
introducing strict feeding quotas, 13 of 15 calves have survived into
adulthood). There is a running commentary for 30 minutes from volunteers and at
least these animals turned up unlike the pelicans 24 hours earlier. When the 2nd
and 3rd feeds occur are determined by when the dolphins return later
in the morning but must be at least 10 minutes after the prior feed.
Sienna, Seb and I
just miss the 2nd feed as our site is at the opposite end of the
campground, so we head after to the playpark and giftshop nearby so as not to
miss the 3rd feed. And indeed, we’re the first ones on the beach
when the four dolphins – Piccolo, Kiya and two calves return around 10am. There
is a much smaller crowd of about 30 this time and we’re right on the water’s
edge as the dolphins swish in and out looking for fish. Unfortunately, Sienna
is not picked to hand feed the fish to the dolphins, much to her dismay but a
colouring-in sheet from the volunteer helps to offset that.
We load up and unplug to drive back to Denham, 25
minutes down the road that we had skirted past on the way into the peninsula.
After collecting the essentials of sausages rolls, pies, cakes and beer, the
kids play in another impressive waterside playground “Bets in the West” claims
the brochure, and pick up our second souvenir coin of the day – this of a
dugong, having earlier collected a Dolphin at Monkey Mia.
On our way in to Monkey Mia the day before we had
spotted a lagoon with one or two cars by its edge and today had decided to
return here, sat as it was, just behind Denham. We spend the afternoon here,
almost with the place to ourselves bar a couple of 4WD that park up on the
opposite side of the lagoon. Approximately 2km in circumference, the water is
very shallow for the first 30metres in, or at least that was as far as Sienna
went in; too cold for the rest of us. It is surrounded on three sides by a gentle
slope of sandy shrubland and a narrow creek in one spot connecting it to the
sea. The kids play in the water and the sand, whilst we watch with a beer and
wine in hand – all very relaxing in the mid-20’s sun.
Back at the resort we even felt confident enough to
sneak a drink at the bar before sausages on the communal BBQs as the sun sets.