Carnarvon and surrounds

Michelle
Carnarvon and surrounds

Sightseeing

Pelican Point is a sandy point with a sheltered, shallow cove on one side and open ocean on the other. To get there follow the signs and head out on Babbage Island Road towards the small boat ramp. The beach is 4WD accessible or park on the verge or near the ablutions and walk along the beach. Keep an eye out for tiny hermit crabs, baby mullet and other sea creatures. A great place for a dip and very popular with families. **If driving on the beach please be mindful of other beach users and take it slow.
Pelican Point Reserve
Pelican Point is a sandy point with a sheltered, shallow cove on one side and open ocean on the other. To get there follow the signs and head out on Babbage Island Road towards the small boat ramp. The beach is 4WD accessible or park on the verge or near the ablutions and walk along the beach. Keep an eye out for tiny hermit crabs, baby mullet and other sea creatures. A great place for a dip and very popular with families. **If driving on the beach please be mindful of other beach users and take it slow.
Chinaman’s Pool is a permanent pool in the Gascoyne River, a few minutes walk from the Cottage. It is a fantastic place to bird watch, have a picnic, walk or a take a dip. There are various tracks down to the river from the levee banks and dirt road that runs along the pool. Some are more easily walked than others. This is a shared recreation area so if you are driving please be mindful there may be children, dogs and horses accessing the area.
Chinamans Pool Nature Reserve
Chinaman’s Pool is a permanent pool in the Gascoyne River, a few minutes walk from the Cottage. It is a fantastic place to bird watch, have a picnic, walk or a take a dip. There are various tracks down to the river from the levee banks and dirt road that runs along the pool. Some are more easily walked than others. This is a shared recreation area so if you are driving please be mindful there may be children, dogs and horses accessing the area.
Along the North West Coastal Hwy, at the northern side of the 10 Mile Bridge crossing the Gascoyne River, you will find a shaded picnic area and look out which is on what remains of the original one-lane bridge. There are information panels with a history of the bridge, floods and food production along the river. There is a walkway that spans the new bridge and is a great location to experience sunrise and sunset. Try to imagine what it’s like when a 7 metre river fills the banks!
Gascoyne River
Along the North West Coastal Hwy, at the northern side of the 10 Mile Bridge crossing the Gascoyne River, you will find a shaded picnic area and look out which is on what remains of the original one-lane bridge. There are information panels with a history of the bridge, floods and food production along the river. There is a walkway that spans the new bridge and is a great location to experience sunrise and sunset. Try to imagine what it’s like when a 7 metre river fills the banks!
The road to Point Quobba and the Blowholes is sealed and the drive takes about 1 hour from the Cottage. Turn left at the Blowholes and follow the road to the shack area. Here you will find a gorgeous sheltered bay with reef, coral and an abundance of marine life. Swim in “The Aquarium” and see if you can spot the resident octopus, eels and many colourful fish.
Quobba Blow Holes
The road to Point Quobba and the Blowholes is sealed and the drive takes about 1 hour from the Cottage. Turn left at the Blowholes and follow the road to the shack area. Here you will find a gorgeous sheltered bay with reef, coral and an abundance of marine life. Swim in “The Aquarium” and see if you can spot the resident octopus, eels and many colourful fish.
Rocky Pool is about 45km from town, heading east on the Gascoyne Junction road. This is a sealed road, then turn at the sign for Rocky Pool onto a dirt road for 4km until you reach the river. You can access Rocky Pool with a 2 wheel drive, just check at the Visitors Centre if it has rained recently as the dirt track might be closed as it gets flooded/very muddy. It is a really beautiful place to enjoy a picnic and dip in the water. Depending on the time of year there are wildflowers and budgies chattering in the gum trees along the rivers edge. We have been going to Rocky Pool since we were children and now take our boys out and we all just love it. Note - You need to be prepared as there is no drinking water or toilet facilities. Mobile phone reception is very limited and may not be available at all. Take all rubbish with you and leave only footprints.
Rocky Pool
Rocky Pool is about 45km from town, heading east on the Gascoyne Junction road. This is a sealed road, then turn at the sign for Rocky Pool onto a dirt road for 4km until you reach the river. You can access Rocky Pool with a 2 wheel drive, just check at the Visitors Centre if it has rained recently as the dirt track might be closed as it gets flooded/very muddy. It is a really beautiful place to enjoy a picnic and dip in the water. Depending on the time of year there are wildflowers and budgies chattering in the gum trees along the rivers edge. We have been going to Rocky Pool since we were children and now take our boys out and we all just love it. Note - You need to be prepared as there is no drinking water or toilet facilities. Mobile phone reception is very limited and may not be available at all. Take all rubbish with you and leave only footprints.

Things to see and do

The Carnarvon Library is a fantastic place if you need to hop on a computer, do some printing, local research or browse the local or visiting displays in the adjoining Gallery.
Carnarvon Library & Gallery
18 Egan St
The Carnarvon Library is a fantastic place if you need to hop on a computer, do some printing, local research or browse the local or visiting displays in the adjoining Gallery.
If you use Instagram or Facebook give Carnarvon Visitor Centre a follow before you arrive as they are always sharing places to see, things to do and events in Carnarvon, Coral Bay and Gascoyne Junction. Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CarnarvonVisitorCentre/ or Instagram https://instagram.com/carnarvonvisitorcentre?utm_medium=copy_link.
Carnarvon Visitor Centre
21 Robinson Street
If you use Instagram or Facebook give Carnarvon Visitor Centre a follow before you arrive as they are always sharing places to see, things to do and events in Carnarvon, Coral Bay and Gascoyne Junction. Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CarnarvonVisitorCentre/ or Instagram https://instagram.com/carnarvonvisitorcentre?utm_medium=copy_link.

Food scene

Drive the Fruit Loop Trail and taste all things delicious in local, seasonal produce . The best time of year is May to October for the huge abundance of fruit, vegetables, seafood and meat products, but in the summer months you can now find some different items available. https://www.carnarvon.org.au/see-do/carnarvon/local-produce-farm-gates-markets/fruit-loop-drive-trail https://trailswa.com.au/trails/carnarvon-fruit-loop-drive-trail
North River Road
North River Road
Drive the Fruit Loop Trail and taste all things delicious in local, seasonal produce . The best time of year is May to October for the huge abundance of fruit, vegetables, seafood and meat products, but in the summer months you can now find some different items available. https://www.carnarvon.org.au/see-do/carnarvon/local-produce-farm-gates-markets/fruit-loop-drive-trail https://trailswa.com.au/trails/carnarvon-fruit-loop-drive-trail
I’m a bit biased as this is my cousin’s business, but the preserves and ice creams are award winning! No trip to Carnarvon is complete without a visit to Bumbak’s. Smoothies, fruit ice creams, rocky road, jams, sweet sauces, savoury sauces, relish, chutney, so much to choose from. Open 9-4 most days of the year Cash only You can find them on Facebook too 🍌 🥭
Bumbak's
50 N River Rd
I’m a bit biased as this is my cousin’s business, but the preserves and ice creams are award winning! No trip to Carnarvon is complete without a visit to Bumbak’s. Smoothies, fruit ice creams, rocky road, jams, sweet sauces, savoury sauces, relish, chutney, so much to choose from. Open 9-4 most days of the year Cash only You can find them on Facebook too 🍌 🥭
Gascoyne Bakery Cafe has a huge range of delicious hot and cold foods and open early for a coffee and pastry fix for breakfast. They also make a range of incredible Vietnamese dishes including pho, salads and fresh rice paper rolls. Right next door is their fruit and veg store where you can get locally grown produce.
Gascoyne Bakery Cafe
12 Robinson St
Gascoyne Bakery Cafe has a huge range of delicious hot and cold foods and open early for a coffee and pastry fix for breakfast. They also make a range of incredible Vietnamese dishes including pho, salads and fresh rice paper rolls. Right next door is their fruit and veg store where you can get locally grown produce.
Angelika has opened the Old Post Office Cafe for coffee. Just coffee (and a few bliss balls to nibble) but it is not “just” anything. This coffee is 5 stars! Monday to Saturday 6-11am. Order on the tablet at the counter and tap-n-go or put cash in the honesty tray.
Old Post Office Cafe
8 Robinson Street
Angelika has opened the Old Post Office Cafe for coffee. Just coffee (and a few bliss balls to nibble) but it is not “just” anything. This coffee is 5 stars! Monday to Saturday 6-11am. Order on the tablet at the counter and tap-n-go or put cash in the honesty tray.
The Port is a great place to stop in for afternoon tea during the week, then call in for breakfast or stay for dinner on the weekend. The menu always has some cracker dishes featuring local produce and it’s got a great vibe inside or sitting out the front watching the world go by. Kids will love the iced chocolates too.
Port Hotel-Motel
35 Robinson St
The Port is a great place to stop in for afternoon tea during the week, then call in for breakfast or stay for dinner on the weekend. The menu always has some cracker dishes featuring local produce and it’s got a great vibe inside or sitting out the front watching the world go by. Kids will love the iced chocolates too.

Izeluleko zedolobha

Imikhuba namasiko

Homegrown: Carnarvon - story from SBS

https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2013/08/16/homegrown-carnarvon-wa