Jurien Bay is a beautiful, relaxing coastal town only 220kms from Perth, perfect for a weekend break or the first stop on a road trip along the Coral Coast to Exmouth. The town has a lovely foreshore with a restaurant, coffee van and long jetty. There is a bakery and cafes, plus IGA, butchers, surf shop, the Sandpiper Tavern, post office and visitors centre.
Nilgen Lookout
Nilgen Lookout and Wildflower Trail
Nilgen Lookout’s inland view.
Jurien Bay – things to do and see.
1. Jurien Bay Sea Lion Tour
Turquoise Safaris Boat.
Jurien Bay is most famous for it’s Sea Lions, which live on the nearby islands and swimming with the Sea Lions is very popular. I went on a boat tour stopping near one of the Island with http://turquoisesafaris.com.au just off the Jurien Bay coast, about 15mins, on calm water. I was hoping to swim with sea lions.
One of the many islands in Jurien Bay with sea lions.
The sea lions are protected and you can’t go onto the islands or within about 100 metres, there are markers (buoys) in the ocean, so the sea lions have to come to us. Unfortunately I think they know this, as they didn’t leave their protected area, though I still saw four lounging on the beach. The reef near by is a great spot for snorkelling.
The Tourquoise Safaris tour provided the wetsuits, masks and snorkel and it was great fun snorkelling around. You can hire a go-pro camera.
We enjoyed a cuppa tea and Tim Tams on the way back, plus a pod of dolphin swam around the boat for a few minutes, I never get tired of seeing dolphins. I would highly recommend doing this in Jurien Bay.
2. Turquoise Way Path
The coastal Turquoise Way Path in Jurien Bay.
The sealed path is 14.2 kms long, from the Jurien Bay Boat Harbour to the mouth of the Hill River and with plans to extend it to Cervantes. The Turquoise Way Path is clearly sign posted, flat and has many side tracks leading to the beach.
3. Glow in the Dark Gallery
Glow in the Dark Gallery.
4. Stockyard Gully National Park
The Caves are 50kms north of Jurien Bay and the last 5 kms are 4wd only with the track being very soft sand, narrow and corrugated, so not having a 4WD I went with Adventure Tours http://jurienbayadventuretours.com.au.
The main cave which you can walk straight into, after climbing down a few rocky steps ( an easy climb) is 300m long and big enough to stand up and walk around. In the middle it is pitch black, so you will need a torch. The limestone cave has lots of little caves to explore and I even saw a small owl, but no bats today.
Stock Gully Cave.
At the end of the cave( more like a huge tunnel) there are rocks ( fairly big) to climb over, but this was ok if you just take your time. Yes, I was a bit worried but it was easier than I thought. Oh, look out for the bees at the entrance and the hives look awesome.
Bee Hives at the Cave Entrance.
In the 1950s the drovers used the gully cave to hold cattle overnight on their way from Geraldton to the Guildford markets, as a natural stockyard. Now it is a National Park with no entry fee. There are toilets and the caves are checked regularly for movement by rangers. No dogs allowed.
Stock Gully Cave Exit.
5. Sandy Cape
Near the Stock Gully Cave is beautiful Sandy Cape. You can camp here for $25 per night, but there are very limited facilities and no drinking water, so you will need to be self sufficient. My little caravan is not self sufficient and I do like facilities. I went when I did the Stock Gully Tour. We checked out the beach and unique rock formations. Sandy Cape is a lovely spot to relax for the day or camp. Site bookings can be made at http://spacetoco.com
Sandy Cape Beach and Window Rock
Sandy Cape Information Board.
6. Pinnacles in Nambung National Park
The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles are located in the Nambung National Park, 40 kms, about 30 minutes drive south from Jurien Bay. The Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre is open daily from 9.30am to 4.30pm and is included in the entry fee. The centre has detailed displays explaining how the landscape was formed and the flora and fauna in the park. I think it is well worth a visit.
But basically, the Pinnacles are limestone rock ‘statues’ formed 25000 years ago when the ocean covered the land. When the ocean receded and the land was exposed to the elements, the wind blew the sand away leaving the limestone rock formations.
If you go late in the afternoon the sunlight bounces off the rocks creating some beautiful views and photos. A great place to watch the stunning sunset too.
There is a 4.5km loop drive or walk, winding around the limestone structures, being a National Park no dogs are allowed and $15 per vehicle park fee apply.
7. Sky Diving
Sky diving in Jurien Bay.
Not for all the money in the world would I sky dive, but it is a thing to do in Jurien Bay. I did enjoy taking some photos of the super brave people. Here is the website if you are interested http://skydivejurienbay.com
Travel Tips
- Bring a warm jacket to take on the boat, as Jurien Bay can be very windy and it’s cold especially when you are wet after snorkelling.
- When walking the trails or enjoying the beach, don’t forget to wear a hat, sunscreen and take a water bottle, even in winter the sun still burns.
- You can purchase an Annual National Parks Pass, which will allow you to enter all fee paying parks for a year costing $130. Holiday Passes are also available for 4 weeks, 14 days or 5 days starting from $30. For more info see http://dbca.wa.gov.au
- The Stock Gully Caves are pitch black in the centre, so you will need a torch unless you’re going on the Adventure tour then they will provide one.
- Check out the Visitors Centre for what’s happening in town eg night markets or festivals.