Welcome to Wooramel

Post coffee, we left the sleepy town of Denham. On our return journey back to the North West Coast highway, we pulled in to have a look at Eagle Bluff. A boardwalk along a high limestone cliff overlooks the shallow waters of Henri Freycinet Harbour. It is a significant area as it marks the spot where Captain H.M Denham carved an inscription on a rock in 1858 from which the town derives its name.

The water below is a gorgeous turquoise clolour and clear enough for us to watch a dark shape move through the water. We decide this is a lemon shark and watch its progress. It was only a short stop here before climbing back into the car for the 2 hour journey to our next destination, away from the coast to Wooramel River Retreat.

The caravan convoy seems to have slowed, thanks to the 4 day lockdown in Perth.  Lunch stop is on the top of White Hill. At 29m in elevation, it seems to tower over the surrounding flat landscape.

By 2pm, we pull into Wooramel and check in. The Retreat is busy, far busier than we expected and sites are allocated on first in best dressed approach. We find ourselves towards the end of the allotted area. No river views but nestled amongst the tall river eucalypts. I should mention that the river is huge - over 200m across but completely dry. It runs only 2-3 times per year.

A quick unpack has us off to experience the artesian hot tubs - the draw card for us.

Tapping into an artesian basin 240m below the surface, the water down there is between 42 - 49°C. It cools as it ascends to 35 - 37°C - a nice temperature for soaking in! There were four hot tubs to choose from and they were never really crowded. We enjoyed relaxing in these tubs as the sun was sinking into the horizon. A fantastic way to complete the day.