Stokes Inlet

Albany threw a nasty little squall at us as we packed up to leave. But we did anyway! We intended traveling to Fitzgerald River National Park, but the roads were closed!! We talked to National Parks who recommended Stokes Inlet which turned out to be a delightful waterway at the conjunction of the Lort and Young Rivers which only breaks out into the ocean every few years after heavy rains. This is a beautiful area but the weather left a little to be desired with temperature near zero, rain and blustery winds bringing out the thermals, jumpers and wool socks on the first night (photo). The next day wasn't so bad and we went down to investigate a walk around the shores of the inlet to the ocean, about 3.5 klms, but the weather was still not good. We spent some time talking with a local commercial fisherman who had some great tales to tell and some interesting history. He gave us some fresh black bream from his overnight catch which we cooked up that night. In the afternoon the weather fined up and we completed the hike out to the ocean which was most picturesque (photo). The ocean was very busy as a result of the windy conditions. We found the decomposing remains of a huge humpback whale on the ocean side of the sandbar separating the inlet from the sea (photo).