The absolute highlight of Carnarvan was today’s trip up to Red Bluff, an iconic point break here in WA. Red Bluff is 120km north of Carnarvan along some of the wildest coastline I’ve ever seen. We past a spot called Point Quobba which has the most spectacular blowholes and the rugged cliffs and huge seas pounding them were very daunting given that we were making this trip ostensibly for me to get some surf. Red Bluff, however, is on the northern side of the headland and although windy was reasonably protected from the southerly swells and the bulk of the howling winds. A swell is on its way apparently, so Red Bluff was considered small by the band of surfers I went out with and got chatting to. Small to them it may have been but the waves were about perfect for me, 4’ – 6’ mostly. Its a left hand break that peels off a coral reef over fairly shallow water. I know the coral was sharp because when I came to grief on one of the waves I didn’t quite make the coral neatly sliced the bottom of my feet open. Despite this though, I had an absolute ball. Well worth the 240km round trip.
Before I sign off, it would be remiss of me not to mention the other highlight of Carnarvan. As we headed out of town for Red Bluff, nervous thoughts of the surf that lay ahead in my mind, Jen insisted on a quick detour. What better way to start a surf trip than to follow the Gascoyne Food Trail which meanders its way through the picturesque fruit and vegetable farms on the outskirts of Carnarvan. I was thrilled to see tomato plants at various stages of growth, the vast array of different styles of tomato plant stakes was breathtaking. And my previously dormant passion for bean trellises will surely burst forth with a vengeance some time very soon after this mornings sojourn. It was a truly great day all round!