Written by Christi Sparrow
Welcome to our Australia Family Road Trip series! After visiting Lancelin, Jurien Bay, Kalbarri, Geraldton, and a couple of outback station stays, we continued north to Carnarvon. Situated between Shark Bay and the Ningaloo World Heritage area, Carnarvon was a great place to spend a couple of days and break up our drives both heading north and then back south.
We had heard mixed reviews about Carnarvon from other travelers we encountered, but we were looking forward to visiting the farms for fresh produce and sampling the local seafood. Carnarvon is known as “the food bowl of WA” because it supplies so much produce and seafood to the region. We weren’t disappointed! The town had a tropical feel, the produce and treats were oh-so-yummy, and the Carnarvon foreshore provided a quiet place to grab a coffee, let the kids loose on the playground, and walk the wooden jetty. Here’s what we got up to in Carnarvon!
Top Tip: If you’re visiting Carnarvon May – October, be sure to visit the Gascoyne Growers’ Markets held every Saturday in the town center. Hosted by the growers, it’s your best bet for a plethora of farm-fresh goodies all in one place. We were so disappointed to miss it— we visited in July and August, but we didn’t know to plan our stay over a Saturday!
Fruit Loop Drive Trail
A short loop drive that includes parts of South River Road, North River Road, and crossing the (dry) Gascoyne River twice, the Fruit Loop Drive Trail was a fun family morning. We found several roadside honesty stands offering a range of produce. You simply select what you want and drop your money in the box. Bring exact change! We scored tomatoes, cucumbers, red peppers, green peppers, bananas, a purple cabbage, a grapefruit, and frozen mango! The kids liked exploring the farm stands and marveling at the banana and mango trees.
In addition to the few small roadside honesty farm stands, other notable stops along the trail include:
- Gascoyne Organic Farm. This farm stand had the widest range of produce that we found plus a freezer with a selection of chocolate-covered fruit. And the farmers were super friendly!
- The Cactus Garden. It’s actually someone’s front yard, but social media has turned it into a well-known photo op spot along the trail. It’s pretty impressive!
- Bumbak’s. A country store offering preserves, sauces, frozen fruit treats, smoothies, and more. We tried both their banana smoothie and their mango smoothie, and they were incredible!
- Morel’s. A stone’s throw from the fruit loop trail, this farm shop has an awesome selection of fruit, vegetables, and herbs, but they are known for their freezers full of chocolate-covered fruit on sticks. We devoured a white chocolate banana and a milk chocolate-coated custard apple.
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The Blowholes and Point Quobba
Seventy-five kilometers north of Carnarvon are the impressive Blowholes and the tranquil lagoon at Point Quobba. The Blowholes are sea caves through which powerful ocean swells spurt up like geysers. It’s an awe-inspiring spot along a steep, rocky coastline. We secured Camden in the baby carrier because it seemed a bit treacherous!
After admiring the Blowholes, we continued north for a kilometer or so to Point Quobba. Now this was the perfect place to spend a day! The calm, clear, blue lagoon is the ultimate family-friendly spot. Jay snorkeled while the kids splashed happily in the shallow waves, and I just enjoyed the view.
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Wintersun Caravan Park
We stayed at Wintersun Caravan Park just a few miles from the town center. It was packed! On our northbound stay, we enjoyed a self-contained, one-bedroom cabin. On our southbound stay, we camped!
The clean, well-maintained caravan park offers a farm stand at the registration office, a bouncy pillow and playground, a pool, weekly events like the Sunday Pancake Breakfast and Friday Pie Day, live music on the weekends, craft gatherings, and even line dancing! We met several guests who stay at Wintersun every year for its immaculate grounds and robust social calendar. Our family certainly enjoyed our stay!
We hope you enjoyed reading about the highlights from our time in Carnarvon. Our stays were short but very sweet, thanks to the banana and mango farms! Now on to Bullara Station and the Ningaloo World Heritage area!
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1 thought on “Western Australia Family Road Trip Part Four: Carnarvon”
How long has it been? 70 some days? Wow. I love this place. And that produce is bright and fresh. I heard that in some places in Australia that it is snowing. But, it looks pretty tropical where you are.