A playground of hidden secrets Carnarvon is a place full of many surprises. It is a town swallowed and surrounded in a harsh environment but if you know where to go you seem to forget about the dry dirt filled air, well only just. Having spent my first 18 years of life here I know the place like I know where the coffee is kept without opening my decaffeinated eyes. Secluded scenic beaches and fresh produce is the main attraction to the small town of Carnarvon, however the Californian waterfront made to be captured in a photograph is just as special. 75 kilometers North from the town is a coastline consisting of natural formations of blow holes. These are created by the ocean swells forcing water through the rocks crevices and exploding a fan of water into the air. A word of warning do not stand close to the blow holes because as the giant sign reads KING WAVES KILL and the waves are very unpredictable. 1 kilometer left (south) of the Blow Holes is a coral reef garden perfect for snorkeling with an infestation of friendly fish and many sea creatures. Leading you to a small rocky island off the mainland is a bed of oysters that parts the rough waves from the calm lagoon. A perk to visiting the blow holes is there is a campsite in which you can stay and enjoy the golden crumbed beaches for days on end. This is your only means of sleeping arrangement’s here so go prepared with a swag and tent. There you will also find locally owned beach shacks at the Blow Holes campgrounds and growing up my family and I were lucky enough to own one. Every single school holiday, weekend, free minute my siblings and I had we were forced (literally) to the Blow Holes by our parents. We would complain the whole hour drive up there but as soon as we arrived, we would stop, well only just. You could either find us foraging the ocean for fresh seafood, cooking our catch at our beach shack or walking barefoot along the stove top sand to get up to trouble. This is by far one of my favorite places to visit. Further north of the Blow Holes is Quobba Station. Here they offer different accommodation options from camping in a tent to chalets. Quobba is known for its fishing, whale watching, abundance of shells and a small convenient store. On the extremely rare occasion my mum would drive her tribe of children from the shack to the small shop that could no way hold us all to get an ice-cream and ice for the chilly bins. Still clasping our defrosted ice-creams, we would sprint barefoot on the freshly ironed gravel and pile into our 1998 panel van and drive home to our shack. Recently making headlines by Chris Hemsworth and Matt Damon is Red Bluff, this is the place the actors visited with their families. The driveway up to the surfer’s paradise is a long stretch of an unrefined dirt road. Multiple head knocks to the window and a strong clasp to the roof top handle is all part of the car ride experience. After a few trips your head becomes numb to the hits, well only just. Just like Quobba Station, Red Bluff offers many accommodation choices, wildlife sightings, beach caves, rock pools, fishing and many more activities. If you’re a keen surfer, Red Bluff offers an iconic surf so be sure to pack your board, but if you’re like me and can’t surf be sure to pack your camera to take pictures of the pros. No matter where you are situated at Red Bluff the view never disappoints especially overlooking the cliffs edge at sunset, with a cold one. A wooden sign reading GNARLOO STATION before you enter is an essential photo opportunity to mark your visit. The care takers here make great efforts to conserve the environment and protect it from harm. They have a sea turtle conservation program that targets endangered and vulnerable marine species. If you visit at the right time you could be lucky enough to experience the turtles hatch. Recreational things to do here are windsurfing, kite surfing, surfing, snorkelling, fishing and hanging out at the beach. I struggle to run at the best of times but running along this beach is my favourite thing, even if I end up walking back to camp hyperventilating and with a limp. The 2-minute run is always worth it here, well only just