Carnarvon - kennedy Range - Mt Augustus - Carnarvon

Hello all
 My plan to escape the wind failed................I headed out to Kennedy Range with a howling gale pushing me.

The Cobbled Road north of Gascoyne Junction

 In the 1930's a work for the dole scheme funded the upgrades to the original roads that were often impassable after rain. The Road was cobble paved over the boggy sections to allow the mail run to get through.

Temple Gorge Campground, Kennedy Range

Upon arriving at Temple Gorge I was greeted by the lovely Campsite Hosts, Colin and Maureen.

Temple Gorge Campground, Kennedy Range

The first day was perfect weather, the second hot, and then the wind found me again........

Kennedy Range

departing Kennedy Range

I was feeling a little isolated as I headed towards Mt Augustus. In the 240km to Mt Augustus I saw 2 vehicles only.

approaching Mt Augustus

one of those vehicles was 2 very relieved German Backpackers, as I was the first vehicle they had seen in 8 hours. They were a bit wide eyed and freaked out about the isolation and the thought of getting stranded in their Hiace "Hippy" camper van.

Mt Augustus from Emu Hill Lookout

Mount Augustus is an inselberg or monocline. Mount Augustus or Burringurrah is one of the most spectacular solitary peaks of the world's largest monoclines, it rises above a stoney, red sandplain of arid scrubland and is visible from the air for more than 160 kms. The granite formation is about 8 kms long, covers an area of 4,795 hectares and is estimated to be 1,750 million years old.

Cattle Pool, Lyons River

 Cattle Pool a few kilomtres from Mt Augustus is a pretty spot.

Cattle Pool Lyons River

Sunset Mt Augustus

One odd thing in the area is Dawson's Burrowing Bees, which have taken a liking to the circuit road around Mt Augustus.

burrowing bee hives in the middle of the road

These bees were amazing and huge..............the size of a small helicopter............not really but were about as big as the end of your index finger.

Mt Augustus

While returning to Carnarvon I was thinking about Mt Augustus.................while it does lack the visual impact of Uluru it is magnificent in it's own right.
Would I return to Uluru.................yes......would I return to Mt Augustus..........probably not.

Wildflowers

Recent rains have bought the bush alive and although I am still well above the "wildflower area" wildflowers were abundant.

Tomorrow I am heading North again to Red Bluff on Quobba Station for a while. I have had several days of only 22c and 23c and have froze. I am definitely not ready to head any further South until it warms up.
Bye for now

Broome South To Carnarvon

Hello all
I have been a bit slack updating my blog over recent weeks. This is mainly because I have been travelling through areas I have covered in past blog posts.

sunset at Quandong Point

 After 30mm of rain in Broome I headed South.

sunset at 80 Mile Beach

 the skies cleared and the scene was set for a magnificent sunset at 80 Mile Beach.

sunset at 80 Mile Beach

 Western Australia is truly the home of sunset photos. you just cant beat the sun going down over the ocean.

sunset at 80 Mile Beach

 I took the Railway Access Road from Karratha to Tom Price this time, as I hadn't travelled it before.
There must have been recent rains as the wildflowers were all out in bloom.

Sturts Desert Pea

 I headed to Newman to catch up with friends for a few days.

I doubled back towards the coast with the plan of doing some snorkeling at Cape Range for a few days.
Alas for three days it blew and blew and blew............they don't call WA Windy Always for nothing....................
I am now at Carnarvon, with the plan to head inland to escape the wind and school holidays.
I plan on heading out to Kennedy Range and Mt Augustus over the next week or two to explore new areas.
Bye for now.