Karratha to Broome

Hello from a sweaty Broome all.
After leaving Karratha, the trek was still North.

Red Dog Statue, Dampier

After a look in at Port Sampson and Cossack, I arrived at Port Hedland, where I again bumped into Neil and Denise from Tamworth, who I first met at Hopetoun and Windy Harbour way down South.

Iron Ore Carrier entering Port Hedland

I was astounded to count over 20 ships moored off Port Hedland waiting for their turn to be loaded with Iron Ore.
Next stop was Eighty Mile Beach, a beautiful beach and immaculate caravan park in the middle of nowhere. It was amazing watching the 1.5 metre Reef Shark cruising the shallows no more than 2 metres offshore. I gave any thoughts of going for a swim a definite miss.

80 mile beach

80mile beach

In stark contrast to my next stop, Barn Hill Station. Rundown and overpriced the only upside was a nice beach, if you could get to it through the burrs.

Barn Hill

Barn Hill

I am now in Broome, a very sticky Broome, close to 100% humidity at night and lows of 23-24c and days of 75% humidity and 33-34c but at least the flies have gone.......

Tomorrow i head towards Cape Leveque after 4 lovely days in Broome. The humidity is now clearing and its looking good up there. I haven't posted much about Broome as I covered it pretty well in my Kimberley Tour 2012 blog listed on the right side of this page

Cable Beach

After Cape Leveque it will be back to Broome to do some laundry before heading to Derby and the start of the Gibb River Road.
Bye for now

Tom Price to Karratha (via Karijini, Wittenoom and Millstream )

Hello all,
I headed out towards Karijini with the news of record low temperatures and the threat of rain. The previous day Newman had recorded at top temperature of 12c.......lower than Hobart!
The weather has been odd, to say the least. While it has been fantastic to see the area so lush and green I didn't come to the Pilbara to wear a beanie and hoodie.

Oxer Lookout, Karijini

The upside of these mining towns is fuel prices, $1.34 / litre in Parabadoo and Tom Price, along with reasonable grocery prices.

Oxer Lookout

Oxer Lookout

Knox Gorge

Knox Gorge

With the wet weather some roads were still closed, so it was back to the main road to get to Dales Campgrounds.

Mt Bruce 1235 metres

After a cool night at Dales it was time to explore Fortesque Falls and Fern Pool.

Fortesque Falls

Fortesque Falls

Fortesque Falls

A short walk upstream is Fern Pool and despite the cool temperatures some backpackers were swimming.....

Fern Pool

Fern Pool

I headed around the Hamersley Range through Munjina Gorge to Auski Roadhouse.

a lush green Pilbara

 

Munjina Gorge

From Munjina I headed towards Wittenoom, I came through here in 1989, stopped and had lunch at the store and drove to the gates of the Asbestos mine and took photos........
I was under the impression that only one lady still lived there since the town was closed, but it looks as if there are at least 6 places still occupied.

Wittenoom

Wittenoom

Wittenoom

looking towards Wittenoom Gorge

It is truly a tragedy that this stunningly beautiful area hides such a horrible past with the death toll still rising from Asbestosis.

Holiday Rental home in Wittenoom anyone?

Leaving Wittenoom it was a several hundred kilometer gravel run across to Millstream National Park, I remember this place being stunning, but the fires and floods of recent years have taken their toll.

Millstream Homestead, now the Visitors Centre

Fortesque River at Millstream

When I came through here in 1989, I remember Python Pool area to be stunning and I was not disappointed.

Chichester Range, Millstream

Chichester Range

Chichester Range

Chichester Range

Python Pool

After Python Pool it was transit into Karratha for laundry and shopping.

Pyramid Hill

 Tomorrow I plan to head out to Cleaverville, Wickham and Cossack before heading north towards Hedland.
Bye for now......

Carnarvon to Tom Price (includes Quobba, Exmouth and Cape Range)

Hello all,
From Carnarvon I travelled out to Quobba Blowholes and the wreck of the Korean Star.

Quobba blowholes

Quobba Blowholes

I went up as far as the wreck of the Korean Star, I came to see this wreck back in, I think, about 1995 but after numerous cyclones there isn't much left. The poor Korean Star had a very short history, built in1984 the 184 metre bulk carrier dragged anchor off Cape Cuvier in cyclonic conditions on May 20 1988 while waiting for it's cargo of salt. The severe weather tossed it up onto the rock shelf and it broke in two. All 19 crew members survived.

Salt loading facility at Cape Cuvier

Quobba Coast

photo's I took in 1995

By the time I got to Coral Bay the rain started. It rained all the way to Exmouth, but the weather cleared out on Cape Range despite the forecast of 40-80mm of rain for the next few days. The wind was unrelenting and the flies worse, the water was also murky, so wasn't much good for snorkeling. The sunsets were spectacular though.

Osprey Camp Cape Range

Sunset at Osprey

Sunset at Osprey

Osprey Camp Cape Range

Cape Range

Sunset at Cape Range

Sunset at Cape Range

I could have spent weeks here but I have an appointment with the Kimberley for Winter......a note for those visiting Exmouth area though...............I was quoted $49/night single at the non Big4 Park in town, I believe the Big4 is about $10/night dearer!!!!!!! The National Park is $10 per person per night and the Visitors Centre has free Hot Showers and Free drinking water taps for filling your tanks.

Charles Knife Canyon, Cape Range (Exmouth Gulf in the background)

Charles Knife Canyon, Cape Range

I spent a night at Bullara Station Stay before the long drive out to Tom Price to restock. 

Tomorrow I plan to head out to the Gorges of Karajini National Park for a few days before cutting back through Millstream National Park to Karratha.
Bye for now......