5th May Saturday
7am 23degs. Lots of ants at this place, warm night. Left site at 9am. Quite a few clouds about. Long straight roads but the bush is greener. We are coming to hills, some are flat topped
others with pointy tops,
saw another dead camel beside the road. Stopped at Nanutarra Roadhouse for tea and scones with cream and jam, air conditioning, flush toilets and running water, what more could a girl ask for) On return to vehicle saw a bright green beetle
on the ground along with a grey, white and yellow bird.
5km north of Nanutarra turned off east towards Tom Price on the Nanutarra Wittenoom Rd. The landscape is amazing , rolling hills,
straight and twisty roads, one lane bridges over dry river beds. Some of the hills we are passing you can see the strata in the rocks. The clouds have cleared and virtually no breeze today. Decided to stop at Beasley River Rest Area for the night. Flies. Speaking to another couple they were unable to drive the Gibb River Rd just over a week ago due to flooding in some places of over 6ft. Had dinner at 3.30pm and just snacks at dinner time, both feeling weary. Sleep in LRover again tonight. Mozzies are out tonight. Quite a few camping here .
6th May Sunday
Warm night, reasonable sleep,few clouds in the sky but should burn off. Flies are out early.Took main road to Paraburdoo as short cut track to Tom Price is very bad at the moment. The scenery is stunning with the hills, which when you get closer are just rock with trees and scrub clinging to them. Stopped at Paraburdoo for a cuppa and watched a triple road train
come in and start to unload.
Arrived at Tom Price approx 11.30, drove out to Tourist Park at the base of Mt Nameless, lovely site $32 per night powered and it has a swimming pool. The town was named after Thomas Moore Price who worked for an American company (kaiser steel) and he was instrumental in convincing the mining companies that is was worth mining in the area (1960s). He died of a heart attack shortly after being told of the very rich ore deposites in the mountains. Mt Nameless
is the highest accessable mountain by vehicle (4x4) in W.A. at 1128mtrsabove sea level. During the afternoon we rocognised 2 other campers from Osprey campground. Found the swimming pool - it eas lovely followed by a hot shower. A worker on site said about the drive up to the top of the mountain and that the views were amazing (guess what we're doing tomorrow) Spent evening reading, checking Emails, going through photos then Rose Skyped Heather whilst Colin was talking to a young lad about the LRover.
7th May Monday
Cooler night, left the site at 9.15 to tackle the mountain,
track a bit rough in places where the rain has left gullies across it, 2nd gear low range all the way up,
very steep slopes and sharp bends,
but the views are really stunning of the town,
the mine and the landscape in the distance.
Over at the mine you could see the dump trucks moving
and a train waiting to be filled with iron ore,
these trains will reach a length of 6kms. It is much bigger than the Super Pit at Kalgoorlie. We can even see our camp site through the trees. It's been quite a while since we have done proper off roading.
It took 35mins to cover the 11k to the top. After descent
went to the library to upload photos but they had to send us to a computer shop as their computers will not upload from memory sticks.Did a bit of food shopping then back to camp. There is not a lot in the town of Tom Price. Went for a swim, water seemed colder than yesterday,but still good. Had lamb chops for dinner with chips cooked on camp BBQ. Chilled out evening. Gerrard phoned about a spare part for my LRover so we have orderd it and it will be sent through to a post office in Port Headland.
8th May Tuesday
Cool night again 7.30 only 16degs. Heard the iron ore train go through this morning, it seemed to go on for ever. Packed up and left site 9.15, filled up with fuel only $1.63ltr. Off to Karijini Nat Pk for several nights. Karijini Drive is a long straight road once you get past Mt Bruce,
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which is the 2nd largest mountaim in W.A. Had to pay permit entry fee $11 then at campground we paid for 4 nights camping $58. The ground is very dusty and red, we were warned that pegs might be difficult to hammer into the ground as very hard. It is very quiet and the sites are spread quite a way apart.
Rose and the red dust will be at war by the end of the week. Used camp BBQ to cook dinner and got talking to some young fellow campers who have just finished working at the mine and they are flying to Canada in a weeks time, maybe to settle. Early to bed as very tired and it gets dark even earlier, 6.30pm.
9th May Wednesday
Another sunny day, decided to walk to the gorges today. Followed footpath past the Dales Day Area to the top of Dales Gorge, looking down onto Cicular Pool,
you can see people swimming there. Carried on a bit further along the Gorge till we came to the climb down, there are no steps it is just climbing over boulders
and it's a long way down. The Gorge walls are amazing.
We turned west towards Fortescue Falls passing pools and small falls along the way.
Walking on steppng stones across water and climbing the sides of the Gorge to get past obstacles. Saw lovely coloured dragon flies
before the falls.
Just after that photo was being taken a couple asked us if we saw the snake that was just 2ft behind Rose, it was approx 3ft long and 4ins thick. Had to walk across more stepping stones to get to the other side of the falls. People are swimming in the water,
lucky we had worn our cossies so we clambered up the rocks stripped off and went in, the water was just right, but the rocks were a bit slippy going in and out. Sat and dried in the sun whilst having a bite to eat and drink. Walked to Fern Pool,
very pretty with lots of fish by the bank. made our way back to Fortescue Falls and up the steps to the top of the Gorge, they are tiring on the legs as some of the steps are very high. Looking back down towards the falls they look so small and far away.
Fantastic mornings walk,trek,climb,swim. We are surrounded by families now, parents telling kids off,but soon quietened down. Dark just after 6 and getting chilly. In bed when late comers arrived, shouting swearing and loud music, then they started howling and barking trying to imitate the dingos in the campground. We thought this only happened in towns. Rose went to sleep but Colin said it went on for a long time.
10th May Thursday
Chilly 15degs at 7am. Colin is wearing 2 T shirts. Left camp before 9am to drive to Weano Gorge/Hancock Gorge. 44kms of dirt corrugated rd., had to shut all windows and vents when vehicles went past due to the red dust.
We first walked to Junction Pool Lookout
and Oxer Lookout,
quite some drops into the Gorge bottom. We then backtracked along the trail and climbed down into Weano Gorge and scrambled over rocks along beside the water,
Colin went to see if we could get through the water but it seemed a bit deep so we got no further. The steps(loose terminology)back to top of Gorge were leg killing and heart thumping. We then tackled Hancock Gorge, again loosely termed steps down and then a climb down a ladder
to Gorge floor, we againscrambled over rocks to navigate along the path and stepping stones over the water,
then Colin went ahead again
to test the depth of the water as we had run out of path, he decided it was about chest height which made it unsafe carrying the camera, if only we'd had a Dry Sac. After a rest we made our way back out of the Gorge. The views from the top and the bottom are stunning,
also we did'nt do to bad seeing as neither of us like heights, we don't like sheer drops either and neither of us are really walkers. Sat in the shade having lunch recovering before the drive back to camp. We stopped at visitor centre for showers, Colin's hot Rose's tepid, both of us are feeling sore in our legs, but well worth the effort. Colin will check LRover tomorrow after bumpy trip today, the fire extinguisher on back door has lost it's hose???
11th May Friday.
FRIDAY FACT;- AT 7.353 KMS, WEIGHING 99.732.1 tonnes, PAYLOAD OF 82.262.5 tonnes RECORDED THE LONGEST, HEAVIEST, BIGGEST PAYLOAD OF ANY TRAIN IN THE WORLD. THE TRAIN COMPRISED 8 LOCOMOTIVES AND 682 ORE CARS.
Sunny 16 degs 7am. Saw a stick insect
crawling along the ground, it's very well disguised. Whilst Colin was looking at the vehicle, Rose changed some books at camp exchange. Colinfound some bolts had come loose again on the gearbox, so he tightened everthing up again, he also soldered the wireto florrie light that Rose tripped over and broke. Turning into another hot sunny day. Had an early lunchas we were hungry, by the time we realised the time it was to late to go to the Falls for a swim as the water would have been in the shade therefore too cold. Took down sides of tent it makes it easier in the morning when we pack up. Red dust everywhere.
28th April Saturday
7am 20degs, heard the crabs scrabbling across the groundsheet during the night. Watched the sun come up through the back window of the tent, stunning. Had banana pancakes for breakfast and eventually got our stuff together food, drink etc and walked over the rocks towards the other bay,
the sand is very soft and makes it hard going to walk on. First place we stopped water is a bit cold with a strong current so backtracked 50mtrs where water a lot warmer and calmer. Could see lots of small fish, and small bits of coral washed ashore from the reef.
we saw an oilrig being towed along the horizon.
After lunch of crisps and cake (very healthy) stolled back to camp. Colin spotted 2 turtles in the water- again too slow with camera. The rocks are very similar to those at Quobba
and have some small blowholes.
Got talking to the young couple Gerrard and Jody with the Disco and Oztent, he is a real LRover enthusiast with a Defender and Range Rover in the back yard. They have travelled Oz in the Defender for 8mnths approx. This is just a few week trip with their young daughter Saskia 21mnths old. Finish the evening off with a final swim before dinner then bed.
29th April Sunday
Another sunny start to the day, very slow today. Gerrard came over to talk about LRovers with Colin, they are moving off today. Rose took saskia back to Jody who was clearing up the tent and had a nice chat, she is a very young looking 40. Gerrard has given Colin addresses of firms that might be able to supply the parts he needs after they had gone Ken came over for a chat, saying they had people comming in at 9.30pm having taken over an hour to drive 36k due to the amount of kangaroos on the road. It seems that a lot of people dont know about the online booking. Mainly just sorting clothes, food and just messing today. Spent happy hour next door with Vincent and Moira, they have a Disco 4 and a Kimberly Karavan,
whichis an off road van, the top half slides down for travelling.
30th April Monday
Windy morning, Colin took solar radio apart as not working, but it's all PC boards so it's still not working so threw it! (lighten the load and more space). Decided to stay another night as the boat trip we had planned for today to Yardie Creek does'nt run on Monday's. Colin gone fishing and got 2 Golden Trevally on the line, but they both snapped the line near the shore, still no fish to eat. we both went fishing later but to no avail, still we saw a turtle and a white fish jumping. after a swim we just sat on the rocks watching the sea. Very peaceful. After dinner we sat outside with the binoculars looking at the stars, the space station and the moon, you can see the craters on the moon
so clearly.
!st may Tuesday
Very windy night at times. Hot and sunny. Left site at 10am and drove to Yardie Creek, 10k south to go on cruise to the Yardie Gorge, 11am boat full so went for a swim to cool down then had an early lunch at the picnic area in the shade. Only 6 of us on the 12.30 cruise, the guide was born and brought up in the area so he knows the gorge well. It is made of limestone and the red colouring comes from the minerals washed through the rock.
The gorge is cut off from the sea unless there's a lot of rainfall or a large tide, the fish in the creek stay there until the sandbank is breached. The gorge is 1 of only 3 places in Oz to have the Black Footed Rock Wallaby's,
which is managing to breed successfully under the protection of World Heritage status. They are not very big and blend in very well with the rocks. we saw rock figs with their roots (ponytails) dangling over the rock face,
getting any moisture from the morning and evening air. There is an Osprey nest that was first recorded in 1890 by a guy named Carter it is still being used.
On the return we saw a family of Euro Kangaroos
(smaller than normal) in the rocks. it cost us $50 but was well worth it. Back at camp went for our last swim here, it's 4pm and still 34degs. After a disasterous dinner of pasta in a garlic sauce with chilli, we started to pack away some of the tent. Spentrest of evening going through photos.
2nd May Wednesday
Condensation on tent this morning. Didn't leave quite as early as hoped, had to say goodbyes especially to Ken and Margaret,as they have given us a lot of info on Karajini Nat Pk. Finally got on the move at 9am, alread 30degs. Went to Exmouth Visitor Centre and looked at caravan parks then decided to go to the Big 4 just 50mtrs away $33. Set up tent and went to library to catch up with blog then to shops to fill up with fresh food. Back to camp to find our neighbours we met in Victoria Rock camp, she was driving The Holland Rd Track with a friend. Also saw another couple from the National Pk. Put laundry in then went for a swim, fantastic to cool down, Then back to sit in the shade(please dont feel sorry for us) 5pm 36degs. Exmouth itself was founded in 1967 as a support town to the Harold E Holt Naval Communications Station, that employment is now supported by fishing and tourism. The Kalli fishery is situated south of the town and is farmed for it's prawns. Used camp kitchen for dinner and sat around chatting, Colin has a new friend, Madelaine (3 years old). Nice evening, 8pm 24degs.
3rd May Thursday
Heat cooled off a lot in the night, Sat having tea when got phone call from Dee, they are leaving Ningaloo today and coming up to Exmouth, so decided to stay one more night to meet up again. Bit of a breeze today, which is great. Drove into town and filled up with fuel and water (diesel $1.84) and treated ourselves to coffee and lamingtons. Back at camp sat and chatted before having a lovely swim in the pool then walking along to Al and Dee's, they said Ningaloo Homestead was fantastic but the road in was atrocious 30k took 5 hours. They are off whale shark watching tomorrow and snorkelling. Said yet another goodbye to them and Dee gave us another fruit cake (yummy). Back at camp sat and chatted with Chris, her son Shane his wife Simone and Madelaine.
4th May Friday
FRIDAY FACT;- EXMOUTH TOWN IS THE NEAREST TOWN TO THE CONTINENTAL SHELF.
7am 20degs, a light night with a near full moon. On the road today at 10am, heading south past the Kallis Fishery and the Big Prawn.
Turned off onto The Burkett Rd which links to the North West Coastal HWay. Lots of ant hills
and nothing else. There is a bit of a breeze away from Exmouth which is good, 11,30 and only 32degs in the vehicle. Past Giralia Station the earth has changed to a rusty red colour
and landscape more barren than we have seen before. Very bleak.
Decided to stop just after 1pm at Barradale Rest Area for the night, there shade here from the trees and they have toilets. We are not the first to stop, already 2 caravans here and more came in later. Had curry and rice for dinner which was very tasty. Still windy so hopefully wont be too hot sleeping in the LRover tonight. Plenty of ants.
21st April Saturday
Disturbed night, bigtime. Music started just before 9pm but not too loud,went to sleep to be woken at 11.40pm by loud music, we both got up and dressed and Colin knocked on the caravan door and asked him to turn the music down, we got a lot of verbal agression trying to provoke Colin. Rose rang site manager who was with us in a couple of minutes, he tried to calm the bloke down but he'd been drinking and punched the manager to the ground, Rose rang the police who attended but did'nt arrest him!!! because he had his young son with him in the van and he allegations that Colin had damaged his van. It seems they deem it as common assault which is not an arrestable offence in Oz. Wego to police station tomorrow/today to make statements about the attack on the site manager, we went to hospital with the site manager to make sure he was OK as he had cuts and bruises. Back into bed approx 2am. Woke 7am but went back to sleep till 9am. We are certainly having a different time in Carnarvan. Dee rang this morning to say they were on their way, Rose met them at thegate and showed the way to our site. we sat and tea and caketalking about our eventful nights and theirs, it seems campers near them decided to pack up at 4.30am and leave also in a cabin nearby is a screaming 2year old! We are both going to the Quoba Blowholes on Monday so will meet up with them for a picnic. Will do tomorrow what we did'nt do today.
22nd April Sunday
Quiet night, bliss, still both tired but good sleep. Colin rang Laurie and a bit later we skyped Marion and Laurie, it was good catching up with them, it was needed just like staying in one place for a week. Colin is giving the vehicle a maintenance check today. Rose is checking food stocks and cleaning (womans work is never done). Last night we went to the police station to find out what was going to happen after the incident (the other man has been kicked off site today), the police are not going to pursue the matter but will keep on file as the bloke has previous violent records, it's a case of no independant witnesses. Glad in a way as it's all behind us now. Finished our jobs and have a list of food for store cupboard which should see us through till we get to QLD. It has paid off buying food when on offer. Colin cut his hair, it got so long that it ruffled in the wind. Colin spoke to Natalie for a while after dinner. We are seeing Galahs
again in the caravan pk, such funny birds.
23rd April Monday
St Georges Day - Rose wore her St George T shirt all day and it has been warm all day. Up early today, left site at 10am, filled up with fuel and met Al and Dee and drove to Quobba Blowholes. Just outside of town onto a dirt road (shortcut) for approx 20kms before joining main bitumen, we are skirting the south side of lake Mcloud, which does'nt have any water in it, there is also a salt mine
further north.
Very desolate. One of the salt lakes has a lovely blue tinge.
Stopped at the Blowholes
but it seems as though we got here at the wrong time as no sea is coming out of the blowholes, we walked along the rocks
and saw fish and crabs
in the pools, there were also oysters but Al couldn't get down to them. Drove along
to the beach and stopped for lunch
before walking onto the beach, water a bit cold as wind has got up. Colin and Al went for a swim, they said water quite warm after initial dip (don't belive them). Arranged to meet tomorrow then drove back to site, missing the dirt road turn so came back along the highway. Lovely day.
24th April Tuesday
Up early 7am, already warm. After laundry went and did all our shopping, fuelling up and library to update blog, also looking for caravan pks in Exmouth and Coral Bay to decide where to go tomorrow. Going to Al and Dee's tonight for BBQ it's our turn to buy the food, so we got pork chops(big) and a danish pastry for pudding. Decided we are going to go to Ningaloo but we have to hire a portable toilet(luxury). Met Ron (Dee's brother)and his wife Carol at BBQ, nice couple it was a lovely evening with the conversation flowing. Left at 8.30 saying our goodbyes to Al and Dee, not sure if we will see them again, will ring them lots. Still warm when went to bed.
25th April Wednesday
Anzac day.
Al and Dee were getting up early for the dawn service in Carnarvon, there is also a parade later in the morning. All shops are closed till lunchtime as a mark of respect, Al feels they should be closed all day(he is ex army as is Dee). Up at 7am, the locals are saying it should be a good day for fishing, and we are on the road! Left site and just on way when we had to turn back, forgot to fill water containers(no more water for 500kms). Left town eventually at 10am, it has definately heated up and we have a hot Northerly wind again. Very sparce vegetation along the road and only wildlife has been a dead Camel and Kangaroo. Stopped at Minilya rest area
for lunch and sit in the shade before going on to Exmouth Road to Lyndon West rest area for the night. There are no trees but a couple of open sheds for shade. Temp is 30+ today. This rest area has a lot of flies(flyswat is working overtime). sat down having a cuppa when a motorhome pulled in, it was Colin and Joan from Cape Riche with Joan's sister Barbara,
they are going up to Nat Pk at Exmouth for a few days, small world again. Great catching up with them again. Went and had a chat with a couple Harold and Margaret for a bit, we had seen them at a previous stop. Still warm when we wentto bed, sleeping in LRover tonight.
26th April Thursday
Not too bad a sleep. 20degs at 7.30am, we watched the sun come up from in bed. After saying goodbye to Colin Joan and Barbara we decided to head towards Exmouth, left site at 8.30am. Passed over the Tropic of Capricorn.
We saw big ant hills
in the scrub next to the road, scenery is a lot of nothing.
Stopped at Coral Bay and went into the visitor centre to ring Parks Office in Exmouth, they can only take bookings for 5 of the sites so if we get to office we can book one, you only get 90mins to get to site. Coral Bay is just a big caravan pk, nothing else, perfect family holiday centre, but very expensive diesel $1.83ltr. Arrived at Exmouth at just after 11.30 found DEC office and managed to get the last available pitch at Osprey Campground. One of the farthest from town at 78kms. Absolutely lovely,
only problem a bit gusty, a fellow camper helped us with tent. Ken the caretaker came and introduced himself and when we are ready to go and pay him. Had a walk and paddle, warm clear water, then off to pay only to find out our pitch has been booked online from tomorrow, so Ken's wife (who has rellies in Kettering) will find out first thing in morning what is available, also we were charged at concession rates (old peoples) of only $10 per night. Sat out watching the sun go down and the wind has died down. There are quite a few Kangaroos hopping through the campground. Our neighbours Lydia(Canadian) and Urs(Swiss) came over to join us for the evening, he is a pharmacist and is in University of Perth doing research andconsultancy for a few months, they were telling us about backpacking through South America for 8 months. Good evening. Just as we were goint to bed we heard some scrabbling sounds, it turned out to be a yellow crab that had got stuck round our table leg and could'nt get away, moved table and it scuttled away to freedom(if we'd been proper Ozzies it would have been in the pot).
27th April Friday
FRIDAY FACT;- THERE ARE MORE WILD CAMELS IN OZ THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD.
Went to see Margaret and Ken (caretakers) about site for next 4 nights, after checking with office we have to move from site 1 to site 6. We put everything in LRover and with the aid of a fellow camper we carried the erect tent (with airbed inside)the 100mtrs to new pitch. Had a chat with Lydia and Urs before they left and whilst chatting saw a small hawk and a blue fairy wren, beautiful, and as usual no camera. After putting tent back together went to pay Margaret and then off for a swim, the sea is so warm and a bit boisterous at times but now feel clean and cooled down. Sat having a cuppa and a Disco drove in with an Oztent on the roof.
Feel really clean now, had a shower. After dinner watched the sunset and got photos of people on the dunes
backdropped against it. Temp has been 35degs today.
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