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Published: January 1st 2015
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Leaving Broome we knew we had a long drive to Pardoo Roadhouse as we didn't want to stay at Eighty Mile Beach. Called in at Sandfire Roadhouse along the way, glad we're not overnighting there, very busy and dusty, temperature 39C. 450klms from Broome to Pardoo we don't usually do that far in one day but nothing in between except for Eighty Mile Beach which is a lovely but not our scene. Got to Pardoo Roadhouse early afternoon, had a swim in the very welcome pool as it was still 38C, there's a reasonable cover of grass so not so dusty or as busy as Sandfire. Had a look around Port Hedland, lots of red dust, the port is amazing, very hot, 40C. Headed for Karratha but decided to overnight at Roebourne 40klms from Karratha, interesting history at Old Roebourne Gaol which is also the visitors centre. Well worth the gold coin donation entrance fee. Continuing through Roebourne to Cossack which was the centre of the pearling industry in the late 1800s before it was over pearled and the industry moved to Broome. Some well preserved buildings including the old courthouse. Continued on to Port Samson, very modern and touristy but
great scenery including the old jetty destroyed by a cyclone in 1925. You can see the new loading facility at Cape Lambert for Rio Tinto. There's the new town of Wickham near the loading facility which houses many of the workers from the surrounding areas.
Karratha is similar to Port Hedland supporting the mining industry in the Pilbara. Seems to be a very young population, lots to do for kids, good modern shopping centre, lots of boats and keen fishermen but very hot, 45C!!!!! and dusty. As we left Karratha the Gmc began to slow right down as if it wasn't getting enough fuel, we were near the visitirs centre which was closed as it was Sunday so there was plenty of parking for the rig. Tony called RAC and unhitched the fifth wheeler and took the car for a run while revving like mad. RAC came after an hour, the guy went forba drive in the car and then they hitched it up to the van and took it for a run, still no good so he told us we'd have to wait till Monday and take it to the workshop. Fortunately on our way back to the
caravan park it came good so we decided to take a chance and head for Nanutarra roadhouse which was another 200klms away as we didn't fancy staying around in the heat and dust and paying $53 night at the van park and $150 an hour to get the car looked at. Got to Nanutarra, very very dusty and basic but at least we could have the air conditioning on as still 39C. The park was full by evening. We could have gone to Onslow or Exmouth but decided to stay on the highway in case of more fuel problems. It's so good to be here at Canarvon, much cooler weather, 28C, still windy but not so dusty, grassy van park. The car booked in for Monday for a service and check over. Went to the blowholes 70klms north of town, scenery is stunning. We didn't realise Canarvon was at the cutting edge of the space and telecommunications technology in the 60s and 70s. It tracked all the early space missions and hosted the first live satellite broadcast between Oz and UK in 1966. It closed in 1984 but the dish is still here and the museum was opened in July
2014 by Buzz Aldrin.Really good value for money ($7 entry) and really interesting.
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