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Karratha/Dampier
Sunset Barbie at Dampier Wow, doesn't time fly when you are having fun. Can't believe that we have been on the road for six weeks now and travelled over 4000kms since leaving home. Mind you, Western Australia is a big state and until you start travelling it, there is no real sense of the vastness, and then distance becomes very important, especially when accounting for fuel and arrival times at destinations. In saying this it does not detract from the beautiful scenery and wonders that pop up and leave you in awe of this country. It can be harsh and relentless at times and you just wonder how the early explorers kept going against all odds.
Having left Exmouth, we had a roadhouse stop at Nanutarra where the cattle come in and greet you in the middle of the night. Then next day it was off to Onslow. A pretty spot and rather under rated by many. Lots of development due to mining. However, it was on to Karratha and a chance to catch up with Michael's godson John. We were a little spoilt here as we stayed in a house for two nights and visited a lovely restaurant for dinner. What a luxury
Dampier
Sunset in Dampier after many meals under the stars. Mind you thanks to our trusty Webber the meals have been great. One night we drove to Dampier and had a sunset barbie which was superb. Karratha is a thriving community due to the mining industry and the lifestyle is easy and fishing and boating are high on the list of the things to do.
On the road again and off to Broome via Port Hedland, Pardoo station and Barn Hill. Port Hedland was just a lunch stop where we sat near the wharf and watched a giant ore carrier being piloted into port. Quite a mammoth task indeed and much maritime skill required. PortHedland is very much a mining port where iron ore carriers are to be seen dotted on the horizon waiting to enter the port and load up this precious cargo. Having enjoyed a nice lunch and a break from the travel, it was time to fuel up and move on once again. The options for a night or two stay were few but we chose to go to Pardoo Station with about 15 km of dirt road off the main highway to negotiate with the van in tow. Luckily
Dampier
Balmy evening for us, the road was in pretty good condition and we arrived to a little piece of paradise which was most unexpected. Able to choose our own shady spot we settled in not realising what was to follow. It was the ANZAC long weekend and little did we know that Pardoo Station is very popular with the PortHedland locals and hence by 7pm that evening an invasion had taken place. Mostly families enjoying a well earned break. Of course the beach was not far from the park, so many brought boats and fishing gear ready to try their luck. I had a little fish myself and caught a lovely threadfin salmon that was consumed next morning for breakfast. Nothing like a local catch fresh from the ocean. After five days of recreation with a day visit to Cape Keraudren, it was on the road again. If you travel this way don't forget to visit Cape Keraudren as it is a truly scenic spot with the sea a magnificent tourqoise blue colour and the bay is lined with mangroves.
Our last stop before Broome was Barn Hill. As the name suggests, you are perched on quite a clay coloured cliff
Barnhill
Close of Day. face which has been eroded by tides and weather over many years. Very pretty indeed and a walk down to the water's edge reveals many shells and a large Mantaray that likes to do back flips for the visitors. Quite a performer I think. Unfortunately the facilities were quite basic so just an overnighter and then onto Broome.
Well Broome lived up to all expectations and so we lingered for a week exploring all that it has to offer. On the Friday evening we drove onto Cable Beach and parked not far from the shore. Then it was out with the cheese, biscuits and a wine to toast the sunset and the Camels who timed their walk to perfectIon. A photographer's dream! Of course we were not the only four wheel drive on the beach, in fact being a Friday evening it seems the locals like to start their weekend with this ritual and just unwind.
Yes I did a little fishing, but I can only boast about the one that got away. However, we also visited the light house and went searching for the dinosaur prints discovered a number of years ago. We also visited Coco Pools
Barnhill
Red clay erosion over time. which is about 35 kms out of town. Bitumen until you reach a turn off and then it is a rather sandy track to the ocean. A little hair raising at times but we made it. Thank goodness for the four wheel drive. When the tide is out, the rock pools are quite amazing, full of marine life and also some coral. It is incredible how nature survives and has to wait many hours before the tide returns. One could spend many hours exploring and discovering so many different small fish and crabs. On the way back we took more notice of the landscape and viewed many hidden Mango farms with lush growth.. Yes there is a lot to see including the famous Broome pearls that are very beautiful but also very expensive. So it was look and admire only.
Our last treat was on Sunday morning, when we were served with pancakes and coffee at Gantheaume Point on the beach with James and his family. A truly wonderful time was had by all, topped off by a dip in the ocean, to cool off in the middle of the day. However, after such a lovely stay it was
Broome
Sunset Camel parade time to move on in the direction of Derby in readiness to drive through the Kimberley and into Kununurra.
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