I am trying to catch up on what has been missed! Having to good a time to be thinking about the blog.
Use the navigation on the left to read the days in order.
Will update more tomorrow......
Monday, September 22, 2008
Karratha to Nanutarra Roadhouse
Even though we were awake early this morning due to the constant flow of four wheel drives clunking over the speed hump on the road at the front of the van, it was no rush as we had a relatively short travel day and were only heading for a roadhouse that had little or no attraction, just a place to break the journey and have a sleep.
There was of course the dilemma of finding a new kitchen plug to replace the one that had been lost the day before and what a challenge it turned out to be. Three hardware stores and a plumbing store later and I still had no plug. I was told by a couple of these places that they had run out some time ago but had never bothered to replace them, even though others had been in and asked for them.
A surprising fact is that there are no caravan or camping stores that I could find and so I had to think of an alternative, but with no luck. At my last store, a plumbing supplier, they suggested I try the local boat store as they might have one. Guess what, they did and so I bought two so that we had a spare and hopefully avoid any further emergencies of this nature. Finally I could return with the prize in hand.
After breakfast and slowly packing up, it was in the car and off to our destination for the day, Nanutarra Roadhouse. This all occurred after taking twenty minutes to get the refund back on the gate key, which was actually never used as the system was broken. We were then on our way.
Not a really exciting road today, stopped on the side of the road for lunch, but it still amazes me how it is flat for along time then all of a sudden you are in the middle of rocks or a mountain range. This is a country of many different terrains that we are lucky enough to be experiencing.
After setting up at the roadhouse, where everything was twice the price of everywhere else we sat back and relaxed. Little did we know that about one hundred metres away was a very attractive river setting We went for a walk over the bridge and saw the rocks water reflections making for a pleasant place to sit for a while.
There was of course the dilemma of finding a new kitchen plug to replace the one that had been lost the day before and what a challenge it turned out to be. Three hardware stores and a plumbing store later and I still had no plug. I was told by a couple of these places that they had run out some time ago but had never bothered to replace them, even though others had been in and asked for them.
A surprising fact is that there are no caravan or camping stores that I could find and so I had to think of an alternative, but with no luck. At my last store, a plumbing supplier, they suggested I try the local boat store as they might have one. Guess what, they did and so I bought two so that we had a spare and hopefully avoid any further emergencies of this nature. Finally I could return with the prize in hand.
After breakfast and slowly packing up, it was in the car and off to our destination for the day, Nanutarra Roadhouse. This all occurred after taking twenty minutes to get the refund back on the gate key, which was actually never used as the system was broken. We were then on our way.
Not a really exciting road today, stopped on the side of the road for lunch, but it still amazes me how it is flat for along time then all of a sudden you are in the middle of rocks or a mountain range. This is a country of many different terrains that we are lucky enough to be experiencing.
After setting up at the roadhouse, where everything was twice the price of everywhere else we sat back and relaxed. Little did we know that about one hundred metres away was a very attractive river setting We went for a walk over the bridge and saw the rocks water reflections making for a pleasant place to sit for a while.
Whim Creek to Karratha
We were up fairly early and so headed off to Karratha for the night. We passed through Roebourne, an old historic town, but true to form kept on going till we reached our destination. This is a mind set we need to change to make sure we stop and look at things along the way.
We arrived in Karratha by mid morning and so went to the supermarket for morning tea and to do some shopping for the supplies required. We then headed off to the Caravan Park where we set up and had lunch.
I headed off to the Visitor Centre to find out what were the must do’s of the area and so we headed off to see the highlights.
It was off to Dampier, an absolute thrill for Cathy! We saw the big trains dropping off the raw materials, iron ore, that were then transferred to a ship and sent overseas to be processed. Of course we then buy back the finished product at a premium.
We had a drive around Dampier, a very industrial port that sends much of the mined products overseas.
It was very interesting to see the LNG plant where gas is brought in from the ocean bed, frozen and then sent to many Asian countries for the gas supplies. Each vessel that leaves sails with about ten million dollars worth of gas aboard that earns Australia foreign income. We went to see a display that talked about this process, another highlight for Cathy that was actually very interesting as it explained the process from under the ground to the arrival in the overseas ports.
We returned via Hearsons Cove, the location for tonight’s ‘Staircase to the Moon’ and made sure we knew where to go when we returned. After a quick walk along the beach and a splash in the water, we returned to the van for tea.
After tea we had a major emergency, well according to one of the travelling party anyway. We lost the kitchen sink plug! Oh dear what a tragedy! A simple trip to the tiny camp kitchen solved this problem and all dishes were washed and returned to the cupboards clean.
After this we headed off to Hearsons Cove to see the famous ‘Staircase to the Moon’, a phenomenon that only occurs three nights a month when all of the conditions are right. We had been advised that it should occur about 7:50pm and so we made sure we were there in plenty of time.
We sat and waited for what seemed a very long time and eventually the moon rose over the horizon and the reflection on the mudflats created the staircase. Something worth seeing once, but not something I would go out of my way to see again, a little overrated for me but the others seemed to enjoy it.
It was then back to the van for a goodnights sleep.
We arrived in Karratha by mid morning and so went to the supermarket for morning tea and to do some shopping for the supplies required. We then headed off to the Caravan Park where we set up and had lunch.
I headed off to the Visitor Centre to find out what were the must do’s of the area and so we headed off to see the highlights.
It was off to Dampier, an absolute thrill for Cathy! We saw the big trains dropping off the raw materials, iron ore, that were then transferred to a ship and sent overseas to be processed. Of course we then buy back the finished product at a premium.
We had a drive around Dampier, a very industrial port that sends much of the mined products overseas.
It was very interesting to see the LNG plant where gas is brought in from the ocean bed, frozen and then sent to many Asian countries for the gas supplies. Each vessel that leaves sails with about ten million dollars worth of gas aboard that earns Australia foreign income. We went to see a display that talked about this process, another highlight for Cathy that was actually very interesting as it explained the process from under the ground to the arrival in the overseas ports.
We returned via Hearsons Cove, the location for tonight’s ‘Staircase to the Moon’ and made sure we knew where to go when we returned. After a quick walk along the beach and a splash in the water, we returned to the van for tea.After tea we had a major emergency, well according to one of the travelling party anyway. We lost the kitchen sink plug! Oh dear what a tragedy! A simple trip to the tiny camp kitchen solved this problem and all dishes were washed and returned to the cupboards clean.
After this we headed off to Hearsons Cove to see the famous ‘Staircase to the Moon’, a phenomenon that only occurs three nights a month when all of the conditions are right. We had been advised that it should occur about 7:50pm and so we made sure we were there in plenty of time.
We sat and waited for what seemed a very long time and eventually the moon rose over the horizon and the reflection on the mudflats created the staircase. Something worth seeing once, but not something I would go out of my way to see again, a little overrated for me but the others seemed to enjoy it.
It was then back to the van for a goodnights sleep.
Eighty Mile Beach to Whim Creek
We got up this morning with the intention of packing up and heading off to Port Hedland for a night but our plans changed as the day went.
We left the caravan park and slowly headed towards the highway along the corrugated road taking it slowly so as to make it as smooth as possible. It appears that the road was graded this morning as it does not appear to be anywhere near as rough as when we entered.
Well, what can I say, we have been to Eighty Mile Beach and are in no hurry to return there. This is most probably the first, and hopefully the last place on the trip that it feels like we could have missed and not felt disappointed. I guess that you never know until you go. But once was enough.
We headed to Port Hedland with the intention of staying there a night before heading further south. I had expected the parks to be open from now and had not prebooked and guess what, the park we wanted was full. It was a quick drive around the area and then off to South Hedland to find another caravan park. I tried ringing several times but there was no answer. When we arrived, the sign on the door said that they were at lunch and had a mobile number to ring which we did and were told to find any site. After a quick drive around, it was clear that this was not much of a park and so we quickly decided to move on.
We had lunch, Macca’s, much to the kids delight and then headed off down the highway unsure of where we would end up tonight.
We stopped at Whim Creek, an old hotel that had been demolished by a cyclone years before but had been rebuilt to its former glory. From the stories on the wall, it was a fairly famous place and a regular stop for people travelling through the area. It’s main purpose now was for the miners in the area, providing accommodation, meals and entertainment for them.
The caravan park area had to be rebuilt, and I think that they really are not concerned about this aspect anymore as they are making their money elsewhere. They did however allow people to set up in the car park area, even providing electricity if required, all for free. We were able to use the toilet and shower facilities which were very clean.
Thinking we were settling in for a quiet night, we did not realise that it was the end of shift for the miners and so they were having a party night. They work two weeks on, two weeks off on a rotating basis. They had finished the two weeks shift and so it was party time until after midnight, how lucky were we. At least the music was not bad as they played all of the golden oldies!
So after a long day, we eventually got off to sleep.
We left the caravan park and slowly headed towards the highway along the corrugated road taking it slowly so as to make it as smooth as possible. It appears that the road was graded this morning as it does not appear to be anywhere near as rough as when we entered.
Well, what can I say, we have been to Eighty Mile Beach and are in no hurry to return there. This is most probably the first, and hopefully the last place on the trip that it feels like we could have missed and not felt disappointed. I guess that you never know until you go. But once was enough.
We headed to Port Hedland with the intention of staying there a night before heading further south. I had expected the parks to be open from now and had not prebooked and guess what, the park we wanted was full. It was a quick drive around the area and then off to South Hedland to find another caravan park. I tried ringing several times but there was no answer. When we arrived, the sign on the door said that they were at lunch and had a mobile number to ring which we did and were told to find any site. After a quick drive around, it was clear that this was not much of a park and so we quickly decided to move on.
We had lunch, Macca’s, much to the kids delight and then headed off down the highway unsure of where we would end up tonight.
We stopped at Whim Creek, an old hotel that had been demolished by a cyclone years before but had been rebuilt to its former glory. From the stories on the wall, it was a fairly famous place and a regular stop for people travelling through the area. It’s main purpose now was for the miners in the area, providing accommodation, meals and entertainment for them. The caravan park area had to be rebuilt, and I think that they really are not concerned about this aspect anymore as they are making their money elsewhere. They did however allow people to set up in the car park area, even providing electricity if required, all for free. We were able to use the toilet and shower facilities which were very clean.
Thinking we were settling in for a quiet night, we did not realise that it was the end of shift for the miners and so they were having a party night. They work two weeks on, two weeks off on a rotating basis. They had finished the two weeks shift and so it was party time until after midnight, how lucky were we. At least the music was not bad as they played all of the golden oldies!So after a long day, we eventually got off to sleep.
Eighty Mile Beach
As I said there is little to do at this location apart from walk along the beach and relax. It was quite windy today and so it was not even that great sitting on the beach.There was a small market with odds and ends and bits of craft on the foreshore this morning but very little worth buying. There were only about half a dozen stalls all selling similar things. I think that some of the people in the park use this as a way of selling there knickknacks or craft to get a little extra pocket money, not such a bad idea.
Well now for the fishing, it was finally about 1.5 hours before high tide and I was ready, along with a few others to head down to the beach for a chance to fish the beach for the available two hours. You guessed it, I did not get anything, but the only consoling factor was that no-one else did either. It sounds like that they are either on the bite and a lot of fish are caught, or nothing is about, which was the way it was today.
Well as for the rest of the day, nothing happened apart from watching the water go out again and then the trek to try and reach it. A walk along the beach and not much more to do.
Oh well, I suppose this is what holidays are about!
Broome to Eighty Mile Beach
We left Broome, much to the disappointment of some, and headed off to Eighty Mile Beach for a couple of nights and a chance to do some fishing.
We stopped at Sandfire Roadhouse, a service station that had been burnt down some time ago and has not yet been rebuilt. As a result, the services available are very limited and there is no real shop to speak of and there is no opportunity to buy anything. Too bad if you had planned to buy anything, even bread here!
It was then on to Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park, our stop for the next few nights on our way south. It was an eight kilometre corrugated road, we were aware of this before arriving but were unsure of how bad, or good, it was until we started along the road. As you are unable to prebook this caravan park, it was also a gamble that we would travel in and find it was full and that we had wasted our time.
Two kilometres in, it was a case of whether to turn back or not. If we were only in for one night I would not have gone in any further, but the fact we were there for two nights meant it might be worthwhile. It was not that the road was really that bad it was just a slow and careful journey to the park.
We arrived at reception and were pleased to find that there was a powered site available for us for the next couple of nights but I was informed that I had missed the fishing for the day. As it turned out, you could basically only fish one hour before and after high tide. It was when we finally saw the beach that I understood why, the high and low tide levels were very different. Almost a kilometre we think!
After setting up in the park, which was not too bad since we were so isolated, it was time to have a walk over to the beach to see what we really had in store. The tide was about midway and so the beach actually looked quite good and so we decided to come back after lunch.
When we returned, it was about another 500 metres out and so not quite so good. Instead of walking along the beach, you had to walk out to the water a long, long way! This kind of took away from the look of the beach as it really was not a place you could swim, a little disappointing especially after Broome.
Nothing much else today, well there is not much to do at Eighty Mile Beach!
We stopped at Sandfire Roadhouse, a service station that had been burnt down some time ago and has not yet been rebuilt. As a result, the services available are very limited and there is no real shop to speak of and there is no opportunity to buy anything. Too bad if you had planned to buy anything, even bread here!
It was then on to Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park, our stop for the next few nights on our way south. It was an eight kilometre corrugated road, we were aware of this before arriving but were unsure of how bad, or good, it was until we started along the road. As you are unable to prebook this caravan park, it was also a gamble that we would travel in and find it was full and that we had wasted our time.
Two kilometres in, it was a case of whether to turn back or not. If we were only in for one night I would not have gone in any further, but the fact we were there for two nights meant it might be worthwhile. It was not that the road was really that bad it was just a slow and careful journey to the park.
We arrived at reception and were pleased to find that there was a powered site available for us for the next couple of nights but I was informed that I had missed the fishing for the day. As it turned out, you could basically only fish one hour before and after high tide. It was when we finally saw the beach that I understood why, the high and low tide levels were very different. Almost a kilometre we think!
After setting up in the park, which was not too bad since we were so isolated, it was time to have a walk over to the beach to see what we really had in store. The tide was about midway and so the beach actually looked quite good and so we decided to come back after lunch.
When we returned, it was about another 500 metres out and so not quite so good. Instead of walking along the beach, you had to walk out to the water a long, long way! This kind of took away from the look of the beach as it really was not a place you could swim, a little disappointing especially after Broome. Nothing much else today, well there is not much to do at Eighty Mile Beach!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Broome Day 3
The last day in town today so it was time to start thinking about packing and moving on. Cathy had really fallen in love with Broome and did not want to leave. As I have already said, I was pleasantly surprise with Broome and had enjoyed my time here.
After a quiet morning at the van, we headed off to the pool and beach for more swimming time and relaxed in the sunshine. It really is very tough here on holidays but someone has to do it and it might as well be us!
It would have been good to take the kids for a long ride along the beach, but because of the “Nude Republic” as Chelsea has called it, we were restricted in where we could go.
In the end we just spent the afternoon at the beach swimming and relaxing before returning to start packing for the next day.
After a quiet morning at the van, we headed off to the pool and beach for more swimming time and relaxed in the sunshine. It really is very tough here on holidays but someone has to do it and it might as well be us!
It would have been good to take the kids for a long ride along the beach, but because of the “Nude Republic” as Chelsea has called it, we were restricted in where we could go.
In the end we just spent the afternoon at the beach swimming and relaxing before returning to start packing for the next day.
Broome Day 2
When we woke, we could hear the beach calling us so Josh and I set off on our morning bike ride and rode along the beach for a while and then returned for breakfast.
We headed into town for while and had a look around the shops buying a few souvenirs and other things. We spent a while here before we had morning tea and headed back to the van before heading down to the beach for a swim.
Once we were all ready we all headed to the beach for a swim and relaxing morning on the beach. W had decided to take the car and maybe park on the beach while we had a swim but what we did not know was what we were heading for, A NUDIST BEACH! The problem was that the age of the people there was sixty and above! Not a pretty site at all. By he sounds coming from the others in the car, some squeals and gee whizzes, they were all in a state of shock and not sure where they should look. An education for all! Sorry there are no pictures that we can publish here as children are reading this blog!
We then made a quick exit and headed to the other end of the beach for a swim in a safer area. The water looked fantastic but was still very cold, it is still very surprising how cold the water is here.
We met Clive and Maria, from NMIT, this afternoon on the beach where they were relaxing in the sunshine getting a suntan. They have flown to Broome for a week to escape the Melbourne cold weather and enjoy some of the heat we have been experiencing for the last few weeks.
After a swim it was back to the van to get ready for the camel ride that everyone was looking forward to.
We arrived on the beach to find the camels all lined up and ready to go and after a briefing we were lined up beside our assigned camel ready for a ride. There are two parts to a camel ride that make it quite hard, the standing up and sitting down of the camel. If you have not done it before, it is quite a sharp jolt as the camel rises from the ground.
We had a ride for an hour as the sunset over the water. Our camels were called Cloud (mine), Jahill (Chels & Skinny) and Zarah (Cathy & Josh). It turned out that Jahill was the tallest and most fidgety of all the camels that we had and provided Chels and Skinny with some interesting moments. It wanted to overtake the camel Cathy & Josh were on and kept making noises and jumping around, quite amusing to watch.
We later went to visit Clive and Maria in their where they were staying and after a pleasant evening returned back to the van.
We headed into town for while and had a look around the shops buying a few souvenirs and other things. We spent a while here before we had morning tea and headed back to the van before heading down to the beach for a swim.
Once we were all ready we all headed to the beach for a swim and relaxing morning on the beach. W had decided to take the car and maybe park on the beach while we had a swim but what we did not know was what we were heading for, A NUDIST BEACH! The problem was that the age of the people there was sixty and above! Not a pretty site at all. By he sounds coming from the others in the car, some squeals and gee whizzes, they were all in a state of shock and not sure where they should look. An education for all! Sorry there are no pictures that we can publish here as children are reading this blog!
We then made a quick exit and headed to the other end of the beach for a swim in a safer area. The water looked fantastic but was still very cold, it is still very surprising how cold the water is here.
We met Clive and Maria, from NMIT, this afternoon on the beach where they were relaxing in the sunshine getting a suntan. They have flown to Broome for a week to escape the Melbourne cold weather and enjoy some of the heat we have been experiencing for the last few weeks.
After a swim it was back to the van to get ready for the camel ride that everyone was looking forward to.
We arrived on the beach to find the camels all lined up and ready to go and after a briefing we were lined up beside our assigned camel ready for a ride. There are two parts to a camel ride that make it quite hard, the standing up and sitting down of the camel. If you have not done it before, it is quite a sharp jolt as the camel rises from the ground.
We had a ride for an hour as the sunset over the water. Our camels were called Cloud (mine), Jahill (Chels & Skinny) and Zarah (Cathy & Josh). It turned out that Jahill was the tallest and most fidgety of all the camels that we had and provided Chels and Skinny with some interesting moments. It wanted to overtake the camel Cathy & Josh were on and kept making noises and jumping around, quite amusing to watch.We later went to visit Clive and Maria in their where they were staying and after a pleasant evening returned back to the van.
Broome Day 1
As Josh and I are early rises, we often head off for a ride or a walk for a while before returning to have breakfast. This morning was no exception and we headed off down to the beach for our ride. While we were stopped taking a photo to send to a few people, we heard someone calling Josh’s name. It turned out to be Mrs Moreland and her husband, the other lady who works in the office at the kid’s school, on their morning walk.
They were staying at another caravan park down the road, but are doing a similar trip to us. What strange places you meet people! After a chat for a while, we continued on for our ride before heading back to the van.
We eventually got moving with a drive around Broome to see the local sights. It was already mid morning and e wanted to be back for lunch and so it was going to be quick. None of us had been to Broome before and so it was all new territory for us.
We drove around to Ganthaeume Point, a place with amazing rock formations that meet the ocean. One thing that has really amazed us is the red soil, now when I say red, I mean red. I think it is even redder than the soil in the centre of Australia and what even makes it more amazing is that it finishes at the sand dunes, and turns to bright white sand.
We looked out to the ocean and surrounding areas from here and wondered around the rock formations for a little while.
We then followed a dirt road around the point and ended up at the wharf area and went for a walk along the jetty to see the boats that were in port. This was a customs controlled area and so we were not allowed to get too close to them. The water was still that amazing blur colour.
We had intended to head into town, but due to the late time, we returned back to the caravan park for lunch as we had promised Josh a swim, either at the pool or the beach.
After swimming in the pool for a while, we headed for the beach to have a swim in the water. It was still colder than expected but you still had to go in anyway. The water was an amazing colour and a pleasure to look at. After a swim, Chels and Josh decided to cover themselves in sand before having another swim to wash it all off.
We had decided to do the camel ride one night and fish and chips on the beach the other night. Due to the camels being booked out tonight, there was no decision to be made and it was planning for a meal on the beach.
We packed the chairs and table into the back of the car, rang and ordered the fish and chips and then headed for the beach. After collecting the fish and chips, we along with many others, drove the car onto the beach, set ourselves up and then had tea while the sunset over the water. Cathy had to go and buy some wine glasses, some Maison and juice for Josh so that we could all sit and pretend that were sitting sipping wine on the beach. What a very pleasant way to spend an evening! Chels & Josh even put on a show for us while we were there.
They were staying at another caravan park down the road, but are doing a similar trip to us. What strange places you meet people! After a chat for a while, we continued on for our ride before heading back to the van.
We eventually got moving with a drive around Broome to see the local sights. It was already mid morning and e wanted to be back for lunch and so it was going to be quick. None of us had been to Broome before and so it was all new territory for us.
We drove around to Ganthaeume Point, a place with amazing rock formations that meet the ocean. One thing that has really amazed us is the red soil, now when I say red, I mean red. I think it is even redder than the soil in the centre of Australia and what even makes it more amazing is that it finishes at the sand dunes, and turns to bright white sand.We looked out to the ocean and surrounding areas from here and wondered around the rock formations for a little while.
We then followed a dirt road around the point and ended up at the wharf area and went for a walk along the jetty to see the boats that were in port. This was a customs controlled area and so we were not allowed to get too close to them. The water was still that amazing blur colour.
We had intended to head into town, but due to the late time, we returned back to the caravan park for lunch as we had promised Josh a swim, either at the pool or the beach.
After swimming in the pool for a while, we headed for the beach to have a swim in the water. It was still colder than expected but you still had to go in anyway. The water was an amazing colour and a pleasure to look at. After a swim, Chels and Josh decided to cover themselves in sand before having another swim to wash it all off.
We had decided to do the camel ride one night and fish and chips on the beach the other night. Due to the camels being booked out tonight, there was no decision to be made and it was planning for a meal on the beach.
We packed the chairs and table into the back of the car, rang and ordered the fish and chips and then headed for the beach. After collecting the fish and chips, we along with many others, drove the car onto the beach, set ourselves up and then had tea while the sunset over the water. Cathy had to go and buy some wine glasses, some Maison and juice for Josh so that we could all sit and pretend that were sitting sipping wine on the beach. What a very pleasant way to spend an evening! Chels & Josh even put on a show for us while we were there.
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