Karajini Day 22

Friday 24^th August

It was organised that we would leave camp at 7:00am to get to Dales Gorge, we arrived there at 7:45am and the road was very dusty today with the dust hanging.

We had to get down some steep rock steps to get to the bottom of the gorge once down it was all level working everyone went into Dales gorge and took photos and sat for awhile.  Now of to Fortescue falls and then to Fern Pool.

Some of the group had a swim in Fern Pool and under the falls which was a bit cold to start with once in was not too bad.

Everyone clambered back up to the top of the gorge ready to have some lunch which was well earned.  Kerry found a picnic area for us to all sit and eat out lunch.

Now back to the visitors centre for the rest of the group to have a look.   Then onto Kalamina gorge to see what this is like.  We only had a little walk as it was another 3hr walk and we did not have a lot of day light hours left.

We still had Jasper & Knox lookouts to visit and the day was getting very late.  So a quick visit to both and back to camp as it is now 4:30pm.  When we arrived there Paul had to take out the window as it was now starting to fall out and a bit dangerous.

Newman – Karajini Day 21

Thursday 23^rd August  

Newman

This morning was a new day and as usual I am awake at 4:00am can’t get used to this WA time yet.

We pulled out of the car park at 7:00am to get some fuel as we were Paul found a glazier to ask if he could do anything about our window no luck.  After that we met everyone up on Radio Hill lookout which was great.

At 8:00am when everything opened Paul raced into the hardware shop to see what he could get if the window fell out and came back with some strong plastic.  I went into Woolworth which did not open till then as well and grab some contact so we could put it on the window to give it a bit more strength.

Corie

We met everyone at the information centre and we decided to do a mine tour which was well worth doing and it went from 9:30am to 11:00am.

Now time to grab some lunch Carl had to wait in Newman with Stan 1:00pm.  Some of the group started out for Karajini and some stayed behind.

Along the road we came across 2 very big trucks caring mining trucks which blocked the road for some time.  We arrived into the National Park and went straight to the visitors centre to see where everything is.

Took a drive down to Dales gorge to check it out and from the top looked great.

That night we sat around after tea to find out who would be lucky enough to get the shackle tonight.  It was Carl again as he made 2 wrong turns to get to the lookout in Newman.

Port Hedland – Newman Day 20

Wednesday 22^nd August 

 Everyone was ready to leave right on 7:00am as we have a long day and most of it is on dirt.  We have developed a small problem with the cover of our camper Spoke to Grant at Complete Campsite this morning and I think he might have solved our dilemma we will give it a go when we stop tonight.

 Arrived in Marble Bar and up to the water tower too look at the view from a great height.  Drove out to marble bar pool had a walk around the rock as they had jasper in them beautiful colour.

Jasper Rock

Now onto Chinaman pool for morning tea.  We went back into town for some photos and an ice cream.  Now we are on the dirt road until Newman. So we had a far gap between us and Pete (leader).  We are tail end Charlie.

We had been on dirt for some time and over the radio came “we have a blow out in our tyre”.  This was Stan it took awhile to change his tyre with 3 boys doing all things you have to do changing tyres.

Stan's Tyre

Back on road and it is now 2:00pm and everything was going fine until a car passed very fast and must have flicked up a stone and broke our window on the driver’s side.  It went off with a bang and shattered into little pieces.   Lucky it did not fall out and we hoped out and taped it up with gaffer tape so we could get into Newman with a window still in.

Coming into Newman we rang around trying to get someone to fix the window with no luck.

The caravan park did not have us booked in and there was no more room so half of us had to set up camp in the car park and we were charged to use the amenities.

Carl received the shackle tonight for setting of his car alarm at 5:00am and woke everyone up.

Broome – Port Hedland Day 19

 Tuesday 21^st August

This morning I heard people moving around about 4:30am so at 5:00am I thought I would get up and go and have a shower ready for today’s travelling.

Everyone was ready by 7:00am and that is the time Ian had set to pull out of the park.

Little Ian was in the lead today and Pete was tail end Charlie everyone else slotted in between.

A couple of hours (10:00am) down the road we pulled into Sandfire roadhouse for people to fill up their car and have a toilet stop.

Now back on the road after 3/4hr stop and it was very hot in the sun there.

It is now about 3 hrs to Port Hedland we should make it by 2:00pm we will stay there the night.

Broome Day 18

Monday 20^th August 

 The night before everyone had a bright idea to get up early 6:00am and go out to the dinosaur prints by 6:30am.  So that is what we did and we were not the only ones that had that idea it was crowed and this is when the tide was right.  We all scramble over the slippery rocks just to find 3 foot prints.

When we had finished their Paul & I took a drive around to the port to have a look how far the water had gone out.  We then drove into town to see if the visitors centre was open but no we had to go back to the park.

Our plan today was to go to the Malcolm Douglas Croc farm and it did not open until 10:00am so back into town to get a National Park Pass as we will need it once we leave here.

Now it is 10:00am and time to go to the croc farm.  It was very good and the show at 11:00am was very informative.  The day was very hot.

We had things to do this afternoon so back at camp about 12:30 for a quick lunch.

Robin & I went into town to get a few things from China town and Woolworths.

We arrived back at camp just in time to help the boy’s organise the campers and get them ready for tomorrow’s travelling.

Paul went for a swim late afternoon I put my foot in and it was too cold for me.

We had a lovely tea (chicken stir fry) before everyone gathered around for happy hour and the shackle which went to Shelley for giving the wrong rego number at the caravan parks (it is her car not fitz’s).

Tomorrow we have a big day so early to bed.

Broome Day 17

Sunday 19^th August  

 Well today was our Horizontal Waterfall tour and we have had this booked for about 18months so we are really looking forward to this and hope it will be a good day.

Some of our group had to leave at 5:25 and fly up to the waterfalls, and we were on the bus which left the caravan park at 5:35am and on time.

Once on the bus (truck) it was a bumpy on ride to Beagle Bay which has a lovely Cathlic Church so we had a quick stop and coffee and tea.

Next stop was Cape Leque which was about 1hr up the road; there we had breakfast which was cereal, toast, pastries, tea & coffee great food.  After that the bus drove us onto the beach for a look around which was great and the colour of the rock were so red.

Now back in the bus and onto One Arm Point for a look at some tanks with fish and turtles and lots of other waster creatures.

Now it was time to swap with the others they will be getting on the bus and we will be getting the plane out to the falls.

What a great plane ride the scenery was fantastic and we landed on the water what a great thing that was.

Once on the barge it was time to go through the falls on the fast boats which was awesome and lots of photos where being taken and videos as well.

When we came back to the barge it was time to swim in the shark’s cage and they fed the sharks while we floated around in there.  It was a bit cold as we got in but warmed up after a few minutes.

Lunch is ready now and it was barramundi & salad which was very nice.

People coming and going by plane all the time we were there.  So now it was time to have a look around all the bays before he took us through the falls a few more times which was very exciting.

While we were waiting for our plane a helicopter landed on top of the boats and a basketball player (Luke Longlee ) stepped out and once down on the deck let us take photo with him which was another exciting thing for the day.

Luke Longlee (Basket Ball player)

Now our plane was here and it was 1hr flight back to Broome and the scenery from the plane home was fantastic.  The bus delivered us back to the park and now it was 5:00pm what a long but great day.

Early night had by all as everyone was exhausted and we did not have much for dinner as we did not need it after they looked after us like kings.

 Well today was just another exciting day on our trip and if you ever come up this way it is the trip you must do.

Broome Day 16

Saturday 18^th August  

 We are waking up to another day in paradise and ready to do more sightseeing.

We thought we would go and see the dinosaur prints in the rock near the light house this morning.  When we arrived there the tide was too high to see them we had a bit of a look around anyway.

After we left there we found a red dirt track to drive on and it took us to the port.  As we got out of our cars McKinley’s & Bamforth’s just arrived so we waited for them and walked out along the jetty with them.

The boy’s dropped Robin and me into town as they wanted to go and have a fish.

Robin and I walked around the markets for a short time (nothing to buy).  We went into China Town to see if we could find somewhere for dinner with no luck.  So off to the visitors centre to get some ideas from them.  We found a place rang and made a booking.

Kerry found us by then so we looked in the pearl shop for awhile.  Now it was time to go to Woolworths to purchase a cake for Fitz’y for his birthday.  We looked at some of the other shops while we were there and found the Giggenbach’s.

Back at camp we had showers as tonight was our camel ride along cable beach and we thought the camels would like clean and good smelling people riding them.

We had to be there by 4:30pm to get onto the camels so we all made the drive from the park into cable beach.  It was a bit of a nightmare to get on the beach as there was only one road in and out and cars going both ways were not real successful and way we all got there safely.

Our ride on the camel was so good and everyone seems to enjoy the experience and the sunset was fantastic.

Our dinner was booked for Zambles and it was a good restraint and a lovely dinner.  When we came back to camp we had cake and a cup of tea then to bed as we had an early start the next day.

Broome Day 15

Friday 17^th August 

We are waiting for the rest of the crew today so we can look around as they will not be here until lunch time.

So Robin, Pete, Paul & I walked around China town looking at all the lovely Pearls and all the photo shops with all the great prints.  Would love to buy one but unable to put it somewhere without it getting wrecked by the time we arrived home.

The others arrived after lunch and all set up to have a few days relaxing in Broome.

In the afternoon we went for a swim in the pool which was very cold, after a little while in there the water was quite good.

Happy hour in the night and I think we were very noise.

Derby – Broome Day 14

Thursday 16^th August 

We thought we would not leave early today but as usual we were up and about and left the park at 8:00am to make our journey down to Broome we should meet up with some of the others today at some stage.

We had a good run in the car to Broome and the weather is getting much hotter now.  It is 10:30am so we went straight to the caravan park.  The others had not arrived as yet so I went and did my washing.

After lunch at McDonalds we went for a drive around town to see what was there.   We drove onto the beach to have a look around.

About 3pm all the other were starting to arrive so after they had set up I took Robin down to Woolworths to pick up a few bits and pieces.

That night we sat around had a few drinks.

Windjana – Derby Day 13

Wednesday 15^th August 

 We decided to go into Derby today so we left camp about 8:30am and headed off.  On the way there were a lot of birds flying in front of our car.  Still have not got Paul to stop so I can take a photo of a Wedge Tail Eagle yet if I don’t get one I will probably have to Google a picture before the end of the trip.

We are now in Derby and it 10:30 we thought it might be too early to book into the park so we went for a drive to the jetty and then found the new visitors centre and had a look in there for awhile.  After that we went to the caravan park and it did not seem a problem to book in and set up camp.

It is now about midday so we decided to go for a walk around town and check it out we had been here 3 years ago not sure we took a walk down the main street then.

Went and did a quick shop for some groceries at Woolworths.  Back at the park we had a walk around to see what was there and found a Matrix van we have been keen on, also another complete campsite Uluru has just pulled in so I had a chat to them for awhile.

Around 5:00 was the best time to see the sunset at the jetty so we made our way there, saw some locals catching crabs, and other things.

As the sun went down it was great got some good photos and spoke to some other travellers who were doing the same thing.

We decided to have fish & Chips for dinner as the park owner directed us to the Windmill Cafe and it was very nice.

Tonight was a late night for I think we went to bed after 9:30pm it was a nice warm night.

Windjana Day 12

Tuesday 14^th  August  

Woke up as the sun was rising as we decided to go for a walk in the gorge today not sure how far until we  get to the day are and look at the board.

It is now 8:00am and it is a 7k return walk and the sun is a blazing and getting very worm.

The entrance is narrow with a few rock steps, once in and through the rock it opens up and very sandy, as we are walking along we noticed a few fresh water crocs lying in the sun on the other side of the bank thank god.

Arrive at the end of the trail and headed back we only got a little way and we came across some new Zealanders making a cup of tea in a little billy on a very small burner so we had a chat to them for awhile. Not a bad idea.

We arrived back at camp about 10:30am Paul had left me as I was still taking some important photos and enjoy the birds I found and looking at more crocs which had found their way to the edge of the water.

I was a relaxing day as we sat around under the shady trees the only thing we had to put up with was some idiot with his generator which ran all day not sure why, Paul thinks he was using it for his fridge.

Around lunch time a small group of aboriginal women set up camp near us and then left.  During the day moor arrived set up more camps.  There was a camp across the road from us of uni students lectures and the guy we spoke to was from Perth Museum and the aboriginal women where there to take the young uni ladies out on Women’s business and talk about plants.

They women had a lovely Barramundi dinner as they cooked them whole on the fire and they smelt good Paul was hoping for an invitation to sample the fish..

Bungles Bungles

Pete, Robin, Stan & Noelene at the Bungles

Larrawa Station – Windjana Day 11

Monday 13^th August 

 This morning we decided to take a walk to the creek as the owner said we might see the camel and donkey in the paddocks there (no we did not see them).

Left the station around 9:00am and headed for Fitzroy Crossing.  The scenery was changing all the time.  We arrived there about 10:50am and fill up with fuel, went to the IGA which is new found our way out of town to make our way to the turnoff to Windjana.

Paul aired down after we had turn off the main road so we could tackle this dirt road it is now 11:50.

Now we are at tunnel creek and the time is 1:00 so we decided to have a quick lunch before heading into the creek.

We got a big surprise as it had a lot more water than when we were here 3 years ago some of it was up to our thighs so we had to be careful not to fall in.

After walking to the end and back taking photos along the way we got back to the car at 2:45.

It was not far up to Windjana and we got stuck behind a big caravan which was travelling very slowly, also a couple of graders where making the road nice and smooth for us, once past the caravan we arrived at Windjana about 3:30pm.

Found our spot unfortunately not far from a couple that ran there generator all afternoon and into the night (hopefully they will turn it off at 8:00 when they are supposed to).

Relaxing afternoon sitting around catching up on my blog so I will be able to post it as soon as I have reception.

We will not be going to bed early tonight as I don’t want to wake up at 12:00pm tonight thinking it is morning.

West of Rabbit Flat – Larrawa Station Day 10

Sunday 12^th August 

 Well this morning we wanted to get an early start and we did 7:00am, it was still dark when we got up.  Just as we left camp the sun was creeping up in the east.  Pete had to burn his thongs as they were soiled.

We had a good run made it to the border by 9:00am.  When we got out of the car it was blowing a gale and very cold (I wish this wind would go). Everyone took photos and jumped back in their cars to go again.  

The road was still very good and lots of traffic going the other way, some had big vans behind them and travelling quite fast.

We could not believe it we arrived in Wolf Creek right on 10:00am what about that timing.  We had planned to stay there the night but after our walk and nearly getting blown away we all decided to move on.

Once in at Halls Creek the usual chaos getting fuel it is now 2:00pm, a quick visit to the visitors centre and the Jacobs, Kynoch & Farrugia’s headed north to the bungles and Budd’s headed south not sure where we would end up for the night.

About 150ks south we found a Larrawa station to spend the night.  Nice place the owner came and welcomed us and the other couple that arrived just before us.  She filled us in on the showers and a few walks they had on the property.  Once set up and after a quick shower we headed up to the sunset viewing are and that was fantastic.

We had dinner and at 7:30pm Paul decided it was time for bed what a long night and the rooster decided he was awake at 2:00am and crowed all night think he has his timing mixed up.