Karratha and Millstream
As mentioned previously we enjoyed ourselves in Karratha
and found it an interesting place. There is huge development
occurring there at the moment and all of the associated trappings with that.
Life is obviously good for a lot of people up here. Many homes have a camp
trailer and boat in the front yard along with the 4wd. You can get virtually
anything in Karratha, as you can in Albany and prices aren’t that much
different. Will loved the caravan park which was next to an amazing BMX track, he had about
an hour strutting his stuff with local club members. He is keen to return for the Pilbara championships
this weekend. The gas plants at Dampier
are massive and we went out there at night and they are like a city lit up.
Unbelievably there is rock art very near the gas plants and reasonably easy to find.
Chasing an ore train on the road to Millstream
Millstream is a place everyone should visit at some stage in
their life. In an arid environment this upwelling of underground springs fills
the Fortescue River and creates an oasis. We took a day trip out there, about
140km from Karratha. We followed the railway access road and saw lots of very
long trains 3+km long and carrying up to
300 carriages of iron ore. We swam at Deep pool, which is 14m deep and did the
homestead walk which retraces the steps of a 12 year old boy living there in
the 1930s. It is an absolute oasis with some beautiful ponds, streams and
vegetation. Later on we went to Crossing Pool and cooled off in some
rapids/rock pools which were beautiful and lots of fun.
Old man Croc Attacks at Millstream
Millstream Homestead
Pool near Homestead
Fun in the pools
Happy Birthday Kurt
Want to buy a car?
A cake cooked in a Weber Q. Chrissy can cook anything.
Fish and Chips at Point Samson
Kurt turned 10 today and woke early to open his presents
which included a Red Dog T-shirt and DVD. We left Karratha for a free camp but
ended up at Point Samson for fish and chips and then an overnight stop at the
Cove Caravan Park. The Fish and chips were very nice (thanks Marion Leonhardt
for the tip) and the place a very pretty spot with lots of nice beaches, walks
and reportedly good fishing.
Port Hedland is also a busy place, lots of big things to
look at and be amazed by. We ate our lunch at a park opposite the port where
we were about 150m from 300m long Ore
carriers. They take 26 hours to fill and hold $30 million dollars on iron ore
each. There are always at least 14 of
them in at Port Hedland and probably 25 along the coast. Do the maths on that!
Monster move at Wickam, a Haulpack which would weigh 200 tonnes fully loaded
After restocking supplies we headed for DeGrey River Rest
Area for the night. As we found our site we were welcomed by a mob of cattle
coming to the river for a drink. It is a beautiful spot and a relaxing night was had around the
fire and watching Red Dog under the Stars.
Will washing at DeGrey River
80 Mile Beach
We made our way to 80 Mile Beach and were blown away by it’s
vastness, it’s beauty, it’s size (300 vans) and generally just blown away by the
wind. It hardly stopped for two days but it is a nice spot, a little short on
activities if you are not into fishing or looking for shells. Lots of people
comb the beach for cowries and other ornate shells. The further you travel the
better the shells. Unfortunately the fish were not biting when we were there
but that did not stop lots of people hitting the beach at an hour before high
tide for a fish. We all loved riding our
bikes on the beach and it’s a great place for fossicking for treasures on the
beach as well.
Cycling at 80 Mile
Life is always
interesting in a park. There are lots of grey nomads escaping the winter who are usually
very friendly and much to our disappointment very few families. There are some
classic setups, especially those who are here for a while and there is no
shortage of advice on differing topics! On our row there is a Winnebago the
size of a bus towing a Prado with a dingy on top with two people living in it.
There is also a man with a big black hat who fancies himself as a singer. He
let rip with Dr Hook’s greatest hits during drinks and nibblies. Dr Hook have,
to the best of my knowledge two hits, one fast and a slow one. The problem was
the 16 in between which he knew word for word followed by his favourite country
and western mix set. The kids liked it at least.
Barn Hill
Beautiful Kimberley rocks
Will and Mario
After 80 Mile Beach we turned into the headwind for another
200km or so to Barn Hill Station. It is a park /camp ground set on a cliff over
looking the ocean. We were able to swim which was a welcome change and the
beach was interesting with few shell but lovely weathered rocks were scattered
along the beach and on the points and headlands. The kids loved riding around
and having a bit of time on the beach. On the Sunday night we enjoyed the
‘Bidyadanga Family Band” who played a mix of 60’s, R & B and the other two
types of music, country and western. They were great entertainment under the
stars. The boys found viewing points in the white gums and Will made a new
buddy from Bidyadanga, Mario.
Anything for a good view.
On the beach at Barn Hill Station
Anything for a good view.
On the beach at Barn Hill Station
Next morning Kurt and myself headed off for a morning fish. After an hour of nothing, an explosion of baitfish saw me connected to an unidentified turbo charged, nitro injected underwater creature that headed north west and that was the end of that.
Next - Broome and Cape Leveque
Regards to everyone at home especially the Year 1, 4,5 and 6 classes at school.
Apologies to any Dr Hook fans, especially Fitzy.
Apologies to any Dr Hook fans, especially Fitzy.
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