The Long Drive,Barradale Rest Area to Exmouth, Cape Range N.P

Oct 27

I decided to make my way up to Exmouth and have a look at Cape-Range National Park I had a night stop on the way just before the N.P as no camping is aloud other than designated camp sites. 

Near Exmouth

My night stop

Oct 28 

Exmoor was very quite as Friday  was a holiday, the Queens birthday. Filled up with water and diesel. The information center was closed with a sign saying all camp sites are Full, oh well that is not to be. I drove up to the boat ramp it is an annual fishing competition to day and I got talking to a woman mind you this was 7.30am and they were waiting for the tide to be right to launch they boat. The woman said there is a camp up there, if you go now you might get in, so I made a hasty retreat.

Exmouth Boat ramp

Drove straight to the rangers office and yes I was in luck I booked in for three nights at the seniors rate $5 a night I was in heaven what a beautiful place right on the sea front under the shade of a tree the sand is  clean and golden white with a cool breeze blowing although sometimes the wind gets up a knot or two. I set up camp and fortunately I have a few provisions. In the evening we had what is called happy hour the campers meet up for a chat at 5.30 every evening if you want to.

The beach at my camp site

Happy Hour

End of Happy Hour

Oct 29

I decided to swop over my new water pump over to my old one so I would have two good ones for my shower unit one for hot and one for cold water.The old one was making rather a lot of funny noises which did not matter much if it went west for my drinking water. This took most of the day making up brackets with what materials I had in Plod. That meant every one in camp found out that I was a Mechanic.

Oct 30

Sunday up late as my day was rather on the busy side yesterday. Davie and Stefan, rather a worried couple, came over as they had a little trouble with their motor-van, an oil leak was suspected.  I went over and had a look sorted them out as far as I could. Keen snorkeling people so I drove them to another beach and I was given lessons it was really great looking at all the beautiful fish in the water I will just have to practice not getting water in my mouth and nose. There are so many different species in between the corral reefs it really is amazing and so very close to the shore.

 Stephanie & Davie

Taken just off the beach

Just on the beach

I have booked in to stay here for a week I might even stay for the maximum of 28 days.

The Long Drive Tom Price to Beasley rest area and Barradale Rest Area

Oct 24

Driving through Karijini N.P

I went in to Tom Price and there are many improvements going on, well kept lawns and for once the information center was very helpful the photos of Karijini N.P were quite exceptional and I was able to get a senior concession as well. I went to fill up with Diesel in the Shell garage I was talking to a woman about the N.P and she was telling me that to see the falls properly you will have to walk up and down many steps as well as just a lot of walking.

Just as the other people said quite exhausting, I was thinking about the park and camping for two nights at Karijini N.P driving out of the garage my rear wheel went over a curb and down Plod went in a hole and damaged my rear fender. There was no bollard or cone or railings at all to show the danger, I complained not that that did any good. That was the end of my trip to the N.P. as I was very miffed I went straight round to the ironmongers and brought a fiber glass kit and put back the missing pice that had broken off at my night spot.

R.I.P Look Out

Tom Price Bus Shelter

The first stage of repairing Plod

Oct 25

Finishing off my repair far as possible I did not buy any filler. I made tracks to Paraburdoo and met up with the Chinese girls and Jacob having a coffee in the day park.They had been in the N.P Jacob reckoned his car went through its paces.  Although they said it really was spectacular. We talked about free overnight camp site’s and gave them some valid pointers.

On the road to Paraburdoo

Paraburdoo 

Paraburdoo

I left to buy a few provisions and arriving at my intended night spot Beasley Rest Area was again our lovely friends. They moved on another 200 Km. They are on there way to Exmouth. I might venture up there who knows.

Nanutarra Wittenoom Road

Nanutarra Wittenoom Road

Two Chinese girls and Jacob. We meet again

Oct 26

Comfortably resting; getting over my mishap, watching the birds walking around eating little insects and calling out and showing off, must be the mating season.

I had a leisurely drive to Barradale Rest Area Yannarie River (on the North West Coastal Highway) all dried up just as most off the other rivers are. Scenery not much to report the usual small trees and red stony ground it is a wonder how anything ever grows. No rain at all. sometimes there is a heavy dew, the rainy season is due about now (November) and then everything gets flooded.

The Long Drive; Port Hedland,To Bea Bea Creek, Albert Tognolini Rest Area Northern Highway

Oct 22

Up early as usual said bye to all the campers that were awake, most of them, apart from Jim and Jan.

Plod went steaming along to Port Hedland the scenery was not that interesting rather flat, much better just before I got in to Port Hedland more rocks and much greenery as well.

Filled up with water Petrol and Diesel thank goodness a little cheaper here. A trip to Woolworth's for bread and such like. Drove up to the harbor and I got chatting to some locals and gave me a few pointers. I rather liked the place, an industrial mining town, very busy with people working and fishing out to sea in there small crafts, and yet a peaceful place. I went mad and brought a set of CDs to listen to in Plod.

Port Hedland

Port Hedland

Port Hedland

I did not make my intended night stop as I was enjoying my time in Port Hedland still I have plenty of time left. I stopped at  Bea Bea Creek.

Bea Bea Creek night stop

Oct 23

A short drive to day as I rather liked Albert Tognolini Rest Area my intended stop of last night and the best site so far as scenery is concerned although not much shade, I was on a ridge and I had a breeze blowing. The Karljini National Park is not that far away so I will have more time to explore the park tomorrow, before heading off to Tom Price. A fee is required to enter this park and it is the second largest in WA.

Road Train Northern Highway

Great Northern Highway

Great Northern Highway taken from my night stop

A slight change of plan talking to some people that had just got back from the NP told me that the roads were the worst that they had travel on in there four month adventure around Australia and it quite frankly spoilt their day. I made an executive decision not to go, any way there is so much to see and do without trying to reck Plod

Albert Tognolini camp spot

Albert Tognolini camp spot

The Long Drive Broome to East of Port Headland

Oct 17

On my way back to Broome I stopped at a protesters site protesting against boring for Gas poisoning the water. I had a coffee and a chat with some of them most of them were professional people on a mission to protect the environment one woman sold her house to be able to support herself while on her mission. I was invited to stay but I had to be on my way. 

Gas Protester site

Gas Protester site

I look around Broome,  a pearling heritage, I lost count of the spectacular pearl shops in town so many and exquisite jewellery. A Japanese cemetery the largest in Australia over 900 Japanese pearl divers died from the bends or sharks trying to make their fortune while the Chinese managed the shops. You could spend much time just admiring the splendid array off different items. Time to go and park up for the night. 

Oct 18

I stayed put to day fixing my static sunshade to my windows serviced my generator oil change put a new air filter in to Plod I actually found the right one a very able storeman indeed, and I was able to get the internet a big bonus and now it is pitch black so time to say good night. Not quite; yet a skype call Dave and Vale keeping in touch and it was my birthday had to reply to a a few email as well. My son skyped me as well yesterday I thought he had forgotten about me (smile) not really, he has been very busy with his business.

Oct 19

A leisurely drive to my next port of call had a look in at Stanley Rest Area fantastic concrete base in some places I parked up and had a look underneath of Plod to check him out. I thought my shower pump had been playing up but no it was the MYM shower unit I temporary fixed it I have Hot and Cold now although difficult to regulate the temperature.

This is definitely the best night spot I have come across I have taken up much space. My last too night stops were so quiet no other travellers at all so thinking I would be on my own again, I was not cars and vans kept arriving still there are several other tables and cover way’s and if I did not take this one someone will. I looked around and every one had gone, probably stopped for a late lunch. The only draw back was no internet. I cooked up some dinner just finished and along came a motor biker Des and some other vans. I offered the biker a cup of tea and guess what he was a mechanic that is three mechanic’s I have met on this trip so far. Des camped and went around to say hi to all the other travellers on the site. Des is driving around Australia in 4 weeks and lives in Sydney. 

My camp site

My camp site

Des From Sydney

Oct 20

Having a relaxing morning I cooked some pancakes for breakfast as I had plenty of space.

Just as Des went on his way along comes Helen to say Hi then along comes Jim and Jan stopped in for lunch so I had quite an eventful day. My camera went a bit haywire every thing turned out rather on the blue side I reset the adjustments and I am hoping the camera will work properly now. 

Pancakes for breakfast

Julia 

Oct 21

Off early towards Port Hedland stopped at De Grey River 82 km from Port Hedland for lunch a good site and Helen was already camped up so I decided to stay parked up right down by the river. The trip down was uneventful filled up with diesel but forgot to top up with my water, silly me, still I have plenty of drinking water. I was thinking about getting on the internet no signal for hundreds of miles.The scenery was rather on the flat side although the beaches are supposed to be great, the only problem there is that really the only way to get on to them is stay on a caravan site. I opted for that as those little sand fly’s eat me alive no sooner I have got rid of one lot I get bitten with another lot. Jan and Jim turned in with their rig later as well. I had a drink with Helen in the evening and met up with three lovely youngsters working there way around Australia 

Helen with her dog and me 

Three lovely youngsters German boy and two Chinese

   

The Long Drive Derby to Broome

Oct 14 

I decided to leave the Quarry as I was the only one there, a little bit lonely on one's own and too hot in the day to walk around and explore. 

The Quarry Night Stop

The Quarry Night Stop

Although it was only 11 km to the main road it took me an hour, very bad corrugation's, bye bye lovely site. I am heading for Derby I stopped at Boab Rest Area and what a beautiful Boab Tree It must be the largest one on the planet.

A very large Boab Tree

I reached Derby to see The Prison Tree 1000 year old boab tree formerly used as a prison tree and the 120 m long cattle trough reputed to be the longest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Prison Boab Tree

Cattle Trough 

I went to fill up with Diesel and guess what on the pump a large sign said before you can fill up we require your driving license credit card or your keys so I went in to give them $100 for diesel may I have some diesel please, answer what is this? for diesel? all we want is your driving license? well you have the money instead? you might have more than $100? no I won't a customer butted in to cut a long story short she gave me back my $100 I filed up and then went in to pay with $60.54, reason, we haven't got a camera at that pump. I asked the way to the beach, answer it is muddy up there, have you got a map? There is a map on the wall, well have you got any then? Then she gave me one. What a palaver. I drove to Derby Jetty and I was in luck the tide was in, I was in heaven a magnificent cool breeze was present. I was promptly asked if I would like to share some dinner with two young woman age 20 and 24 Kathariud and Sabriua it will only go to waste if you do not eat it, as we have not got a fridge, I was promptly given a chair to sit on, such lovely manners they had. The usually topic was about camp sites and where to stay.I gave them some iced water which was very much appreciated. Derby has the highest tides in Australia 12 m, can be seen from the jetty.

 Kathariud and Sabriua

Derby Jetty

I left rather on the late side as I had one hour to travel before my night stop and it is dark at 6pm. In Derby you are not allowed to camp within about 40 km, of the town.  A sign is promptly placed, which says we will take your number plate and you will be fined.

Oct 15

Arrived in Bloome a very well kept town no camping again but then I can understand the relevance of that. I looked around a couple of camp sits but gosh so crowded and tightly backed in not for me. Helen was in a site but rather expensive. Being beside a beach with a cool breeze blowing was rather inviting so I headed off to free camping by the sea bush camping. I had to drive on a dirt track some 45 km I gave it a go, although looked very rough.  I could travel an average speed of 30 km, expecting a largish space to park on with a few other campers I arrived to find not quite what I was hoping. Nnever mind it will be good and quite no noisy lorries passing by in the night waking me up.

I cooked a really good kangaroo stew for supper enough for two days.

 Quandong bush camping Broome

 Quandong camping Broome

Bed time 7pm well and truly dark, well the tide came in and the waves made such a noise I could not get a wink of sleep the only good thing was that it was cool. Shall I move on? No, I will give it another night all down to experience. What “O”

Oct 16 

Lazed around, people came and went, from where who knows, somewhere in the bushes I expect.

 Quandong bush camping Broome

 Quandong Bush camping Broome

  

The Long Drive The Grotto to The Bungle Bungle’s

Oct 11

I lazed around at The Grotto until I thought I should be on my way. I dropped in at Kununurra to fill up with water and Diesel a little out of my way but then the garage was a really good one I could park up and sit in their shaded picnic area to go on to the internet. Time was passing by so on I went as I still had 300 Km to go before my night stop at  Bungle Bungle. There were many road improvements to the bridges along the way. The scenery was good, a rocky hill landscape although rather on the dry side.In places the dry grass had been burnt off and all you could see in some places was black stones and small trees making a comeback. I arrived at Turkey Creek for another fill up with Diesel I had to give them my driving license or credit card before I could top up.  Me being me, I gave them $50, I got a peculiar look and the pump stopped at $50 and that was that enough fuel for the time being. I parked up at Spring Creek opposite the entrance to the Purnululu N.P for the night a couple had just arrived back from their day trip from the Bungle Bungle and it took them 2hours to get in to the park with a good 4 wheel drive vehicle they left their caravan in the rest area hoping it would be there when they got back. In some places the road was rather rough by all accounts the woman said she did not think it worth while, particularly as it was So Hot and quite a lot of walking was required.

Oct 12

I was up really early to tackle the 50 km dirt track I started out all in good faith and reached a creek crossing about 10 km in and that took me 45 min at a speed of around 12 km

Entrance to the Bungle Bungle

River crossing on the way to the Bungle Bungle

I could have done it but then it would have taken me about 5hours to get in plus an entrance fee as well as two night’s camping fee’s on a rough dirt patch of ground. So I retreated in great disappointment. My breast were bouncing up and down from my thighs to my chin. I had to think of Plod he did not deserve all that bouncing around. I called in at the Helicopter base on the way out talked to a couple of guys, closed down for the season. Anyway a 10 min flight would have cost me $300. I decided to stop at Leycesters Rest-Ord River for breakfast a reasonable site only a few Km down the road I stayed the rest of the day. I met a really great Spanish couple and they invited me for dinner candles beer and wine we had a fantastic time talking about this and that, such generous people

Vicente andVillanheva

Oct 13

Up early again as it is the best time of day, I left by 5.30am. Stopped off at Halls Creek filled up with Diesel. I asked to fill up with water at the garage; sorry we have a water restriction in town, I would help if I can but I can’t, if you go to the information center they will let you have some. May I have some water please how much do you want just a can full, yes you can I was given the key to the water tap? I asked if there is a water restriction why is everyone watering the lawns, “OH” was the answer, we have to water the gardens. (it was grass) The scenery was fairly flat on the Northern Highway. I stopped at Mary Pool (Mary River) a rather good place to stop I cooked up some lunch and went on my way it was too early to stop for the night and more to the point too hot.

Northern Highway

Northern Highway

Mary Pool (Mary River)

I plodded along looking at the scenery with interest, it was flat and rocky.

Northern Highway

Northern Highway

Fitzroy Crossing on the Bridge

I arrived at Fitzroy Crossing and driving over the Fitzroy River one side we had Aboriginal people swimming and the other side was like a lake.

Fitzroy Crossing on the Bridge

I re-fueled and went to have a look at Gelikie Gorge a 22 km drive on a tarmac road. An hour boat trip down the Gorge was leaving at 3pm, a very fair price, so I opted to go, a bit late in the day as it is dark at 6pm and I had to get to my night place. I had a very relaxing boat trip, the talk was very interesting.

Gelikie Gorge boat trip

Gelike Gorge boat trip

 I decided to go to a RAAF Boab Quarry at Leopold Downs 11 km on a dirt road as my plan was to drive up to Windjana Gorge just off the Gibb River Road. Again the road was not in that good repair 15 to 20 km at the most, and Plod was complaining that his cupboards might become unhinged. My night stop felt a bit creepy at my arrival, but then I knew I would be fine. A large wonderful place to camp if you are with family or friends quite peaceful and interesting.

RAAF Boab Quarry night spot

RAAF Boab Quarry Night Spot