Julia Woolgar: 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

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.