PORT HEDLAND

Morning cuppa at Karajini

We left Karijini very early in the morning, and set our tracks to Port Hedland. There were many interesting rock formations coming into Port Hedland and of course wild flower opportunities in abundance.

Colors are lovely

Nearing Pt Hedland

I will do a part 2 of Wild Flowers for anyone interested in these spectacular flowers/ plants.

Approaching Port Hedland brought back quite a few memories of my working days here at the Regional hospital.  Also of going out to Sherlock Station past Whim Creek. One day we will revisit if the owner agrees.

Setting up at Cooke Point

We stayed at the Cooke Point caravan park which was very nice and comfortable, and had fabulous cooking facilities in the camp kitchen which later that night Lizzy used to cook up yet another Master chef winning spaghetti meatball gourmet. She called it Lizzys meatball madness.

 As we were parked right next to a children's playground area, I took out our little metal detector and within 10 minutes had found 3 very old $2 coins, a rusty nail and a rusty tent peg. It was a profitable 10 minutes and I’m sure Jonno would be very proud of his mum.

Rusty nail in the kids playground

We also met a couple from Victoria who were a wealth of information about the places where we are yet to travel to. After 8 years of travelling they were happy to tell us the good, the bad and the ugly about places in the North West. Whilst on a short drive around the coast of Port Hedland we saw that the tides were so far out that there was not much of a beach anywhere.

Tidal creek at the back of the park.

By the way there is no white beach sand in Hedland, only brown dirt. There is a cute statue of a kangaroo and joey.

Kangaroo loved Lizzy..

Salt mine

The salt mine is also still there. Thought Jonno and Sarelle would like to see it one more time.. The lights over Hedland at night are also very pretty.

Nightlights

So off to bed for an early morning start on our way to Broome tomorrow, with a trek of 600 kms.

Cya soon

Goodnight to all, and especially to all of our little grandchildren.. Heath, Summer, Rylee, Connor, Luarna, Georgia, Thomas & Isabella.

John, Son & Lizzy xx. (Nana and grandad)

KARIJINI

From Tom Price, its just a short drive of 50 or so kilometres to the Karijini National Park visitor centre. We  were however a bit worried as we had come across three lots of tourists stranded at the Tom Price caravan park, due to mechanical problems, whilst travelling to Karijini. The visitor centre is set in the middle of the park, run by the local aboriginal community. It contains many interesting facts and information, as well as the many tourist souvenirs and gifts to purchase. We were lucky enough to be given an “Outback Survival Pack” which contained a variety of useful things. 

 We set off for Dales Campground, just a few km’s down the road from the centre. We were allocated a nice quiet caravan bay, number 86# in the Euro loop.

Bay 86 in the bush.

 This campground has no power or water, is all gravel but luckily it has toilets, even though they are the "drop" variety they are cleaned every day.. The whole campground had 100 bays and by mid- afternoon most were taken. It is quite busy out there and almost like a little town centre!   After setting up we made our way to the Dales Gorge. The lookouts allowed you to view the gorge and pools, and a bit further on there was an accessible track leading down into the gorge itself.

Circular Pool

Dale Gorge

At the lookout.

 Most people were almost running down the track, which was comprised of huge rock steps and a shear drop at your side. There was a hand rail for about 15 metres, the rest was just some old fencing wire with nothing to hang onto. With my shaky knees and jelly legs, and Johns help and guidance we managed to descend Down..  Down.. Down..  to the bottom. I don’t mind admitting I am terrified of heights and so found this  challenging and terrifying. After what seemed like an eternity (or at least a very long time) finally we were there. Lizzy had been waiting at the bottom level and had already taken a huge pile of photos. She just sits and waits for us oldies very patiently.

Part of the waterfall/pool area

The Fortescue falls and Fern pool (a short stroll further) were well worth the gruelling descent. The waterfalls and pool areas made you just feel like jumping in. There were many who were and it just looked so refreshing after the climb.

Fortescue pool

A little rest

Fern Pool.. Stunning

The undergrowth along the gorge walls seemed like a magical fairyland at times.

This must be where the water fairies live!

Really should have taken some bathers

After enjoying all of this scenery it was time to contemplate the journey back up. With John by my side and Lizzy miles ahead I did finally make it, although there were a few times when I thought I would not and that John would gladly toss me over the side. I could see the insurance $$ signs in his eyes. This journey is definitely not for the faint hearted or the wonky kneed (sorry Chris).

After a refreshing afternoon tea (beer and a Pepsi) we took a 3km stroll along the rim of the gorge to Circular pool. As you can see from the pictures this is another stunningly tranquil and beautiful swimming pool.

Circular pool

 Lizzy prepared a feast of hamburgers, eggs and salad on the hotplates provided at the campsite and we dined in the twilight of the Karijini bush.

Enjoying dinner in the bush (Lizzy cooked).

There are warnings everywhere not to leave food, rubbish or esky’s out at night as the dingoes have learnt to scavenge from campsites. The dingoes have been known to be aggressive in the past and have been shot.

We spent a lovely, peaceful night managing very well on both battery and gas power. Lizzy was able to watch a DVD on the computer.  As we drifted off the sleep that night we could hear the faint guitar strumming of an aspiring musician somewhere in the park. There’s something rather nice about sleeping under the stars  in the middle of nowhere with the peace and quiet of the bush. This was one of my favorite nights and John and I have both agreed to return and stay for at least a week sometime in the near future. 

 And so goodnight to everyone,

 talk soon J

John, Son & Lizzy xx.

 (mum, dad, nana and grandad and aunty xxxx)

Tom Price

We left Coral Bay early Friday morning on the 3rd September, making our way further north.

These anthills are everywhere

 We dreaded the fuel prices at Nanutarra as we had heard they could be around the $2.00 per Litre mark. However we were pleasantly surprised and found the price to be the same as coral bay. Instead of going the coastal highway,  we decided
to have a look at Karijini National Park. I had heard so much about it for many years, so this was the chance.
 From Nanutarra to Tom Price we punched head long into a strong easterly breeze and travelled upwards to a heighth of about 1 km above sea level, and could see the fuel gauge on the Pajero dropping rapidly. We used almost a full tank of fuel to cover 300 km. We hope that’s about as bad as it gets! 
 The scenery began to change and soon there were hills and greenery much different with rolling spinifex covered hills and ranges and very bright red dirt. 

On our way through Paraburdu

The real red dirt and spinifex.

 Of course I wanted to photograph every new flower and whilst I did get some, there were many that the driver did not stop for. Something about "never getting there" was the main reason....

One that found my camera

We arrived in Tom Price and booked in for 2 days at the Tourist Park.  (The only park in town) The park itself is very old but is grassy and shady, with big bays.

Caravan Park in Tom Price at the bottom of Mt Nameless.

Big grassy bays

                                                                            
                                                         
 We were greeted every morning with various types of birds waiting for a feed of crackers.  We enjoyed feeding them as they were as tame as anything! Lizzy would've given them all of our biscuits if I hadn't told her to stop.

John's new friend

So Tame

We visited the highest mountain in WA with car 4WD access only (Mt Nameless). I must admit I was terrified at how high we were going, in such little time. Lizzy and John were just giggling away at me as I was biting my nails in fear. The views were breathtaking with all the colours of the Pilbara to be seen.  We made it right to the top and there were quite a few people up there. Its surprising how, in the middle of nowhere, there is such a congregation of people.  We stepped out of the car but every time John and Lizzy went to check out the views of the mountain, I would yell out “John, Lizzy.. Don’t go near the edge” and panic as my knees went to jelly.  I cant begin to describe the colors so will just let you see by the photos.

 Saturday was a day of rest when Lizzy found a gym.. HOORAY!! John stayed in the caravan watching his favourite AFL team, the Dockers thrash Hawthorn. Me on the other hand sat outside under the awning trying to crack the hardest of hard puzzles and just general reading of magazines.  I am interested in a just released book called "Honeymoon Dive" and have not yet been able to find it on our travels but will keep looking.
 John found it very strange to be back in Tom Price after having worked there 35 years ago as a young constable. He showed us around the town which had changed immensely but the police station was still the same old  building it was before but in worse condition.  We also saw the unit he stayed in all those years ago.

The High School where Lizzy;s friend Laina attended

A lovely park called King Lake.

Well that’s about it for Tom Price... Talk to you all soon and don’t forget, keep those comments coming in 



John, Son & Lizzy xx.

CORAL BAY

We farewelled Kalbarri on Sunday the 29th, leaving by a rain filled sky.

The new umbrella came in handy

Rain on the way to Carnarvon

Travelled on through to Carnarvon and set up camp for the night at the Big 4 Plantation caravan park. Having joined the Big 4 membership it came in handy remaining in the budget.  The park itself is quite nice, with very friendly operators. The banana plantations are everywhere and its very tempting to just lop a few bananas into our car. But of course we didnt as the fruit and veg is so cheap.

 We took off early the next day to make our way to Coral Bay arriving at about 3 o’clock. We had pre- booked a four night stay at Peoples Caravan Park.  Having spent a week there earlier this year, we could not wait to get back to the warm waters of thel bay. As soon as we set up camp we took off across the road to check out the stunningly blue waters of the bay. You just couldn’t believe how beautiful the waters are around coral bay shores. You have to see it to believe it. I remember when you were living up here mum and now I wish we had visited way back then..

The waters are so clear

Own private beach

Actual Blue of the water

Some of the pictures have captured the startling blues, but you really need to see it for yourself.

What can I say?

 John and I brought some snorkelling gear and off we went, leaving Lizzy basking on the beach.   Once you are in, the water is warm although the further out you swim the cooler it does become.

Lookout fish  here we come

                                               
 
The coral and fish are abundant with multi- colours and different sizes. From tiny electric blue fish up to the green and yellow parrot like fish and every colour and size in between. They were very happy to share the water with the snorkelers and swimmers and swim happily alongside or under you showing no fear.  Just around from this little bay area is another bay they call "The shark nursery".  There are all sizes of young sharks there that you can see quite clearly from the shore.
Lizzy enjoyed some fishing with lots of nibbles but no prize. She did however manage to hook up the boy next doors line and spent quite some time untangling it. ( he was quite cute)

Checking out the fishing

Unhooking a line...

Of course John and I spent some time every day at the local bakery trying out the cappuccinos and their various mouth watering pastries and cakes. John has given the vanilla slice a 6 out of 10. He has been on a quest for years to find the perfect slice. So far Bridport (Tas) has the highest score of 7 out of 10.

Yum

Although we were at the Peoples caravan park, John and Lizzy had a wander through the other caravan park next door, Bayview, which was just as nice.

Peoples Park

Lizzy did her 5 km run each night battling the strong wind up to the boat marina and back making her fitness side happy. It was soon time to say goodbye to Coral Bay, and although we could of stayed another two weeks there are other adventures waiting. 
So see you in Tom Price, hope everyone is well.. Don’t forget to leave us a comment as we would love to hear from you  
 Talk soon
 John, Son & Liz xx.

WILDFLOWERS and NATIVE PLANTS

Hello to everyone.
 Hope all is well with all of our family and friends.
We left Kalbarri and headed for a one night stopover in Carnarvon. On the way the bush had began its wildflower festival and soon we could see spatterings of whites, yellows and pinks on each side of the road.

THE FLOWERS BEGINNING TO BLOOM ALONG THE ROAD SIDE.

 Every time I saw something different, we had to stop to take a photo. During some of our bushwalks and lookouts I came accross many different flowers and so will put them here to see. John n Lizzy got fed up with me stopping constantly just to take photos of flowers but I couldnt help myself. They were just so lovely. So here is a few pictures of the ones we've come accress so far. I hope you enjoy.....

xxxxx Sonia