We left Newman for a free camp about 140k north of Newman, an overnight stop before heading off to Karijini National Park. The Park is a bit of a detour off the Northern Highway, but as we had been there before, we couldn't be this close without revisiting the beautiful, rugged and unique landscape.
Camping is strictly controlled in the park, we decided on the "generator section" in case we needed to use the generator to recharge the batteries. This proved to be un-needed as the two solar panels on the roof easily kept the batteries charged and with judicious electrical use, we had a total of 14 nights off power without having to use the generator.The Dales Camp ground is next to the lovely Dales Gorge, there the climb down to the Fortescue Falls and the beautiful Fern Pool is not for the unfit, (you have to get back up again!), but we managed it. Vicki had a swim in the Fern Pool, quietly as to comply with the request of the local indigenous peoples so as not to disturb the ancient beasties that live there.
The Dales Gorge is one of several in the park, cut out of the rock by millennia of water; the gorges are around 50-80 metres deep, some places quite narrow and steep, all hard to climb out of but spectacular as the various sun angles change the colour and shadows of the rocky cliffs.
We spent two nights in Karijini, walking around the second night on the gorge rim, it wrenched my ankle on a loose rock, and this proved to be a problem for the next few weeks.
From Karijini, back to the Northern Highway and a brief stop at Munjina Gorge Lookout; the new highway had to cross through a series of ranges before getting to the northern plains. Munjina Pass is the route through the ranges and the lookout views the most spectacular scenery of where the road wends its way. We also discovered above the lookout, a lovely free camp for next time. After the range crossing, the highway finds us at the Auski Road House, here for a fuel stop; stretch our legs and a bit of lunch. Like Capricorn, the Auski Road House is a hive of industry, trucks caravans and motor homes, mining company vehicles and again, a mining camp of "dongas". There were very few cars on this highway, most small vehicles were utes or 4x4's with mine company signage, campers and rental 4x4's. At one roadside rest area, we pulled in for the usual hourly tyre check, there was a coach stopped just before us and out of it jumped about a dozen blokes who promptly set about relieving themselves, much to the amusement of Vicki following behind. No trees, no privacy and the single dunny just couldn't be waited for.
After one more night free camp, Peawah River on the highway between Port Hedland and Karratha, we neared our destination and arrived around midday on 13th June, Josh came out to the highway to meet us and guide through the town of Karratha to his house.
The Landcruiser clocked 4090 kilometres towing the van from Napperby, used 961 litres of diesel, (yes, ouch!!!), and took a leisurely month to get here. Now we have parked at Josh and Kendehl's house driveway, we swapped to their spare room and second bathroom and are living in a house again. Young Arthur was very pleased to see "nanna" and especially pleased to be re-united with Elmo, his favourite doll he had left behind. Elmo has plenty to tell him about his wonderful trip across to WA and of all the places he visited along the way.
Plenty to see and do around Karratha-Dampier and we will probably be here a few weeks. Vicki will treasure some time with her son and family and a rest from driving the Hilux ute all the way from Adelaide.
Click the link below to view some photos
No comments:
Post a Comment