Month: August 2019

The new triton was due for its first service, so we arrived in Broom early and were lucky enough to book into a caravan park not far from Town Beach and within Walking distance to the service centre. The town is so busy, full of tourists and most caravan parks are full. Once we got the car back we were able to go for a drive around and also do some groceries. That night we went to the beachfront markets and had market food for dinner and also our 2nd Mr whippy, ice cream for the day.

The beaches are spectacular here when its high tide, the water is so crystal clear and blue. Great taking photos of it. We went out to the Jetty, the gardens there are beautiful. The meals expensive.!

The last night in Broome we decided a fish and chip, sunset meal at Cable Beach was a must. And we weren’t disappointed .

Whilst staying at Barnhill Station we were invited by Chris’s 2nd cousin to go out to Bidyadanga Community. It is private property, and Carly is a child protection officer there, working out of the police station. There is between 500 and 1,000 Aboriginals living in the community. There is 5 different languages spoken,and it is the biggest community in W A. Carly lives on site, with her husband and 3 children.

We followed Carly and the Boys, for a drive through the town and out to the beach, it was low tide, so all was good till we both started getting bogged in the soft sand and had to let the tyres down.

On the way back we were taken through the scrub along the mangrove creek. Glad we didn’t have to get out of the car here, as it is prime Crock country.!!

It was a good afternoon, and almost sundown by the time we left.

We arrived at Barn Hill Station around lunch time. Not many places take bookings over here, so it’s a case of pot luck as to weather you get a site. We have had no trouble so far, we plan it so we arrive between 10 and 12. Those leaving have checked out and those coming in have stopped for lunch maybe, anyways it workes for us. We landed a nice spot on the cliff , not far from a track leading down to the beach. And how beautiful is this place.!!.??

The sunsets here were amazing. And the temperature was refreshing but not too cold to go for a swim each day. The beach was covered with shells and colourful rocks. But being a farm stay, you are asked not to take them.

We really enjoyed our time here, Chris feed the birds, I took photos and we walked and swam each day.

I can see why people come and stay here for the winter. For us its a case of moving on after a few days. However Chris was able to make contact with a second cousin he had never met. Carly came to visit and the following day took us out to where she works . More to follow on that next time.

After our couple of days inland we headed back out to the coast. Finally we are going in a Northerly direction. Next stop was Cape Keraudren.We had driven up here from Port on one of Chris’s days off last year, and thought it was a good place to come back to on our way home. As it is peak tourist season over here at the moment, we drove around the camping areas before deciding to set up down on the creek . Some areas on the cliff tops, the vans were packed in like sardines. A nice view of the ocean, but not an easy walk down to the water.

Down on the creek ,we had easy access to the beach and only a few others camped there. The water in the creek was a beautiful turquoise and ok to cool off in.

I think we stayed here for 4 days, becoming real beach bums, did lots of walking and collecting shells, even Chris would come back from a walk with a heap of little treasures. If the van wasn’t overloaded before, Im sure it is now, after our stay here.

From this area of the Cape you can see the sunrise as well as set over the water.

After our time here, an early morning start, got us back out to the highway and heading North again, we called into the Sandfire roadhouse for fuel. Next stop will be at Barnhill Station, a large property that has 80 or more kms of coast line.

Just a few more photos from Chinamans pool in Marble Bar. It may be renowned for being the hottest place in Australia, but you sure can get some cool pics there. Found these extra photos of our day there and thought I would put them up.

Our first housesit turned out to be a great, we caught up with friends, went for beach walks each evening and to top it off Tod cooked us a lovely farewell breakfast, with Darryl and Trish (also ex Kalari work mates) on their return from holiday. We ended up leaving town about lunchtime and made our first nights camp on the bank of the Shaw River, on our way to Marble Bar.

So much bird life enjoying the last of the water in the river. Bush flowers are also starting to come out in this area as well.

A nice quiet spot to enjoy the evening .

The next morning we headed out the Marble Bar road. Chris was interested in seeing the new cutting through Koogan Gorge, that has now been finished since we were here last year. It’s a shame I think, as the Pilbara’s landscape is unique and so naturally beautiful it’s a shame to go carving it up. Guess thats progress 🤔

To make up for this last photo of the cutting here is some of the landscape nearby .

The next camp was on a property not far from Marble Bar. A dry creek, but there was a dam and windmill, and a nice view out the window of the hills nearby. Also some sandstone cliffs and wildflowers.

Next day we went to Chinamans pool in Marble Bar. It’s a great place for photos and to do some rock climbing. Not a lot of water there this season, maybe next year we will see it in the wet season, the rocks would be spectacular after rain.

Just had to stop and take some photos of my favourite bush flowers, the Stuart peas. Just love them.

We then spent another night with the birds on the Shaw River.