Moving on from Broome, our first stop was the Sandfire Roadhouse for a quick look. The last cyclone through this area took it’s toll on these little Roadhouses and the vegetation is still very bare. We came across this poor camel, that seemed to have a broken leg. It just stood there when I got out of the car to take its photo.
Our next camping spot was at Cape Keraudren, we’ve stayed here a couple of times. Lots of camp sites around the cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean. I think we had 4 nights there.
A peaceful spot where you can relax watching the tide come in and the tide go out, the sun comes up and the sun goes down.
While we were staying there we went for a day drive out to an abandoned mine site, one of the first in the Pilbara area we followed the rail line around the hills and when we came to a locked gate, we found a track that took us up to a lookout with views over the mined areas.
As we were leaving our camp at Cape Keraudren the next day I took this next photo. It sums the Pilbara up well. Red soil, trees stripped by cyclones, a tinge of green from recent rains, Kites flying freely in a windswept ,blue sky .
Next stop was Port Hedland for a few days. We caught up with some of Chris’s workmates. It’s lovely to come back and see the changes from when we worked there.
We had a lovely meal out with friends and the night before we left town Chris and I had our traditional fish and chips down at the harbour. The harbourside is beautiful at night. It’s a busy place ,where the ships and trains come and go 24 hrs a day.
We had a lovely few days there, going for drives and I love taking photos of the salt ponds and watching the trucks getting loaded. Everything is crystal white.
There is so much colour and beauty in the Pilbara, you can see why people move here and never go back.
We are also finding lots of free camps, golden wattle and white gums at their best
A drive out to Whim Creek Pub. Which seems to be all but closed.
From there we drove on out to Balla Balla on the coast
The Sherlock River still has a good amount of water and I love this next photo with the Ranges in the background
Lots of these big fellows on the roads, that don’t leave much room for caravans to pass bye. Finally we got to this nice little spot on the bank of the Kialrah pool, off the Jones River.
Our next adventure from Derby was Tunnel Creek in the King Leopold Ranges.
The entrance to the tunnel was well hidden and getting into the tunnel was rather challenging. We had to chamber over big rocks, then wade through water, not the easiest task as there were smaller rocks under the water and warnings of fresh water Crocodiles.
once inside the cave it’s dark so we needed a touch to see where we were going. Chris had the head torch, so I was often left in the dark ,but that’s nothing new.! It was a bit creepy to start with, but when I saw how amazing it was, I relaxed and started taking photos.
This was as far as we went as the water was over peoples heads around the corner. And no I didn’t fancy going in that deep a water. And it was cold.
The rocky cave walls were beautiful so many different patterns and textures.
The floor was mainly sandy, but there were some rocky patches that we had to pick our way through.
We spent quite some time in the tunnel, taking lots of photos. The marbled patterns were beautiful on some of the rocks near the entrance. Again getting out of the cave was quite difficult.
Driving along further we came across the remains of stone built police lock ups.
Next was a hike through Windjana Gorge, it was very hot, dry and rugged going
Again it was beautiful scenery, high rocky cliffs on both sides of the Lennard river.
The pathway was hard going due to all the flood damage. Chris went on further along the river bank, but still couldn’t get to the end of the Gorge. I took more photos before making my way back to the car.
The next day was a quite one and we just went down to the marsh in Derby to see the sculptures there
When we pulled up at this next one ,it just looked like a whole lot of scrap metal strung together, I couldn’t figure it out till I took a photo. Now I see it I think it is brilliant.
We left Derby and drove on to Broome the next day, We were lucky enough to phone ahead and get a camp spot at the overflow area at the 7 Day Aventis Church.
We crossed over the Fitzroy River again at Willare on the way into Broome, also they are doing lots of roadworks
From Broome we did a day trip up to the Cape and drove through the little communities up that way .The Beagle Bay Church was worth a look, It is fitted out with inlaid mother of purl shells,making it quite unique.
On the way home we stopped at the Roadhouse for a drink, not much there but a mural on the fuel tank.
Then into Cygnet Bay ,where the tide was rushing in. This is the area that we flew over a few days ago on our way back from the Horizontal Falls.
We couldn’t get into Cape Leveque, where I have been wanting to see, as the roads are shut. But the road from Broome to the Cape is all sealed now, and just one long 240 klm straight.
Just one more stop along the way to say hello to a pack of donkeys. How cute is this little inquisitive fellow?
Back in Broome we went out for a nice dinner with friends, Leeanne and Craig, who have been working in Broome for I2 months.
We went to the Golf club, which has a lovely view over the Harbour. Also Chris spent some time at the Ice Factory where Craig works.They had a great time catching up while we were staying in town.
We had 5 days in Broome, so a wander around the main shopping area was a must for me.. A bit like Byron Bay, full of tourists, only twice as big and twice as busy. However it does have a lovely leafy main street.
From there we went out to main beach and jetty, being school holidays is was very busy and lots of kids catching good size fish off the jetty
The tram car does tours around, but we didn’t need to do that.
Since we were in Broome last, a number of figurines have been added on the walkway, telling the story of when Broome was invaded during the War. You may be able to read some of their story if you scroll in . There were 9 altogether I think.
The waterfront has been beautifyed as well, and we spent some time out the end of the jetty watching the kids catching fish with nearly every throw out. There were lots of turtles as well as sharks swimming around the jetty.
Next was the sandy beach road up the coastline to Gantheaume Point lighthouse. We parked the car and walked out on the rocky cliffs.
Red rocky cliffs against blue sea and white sand, that’s Broome, some hate it ,some like it. I Love the place.
Sometimes I should take my bigger camera on walks. I would have liked a better photo of this osprey garding the nest in the lighthouse tower
After Broome we will be heading south, so I’m looking forward to seeing the wildflowers. This one caught my eye as we headed back to the car.
Cable Beach, what can I say, ? beautiful by day. Stunning sunsets at nightfall.
whales lolling around just off Shaw, again that bigger camera would of been handy
Takeaway fish and chips on a warm balmy evening, that was our last night in Broome.
Here we are doing it tough in a bush camp, just about an hour out of Broome. Still have service so I’ve been able to catch up with the blog, while Chris has a nanny nap after such a big drive. Haha. I feel we have well and truly seen what the Kimberley and top end of our country has to offer. What a diverse country we are privileged to live in. Keep well and take care till next time friends xx
We arrived in Derby, a few days ago and booked into the Entrance caravan park. We have a lovely shady camp site and feel the van is safe to be left each day while we do day trips.
Our next tour was to see the Horizontal Falls. We were picked up from the park and driven out to the airport. I’ve always said I needed more than one engine on a plane , but here we were getting into this little, one engine seaplane. !!
Here we are all buckled in , and off we went, that was the last time I gave a thought as to what we were doing. It was so beautiful flying over the surrounding hills of Derby, then over the lakes. I was on cloud nine with my camera, and not a care in the world.
Our Lady Pilot was great, flying low and from every angle to give us all plenty of opportunities to take photos.
Back and forth over the bays and the Horizontal Falls ,before coming down to land in Talbot Bay at the pontoon.
What a magic place , we motored up to the pontoon where morning tea was served. Cup cakes and tropical fruit and drinks.
After morning tea we boarded a boat for an exhilarating trip around the bay and through the falls. So much fun, back and forth many times.
Our pilot was great giving us a thrilling ride ,sometimes a bit rough, but so much fun back and forth through the gap in the cliffs where the tide was rushing through. It was only a small tide of about 1meter that day.
we were given plenty of photo opportunities, gliding up close to the cliff walls and to the narrow gap that tourists are no longer able to go through as it is apparently a sacred Aboriginal site.
From there we went up into Cyclone Bay. Calm waters surrounded by high cliffs, where all the boats and pontoons are taken if a Cyclone is predicted. They stay up there to ride out the storm.
Such a beautiful calm area to just drift around and enjoy the scenery.
After some quiet time and our pilot telling us some of the interesting facts and knowledge of the area it was time to head back out into Talbot Bay
We had time to go for a swim with the sharks that were surrounding the pool area, looking for food, before we went upstairs to have our lunch.
lots of sharks as well as other colourful little fish ,swimming freely around while we were swimming in a caged pool. A good time to be locked up !
upstairs we were treated to the most delicious BBQ Barramundi and fresh sideboard salads. All you could eat,it was so yummy.
After lunch we were treated to another boat ride, the tide had turned and now was pushing the water back into the bays,.
Another fun ride back and forth through the swirling water and gap in the cliffs .
Then it was time to go back to the pontoon where our seaplane was waiting to take us back to Derby
Once we were all back on the plane it was pushed off the jetty and we glided through the water till we lifted off and were in the air.
This time our pilot took a different flight path, first north out over the ocean and showing us the Barramundi farms and all the little islands off the coast.
The Barramundi farms looked small from above.
Then we turned south and followed the coastline back down to Derby, crossing over where the tidal waters meet up with the Indian Ocean. The views were spectacular.
Next we flew over Derby and came down to land at the airport.
What a big day out, ! One of the best. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute and would do it again.
On the road again we called in to view more of the flood damage around Durack. The Ord River seems to have a mind of its own ,when in flood, uprooting trees, taking out bridges or destroying approaches making crossings impossible.
This next pic is looking toward Lake Argyle Mine and some of the rubble from the road to the bridge.
We ended up staying at Leicesters Rest, a camp on the river bank. As it was another hot day we went paddling in the river to cool off and take photos of the closed Ord River crossing.
A nice stopover and have fun with the camera.
The next day we arrived in Halls Creek, not the type of town that you leave your vehicles or caravans unattended. However we did some shopping, then Drove out to see the original town site. They are trying to preserve some of the old mud buildings, under shelters. I was amazed at the fire places and the fancy stone work around them.
Also at the old town site is a memorial to the Royal Flying Doctor as well as the old Cemetery.
Not far from town is the China Wall. An unusual rock crop that runs down some of the hills
There are also some other rocks around the parking area, that seem to be out of character for these hills. More like the ones from the Bungle Bungle range. They are all different coloured stripes.. Maybe a man made added feature to the site ?
Starting to see more bush flowers now
Our next camp spot was at Mary Pool, on the Mary River. Another peaceful spot on the river bank. The crossing approaches also have been washed away, the cows roam freely, and are very quiet.
Some even spend the day at the beach ,haha
The cattle don’t seem to know anything about personal space , or eavesdropping when I’m on the phone. All part of the adventure. Plus, Chris has learnt how to cook a good steak.
The next morning we moved on westward, enjoying the change in scenery.
We arrived in Fitzroy crossing, via the newly completed bridge over the Fitzroy River. Its amazing to see just how much damage the floods did through these little communities up North.
We are camped at Allendale Station on the lake. It’s so good of the owners to allow free camping here. We have stayed here before and enjoy the birds and very friendly cattle.
Had to laugh at this cow, she layed down and listened to Allan Jackson. When Chris turned it off some time later she got up and walked away.
A third night here won’t hurt, or will it be 4 , before we move on to Derby
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