The scenery as we traveled changed from the lowlands of the coastal area to the beautiful hills of the Hamersley Ranges, the colors of the hills and gorges is a violet blending with the red soil. We were very tired getting toward the days end and although tempted to camp at the Munjina Roadhouse decided to push on and look for a free camp, which we duly found at Munjina East Gorge Lookout. This lookout has a few camp sites high up on top of the Gorge Cliffs with spectacular views down into the Gorge, Judy loved the site as did I, but I had some vague misgivings about the windy aspect of the site. These misgivings proved to be correct during the night when I had to retract the awning, close the vents and windows, Judy reckons I'm not a pretty sight rushing around in my undies in the middle of the night.
After some discussion next morning we decided to move onto Dales Camping Ground in the Karijini Park. After visiting the Visitors Center the layout of the Park became much clearer and we figured we could see the park in two days, the sites were well laid out with well designed drop toilets adjacent to the sites, however no showers. The only available showers are located at the visitors center about ten K's away and solar heated, so timing is essential to get a warm shower.
Next day we set out to visit the Gorges and Lookouts, the first was Dales Gorge which we viewed from a lookout at the top and then onto the Eco retreat and camp ground. Next was Weano and Hancock Gorge and Oxer Lookout and then Joffre Gorge finishing with Kalimina Gorge. All this involved a drive of 130 K's of red dirt road, and could have taken much more time if we had chose to walk through the Gorges. The scenery was beautiful and well worth seeing, it a pity that we are a little "Gorged out " after having seen so many over the last few months.
Back at camp after a big day we had a quiet night, happy to be moving on tomorrow.
A 100K trip the next morning took us to "Tom Price" a mining town set up to house workers for the Rio Tinto open cut mine. This little town is a very picturesque and neat and tidy town, the caravan park is also home to some of the mine workers but is well laid out and very welcome after the red dirt of the National Park. Sunday 5Th, Fathers day, we joined a tour of the open cut mine, we both found the tour very informative and interesting, the sheer size of the operation is quite astounding. The demand for iron ore world wide is leading to mining company's looking for new ways to increase their production and streamlining of systems. It is also obvious that many young people are working in these mines, the towns are full of young family's. I think it is a great way for young family's to establish themselves, however I also think that they should limit the amount of time they stay in these towns as children need to develop into a broader perspective than these towns can provide.
Judy took me out to lunch at the local pub for fathers day, we do not eat out much and after this meal I feel that we are right not to do so, as we cook much better food at home and a lot cheaper. It was good for Judy to think of me on behalf of the Kid's and they all made contact to wish me a happy day. Who could wish for a more beautiful family. I am a lucky man to have five loving people and family's around me.
There is a back road from Tom Price to Karratha, but it is mostly dirt road. We decided to give this road a try in an effort to save back tracking. We had missed out on the Gibb River Road but this road made up for that, it is fairly badly corrugated. Pilbarra red dust with the addition of iron ore dust is fine silt like dust that penetrates everything and actually seems to attach itself and seep out on a continuing basis. And so on arriving in Dampier and opening the caravan the scene that greeted us was a layer of red dust over everything including the contents of the fridge and several drawers which were adorning the floor.
Judy is a real trooper and proceeded to clean up inside while I tackled the outside. A couple of hours later we had the inside livable again, but it will take a long time to get rid of this dust. In retrospect the 200K backtrack would have been a lot easier. However as I have quoted previously " A BOAT IN THE HARBOUR IS SAFE.....BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT BOATS ARE DESIGNED FOR"........go hard or go home!
More Pictures with next post
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