Perth to Port Hedland

As we sat in our new house in Collie looking out over the frost covered lawn to our lonely caravan (and the weather forecast for the next day being a subzero morning and peaking at a 15 degree maximum) we decided, bugger this, lets head north for a few months. Plan was to get north of Port Hedland as quickly as possible (relatively speaking as we don’t travel too far on any set day) via the inland route.

 

Stuarts Desert Pea  - lots along a small section of the road

So after a week of packing and a few days in South Yunderup at our Park Van off we went to seek warmer weather.

First overnight stop was just north of Dalwallinu at a roadside stop called White Wells – nothing special, close to the main road (thus trucks passing thru all night), and still down to zero overnight. Lucky the diesel heater was charged and primed.

Night 2 was spent at Kirkalocka Roadside spot – the local shire has done a great job here with a large camp area back from the road a little and many fireplaces, tables and lean-to’s.  Toilets were spotless and a double dump point kept the place clean. Met a lovely travelling couple - Bruce and Anne who shared our campfire and forced us to drink wine till late.  Turned out Bruce was the brother of a regular at the Collie RSL.  Again temperatures overnight dropped to around zero – so once again we pointed north in search of the mystical 15 degree night.

Lots of room at Peace George

Night 3 was spent just a couple of kilometers outside Meekatharra at a free camp called Peace George (apparently called so due to a picnic being held there to celebrate peace at the end of WW1).

Couple of cold rockers at Peace George

Really pretty spot with many large granite outcrops and room for at least a hundred vans (only five spread out the night we were there).

Sunset and moonrise

Still bloody freezing early in the morning so early on the road heading north!

Nice along the Gascoyne River

Night 4 was spent at the Gascoyne River free camp (around 200 kilometers south of Newman). We had camped here in 2008 on our way to Karijini National Park and camped much too close to the road bridge (with the roar and clankity-clank of trucks to keep us amused all night!).  So with the wisdom of hindsight we drove further up to the river to a quieter treed camp next to a large waterhole.  Birdlife was brilliant even our pet budgie had some distant cousins flit past. It’s a small world we live in – about half an hour after setting up we get a shout – “what are you doing here Kerry?”  Friends of ours who live in Falcon were on the way home from a Cape Leveque trip and had decided stay for a one night at the Gascoyne. Great to catch up with these guys but still below one degree in the morning – start the car!

View of camp area from Mt. Robinson

After stopping in Newman to fill our water tanks we headed out a further 80K’s to Mt. Robinson rest area. 

Linda and friends at sunset Mt. Robinson

A great spot well off the road (no truck noise that night!) with clean sites, bins, toilets and a view to kill for. A credit to the local shire.

Only got down to 8 degrees that night so things were looking up – but warmer nights beckoned further north.

Georgous at the George

After leaving Mt. Robinson and travelling a huge 72 kilometers we reached our planned two night stop over at Albert Tognolini Gorge - look-out and rest area.

Table 1 at the Tognolini Diner

Pretty interesting guy was Albert – born in Armadale WA in 1927 and started working as a young engineer with the WA Main Roads.  Went on to become Commissioner of Main Roads - see Link for more info.  The camp areas are along a ridge with every site overlooking the gorge.

Holly Gravellia was in flower everywhere - nice

We were surprised to find an abundance of wild flowers in bloom – the most impressive being the Holly Gravellia. For the first time since leaving we were looking for shady spots during the heat of the day – now this was getting closer to what we were seeking! So after storing our dressing gowns, slippers and big coats under the bed (where the wine merchant lives), and saying “see ya later” to our diesel heater we set off to Port Hedland. 

Some massive dump trucks up in the Pilbra

Port Hedland today – 35C max and 16C min – MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.