We left Broome and decided to go to Eighty Mile Beach for two nights. Eighty Mile beach Caravan Park is about 360kms down the highway from Broome and then you turn onto a dirt road for a further 10 kms. We had been told that the dirt road was pretty good and that it would not be a problem to take the van in as we don't do dirt. Well we turned onto the dirt road and it was just terrible, not just a dirt road but badly corrugated. We lasted nearly 3km and turned back.
Lots of wildlife, mainly birds at the free camp spot near De Greys River.
It was hard to get the whole ship in the shot using my iPhone. These ships are constantly coming and going from dawn to dusk every day. One guy told us for every 10 ships you can see lining up to come into port there is another 30 behind them.
Again not the best shot as I forgot the camera and had to use the phone. Before sitting down I had to wipe the table and chairs as they were covered in a fine red dust. 'Welcome to Port Hedland' was the comment when asking for a cloth. 
Everything is covered in red dust, even the salt hills that you see as you drive into the town.
The road into Eighty Mile Beach - doesn't look too bad but the van did not like it at all, it was terrible.
So where to now? We looked at Wiki Camp, an app for the iPad that tells you all the camping spots all around Australia and the distances from where you are and people write comments and give suggestions, it's a must have when travelling this vast landscape. I have probably told you about it before this, apologies if I have. We decided on a camp spot called De Greys free camp, another 190 kms down the road as Port Hedland was a bit too far.
Cows ambling across the main highway not perturbed by the monster truck speeding towards them. You have to be so mindful as they can turn and run right in front of you, silly creatures.
Today, 14th is Bonnie's 1st birthday and little brother Ged's 49th birthday. We left De Greys and headed to Port Hedland, one of the world's largest and busiest working harbours. Port Hedland is the gateway to the Pilbara Coast and vast ranges, rich in minerals. It is unique in that you see bulk carrier vessels, some up to and over 300 metres in length gliding through the harbour entrance adjacent to the main street. You also have a vibrant community living alongside large scale industry and this is just a way of life for the people of Port Hedland. This is a very interesting place and we stayed at the Point Cooke Caravan Park. When first arriving we took the van into town and took in the sites and the harbour.
We had a few drinks and dinner at the Yacht Club that is now only a social club as over the years with the dredging of the harbour for industry, there is nowhere for them to launch their yachts. A lovely spot to take in the water, another sunset and the imposing workings of industry all in the one place.
BHP Billiton's trains, some of the longest in the world, follow the main road into town as well. They transport iron ore from Mount Whaleback in Newman to the port.
Port Hedland is definitely worth the visit.
No comments:
Post a Comment