Tom Price

While at Tom Price we booked a tour through the Rio Tinto Mine. Here we saw big boys’ toys, enormous Tonka trucks and excavators. We saw one of the larger iron ore pits, which they have been mining since 1963, back then there was 15 to 20 years worth of mining. They are still mining today and say they have another 15 to 20 years left, who knows… We saw a train being loaded, it was two and a half kms long, and worth about $2 million dollars a load, four trains were loaded daily.

Tom Price is a town outside Karrijini National Park where we stayed. Our first visit included a different walk to what we have been used to. We started off strolling through the park, walking through water waist high. Continued onto the Spider Walk, where we walked through a narrow gorge over slippery rocks holding onto both sides of the gorge. The next section was called the Handrail, here we held onto a handrail and carefully walked down the rail. It was like a fireman’s poll, but you climbed slow and steady. At the end was the pool, unfortunately in a very long time we had to endure a 23 degree cool day. The weather the following days picked up so we were happy again.

We had a visit from a relative of Marc’s come over for dinner, Vince works in the mines. It was lovely to see a familiar face, we were able to catch up and have an enjoyable night.

Back to Karrijini, this time to the Circular Pool, the next couple of walks was not long but were steep, walking down to the bottom of the gorge. We did not swim here for there were leeches in the water. Back for lunch and onto our walk to Fortescue Falls, it was a large pool with a waterfall and a natural seating area around the pool, due to the rock formation. Here we were able to swim and enjoy the environment over lunch.

 

 

Eighty Mile Beach

All that is here is a quaint caravan park behind the sand dunes of Eighty Mile Beach and intriguing residents.  One who walks around with a parrot on her shoulder and the other guy in his 70’s wearing a sailor’s cap and short white shorts with a white t-shirt to complement his attire.

After we set up camp yesterday we managed an hour at the beach before we headed back for dinner, while there the kids had a play in the sand and began their collection of shells. You see many people walking along the shore with a bag in their hand and their head down. I haven’t found out what they do with them yet, but it is addictive to try and find that unique shell?

There is no swimming here as Marc found out after the fact, sea snakes frequent the area. Campers would either fish from the beach or walk along with a bag in their hand and heads down, it was quite a different sight and something that grew on you. Before you knew it, you were strolling along the beach fossicking for shells, even Marc got in on the act. He has collected enough shells, has even bought glue to make a duck with his shells. Make sure you ask to have a look when we arrive home.

 

Port Headland

Not much to report, a typical mining town, many mining cars on the road, busily going about their daily duties, they remind me of ants scurrying here and there. We did visit the port and watched the tugs move a loaded ship out to sea…  If you want to come and live here, you only need to fork out $3,000 for a three bedroom, shanty shack a week. We were put on the fence line of the caravan park and viewed the lovely industrial town under lights.

On our way to Tom Price, through part of the mining area of Western Australia were many four carriage road trains and again, mining vehicles. Many hills and winding roads with lovely mountain terrain as scenery.

Broome

On Sunday 2 September we went to see the staircase to the moon. Unfortunately it was not as impressive as the brochures show you, However, it has probably been better other times. You can only view this phenomenon when there is a full moon, and the dates and times are marked on the calendar. We waited and waited in anticipation for the moon to appear, as it did is was deep blood orange in colour, steps started to appear, but stopped. Oh well, maybe another day.

Broome

Broome, the beach was very pretty, especially from a camel. Yes, we rode camels on the beach at Cable Beach. I haven’t taken too much notice in the past, these animals are quite large, including their feet and heads. Getting up on a camel is quite easy, it’s coming down that makes you think twice. They come down with a thud, first their front legs followed quickly by their back legs, you need to hold on tight and lean back. On the way down the camel jerks you back and forth a few times before the camel is finally sitting. The walk along the beach was awesome and the photos say it all.

Evie and I shared a camel and his name was Wun, he is 12 years old and is a softie at heart. Wun is one of the larger ones of the group. He came from Curtin Springs, which is near Uluru. Adventurer’s catch, train and walk them up to Broome.

Jack and Ned were on Kubul, he is 26 years old and is the boss, he was walked across from the east coast. On arrival he had a fight with the other boss at the time and won, he is getting on in age, but is still the dominant male.

 

Cape Laveque Day 2

This morning we enjoyed a flight in a Cessna over the Buccaneer Archipelago and Horizontal Falls.

Off to the beach for yet another swim until this afternoon when we go on a glass bottom boat. This was a very exhilarating trip, not only did we see fish and coral we also saw Humpback Whales frolicking in the water. You can only go so close to them but if they come to the boat all the better for us, although it can be a little too confronting when they are right beside you. The size of these wonderful creatures is astounding, we have all heard how large they are but when you are in a boat that is smaller than the whale it is a bit concerning. The skipper placed a microphone in the water so we can hear the whales chat to each other. It was quite funny, one whale seen us from the distance and quickly made their way towards us eating the microphone and all.

All in all Cape Laveque has been one of the most outstanding places to visit, many things to see and do.

 

Cape Laveque

Wow, what a pristine part of Australia, as soon as we arrived I was in awe of the scenery. The red rocks, crisp white sand and turquoise warm water. In one day I took 200 photo’s, I couldn’t stop snapping.

Upon arrival our Safari Tent was not ready so we walked along the beach on the west side of Cape Laveque where there are deep bright red coloured rocks backing up against pure white soft sand. This is where the Qantas add was filmed, with the children singing I Still Call Australia Home standing on the red rocks. From here we went to the east side for a swim. The rocks were not as red but with the colour of the water and sand, perfect for many more photos. Along this stretch of beach were half a dozen Beach Huts, completely open with a roof and three sides. With a little more camping gear this would be quite a unique way of staying here, maybe next time… By this time our tent was ready, we are at the base of the light house poking through the trees looking out over east beach.

That afternoon we drove along the beach for yet another swim and to watch the beautiful sunset with a glass of sparking, cheese and dip. While also watching the tide go out a very long way. We then settled in to a beautiful BBQ dinner of steak and fresh. That night we left the shutters on the tent open so we could wake up to the sunrise over the water.