PowellyFamily 2016 AUS TRIP - Week 9-11

Left the van behind in Broome for a few days for a beach shelter at Cape Leveque.  
Right on the beach above a beautiful clear turquoise bay.  Road in a bit rough and 

sandy , glad we didn't attempt to bring the van. 

 Our shelter and its view.

 Shelter Life, game of cards.         The red rock beaches Cape Leveque is famous for.

Back to Broome for an overnight restock then started our adventure south, somewhat 
reluctant to leave the Kimberley and the warm weather behind.  After many rave reviews

we stopped into Barn Hill Station for a couple of nights.  Had to laugh when we arrived

and saw the bowling green realising why all the grey nomads love this place. 

Apart from this initial obvious attraction, Barn Hill was a great spot.Coastline around

the area quite spectacular.  Boys swam and T and J snorkeled after spotting a turtle from

the beach but failed to spot him once in the water.  A lady came running up to M and said

there had been many shark sightings just metres from the shore and was horrified when M 
didn't seem too phased about them.  (only grey nurse or reefies).

Next stop, Port Hedland after possibly the most long and boring stretch we have been 
on,  only broken up by roadhouses in the middle of nowhere.  Port Hedland landscape 
reminded us of Port Kembla (on steroids).  Massive salt pile was impressive as was 
seeing the iron ore loaders up close from the port filling the many ships heading for 
China.

Traveling south from Port Hedland, we stopped off at Whim creek pub for a rest and a 

bite.  Quirky place with resident talking Corella that kept the boys entertained.  We 
stayed a couple of nights at Port Samson (aka sandfly central) and during our stay 
checked out the historic town of Cossack as well as Dampier and Karratha. 

 The Plaque where Reddog is buried. The boys layed some flowers.

Leaving the coast behind once again after gaining a road permit from the Roebourne 

visitor centre we headed inland along the Rio Tinto Private Road.  Amazing scenery of 
the iron ore rich rocky landscape.  Followed the train line to Millstream National Park 
for an overnighter. 

Iron Ore Trains along the Rio Tinto Private Rd were over 2.5 kn long.

Python Pool Millstream NP

Next stop was the purpose built mining town of Tom Price for a couple of nights.  An 
oasis in the midst of the dry red and dusty Pilbara. Mine tour was interesting for Mum 
and Dad but not really a highlight of the trip for the boys.  They did enjoy the double 
feature at the drive in that night though. 

Tom Price Drive In

Lots of Dust Mine Tour

Not so fun

Onto Karijini National Park, the reason for our inland diversion.  Stayed at Dales 
Campground for a few nights.  Upon arrival boys were given a national parks activity 
booklet they needed to complete in order to become "junior ranges".  Such a fab idea - 
boys really enthusiastic about it and got to work straight away completing the 
activities. Surprising how much info they have picked up during our travels.  Spent our 
few days here exploring the spectacular and very challenging gorge walks. Mum and the 
boys came away unscathed but Dad had a good stack on slippery rocks in Hancock Gorge.  
No need for an SES rescue thank goodness. We had learnt at Tom Price that the SES 
station there was the busiest in the state thanks to Karijini.

Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool 

The Spider Walk Hancock Gorge, the water was a trifle cool.

Hancock Gorge

Kermits Pool

The long trip back to the coast was broken by an overnight stop off at a free camp in 
the middle of nowhere.  How awesome to awake to bacon and egg sandwiches and real 
coffee served up by the "Burger Bus".  Joyce from nearby cattle station sets up her bus 
at the free camp every day and is such a welcome site for passing truck drivers and 
travelers (apart from the tight ass grey nomads 😮) along this long stretch of 
nothingness.  
 
Upon arrival in Exmouth, the resort style swimming pool at the caravan park was a 
welcome sight for the boys.  They spent a lot of time at the pool whilst Mum and Dad 
stocked up and washed away the red dust.

First surf of trip, Dunes Beach Exmouth

Cape Range National Park was our next port of call.  A three night stay here was 
hindered somewhat by the wind.  But managed to find some protected bays for snorkeling 
on Ningaloo reef and enjoyed the sunset drinkies with fellow travelers whilst watching 
whales breaching.  The most amount of kids here we have seen in a long time so boys had 
fun playing amidst the sand dunes whilst the parents had, according to Cody their 
"elderly meeting".  Apparently anyone over 40 is elderly.

Joels shelter we built on the beach

Coral Bay, our next stop certainly left an impression.  A very scenic spot and again as 
for Cape Range right on Ningaloo Reef.  A day trip with Ningaloo Marine Interactions 
was the highlight and did we have some marine interactions!  Just awesome!!  A whale 
and her calf swam right up next to the boat and just frolicked around near us for ages.  
Snorkeled with manta rays, turtles, and fish galore.  Also saw a tiger shark and 
dolphins from the boat.