Karijini National Park
Leaving Coral Bay, we once again headed back to the beautiful Karijini National Park for a couple of days checking out some of our favourite gorges.
We hoped that being here at the end of the wet season, the waterfalls would have more water flowing. Unfortunately they didn't get as much rain as expected this year. So although they were flowing a little more than our last visit, the difference wasnt as much as we had expected.
We still had a great time again though swimming in the many freshwater pools and hiking some of our favourite gorges.
Wittenoom
Leaving Karijini we decided to make a quick stop past Wittenoom.
Wittenoom use to be a busy mining town.. That is until they realised asbestos is deadly and can kill you.. When this happened, everyone besides a small handful of people literally walked out of their homes and businesses to start a new life elsewhere.
Driving up and down the streets here was quite eerie. Most houses and business all seemed in relatively good condition (a few broken windows here and there and some overgrown gardens.) Other than that though it was hard to tell at times which few houses were still occupied.
Rumour has it 3 people still choose to live here. Ignoring government warnings of the risks of doing so.
I personally can't help but think it must be quite sad and lonely living out here still. With all the memories you would have of the friends and families that once occupied this town and possibly memories of those close to you who lost their lives due to Asbestos.
Not to mention the only visitors you get are the few curious tourists who choose to drive the approx 50km down a corrugated dirt road, ignoring the warning signs and only tend to stay long enough to drive a lap of the town with their arms leaning out the windows taking photos.. (yep that was pretty much us...)
Personally I wouldnt choose to still live here.
The old service station and restaurant
We had a look through the old service station/restaurant and was surprised to find the shelves still stacked with pots and pans, plates and bowls. Fridges and freezers, tables and chairs all still stood in their places.
De Grey
After Wittenoom we drove the remaining 300km to South Hedland. Here we spent the remainder of the day stocking up on supplies and treating the girls to a trip to Mc Donalds before spending the night at a road side stop.
The next day we drove 70km to De Grey river. Setting up here we planned to relax for 24hrs before heading back up to Broome.
Yep.. again our plans changed!
Arriving at De Grey we quite quickly noticed the family next us had two girls roughly the same age as Tori and Ella.
Mum Tina, Dad Paul, Zaysha 9 and Alari 7. The girls once again made great friends!
Gary and Paul spent their days working on the cars and caravans and Tina and I relaxed reading our books and going for long walks up the river.
One night Gary and Paul realised their beer supply had pretty much ran out... After some careful thinking... (about 60 seconds.) The boys decided that the only logical thing to do was to drive back into Port Hedland to stock up on their supplies! One 150km round trip later the boys came back with beer, some wine for us ladies, McDonalds for the kids and even some fresh fruit and Vegetables! I must say I was rather impressed.
Packing up our camp finally, we decided to travel with Paul, Tina and kids to spend a day fishing at 80 mile beach together.
The girls all had a great time playing with the shells on the beach and building sandcastles whilst us adults tried to catch some of much sort after Threadfin Salmon.
Paul managed to catch 2 small sharks whilst I did eventually catch 2 small Salmon. Unfortunately we had no luck catching some of the massive salmon some of the other fishermen on the beach were pulling in.
We all had a great day and decided to yet again keep travelling together for another few days.
That night we spent the night at a free camp sitting around a campfire together, eating freshly crumbed shark and salmon. Yum!!
Port Smith
The next day we headed to Port Smith to show Tina and Paul the stunning blue waters of Port Smiths blue lagoon and to try once again to catch some Mudcrab.
Unbelievably I was in luck!! Another crab pretty much the same size as last time was in there! Yeah!!!!
After another hour or so we managed to catch another crab and also had another one sneakily pop both its claws off when Gary grabbed it... (So although we had the claws, we didnt quite have the body to go with!)
Whilst looking for Mudcrab we saw what looked like a rather large turtle. Gary decided to try his luck at catching it so the kids could have a closer look.
As he waded out in the waters he soon realised just how big it was... There was no way he could pick this one up! It was HUGE!! With a little help from Paul they eventually carefully moved this beautiful placid turtle into the shallows. We were all in awe and the turtle didnt seem to mind the girls patting it and us taking a quick few photos with it. (Im pretty sure it even smiled ;) )
Heading back out in the boat we headed around the corner to another part of the lagoon. Whilst the sun was starting to get low in the sky, Tina and I chatted on the beach and watched as the girls built sandcastles. Paul and Gary headed back out in the boat and after not long managed to catch plenty of large GT's!
Awesome!!!
As the sun was setting we all piled in the boat and slowly putted back across the lagoon. With no wind the lagoons water was like glass and with the sunset being an amazing red made for a spectacular backdrop.
That night we all feasted on fish and mudcrab till we could not eat anymore! So good!!!
The next morning we decided to show Tina and Paul another stunning part of our coastline and do some fishing.
Driving down 9kms of winding dirt 4x4 tracks we soon arrived at our destination.
It was just as we remembered it. With clear blue waters and stunning white cliffs with lots of caves scattered down the faces it makes for breathtaking scenery.
The girls spent the day playing games in the caves and splashing in the water.
The boys wandered a little further down the beach and managed to catch a couple of darts and a couple of large GT's.
I did manage to catch a couple of fish... but ummmm... well... today wasnt my day.. (my catch making your average goldfish look bigger than the fish I caught!)
That night we once again sat around eating a dinner of fish together. Yum yum yum!!!
Broome
The next morning we all packed up and yet again decided that since we was all headed in the same direction, that we would keep travelling together.
Arriving early at a overnight roadside reststop just outside of Broome, we spent the afternoon doing some extra school work (the kids all just loved that!! Lol)
Early the next morning we all headed into Broome. Setting up once again at the Roebuck Caravan park.
That night as we sat watching the sunset on the beachfront we noticed someone filming nearby. On closer inspection we noticed it was Robson Green. (He has his own Aussie Fishing show for those of you who arnt familiar with him.)
We soon found out he was here to film a episode on the famous Broome Hermit Crab races the next night! With plans to catch up with our friends Kim and Richard once again , I went to message Kim to see if she was keen on the races. Funny enough she had the same idea as on inspection of my messages she had just messaged me to see if we wanted to go to the races! Lol (great minds think alike ;))
So the next night we all headed down to Divers Bar.
What a brilliant night! Although none of our hermit crabs won, Ella was lucky enough to meet Robson Green and be interviewed by him. Infact she became his little sidekick for alot of the night and for any of you who watch his show keep an eye out for her!
Catching up with Kim and Richard was great also. Its always just like old times and we had a great time swapping stories and catching up on each others lives. I was really impressed to hear how well her and Richard are doing in Broome. With Kim being promoted to Resort Manager and Richard managing a farm. Broome life is certainly treating them well!
The kids all had a great time searching for them and looking at all the different corals and sea creatures that live in the pools around the rocks.
The next morning I caught up with Kim again at a cafe for a yummy breakfast before saying our goodbyes to not only Kim, but also Paul and Tina and their girls. After travelling together for 2 weeks, Paul and Tina had plans to head to Cape Leveque. Us on the otherhand planned to head back to Tunnel Creek on our way back up to Kununurra. After swapping contact details we said our goodbyes.
Tunnel Creek
That night we found an amazing free camp just outside of Tunnel Creek. We collected wood for a campfire and the girls threw a line in the river that ran nearby. In no time at all both girls were pulling in countless small Brim. Gary and I soon joined in the fun. Although they were not big enough to eat, we all had a great time seeing how many we could catch!
With not many people around, we pretty much had the tunnel to ourselves! Well.. almost... I guess if your not counting the 4-5 fresh water crocs we passed on our way through! I guess we must be getting use to them as they nolonger faze us as they tend to keep their distance. Unlike their salt water cousins, freshwater crocs arnt out to turn us into their dinner!
The next night we yet again spent the night at a free camp near a river crossing before heading for the beautiful town of Kununurra!
Xx
No comments:
Post a Comment