By the time we were up Thom and Laura would have had Australia in view.
After moving out of the campground we took a brief detour along Snappy Gum Drive across a narrow causeway which crosses the Fortescue River. Unfortunately the road was closed and we had to turn around and retrace our drive, leaving the area the same way we had arrived. After a fairly rough (3/10 according to the camp host) drive studded with beautiful wildflowers,including Sturt Desert Pea standing up a metre above the ground(!) , we arrived at our first planned stop at Mt Herbert. There are two ways to access the top. One is gentler and longer, curving around and up. The other is shorter with some steeper rocky areas and much more direct. We took the longer route and found another new plant on the way.
At the top of Mt Herbert there was an incredible panoramic view of the Pilbara country laid out before us.
There was also phone reception and we were able to confirm that Thom and Laura’s flight had, indeed, landed in Darwin. (Hooray).
Our next stop was the famous Python Pool, where red rock pillars stretch high above a clear green pool, cradling it in a semicircle of impressive dimensions.
We admired the pool but didn’t swim. We might need that time later in the day. More lovely flowers along the path here too.
We headed on towards the highway, passing Pyramid Hill and Mt Dick as the road headed through the Pilbara and the wildflower treats gave way to grass and termite mounds.
The growth of spinifex on the hills looked like melting snow.
We turned left on the highway and a little later were heading through the town of Roeburn. Interesting artwork on show in the town.
Karratha was next. We had a pie for lunch at the local shopping centre, took a quick tour of town and went on our way to Dampier.
Dampier got the same treatment. We admired the red dog statue, laughed at the quirky art work on the salt pans, had a quick drive around the esplanade, admired the water and turned back.
We diverted off to the side to visit Murujuga National Park to see the rock art (etchings) there and then stopped in at Hearsons Cove where we admired the beach, gaped at the multi-flamed stacks at the nearby Dampier Hamersley power station and used the public loos.
Then we were in our way again. 123 litres of diesel later we pulled out of the service station and were headed for our chosen camp spot.
As we turned on to 40 mike road we passed the Santos devil creek gas plant on the corner. This part of the country are sure working on using the natural resources up.
As we turned the corner towards Gnoorea Point, where the camping is, we were met with the sight of a wall of vans packed in tightly and issued a synchronised groan. Not quite the beach camping we were hoping for. We stopped to talk to the caretaker and discovered that he had 10 spaces of his 110 and was happy to have our group of three use two of these. We paid online to the council ($16) and he directed us along a track to a spot on our own about 700 meters away from all the crowds. We were looking out over a few mangroves to the west with plenty of space for us all.
We took the opportunity to enjoy the spot, walking out to the water through the mangroves and then along and around the point to the boat ramp, investigating the rocky pools as we went.
The sunset was a beauty, and the colours afterwards were stunning. As the lights came out we realised that the huge SINO magnetite iron mine is just across the water from us.
By then both of our travelling partners were in place and we could happily settle down to a night of peaceful sleep as we listened to the water gently lapping and the wind gently blowing.
Luvapuzzle 