Tom Price, Western Australia, AustraliaMarch 2019
We spend a week at Mesa in Cape range
still before we leave. Then its time to leave Exmouth and head south
to Carnarvon again for me to see the specialist again to get the all
clear after the surgery.This is as far north as he comes so we have
to go to him.
We called into Bruboodjoo again but
only stayed the night as there was too much seaweed on the beach this
time.
Then we called into Quobba again , thinking we would stay a
couple of days to snorkel the sheltered bit the locals call the
aquarium . This did not work either as it got cloudy and the light
not so good for snorkelling. Then we find some of the locals are
camped here in the old shacks and all they do is drive up and down on
their quad bikes all day to late night. So no wildlife only noisy
30yolds . We have snorkelled here before so we decide we might as
well go into Carnarvon earlier than planned and do some cleaning of
the car and van.
On the way into Carnarvon is a car wash
for caravans & motorhomes as well. We call in here all the time
we are in the area, it usually takes us $20 - $30 in 1 and 2 dollar
coins, so we get some coin ready. This time it took $36 because of
the 31/2 months of sea salt in the air at Cape Range.
It has a ramp each side like the truck
washes so we can reach the top of the van and the solar panels.
We do give solar panels a wash every
week but this allows for a good wash. The underneath of both car
and van gets a good jet wash too. Well worth the money.
In Carnarvon I washed curtains , walls
and inside cupboards while Larry took out all the window screens and
washed and all vent covers. You would be surprised at how the salt
air in 31/2 months can make such a mess and jam up things that slid
including zips on bags.
We restocked food supplies and beer and
wine , which are a bit harder to get where we are going for the next
couple of months. Food will be stocked again in Karratha on the way
into Millstream and again in Tom Price for May.
We leave Carnarvon and head north again
after the all clear from the surgeon.
We thought we would spend a couple of
days at the old Onslow site as we have never been in there and then
stay at 2 beach camps close to Karratha before heading in to
Millstream.
Big change of plans as Cyclone
Veronica decides it also like where we are going.
We have to detour inland 260klm to Tom
Price which is between are next two months parks.
So the coast from Onslow to Port
Headland will have to wait, maybe next time there will not be a
cyclone .
Tom Price is a mining town in Hamersley
Ranges, Iron ore. But there is also different Jaspers, Tiger eye,
Tiger iron and Haematite.
Not many shops but does have a Coles
supermarket and a small hospital.
At the back of the caravan park is Mt
Nameless- Aboriginal name Jarndunmunha [place of rock wallaby] height
1128m.
There is a walking track we did years
ago and for something to do while we waited out the cyclone we walked
part of it again. I made it maybe ¼ of the way to just past the
first lot of steep steps in the rocks. Larry got over half way but it
was very windy and cloudy. Thats our excuse and I'm sticking to it.
The following day we drove up it again
, it is a dirt road to the base then this sign warning its steep and
you do it at expense and safety.
At the top is sign to tell you you have
driven on the highest vehicle allowed track in West Australia .
Views of mines and Tom Price and
Hamersley Range.
The track up is as steep as I
remembered but maybe a bit rougher.
The following day we decided to go
look at Hamersley Gorge – Minhthukundi , we had not been in there
before.
Its about 60km away on mostly dirt
road. The bad narrow bits have a strip of bitumen
We park at car park and walk down steep
track into gorge , the waterfalls are small but running quite well
into pool area before flowing on again. Very clear water you can see
some fish. The rock walls show all the colours of the minerals found
here. Marble Bar some 200 to 250 km away was named because the quartz
,red jasper , haematite , mixed with the mineral iron ore making it
look like marble.
I thought I would not mind going for a
swim but we had not brought our bathers down with us so as no body
around I went in. I looked around for the safest get in place as the
rocks are very slippery with moss and was very careful but still
ended up slipping in and going under . Good job I had checked for
underwater rocks so I did not hit my head. Larry did not get in and
the photos he took we trashed as water very clear for skinny dipping.
So take my word for it it was nice and you are allowed to swim in
here. I got out and dressed in time to see people at the lookout.
It was still early so we drove down the
other side of the track down the gorge. We found some road works and
trucks use this road through to Roebourne and Karratha.
I took a video as we came back up to
the gorge road and all trucks have to radio their position on the
track as it is a no passing or overtaking track. Very twisty and
narrow going up or down , its a single lane track that you can not
see down. We radio our position too incase others on the road.
We go into Millstream/ Chichester
National park tomorrow Sunday 31 March until April 30.
We will drive the 235km on dirt road.
155Klm of this is The Rhio Tinto Iron Ore rail access road- for
which you need to answer some questions and get a permit.
We have looked after Millstream before,
it was April too , but this time we do not think the scientists are
there checking wildlife. Its a nice park anyway but no mobile
coverage but We do get to use parks internet for messages if the
cyclone has not damaged it.
lynda probitts
2019-03-30
wow.. looks amazing.. enjoy..xxx