7am
13.5 degrees – bit chilly this morning. Strong cold wind from the SE but the
sky is clear and blue. A couple parked further up the hill called in to say
hello – we met them in the park at Marble Bar. They have been on the road 10
years.
Looked
at our photos of August two years ago (on the TV) last night. Decided we will
watch each day’s photos as we have dinner so we can revisit where we have
already been – and to refresh our memories!!
Back
on the bitumen down to Newman.
A
road train was pulled off the road and we saw a smashed horsefloat on one side
and a dead horse on the other but that had happened early – he had just broken
down there. Shame someone hasn’t removed the horse.
Passed
more turnoffs into BHP mines. We have passed lots of wide loads with their
escort out front. One came towards us with lights flashing but he didn’t
indicate to move off the road or call up on the UHF and he was a long way in
front. When the semi arrived he was in the middle of the road and luckily we
had plenty of room to get off. They should have another sign saying ‘very wide
load – get off the road’ or at least he should have called us up and warned us.
On
the Hema Map it said ‘Cathedral Gorge’ so I got ready with my camera but it was
just where the road cut through the hill – nothing exciting.
Nearing
Newman we see the mining area of Mt Whaleback.
A
couple on a hill point to Newman.
Neat
little town though you can tell it is a mining town with all the dongas etc.
Into the Visitor Centre carpark. Went inside and paid our $10 to park the night
here. We can stay 3 nights. The old truck belonged to the discovery of iron ore
here – Stan Hilditch. He discovered it in 1957 but didn’t peg it until 1967
after the Commonwealth Embargo was lifted.
Interesting
things in bottles on the truck’s tray – this is an Olive Python.
A
few bits and pieces to check out.
Outside
was a 200 Tonne Wabco ore truck. There were only 30 produced and Mt Whaleback
owned 22 of them. When fully loaded the truck weighs 75 tonnes which is more
than the take-off weight of a 747 jumbo jet. In 1973 the truck’s value was $2.5
million. It was sold to the Visitor Centre in 1992 for $1.00. There is a drill
rig too which we will check out later.
Info
about the Western Pebble-Mound Mouse. They were mentioned in Karijini NP to
look out for their mounds.
We
parked beside some sculptures.
They
certainly are big machines.
Headed
down to Woolies to get our groceries before settling in to watch the V8s
qualifying races at Sandown.
After
that finished we went for a drive up to the Hilditch Lookout where the couple’s
silhouette is.
Looking
across to one of the other BHP mines.
Down
the road to the other entrance to Newman where another big truck is on display
with lots of information and some more silhouettes.
A
cage holds the two types of iron ore.
The
sun was starting to set as we headed to the other lookout called Radio Hill. It
overlooks the town and on the other side part of Mt Whaleback mine.
Zoomed
in on the other mine area Orebody 18 (strange names they give mines) which we
drove around on the road to Marble Bar.
Then
around the rest of Newman.
Across the other side to look over the Mt Whaleback Mine.
Back
to the van. We have neighbours from Qld but didn’t see anyone. Bit cool so
happy to be inside the van with lots of TV channels to watch.
Don’t
need my fairy lights tonight as the sphere sculpture beside us has flashing lights
in it.
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