Fri, 13th Dec, 2019 Roadside Rest Area, 50km west of Whim Creek to Nillibubbica Rest Area, east of Broome, WA

5.45am 31.8 degrees, clear sky to the north with a band of cloud over us. Nice gusty wind is blowing. These last couple of night’s I could have had an air conditioner!! Only a couple of vehicles drove past us through the night which was good. Not a busy road with road trains etc.

6.30am on the road again heading towards Port Hedland. The cloud is blocking the sun which is good as we are driving straight into it.

Through more grass country then back into spinifex and a few trees. Cattle wandering across the road and down the fence line towards Sherlock River which has pools of water.

More grass paddocks – I wonder if these have been cleared in the early days as there is spinifex around on the edges.

Past the turn off into Whim Creek with its famous pub – they have a replica of it out on the highway. I think Margaret worked there or something.

More hills appearing.

Left the hills behind as we continue towards Port Hedland. Lots of water in Yule River. Still flat open country with spinifex.

The sun is out and is shining on the side of the van where the fridge is which isn’t helpful.

Across a very wide Turner River with a pool of water in the middle.

Lots of bright green foliage on small shrubs.

30km before Port Hedland we went over the rail line for the Roy Hill Iron Ore Mine – heading to the port facilities.

Passed a big power station.

Over the FMG Iron Ore rail line – the carriages just go on and on.

Next is the BHP line.

Zoomed in on loading facilities and the wharf with ships lined up.

Filled up with fuel again out of town then up and around the huge roundabout/overpass onto the Great Northern Highway. Steve said they have big machinery around here so everything is big.

More salt piles in the distance.

Another very long train carrying more iron ore – just got the end of it so we didn’t have to stop at the rail crossing. I wonder why they haven’t put an overpass on this one. No name for this one.

Continued on towards Broome. Early cuppa at the first rest area – 37 degrees with a hot strong wind.

Flat country continues with an occasional hill.

Interesting hill shapes as we pass the turn off to Marble Bar. The base is surrounded with big granite boulders.

Travelling alongside a range of hills.

A few waterholes in the Shelly River. Railway line on the other side.

Flat red soil country dotted with nice white gumtrees.

Across the wide De Grey River – good fishing on the coast on De Grey Station. Tom and friends go there.

Another range of hills.

Long straight road ahead as we near Pardoo River (missed getting a photo) – water pools upstream.

Passed the turn off to Cape Keraudren which is north end of the No. 1 Rabbit Proof Fence and the southern end of the 80 Mile Beach.

Further along we saw big white sand dunes in the distance in the west.

The band of cloud is building in front of us.

Spotted some very green pastures then saw a sign, ‘Pardoo Irrigation’. Otherwise it is just red sandy soil, scrubby trees, grass and spinifex.

Another bright green farm – obviously growing hay the piles of hay bales around.

Had a quick lunch at a rest stop – 41 degrees with strong hot wind.

  

Continued on past lots of burnt country. Then past the turn off to 80 Mile Beach Caravan Park.

Next turn off goes east to the Kidston and Wapet (old oil drilling) Tracks which we thought were closed but there was a sign about access on them.

Passed Sandfire Roachouse, over a couple of red sand ridges then onto open flat plains with white soil. Nothing to stop the wind here at all.

Further on the wind was making a white dust storm.

Back into red sandy country. Bigger trees appearing.

Stopped for a cuppa at a big rest stop – well off the road and heaps of room with tables and shelter sheds, fireplaces, toilets and dump point.

Up the road is the turn off into Shelamar Station which has a big market garden.

Rolling up and down big wide ridges with more trees and shrubs. Heading to black clouds again.

The wind appears to have settled. Shamrock Station also has a market garden. Don’t think there is any produce for sale now in this heat.

Barn Hill Station has camping etc. Friends stayed there as caretakers. Lots of people talk about it as being a great place to stay.

‘Pat’ is purring along now as we aren’t fighting any wind and the dark clouds have blocked out the sun too.

Passed the turn off to Dampier Downs Station – back into flat open grazing country again called Roebuck Plains. They had sheep here in the early days looking at the names of the wells on Hema. Cattle now and we can see a lot for a change.

Passed the turn off to Roebuck Plains Homestead – back into scrub where we spotted some potteroos by the road.

Reached a t-intersection. Left to Broome to fill up with diesel again. It is much cheaper in town than at the roadhouse but it is 25km in. I wanted to see Cable Beach any case and as the sun is getting low we might see the sunset.

Through burnt area – I remember hearing about it when I was in Cairns.

A peacock was wandering by the road as we passed the Speedway.

Filled up then headed to Cable Beach. Managed to find a park for the truck and van and walked over nice green grass to look out over Cable Beach. The thick clouds are blocking the sun so no nice sunset for us. Someone is detecting on the beach. At least it is cooler here as the wind has picked up off the sea. Lots of vehicles on the north end of the beach.

I had thought we could get some fish and chips but there is only one takeaway – burgers or pizza and a restaurant. I would have thought there would be more places to eat along the beach front.

As we drove out the camels came wandering up beside us – would have been disappointing if you paid for the sunset ride today.

Headed back out to the turn off and roadhouse then continued on to a big rest area for the night.

Parked up and had our late dinner. Still 38 degrees in the van and no breeze. Very humid and cloudy. A police car drove in shining its spotlight around – did a lap then left again.