Fri, 5th August, 2022 De Grey River Rest Area, north of Port Hedland to Turf Club 72hr RV Area, Port Hedland, WA (exploring Port Hedland)

The mornings are getting colder, min 12.2 degrees. 7.30am it was up to 14.8 and the sky is clear and it is windy still outside.

We headed off across the river then crossed the Strelley River which had only small pools of water under the bridge.

Low red rock hills parallel to the road but otherwise it is flat.

Rock piles near flat topped hills.

Some pointy hills with one looking like it will fall apart at any moment near the turn off to Marble Bar.

Across the iron ore railway line to the information bay for a cuppa and to top up the water tank. The wind is still blowing and cool. Great aerial photo in my brochure of the port.

A long iron ore train came by then an empty one headed out. The brochure says they can be 2.8km long. On the 21^st June, 2001, a train measuring 7.353kms long, travelled between Newman and Port Hedland. It had 8 locomotives, 682 ore carts carrying 82,262 tonne of iron ore, with a total weight of just under 100,000 tonne. The train travelled 275kms and still holds the record today. I learnt about that when I did the mine tour in Newman a few years back.

‘Transformation’ sculpture.

Headed into Port Hedland past the Dampier Salt piles. The evaporating ponds are huge. A conveyor is adding more to pile that the end loader will put into a truck to take to the port.

Long line of iron ore carriages are waiting to unload.

Into town to the BHP park which is near where the big ships are loaded with the iron ore. Two ships are opposite us - more are further down the harbour. One started loading then stopped.

Lou rang which was lovely to catch up with him. Work is very busy as they ramp up for Amateurs etc.

Walked along the path to the boat ramp - looks like it has all just been recently upgraded. Steve found a friend.

Across the road is the Dome Restaurant which used to be the Medical Officer’s Quarters according to the history plaque out the front.

As we walked back I found another info board about the Harbour & Lights Cottage. Great photo after the 1939 cyclone. Nothing left here now.

Headed to the Information Centre. On the corner was a cairn for Francis Gregory - first explorer of the North West in 1861.

Behind that was the old Convent with the big push out awnings to allow good ventilation.

The Info Centre ladies were very helpful. Great brochures - this one gives a good overview of the town’s history.

There is a screen showing the harbour and what ships are in and what they are being filled with etc. We also found out that we can sign a form at the grog outlets to be able to purchase more that one spirit etc as we are travellers. Lots of other bits and pieces to check out too.

Outside is a board showing the tide times and what ships are going in and out. We headed back as a ship will be heading out the harbour shortly.

Checked out more information on a mural opposite the info centre. Will have to work out these QR code things as a lot of places use them for their history info now. Another old history sign on the next building.

An interesting mural.

Walked along to the jetty to view the ship leaving. This was the old boat ramp. The edge is a rock shelf. Looking across to another loading area.

The Golden Scape (Hong Kong) heads out with the help of the FMG tugs. There are lots of other ships waiting out there to come in for their cargo.

Went back to Woolies and started on our grocery list. Just love this part and then I have to pack it all into the camper.

Up the hill to the Koombana Lookout, named after the ship that disappeared on the way to Broome from Port Hedland in March 1912. Obviously a cyclone sunk it.

Big water tower.

Erica rang to say her cousin John was not doing too well. I sent him a text to say we are thinking of him and Elsie. Fran texted saying my childhood neighbour Thelma had passed away. She will be having a ball in heaven with Mum and Dad.

Lots of ships waiting to be loaded. I counted 23.

Someone is burning something off.

Down the hill to the RV Area - an open area with soccer fields one side, tennis the other and the race course on the other side. The Turf Club allow us to stay if self contained for 72 hours and provide a survey form so they can see how much money we spend in the town and what we visited etc.

Found a spot and set up. The fire is still burning.

Drinks and chat with the couple, Mick and Anne, beside us who are from Warrnambool.

Got a bit chilly so had dinner inside. Steve set up the TV and got reception so we watched some of the Commonwealth Games - beach volleyball where the Aussies were doing well and both the men and women competitions.

We can hear the long ore trains rumble by which isn’t too bad but the big horn blasts might wake us during the night as they got 24 hours a day.