Thurs, 11th August, 2022 Miliyanha Campground, Millstream-Chichester National Park to Roy Hill Rest Area, south of Nullagine, WA (Millstream homestead)

6.30am 7.8 degrees so we didn’t get up till 8am when it had reached 12 degrees. Clear sky and windy.

Walked across to the old homestead which then became a tavern. The camp hosts were sweeping it out, a job she has to do regularly so imagine what it was like for the people who lived in it first. Interesting info about why this area became a national park - to protect the Millstream acquifer within the Fortescue River catchment.

Each of the rooms has a floor map explaining what it had previously been used for. The beginning of ‘lending libraries’, now we have little boxes in suburbs, van parks etc for people to leave their books and hopefully find another one to enjoy reading. Lots of interesting facts under the glass on the table.

Wandered through the house.

Out the back was the old cookhouse.

Beside that was a piece of old machinery and displays of old bits and pieces. Not sure what the machine did.

Chatted with a couple from SA about the Sturt Desert Peas it they are SA’s flora emblem and they have seen more up here than in SA though she said there are a lot in the Flinders Ranges.

Had a cuppa then headed off back to the bitumen and out to the main road again. Driving beside the Rio Tinto iron ore rail line again. Crossed the rail line then onto gravel road to head down towards Karijini National Park. Rolling up and down the small hills then into open ground. Nice view of the ranges as we passed the turn off into Mt Florence Station. More trees as we travel parallel with the upper reaches of the Fortescue River. At a Y intersection we continued in and across the wide flood section of the Fortescue River - no actual river bed. View of the range where Hammersley Gorge is on this side of Karijini National Park.

Across a new single rail line - the road has been shifted for the rail line. Pulled off into a clearing for a late lunch. Back of the camper is not clean any more - fine red Pilbara dust.

Continued on as we have done all the gorges previously. Across another rail line then onto the road to Wittenoom which is still gravel with Karijini National Park and the mountains on our right. A grader is working so a bit of smooth road for a while so I could get a good photo of part of the range.

All flat on the left hand side to another range in the distance.

Turned onto bitumen as we look up Wittenoom Gorge. The abandoned shops and houses of the township are still there. Back on the gravel again as we continue along the edge of the national park and the mountains.

Continued on to Auski Roadhouse where there was major roadworks so the parking area was fenced off so there was a bit of confusion at the fuel pumps with trucks, caravans etc trying to line up for fuel ($2.30 per litre). They have a lot of fuel theft here so I had to hand over my licence before they activated the pump. Steve saw people with hot chips so we treated ourselves so some while we had a cuppa in the camper. Steve gave them an 8 out of 10 for the chips. High praise indeed.

Rang Margaret as she had sent a text. They will be heading up towards Leonora etc in Sept so might catch up with them.

That’s the end of the sightseeing part for now. We are heading to Nullagine to spend a month or so detecting. We have permission for 4 leases near Nullagine that our friend Ray had organised. We had been on two of them a few years back with Ray and Carol so it will be good to spend some more time slowly working our way over the leases.

Back through the roadworks then turned off to head towards Nullagine on the Roy Hill Road (bitumen). New section of road to go with the new railway line. 

Passed a field of Mulla Mulla.

Passed a big mine operation beside the railway line - don’t remember it being here when we last drove through. Further along is an airfield - the magnitude of mining operations is amazing - huge financing and logistics.

More major roadworks beside the rail line - relocating the road etc.

Flock of green budgies flew across the road - so pretty. Another flock came very close to the truck and appeared to be racing us.

Had to stop for a while while an empty ore train passed - travelling fast so I couldn’t count all the carriages.

Back onto gravel road again.

Massive flock of budgies zoomed by. Flat red soil country with the first cattle we have seen in ages hanging around the water trough. The wind has stopped blowing. Haven’t seen another vehicle since the last road works.

5pm a faint, nearly full, moon has risen in front of us.

Reached the Newman-Nullagine Highway where we pulled into the open Roy Hill Rest Area for the night. Plenty of room here. There are a couple of other travellers parked up. One is a 5^th wheeler called The Manor.

We drove further back into the bush away from the road. Another couple were parked up. We found a spot, got level and then I got the camper ready - raised the roof etc. Steve wandered off for a chat with the other chap. The moon looks lovely.

Drinks then dinner and a movie. Left the camper closed up as it is quite chilly.