Sat, 24th Aug, 2024 72hr RV Park, Port Hedland to Bush camp on 4 Mile Common, Marble Bar, WA

Cool breeze all night (min 20 degrees). Needed out extra covers as we have all the windows open now! There is a constant hum from the rail yard further over but otherwise it was a peaceful night.

Filled up the water tanks then around to the dump point. Into Woolies nearby to stock up for our month ‘off-grid’.

Back out then turned off towards South Hedland where the cheaper diesel is (194.9c/l) - much dearer where we are heading.

Back onto the highway and headed back to the turn off to Marble Bar. The others are on their way down from Broome so we should see them tomorrow at Marble Bar.

Lots of road trains carting ore around here! We drove this road in 2016. Checked the weather forecast, max 30 degrees in Port Hedland, 35 in Marble Bar and the temperature will be creeping up though the nights are cool, 17 degrees - might need to put our blanket back on.

Open flat country.

Across the wide dray Shaw River.

Smooth rock and spinifex hills of Gorge Range appear 80km from Marble Bar. Flat country to our left with the range on our right.

These hills are different - they look like they are coated in chocolate topping! Usually they are just dotted with spinifex.

Heading through the hills now via Doolena Gap. Up and down some hills then back to the open country again.

Passed the turn off to Nullagine then the entrance signs appear for Marble Bar. Well done.

Topped up the diesel at the roadhouse, 239.9c/l (Nullagine is 294.9c/l). We explored this area in 2016.

Down the road to 4 Mile Common to park up for the night. Found a clear area with some trees so I can do our washing. It shouldn’t take long as it is hot and there is a good breeze blowing. Not many flies about which is great.

The others have left Port Hedland and will see us in the morning.

Steve sharpened the picks and made a fireplace. Washing done and drying quickly.

Drinks by the fire as the sun set. Lovely to have a fire again.

There has been a band of cloud above us all day which I first thought was a jet stream but it didn’t disappear. It has caught the sun set colours which look nice.

So many stars above us and the Milky Way stands out as there are no other lights about. Spotted some satellites as we ate dinner by the fire. The temperature is perfect though it said we reached 39 degrees in the camper during the afternoon even with all the windows open! We were outside with the wind and shade so didn't notice the heat.

The wind picked up during the night - oh yes we are in WA, windy always!