Timber Creek

21st May 2024

Distance: 343 Km

Fuel: 43 L

Not a great distance to travel today but moving from one time zone to another means that our arrival time will be 1.5 hours later.

Set off about 8.30 (ish) but stopped to view The Grotto just 35 km outside Wyndham. At the bottom is a swimming hole where it is safe to swim (ie no crocodiles). Too many steps for me so I admired it from above.

The second stop was at Kununurra where I stopped for fuel and filled up my empty container.

The journey from Wyndham to Timber Creek was through different types of countryside. Once I entered the Northern territory the speed limit became 130kph abut I just upped my speed to about 105kph (in WA anyone towing a trailer is limited to 100kph).

At about 1.30pm arrived at Timber Creek Roadhouse where I filled up with expensive fuel and booked a powered site. The creek at the rear of the park has Freshwater crocs in it though I didn’t see any until..

The Roadhouse has a show of feeding the Freshwater Crocs at 5pm three times a week so I went along. I had seen this last time I visited and quite enjoyed it. Unfortunately the spectacle has been lost somewhat, previously you were on the bridge looking down at the action whereas this time everybody was kept behind a rope barrier, in the end I just wandered off before it was finished.

Wyndham–Out and About

20th May 2024

Distance: 32 Km

Fuel: 41 L

It is light before 6am and I was up with the dawn. First job was to wash my dirty clothes, have got into the habit of doing this regularly rather than letting it build up. Followed this up with Weetbix and coffee for breakfast after a shower.

Was on the road early while it was lovely and cool, first stop a lookout over locking the town and the port. These town lookouts seem to be a happy accident a result of another need. In this case it seems to be a water tower and a communications tower but the town has ended up with a grand tourist asset.

After spending some time admiring the view and enjoying the winding road to get there I returned through the town to the old town and the port. It must be a pretty important port the whole area is a working port with a security status. I only drove where I was allowed but it was very interesting.

Then it was time to visit the Supermarket for a few odds and ends before going to the Big Croc at the entrance to the town. It was made by students at the local TAFE out of wire and concrete.

Filled up with fuel for tomorrow at the only outlet in town, it closes early afternoon. Was pleasantly surprised at the price of $2.08/L.

Late afternoon dismantled the gazebo ready for leaving tomorrow and had a shower before making some dinner.

It was pleasant and relaxing day.

Wyndham

19th May 2024

Distance: 328Km

The night at Little Panton River Rest Area passed easily enough. I was up at first light making some tea and a bowl of cereal. It was a pleasant enough site to stay overnight, the people who had arrived after dark soon took down their tents and were gone long before I was ready to leave. While I was getting ready to leave I put out my folding solar panel.

I found something missing from my camping equipment, I don’t have a suitable sized container into which to siphon water, I used my electric kettle as a makeshift water carrier but it is something I will have to rectify.

Todays drive was relatively short after the marathon yesterday, I stopped a couple of times but still arrived in Wyndham before noon.

The road splashed through a couple of fords/floodways.

Found a nice site and was able to set up my gazebo at the back of the camper

Took the opportunity to wash all my bedding as there was a good breeze as well at the temperature being in the low 30s. in the event it was completely dry within 2 hours.

In the park grounds is a 2000 year old Boab Tree.

Heading East

18th May 2024

Distance: 715 Km

Fuel: 80 L

Was not able to book a site at Fitzroy Crossing but was told to get there early. Didn’t rush but packed up early while the morning was still cool, remembered to return the amenities block key to the Roadhouse and headed off.

For a roadhouse caravan park I quite liked this one, there was plenty of shady trees, the amenities block was good enough plus it had a swimming pool. The roadhouse itself not only served snacks (as they all do) but it had a bar, a restaurant and the fuel was cheaper than in Broome itself.

I must have set off about 7.30 am (ish) on another warm, sunny day. Again the scenery varied as I drove along

At Fitzroy Crossing the bridge had been rebuilt after being destroyed in the wet season floods and basically cut northern WA in half. I filled up with fuel but it was only 10.30am so decided to push on to Halls Creek (serves them right for not letting me book earlier). I had previously stayed at Fitzroy Crossing and went on a river cruise seven years ago.

There are still a few single lane bridges left along the highway

There is a caravan park at Halls Creek so thought I would try my luck there or if I was too tired would stop at one of the rest areas on the way.

Made a few stops for a rest, to stretch my legs or just enjoy the view. When I arrived at Halls Creek discovered that the caravan park was actually closed for some reason. Had a quick look at the “Camping” book and found a rest area about 30 km further on. So was off again. It turned out to be a rest area on a river, the main road went over a bridge but the rest area had a ford in the middle – probably was the original road.

Anyway it looked good enough to me, no facilities other that a couple of picnic shelters. Got the stove out and made a cup of teas. The sun was pretty low in the sky by now but put out my portable solar panel just to ensure the camper battery has the highest charge I can get.

A caravan turned up while I was wandering about but decided to move another 9 km up the road where there was a rest area with more facilities. It was only after dark another person pulled in for the night.

Broome

17th May 2024

Distance: 88 Km

Fuel: 39 L

First thing this morning was to wash my dirty clothes, there were only a few so it wasn’t long before they were on the line.

Just before 9am set off for Broome, First stop the visitor centre to buy postcards, They had a very poor selection. Postcards are getting harder and harder to buy.

Then it was a visit to Coles for some fruit, bread, milk and other essentials. Was going to buy some beer but the grog shops don’t open until noon for some reason (see later)

Took a drive through Chinatown but it seemed very crowded, then to Town Beach.

Followed this with a drive to Cable Beach (of course)

It was still not quite noon so I waited in the air conditioned comfort of the shopping mall with a bubble tea – never had one before, it was OK but I must admit I prefer real tea even on a hot day.

Finally It was noon so I drove into a BWS to buy a six pack of beer. When I went to pay for it they asked for my ID, I asked if he thought I was too young to buy booze. It was explained that everyone has to produce ID and can only make one purchase in 24 hours. My ID was scanned to see if I was banned, fortunately it came up green.

Early afternoon drove the 30kms back to the Roadhouse where I filled up with fuel in preparation for moving on tomorrow.

Read my book for a while then had a swim in the pool (it was 37°) followed by a shower before settling down for a meal and a newly purchased beer.

A Long Drive

16th May 2024

Distance: 670 Km

Fuel: 46 L

This morning was always going to be a long day with nearly 700km to cover. I left as soon as I had a shower and finished packing up. I planned to stop several times, twice for fuel and a couple of times for a rest.

The scenery varied all day the only consistent thing was the sun and the heat, it got up to 37°.

Arrived at the Roebuck Plains Roadhouse just after 3pm, checked in and immediately booked a second night.

Marble Bar

15th May 2024

Distance: 7 Km

Fuel: 46 L

Today was a rest day but I was up as usual at 6am and after breakfast went looking for fuel and a drive around town, the town (Pop 911) is actually only a short walk from the caravan park but as I needed to get fuel I drove.

First stop was a lookout overlooking the town and its new solar plant.

After a quick drive down the main street (pub and general store/Post Office) found the only fuel stop just outside the town not cheap at $2.40/L afterward went back to the caravan park where I read my book and lazed about.

Mid afternoon decided to walk into town for the exercise and take some photos.

Late in the afternoon dismantled the gazebo ready for leaving tomorrow. Also booked site at Roebuck Roadhouse for tomorrow. It was a mistake I had intended to spend the night at a roadhouse halfway to Roebuck and was about to cancel when I thought, “Why Not?”, it is a long drive but if I start early and stop along the way, I could spent two nights there and drive into Broome for the day (I did like Broome).

Basically the rest of this trip is places I have already visited but there you go.

Three Sides of a Square

14th May 2024

Distance: 453 Km

Left the roadhouse at about 8.30am to set off for Marble Bar. There are shorter ways to get to Marble Bar but they all involve long dirt roads of unknown quality so I stuck to the highways even though it was much longer in distance.

It is getting more obvious each day that we are in the tropics, today the temperature was about 33° and last night in the camper didn’t drop below 16°

Wandered round the roadhouse early, they are large allotments with massive parking areas for road trains.

The drive was through a variety of vegetation – always changing, always interesting. Stopped a few times to stretch my legs.

There was the inevitable big load where I had to vacate the road.

Passing Port Headland reminded me of my previous visit when I stayed there ,it is a busy industrial place devoted to the export of iron ore, the road network is something you would expect in a major city, not only trucks but trains arrive with ore 24 hours a day.

The whole journey was punctuated by passing road trains, the drivers are so helpful they let you know if the road is clear to overtake. They are obviously high up but also 60 metres or so ahead of you.

To The Pilbara

13th May 2024

Distance: 565 Km

Fuel: 68 L

Got up as usual at 6am for shower, then breakfast and even spent some time reading my book. Rang the Caravan Park in Marble Bar to book a site for tomorrow night.

Set off at about 8.30am under cloudless skies, not sure how far I will drive today as there are a few options for tonight’s stop but I would like to get as far as I can to make the following day less arduous.

A variety of scenery as I drove along plus the inevitable big load. I saw a Wedgetail Eagle by the road feeding on road kill, gave it a wide berth, they can be slow to get airborne after a big feed.

Stopped a few times along the way sometimes just to stretch my legs, other times for the view. Stopped once for fuel on the way.

Kept going until I reached the Auski Roadhouse at Karijini when I decided to call it a day and booked a site in their caravan park, not cheap at $40 but they do have to generate their own power from a couple of diesel generators.

Treated myself to an ice cream from the roadhouse when I filled up with fuel at $2.29 a litre.

I will need to rearrange the bedding in the camper, it is 9.30pm and the temperature in the camper is still 23°. Until tonight I have been using the winter feather doona but I think tonight I will only need the summer one or later perhaps just the sheet as it is only going to get warmer.

Going North

12th May 2024

Distance: 412 Km

Fuel: 39 L

I enjoyed my visit to Sandstone but after the usual ablutions left about 8.40am. Before leaving I rang Karalundi Caravan Park and booked a site.

Once again the journey was through a variety of countryside.

Was forced off the road by the usual big load travelling south.

But was very fortunate to get past a big load travelling in my direction, it was parked off to one side as I went past, the Pilot vehicle just setting off.

Made two stops for fuel, the first at Mount Magnet and later at Meekatharra as there is no fuel near the caravan park I will be staying at.

Karalundi Caravan Park and Coffee Shop is, as I understand it, is a training facility for the local Aborigines and is attached to a school. No smoking or alcohol is allowed on the site.

Not sure where I will be staying tomorrow as the caravan park at Newman wanted $50 for a powered site and $35 for unpowered which I thought a bit rich.