Tuesday/Wednesday 26 & 27 August – Broome
We float along with Broome time and decide to stay another day – a good excuse to walk off the excesses along the beach. The temptation for another sunset photo and drinks of course whilst watching the camel treks.
Its such a popular spot with locals and visitors alike – some folk really should leave their bathers on though – it’s enough to put you off your wine!
Thursday 28 August – Broome –Barn Hill Outstation
It’s been suggested by a number of people that we camp at the popular Barn Hill Outstation (forms part of Thangoo Station), about 100kms south of Broome. The site has its own very small bowling green and if you’re up early enough you can head to the bakery for fresh baked bread (old fashioned style) and vanilla slices! It’s pretty laid back and we find a spot with a view to the ocean. Out with the binoculars as we see whales floating past our back door and the water is lovely. A very low tide and we take a long walk and some beachcombing in the afternoon. Another magnificent sunset, with smoke from the fires at Broome.
Friday 29 August – Barn Hill – 80 Mile Beach
We’re in two minds whether to stay or continue on and decide to camp at 80 Mile Beach. I haven’t been there for years so it’s a nice surprise to see the park is still there, with grown trees, a nice grassed area in the park and lots of ants! Always something! A drive on the shell lined beach and it’s wall to wall fishermen and vehicles in both directions. We’re walk down later in the afternoon to witness the outgoing tide and it seems to go on forever.
Saturday 30 August – 80 Mile Beach – Point Samson
We leave early and call into South Hedland. How much has this place changed – two new overpasses have been opened over the rail lines – the locals tell me you don’t have to sit for hours waiting for the ore trains to pass. So many places to camp and we finally pull into Point Samson – the MOST EXPENSIVE caravan park we have stayed (wished we’d gone to Cleaverville out of Karratha). A long arvo walk with a view to Cape Lambert and many ships at sea waiting to berth and the chef has another night off with dinner at the pub.
Sunday 31 August – Point Samson – Bullara Station
We call into Wickham and then to Karratha – now a city – it’s barely recognisable with multi storey buildings. We don’t stay long – a quick shop for some essentials and I count 30 guys in fluoros lined up at Subway at 10am! (night shift perhaps) We stop for lunch at Robe River (no water in the river but lots of campers with TV satellite dishes). So many people are ‘free camping’ these days and have been there for months complete with vege gardens! Woe betide anyone who tries to squeeze into a spot allocated for friends! Not for us – we’re going to camp at Bullara Station south of Exmouth where we have camped previously. A great spot with friendly people – complete with ensuite and hot water shower and lots of wood to keep the fire going!
Monday 1 Sept – Ballara Station – Warra (Warroora (south of Coral Bay))
We’re told that Warra is the place to camp. Stopping at Coral Bay for a cuppa and a walk to town beach, the water is beautiful with numerous snorkelers and families. One look at the overcrowded caravan park and we off to Warra.
After about 45 attempts at backing the van into a very tight spot (the smallest one on the beach), on an angle so the wind doesn’t blow out the gas, rocks under the wheels etc etc we have a great view of the water and Ningaloo Reef. The water is 20 feet away – geez, who wants to leave here – not me! we could stay for a month. My second swim of the trip and I don’t want to get out of the water – it’s a warm bath. We meet some fellow West Ozzies, one decides to light the fire and bake an Italian damper in the camp oven. It’s (yawn) another fabulous sunset and we actually have a LATE NIGHT (past 10pm)
Tuesday 2 Sept – Warra – Geraldton and HOME
Wish we were at Warra but a long drive looms – we’re gone by 8am, a stop in Carnarvon and arrive in Gero around 4.30pm. We spend the next day there catching up with friends and checking out the houses. Pretty keen to turn around and go back to the warmer weather. It’s overcast, around 22 deg here and the jumpers are on.
Unfortunately all good things come to an end – can’t believe we have been on the road for 2 months. We’ve encountered all sorts of weather, great places, many fabulous nights camped under the stars, amazing sunsets, wonderful people, lots of laughs, our great home on wheels (not once have we wanted to pull into a hotel/motel). We’ve had bugs in the bed, didn’t see snakes but did see BIG CROCS. Been in some of the smallest bathrooms in caravan parks, had to use the thinnest toilet paper ever, NO TV FOR 2 MONTHS (and didn’t miss it) and definitely will not be purchasing the popular van accessory (the FLUFFY DOG). … life on the road has been lots of fun with wonderful memories and the people to share those memories.
We are already planning our next trip – home long enough to check all the mail, get the tax returns done do the washing etc.
Hope you’ve enjoyed the blog – I’ve loved doing it!