The drive from Port Hedland to Karajini National Park was very scenic, some beautiful Pilbara hills, particularly East Munjina Gorge, and this is where the flowers began in earnest. Purple Mulla Mulla , acres and acres of it and , then, Sturt Desert Peas in their lovely reds. Lots of other varieties in yellows, whites, pinks, blues.
Dales Gorge Campground in Karajini is so well thought out and very well run. We had an excellent camp spot with plenty of shrubs etc. between us and our neighbours. Karajini is looking magnificent after a heap of rain (10 inches) earlier in the season. The spinifex is green and the trees, snappy gums with stark white trunks, bloodwoods, on the hillsides, and all the other plants looking so healthy. More flowers everywhere. Over the days we were in Karajini we visited all the gorges and they are beyond spectacular. The scary amazing depths and sheer walls and dramatic reds of the gorge walls. Karajini is surely the jewel of WA. We walked and gasped and felt privileged to see such awesome sights.
From Karajini we spent a night in Tom Price where we were lucky to coincide with their annual festival. Had an interesting time in a simulator of an engine driver's cabin for an ore train. A local young lady also gave me directions to find some wildflowers. Found them and they were smothering a local hillside just on the edge of town.
From Tom Price we took the dirt road up to Hamersley Gorge then onto Mt. Florance for the night. Hamersley Gorge is an amazing place. The forces of nature millions of years ago have created this gorge with twisted folded bands of rock and amazing colours. Mt. Florance Station was a little gem. Grass! and lots water, so flushing loo and hot shower in a bush shed. Also a fire pit which we made good use of and sat around with the only other couple there enjoying a chat and the star show. A lovely interlude. The drive today was notable for even more flowers and the good surface of the road even though very dusty. No dust in the van!
Mt. Florance to Millstream/Chichester NP was more of the same except for even more Sturt Desert Peas. Millstream was hot and dry and we only spent one night there as it paled into insignificance after Karajini. But the drive out past Python Pool through a range of Pilbara hills with great views was rather special.
We spent a couple of days at Point Sampson cleaning up and revisiting the area. The historic towns of Cossack, and Roebourne, and drove down to Karratha and Dampier for a day. Karratha has developed enormously and is now a modern little city with multi story buildings etc. etc. Visited the North West Shelf visitor centre in Dampier and spent several hours learning all about the gas being produced. Such a huge venture. Mind blowing. Also found our way to Deep Gorge and picked our way up the rough track between the tumbled rock hills to find ancient aboriginal petroglyphs. Successfully, thanks to Bill's sharp eyes.
Bullara Station came next and another gem of a place to stay. Quirky open air amenities. Walls but no roof. A lovely feeling showering in the open air. Damper and socialising every evening at 5pm. From here drove to Coral Bay for a swim and up to Exmouth to organise a few days in the Cape Range NP. Also did several drives and walks around the station.. Recommend a stay here for friendliness and relaxation.
Then another very special camp at Osprey Bay in the Cape Range NP. So well done and our site was on the cliff top overlooking the glorious ocean in its colours of deepest turquoises and blues with blinding white beaches. Unbelievably beautiful area.. Swam at Turquoise Bay with large fish all around us. A must see place.
So much more I could say but here are a few photos.
Mulla Mulla, Karajini NP
Kalamina Gorge, Karajini
Circular pool, Karajini
Dales Gorge, Fern Pool and Fortescue falls
Reflections
More gorge views
Where three gorges meet
It is a long way down!
Joffre Gorge. Note the walkers climbing down the cliff. Too steep for me.
Knox Gorge. Really really scary and deep from the lookout perched out over the drop
Flower pics
Ashburton peas
Pilbara Hill. Red rock and green spinifex
East Munjina gorge view
Hamersley Gorge showing twisted rock forms
More Hamersley
Hamersley
Sturt Desert Pea
Pilbara Hill, the Nipple
600 million year old tumbled rock hill. Made by nature, not man.
Honeymoon Bay, Point Sampson
Aboriginal Petroglygh, many thousands of years old. Spot the fish
More Sturt Peas, red centred variety
Turquoise Bay, Cape Range NP, Ningaloo Reef
Yardie Creek Gorge, Cape Range NP
Our van at Osprey Bay, Cape Range NP
