Karijini National park

18 July 

We actually did 702 kms today, one of our biggest days and probably the biggest since the Nullarbor. On the road by 7.45, breakfast  at 10.30 and 250kms already done. Lunch at Parurbardoo another 280 kms.

 

Then onto Tom Price for a shop before heading the final 100 kms into Dales Gorge and our stop for the next few nights.

Unfortunately the campsite had the "full" sign up, although we found out later it wasn't full. This meant we had to stay in the overflow area which was fine with us. We didn't unhook just pulled up, the kids ran around while I put the legs down and TJ cooked baked beans then a quick wash and off to bed. It was freezing. We had really been spoiled at Coral Bay and were really not ready for it to be this cold.

Next morning after some school work we packed up and headed 10 kms down the road into the campground, paid our money and went into our site.

Then we packed up our gear and walked off to Dales Gorge which was magnificent. First up we looked down into Circular Pool,

 

 

then climbed our way down into the gorge itself. Very steep but  once down the bottom we had a great time.

 

 

 

 We walked through a clearly marked path right along the bottom of the gorge occasionally crossing the water on stepping stones with a little bit of rock climbing thrown in. We all loved it with the kids getting right into it.

 

 

 Before we knew it we were near the other end and looking at Fortescue Falls and across to what looked like a very tough climb up the other side.

  

The water in the pool at the bottom of the falls looked so blue and very inviting but we had just endured a very cold night and the morning greeted us with a very strong cold wind so nobody was swimming. The climb up the other side wasn't as bad as it looked and we all managed it easily. Then we walked another 300m to Fern Pool and its beautiful little water falls. This was too much to resist and whacked on the budgie smugglers (easier to dry according to the washing fairy) and went straight in. The water was cold but absolutely magnificent and I swam across to the waterfall and sat beside looking out at the others across the pool. Just beautiful.

 

Then out to dry off and we all climbed out of the gorge up the 100 or so steps. What a great experience for all of us and with the breathtaking views of the gorge from above and below something we won't forget for a long time.

Saturday we were up early as we had booked into a tour of the Tom Price mine. I had gotten it wrong and instead of a 40 km drive we had a 90 km drive so we were a little pushed for time but made it, just. The tour was a real eye opener. This is the largest mining operation in the Southern Hemisphere and Rio Tinto don't muck about. The size and scale of the whole thing is incredible. The trucks, trains and machinery used just amazed us all, so did the salaries of the workers. Anyway we got out at a look out at the top of the largest of the pits and the rest of the time we sat in the bus listening to Baz the driver explain it all to us. The boys weren't overly excited with it all as it went a bit long for them but TJ, Milly and I found it really interesting. We had seen the ore being delivered by the trains and loaded on the ships at Whyalla so now we got the see the first part of the process which was really worthwhile.

 

Then back to the Information centre near our campsite where the kids gathered some answers for a research book they had been given and then we went back for an hour or so at the van before the evening process began. Patrick and Milly went up and collected a "Junior Ranger" badge for the booklets they had completed which they both thought was fantastic. Lincoln got a bookmark as he wasn't very interested in completing the book and spent the time climbing, building and playing bushmans games, which we didn't mind at all.

 

Some beautiful wild flowers.

 

Amazing termites nests. We first saw these on the way to Coral Bay but these ones are really impressive.

 

The red dirt and cold are a bit of a shock after the moderate temps and white, white sand we have just had at Coral Bay. The washing fairy is not overly impressed as the red dirt gets into and onto everything.

Tomorrow we are heading up towards Broome via Port Headland. Not sure how far we will get but have two nights to stay on the way and it is only 1000kms so think we might go to 80 mile beach which is meant to be lovely.

We all think this life is pretty good but are starting to realise that we are on the homeward side. Still another 9 weeks is not too bad!!!!