…blessed to live and travel in Australia
Flinders Ranges; Oodnadatta Track; Gibb River Road; Ningarloo Coast; WA Wildflowers; Great Central Road and more!! Our most challenging adventure to date.
After choosing the quickest route to return home, I departed Port Hedland late morning. Strong SE winds resulted in the worst fuel consumption ever… 26.2L/100km over a distance of 300km.
The following video covers the 1st 3 days of remote travel from Port Hedland to Mount Magnet
Port Hedland is one of the world’s largest and busiest working harbours, filled with grand, austere ships that transport hundreds of millions of tonnes of cargo each year to distant places, tracing new and old trading routes through the seas. Operations on this scale are often on a city’s outskirts, invisible as well as inaccessible. But in Port Hedland, the coming and going of ships from dusk to dawn are part of daily life and that is one of the unique qualities of this remote town on the northwest coast of Australia.
It took just over 2 weeks for the inverter to travel from Karratha to Port Headland. Instead of being shipped direct the inverter went via Perth!!
This extensive coastline of white sand, shells and turquoise water was a peaceful place to relax for a few days. We walked on the sand each day and enjoyed the sunsets, which never disappoint. Unfortunately swimming is risky because the popularity of beach fishing attracts sharks and stingers.
We stayed at this beautiful coastal cattle station for four nights. Every night there was a glorious sunset, lighting the dramatic rock formations. The sandstone colours were hues of pink, red and ochre while pretty stones and rocks dotted the beach.
Back in Broome, we explored the dramatic scenery of Gantheaume Point. The red sandstone, white sand and turquoise water feeds the spirit.
Gantheaume Point
Gantheaume Beach at Sunset
Remote Pender Bay is about 160kms north of Broome on the Dampier Peninsula. We spent three nights there enjoying the peace and beauty of the bay. Etched in our memory are the vivid colours of the rocks against the bright sky, the sunrise and sunsets and the night sky blanket of stars.
Broome is a coastal pearling and tourist town, the largest in the Kimberley region. Broome was attacked at least four times by the Japanese in WWII. We we were shocked to learn there were so many attacks across the north of Australia.
Sunset on Cable Beach
Overnight stop before hitting Broome. All the tyres have been re-inflated to normal pressure for tar surface. Yay!
We were pleased to complete the demanding trip on the GRR with no flat tyres and no troubles with car or van. (People often find pieces rattling loose and other damage). We loved the opportunity to explore the beautiful gorges in this remote part of WA.
The access to Manning Gorge campground was on a 7km red dirt road behind the roadhouse. The extensive campground was full – very popular. From there we visited stunning Galvan’s Gorge and swam in the Manning River.
