WA - Port Hedland

Port Hedland wasn't anywhere near as objectionable as we remember from last time here. It is still an ugly city of mining gear and high vis workwear but it has grown tremendously and the really crappy parts seem to be being swallowed by the growth.

We stayed at the Cooke Point van park and booked the Pajero in for an oil and filter change.

While we were in PH it was Karen's birthday and we went out to the Esplanade Hotel in town for dinner. Backpacker service again but the meal was good and the surroundings were actually really nice. 

Off to one side was a grassy area (dining was al fresco) and a small stage was set up with a DJ playing music.

While we were ordering a woman had gone onto the stage and was singing. Well, squawking anyway. I asked the waitress if it was a karaoke night and she said "Oh no. It's live music tonight " to which I replied "What? She gets paid for that?". I think I might have been a bit sharp, but the woman sounded horrible. Anyway, it did actually turn out to be a talent competition so I wasn't that far wrong.

Car service was completed a couple of days later and we were a bit surprised by the cost. Still, that's what you get out here.

Around the same time we discovered that we had a leak in our plumbing somewhere as the rear boot was flooding. It turned out to be a Hot water system leak and it was fixed for us by one of our neighbours. A very generous couple called Graham and Gail. We owe them a lot for the help, tools and spare parts they provided.

We took their contact details and we will keep in touch.

So, having done all we needed to do in PH we packed up and decided to detour down to Marble Bar and on to Carawine Gorge.



Ah yes, Carawine Gorge - what a magic place this is. The road into it is a little tricky with a van in tow. Some of the dry creek crossings need care to avoid dragging your arse through the dirt, but it is a lovely place to be once you get to the gorge.

The gorge is on a cattle property and provides watering for the animals so you get visitors wandering through the camp like this stack of steaks above. Magnificent animals though. 

The views above are up and down the gorge from our camp. It isn't a magnificent, steep sided gorge, but it is beautiful and the bird life was everywhere.

Yep - we had a camp fire and I cooked up some damper.

We spent a few nights at Carawine and walked and relaxed and chatted and just enjoyed the tranquility of the place. It is highly recommended.

We traveled back through Marble Bar and stopped off at the cafe next to the police station where we enjoyed some home cooking and a cold drink before wandering off towards Broome.