June 22nd-29th
Day 62-69
Pardoo Station is a 200,000-hectare working cattle property covering a diverse range of landscapes from rich tidal flats to rolling spinifex plains.
Caravan Park facilities are based at the property’s historic homestead and cater for domestic and international experience seekers, caravaners, campers, families, backpackers and corporate clients.
The Station include large campground and caravan park, swimming pool, amenities blocks, laundry, barbeque area, camp kitchen, fire pit, with musicians on a Friday, wash down bay and dump station.
With easy access by 4WD, magnificent tidal creeks and more than 16 kilometres of fishable coastline, Pardoo Station is an anglers’ paradise. Corrugations on the dirt road is challenging with a caravan which is semi-off road, not dedicated off road. My assessment of semi-off road is smooth dirt use only.
Although barramundi are the ultimate prize for many, I believe many other prized species are abundant along the coast. Also mangroves, interestingly no mention of Crocs, I know they are found along this coast. Whales also migrate along these waters.
This is the start of Eighty Mile Beach,WA longest uninterrupted beach at over 240 klm. Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park is a nesting ground for flatback turtles found only in northern Australia.
Also met by ‘Slipper’ the Black Headed Python along the road in, at 3 mtrs long, we come in peace, not game to leave the car I wasn’t about to test the theory if he was venomous or not until I had googled the species. His black head acts as a solar panel, so he only has to poke his head out from a rock or bush to absorb enough heat for his body, how clever, and no he is not venomous.
The Port Hedland Turf Club, where we are free camping, happens to have a race meeting today as we return for one night before heading to Hammersley Gorge. It had its first meeting in 1902. A “Red” dirt track with the last 200mts to the finish in turf.
The winner Big Caroline
Rang School friend Michael from Perth for a few tips, he said throw at a dart board is best, but he did suggest three runners, Race 3 horse number 1, Race 5 horse 2 and Race 6 horse 2. Great tips Michael one winner and two seconds,(I videoed the last 200mtrs of the race with commentary for Michael) Our car is seen track-side, drove all the way from Melbourne for the event, our caravan is just behind the fence. We placed $5 for a win on each race, total spend, $30, total wins $30, what have we lost, nothing, but had a great day.
I mentioned on previous blog about “The Staircase to the Moon” well as the night is clear, the full moon is due and low tide we decide to head to Cape Keraudren further up the coast to have good viewing. It is a popular spot for camping, with 11 mtr tides up here, wow.
The remains of Rabbit Proof Fence. The rabbit-proof fence was built to protect Western Australian crops and pasture lands from the destructive scourge of the rabbit which was introduced to Australia in the 1850’s from Europe.It stretched 1834 kilometres from the south coast near Perth to the northwest coast here at Cape Keraudren. Sounds a bit like the South American Cane Toad, introduced in the 1930’s to eliminate the beetle destroying cane crops, another environmental failure. They didn’t like our beetles as they thought it would, and due to their poisonous glands when our native wildlife eat them they perish, such as snakes and Goanna Lizards.
Not sure why Rocky is looking so grumpy below.
Part of the coast with 11 mtr tides, the tide comes in to the top of these rocks.
Getting ready for the monthly event, satellite dishes tuned in, looking back at the moon watchers, there she is, the staircase to the moon, due to the low tide and the moon reflecting off the tidal flats.
On our way to Hammersley Gorge we stop over at Two Camel Creek with a familiar view of Australia’s dry river beds waiting for another wet season.
On the way plenty of big rigs, and big boy talks to compare notes. I spoke with Simon (who declined an interview on camera) one of the owners of the prime mover towing these behmoths. I mentioned I was towing 8mtrs, Simon, mine is 60mtrs, I do the maths on this, multiply x 3, multiply by 1.09361 (metric conversion), thats 197 feet, phew! I’m towing 2.5 tonne, gross 5.6 tonnes, Simon, 135 tonnes, gross 193 tonnes. What about fuel, I’m averaging around 17-20 litres per 100 klm, Simon, ratio of 1:1, One litre per klm? Yep. I’ve completed 10,000 klm since I left in April, Simon, I do that in 2 weeks. Great to chat Simon.
They move these trucks during the day, but they have bigger ones which they only move at night, the Komatsu 830E, a 222 tonne payload, gross weight 385 tonnes. The tyres weigh 3.5 tonnes each, too big for the ute (pick-up) I guess.
Below is the last of Big Truck Stories. Simon who I spoke with previously when I asked him about speed, he mentioned they can only travel at 90klm, but normally 92-93klm is standard to allow for speedo error. Well I was on cruise control at 90 klm to keep fuel economy low, but not too slow for other road users.
Here is one of the behmoths passing me at, well you make a judgement!! When it is raining the spray from these is vehicles is difficult……
On the way to Hammersley Gorge with some of the views. This is a dramatic gorge, full of colour texture and reflections and a great spot for a swim.
Hamersley Gorge is in the north-west of Karijini, further afield than the other gorges. Swirls of rock sweep down through the gorge and waterfalls rush into tranquil pools.
You can see the layers of sediment layed down over millions of years which was an ancient sea-bed
The long dusty roads, about 65klm of this, competing with road trains and other assorted vehicles along the way, when they pass you are driving blind for a few moments.
For a revitalising spa treatment like no other, we take a dip into Hamersley Gorge, a natural spa rock pool in Karijini National Park.
As I Lie back into the water I see the spectacular rock formations carved out by Mother Nature over millions of years. It has wonderful views of the folded bands of coloured ancient rocks, with waterfalls cascading into multiple pools.
This incredible backdrop changes in colour from dawn to dusk.
From the trailhead, it is a 400mtr walk down roughly hewn steps to the gorge floor. Hamersley Gorge is somewhat wider than other gorges in the park, and offers more expansive views on the descent into the gorge itself. Here you can clearly see how the layers of rock bent and buckled before they pushed their way to the surface millions of years ago. At the base of the gorge we take a dip in the delightful gorge pool and relax in the shade of the trees.
I can’t imagine the pressure exerted as the uplift of the ocean floor, as it buckles and warps solid rock into waves of layers. The large curved walls are a delight for photographers and explorers.
It’s a key spot along the Hamersley Gorge full of different challenging walks. It is very close to the car park, with a steep but doable walk for most people. It sits inside rocks walls that change from grey to red depending on your point of view. Many people of all ages taking advantage of this beauty.
The pictures do not do justice to this gem.
