Karratha and Surrounds, WA.

The rain is following us and, unfortunately, quite often catching up with us. We vacated Karijini, before we had seen very much, because of rain, and although the trip out was dry and sunny, after our overnight stop at Yule River Rest Area the following day was a wash out! Even before we pulled out of Yule River RA the rain was falling and by the time we travelled the short distance to Whim Creek, about 30 km, the rain was "torrential"! Wipers on flat out, speed down to 70 kph and seeing the road was extremely difficult but there was no where to safely get off the highway. Floodways were under water by this stage but we were able to continue on and eventually reached Karratha. As we drove into Karratha we heard on the two-way radio that the highway was closed at Whim Creek as were several other roads in the area. We didn't do too much for a couple of days except dry the caravan out. We did experience a water leak at the front window, something that has not occurred previously.

We booked in at Karratha for a week long stay to let the rain clear and also because I have been carrying a back injury for a few weeks now and wanted time to rest and recover. I've had treatment on my back at Pingelly, Carnarvon and now Karratha. Following this third treatment in Karratha I think I am coming good again.

Karratha is a 'Resources Town' and the Prices of Services here reflect this fact. It appears as if the Boom has been and gone judging by the amount of empty housing and accommodation here in this town and the region as a whole.

It is not every region that can boast of a Movie Star! But this area has Red Dog. Immortalised here at the entry to Dampier.

It is the West Australia Day long weekend here and this gathering is The Red Dog Festival.

From The Festival Site looking over to The Dampier Iron Ore Ship Loading Complex. This is the ore from Paraburdoo and Tom Price.

Relative Close Up of two Ore Carriers being simultaneously loaded. 

Also adjacent to Dampier is The Giant North West Shelf Gas Processing Plant.

Also nearby to Karratha is the Historic Town of Cossack. This town is mostly a Museum but it is still possible to stay over here in town. This is The Court House.

This is The Customs House. All the buildings here were constructed of masonry materials bought here as Ballast on the early shipping luggers.

The Cossack Wharf on The Harding River. The West Australia Pearling Industry began here in Cossack before transferring to Broome.

The old steps down to water level are very worn and weathered.

Town Beach at Cossack. Now a popular beach fishing location, but beware the sand flies are bad.

There is another Iron Ore Loading facility at Lambert Point as viewed from Cossack Town Look Out.

There are two ships at The Loading Facility and a further 16 at anchor along the Horizon Line. There is also a Lighthouse on the Island. Enlarge this picture and it becomes clearer.

Pilbara Region, WA.

As we travel further North and East we are finding that we need to drive longer distances between places of interest. We were heading for the Rio Tinto Iron Ore Mine towns of Paraburdoo and Tom Price. Along the way we camped at two excellent free camps. The first at Barradale River Crossing and the second at Beasley River Crossing. Both of these Rest Areas have toilets and Dump Points. We have met some wonderful people at these stops, some we will maintain contact with.

We heard on the "traveller grapevine" that the Caravan Park at Tom Price was both expensive and had sub standard facilities. We accepted this advice and based ourselves at Paraburdoo Caravan Park. At $25 per night for a powered site including free clothes washing machines and dryers. I was also able to wash the car and caravan.

Both Tom Price and Paraburdoo are well laid out 'Mine Towns' with excellent facilities. We were told that Rio Tinto sold the town of Tom Price to Ashburton Shire for the sum of $1.

Our stop over here in the Iron Ore Mining Area was mainly geared to taking in the Tom Price Mine Tour. This was very informative and took us up close to the Haul Road with 250 tonne capacity Haul Trucks roaring by. Their V16 diesel engines do belt out a roar as they consume 20 lt of fuel per km on the steep inclines. We spent two hours on the tour, partially because there was a Mine Lockdown caused by a "May Day Call' on the radio. We were not sure of the cause but there was an interruption in the flow of Haul Truck movements. Baz, our tour guide, thought that maybe there was some mechanical failure. The incident was unsighted by us but would have occurred on a narrow section of roadway so would have blocked all movements.

The Ashburton River from the old highway bridge.

You may notice, by looking at the wet rocks and mud, that the river level has recently been a lot higher.

The old single lane bridge beside the new two lane bridge. This old bridge is 800 yards in length and 15 ft wide.

The Nanutarra Road House is located on the North side of The  Ashburton River.

The Beasley River looking upstream.

The Beasley River looking downstream.

This Mechanical Shovel was retired several years ago. We never got to see what is in use today as it was at the bottom of the Pit.

One of the continual stream of Haul Trucks.

Looking into the Pit from the Observation Point. We were told that this Mine Pit will cease operation in about five years, another Pit has been started nearby to continue operations.

The point where I am standing to take this photograph was once the same elevation as this Range.

Jude and I at the Tome Price Mine Lookout.

Ore coming from the Crusher onto a Stockpile before heading to the Washer.

This is an Ore Stacker that creates a long mound of Crushed and Washed Ore.

The Bucket Wheel Train Loader, pictured here, is actually controlled from an office in Perth.