En Route to Karijini National Park

Barn Hill Station

From Cape Leveque we headed into Broome for supplies then on down the coast, making it to Barn Hill Station just before dark. The headland campsite was nearly empty and was being managed by a grumpy character, but we scored a shady site – vital in this hot part of the year. I needed to spend a day doing work – invoicing, accounts, BAS and tax return. The beach was big and mostly deserted.

From Barn Hill Station, 80 Mile Beach and Paroo Station

The waves were barely big enough to body surf on, and got messed up as soon as the strong south westerly wind started, which was pretty early each morning. A few whales were spotted swimming past during the day enlivening the sleepy camp scene.

Pardoo Station
We had been told that Cape Keraudren, while still beautiful had been stripped bare of trees by a Cyclone last December. Stopping at 80 mile beach, we saw that the caravan park there had suffered the same fate. So we skipped Keraudren and headed to Pardoo Station where we managed to nestle the camper trailer in beneath some Casurina trees. Lying around were a few whale vertebrae which campers had used as chairs. Littered around the station were various drilling rigs and a few drilling crews were still living there. I drove the boys down to the tidal creek for a fish but the tide was out and we never got past trying to catch some mullet for live bait. Fabian had lined up a school with the cast net, and was executing a running cast when he trod on a bed of small but sharp barnacles. All that walking around bare foot paid off as his feet nearly survived, but the arch of his foot got a little shredded. So much for fishing!

Port Hedland
We swung by Port Hedland for supplies. It is essentially an iron-ore shipping port and the trains, ships and loading facilities dominate the scene.

From Barn Hill Station, 80 Mile Beach and Paroo Station

Well that and the massive hills of salt at the salt making plant. We tried to identify the seabirds on the river while the iron-ore poured into two bulk carriers on the other side. There was some excitement, as we were passed by some dolphins.
Then off down the road towards Karajini National park, now passing lots of four-trailer road trains hauling iron ore to the port.

New birds- Pied oyster catcher, Least frigate bird