EXCEED July/August 2018 Vol 35 No:4 | Page 61

After 5 memorable days in Cape Range National Park, we headed into Exmouth and the caravan park to reset, washing clothes, buying food, and refuelling. We did a day trip out to Charles Knife Gorge, which was magnificent, and then Shothole Canyon which was even more magnificent.

Onslow was our next adventure, with hills of salt at the salt mine, and a boat being filled with salt. We also had a look at Old Onslow. We were treated to a very special sunset, with the sun setting behind the scene of a boat being filled with salt. A photo opportunity the next morning with the sunrise making the centre of an enlarged sculpture of the rising-sun badge of the Australian Army.

On to Pannowonica and the mine-road. At Pannowonica we watched the film on the mine-road to get our permits, and headed off, along the mine-road.

As we approached evening, we had the threat of rain, with big black clouds all around. We set up a bush-camp about 20 kms south of Roebourne (near Harding Dam), and because of the expected rain, we left the vans hitched, and the front wheels of the cars on the track. The next morning the surface water was ankle deep, so we hopped in the cars and drove through rain, and rising creeks to Roebourne; and booking into a caravan park in Point Samson. Exciting ride.

In Roebourne, we had a look around the area in Roebourne itself, and also Cossack (which was the original port in the area); and Wickham.

A day tour to Dampier, and surrounds looking at the Burrup Peninsula, where we saw aboriginal rock-art (petroglyphs) at Murujuga National Park (Deep Gorge). We also viewed the North West Shelf Project.

Port Hedland with its enormous port was a surprise. The Seafarer’s Tour on the tender that picks up seamen from the ships in port, was very enlightening, and Newman, and another mine tour, wrapped up our Pilbara mining experience.

Karijini National Park is awesome, magnificent, and a must see. This is number one experience for Graham, Fred and Heather.

Then we traveled through Tom Price to Millstream-Chichester National park. An interesting place, which after Karijini, is a poor cousin.

We traveled on to Marble bar, and through to Kunawarritji, through to Kintore, and down the Sandy Blight Track to Yulara.

A big thank you to the trip participants for their input with planning, accommodation, and suggestions along the way (especially after the rain changed the itinerary). Also, a big thank you to Laurie and Chris Finlay for their assistance prior to the trip.

Bob McKay and Sheena Rose

Member #1006

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Vol 35 No.4 - July/August 2018 © Pajero 4WD Club of Victoria