I am by far the smallest car on the road up here

I snack on the left overs from our trip, before have a couple beers and falling asleep early. The night is cool, and the morning light brings just enough heat to lure me out, where I promptly show off by rolling my swag up in record time, hopping on the roof to strap it down then going for my sunnies which are now tightly wound in my swag… ugghhhh. LOL but it happens. Redoing the rolling then a quick shower and I am off. Todays drive is straight south to Miling where I am meeting up with Simon and his family for a drink at the pub before crashing the night. A quick stop in Meeka for a bit to eat and a look at the old mining equipment. 

Waking up to the last day I roll out, another 300 or so kms to go. I take a few back roads though on the way home through Toodjay to have a look. Twists and turns, even a bit of rain. Then you crest the hill and get a full view of Perth. Home.

North of Miling

Here are 2 maps of the drive we did. This trip plus my Exmouth run I have racked up a solid 7000kms on the wagon. Pushing it over the 290k mark. Solid effort by the old rig.  

It doesn’t matter what you drive folks, just get out there and explore.

Hit that open road

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Bonus Photos!!!

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Coffee before the road

water supply for up north

We don’t get far though…. Maybe 2kms down the road and it happened… just kidding. Mitsus don’t break down, we just found a nice place to sit for a 30 minute break in the river. The water flows around us, the shade is great, temperature all around is spot on. Even the wagon looks relaxed. Upon traffic showing up we pack up and head out.  A small wander around the park leads us back to paved road and we put the hammer down (95kmh) and head to Karratha.

Needed to dip the feet for a bit

Pulling into town we quickly head for the hotel and shower up along with pop into the pub for a feed and beer.  After some relaxing and laundry, cant wear that red shirt everyday, we head to Dampier to see red dog.  This has been years in the making. Its been talked about, I worked right next door even and never quite made it. But here we were. No tears unlike that damn movie. Brutal. We snap a few photos there before heading to the beach to see the port, second largest in the world for bulk exports.

Back on the black top

On the drive bac we see the famous bogged digger, its been there for ages and apparently was removed the week after we left. But the night finished with a drive around town looking for a car wash (none) but I did get an offer from a friendly local who said he would leave a hose out for me if I wanted. Of course this is after a few beers at the pub. I turn down the offer, hand wash then more dirt roads? I can wait. We settle in for a sleep in A/C before Asareh fly’s back to Perth tomorrow. We have also decided that due to the time frame for leaving the country and our wedding planned I should just motor home instead of heading back to work.

The Port

The famous sunk digger

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Same Payload

We crawl out of the swag to see most cars are already packing up and on route to get there travels started. Karijini has been very busy due to covid keeping everyone in the country. But it is still worth the adventure. We grab a light brekky and coffee before heading straight for Tom Price to refuel and restock. Cant forget to stop and have a park beside the old haul truck and a coffee before trying out the new Red Dog Way that follows rio tintos rail line up to Karratha. This is a freshly opened dirt road that cuts about 150 or so kms off that drive. You used to be able to use it with a permit,  but now it’s a free for all. The road is in decent shape and there is a lot of construction with it planned to be fully paved by 2022 I do believe. 

We turn the wagon for Millstream and make our way to Deep Reach pool for lunch, we get the place to ourselves and soak our feet in the cool clear water while these giant cat fish stare at us from underneath. Curious critters.

Deep Reach Pool

Looking up I spot a huntsman spider chilling out, he’s checking out my lunch beer I think. Oh I will add, this round since we just had a small fridge we began grabbing ice for our cooler bag to keep the drinks extra cold. A great idea since we only had a 50L fridge.

We head to the home stead and go for a look around and even have a crack at morse code. There is still the old cooking area and stove even. Sadly the last set of big storms have destroyed a lot of the walking trails behind the house so we just set out feet in the small river and just enjoy the sights and shade.

The Old Homestead 

At camp we setup and have a few gin and tonics to keep ourselves cool.  We watch as the sun sets behind the trees. This will be our last night in the bush sadly. But the trip has been amazing.

Camp Setup, Gin and tonic time!

Can’t argue with that view

Happy Camper

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Good Morning Auskie

Due to the last minute changes we have booked camping online but are in overflow, but we still go. Cause why not. We stay to the pavement and head for Weano Gorge to keep the dust to a minimum. We arrive around 11, its getting warm, but not to bad. Clutching a 1.5L water bottle in one hand and Asareh phone in the other we head out into the gorge. Down we go. Then we need to climb along the water, for those that cant swim.

This brings us to the narrow bit where you walk in the slow flowing river to get to Kermits Pool. The water is cold, so cold. I still get in for a swim and Asareh works her way across the rocks to sit with her feet in at the other end. We relax for a bit then out of nowhere! LIZARD! Its fallen from the rocks above, were shocked, its shocked. A small panic later its on the rocks and I can snap a picture. His claws are no good on the smooth rocks so to avoid more panic I leave him alone.

Hey buddy Ahhhhh

The next stop is the info center, but not before corrugated roads. No one airs down. And to make matters worse they set the speed limit at 60, which most know 80 or higher is better as you float on top. Arriving at the visitor center its cooking out now. Asareh wants ice cream and we find it. Enjoying this treat we work our way through the museum before deciding on a second ice cream. Cause you know… the diet and all.

We pull up to fortescue falls and go for a quick hike before some more swimming practice in the shallow end of the pool. The weather is lovely and we decide after 30 minutes to head into the gorge a bit further to have a cheeky beer or 2 on the warm rocks.. well super cooking rocks. Even in the shade they are hot.  Refreshed we head to camp. We are in overflow as this is last minute booking and quickly snag the last big of shade available. Dinner and stars all night. Only issue is a few tools kicking up dust doing bog laps. We get it… nice Nissan.

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Heading west we pull into the comet mine museum and have a look around and then get about a 1 hour story about the history. Worth the stop and the old guy running it has some good stories to tell. Prepare for a sit. But it’s a good time overall. We pull out and starting heading through heaps of construction work. I’m sitting on about 55, and a worker on the side gives me the slow down sign? Okay I figure, I slow, then give him the thumbs up, down or what sign? What do you want? Nothing in reply from our hi-vis friend. So I chuck a few fingers out the window. Next I hear the 2 way come to life

“You wanna slow down mate”

“ I am not speeding”

“Attention all road users there is a blue Pajero speeding down the construction road”

It worth pointing out at this point I have lost my shit, Asareh is trying to get the radio out of my hand but I have moved it out of her reach and am now clutching it like Golem.. my precious

“I was going 55 when I passed you”

“I will be reporting you for speeding to the local police”

“Get F*^&d mate I wasn’t speeding  you  (list of expletives)

We continue driving through the site without further issues. I calm down a few kms later…

Today was otherwise rather uneventful. We finish our drive just as it gets hot and decide to splurge and get a room with A/C at Auskie road house. This was a great idea. We sit out and enjoy a Gin and Tonic before hitting up the roadhouse for a meal. Cant go wrong with a pizza. We may have also cheated and also had a burger earlier in the day. Our diet plan is out the window.

We finish the night with a few final beers with Megs and Hutchy as they are headed for work tomorrow.

Its been a great trip with them and we hope to meet up again for another trip. Tomorrow we continue on our own.

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Waking up we pack up quickly and head out before it gets hot and the gravel gets soft. In true fashion I point the wagon straight up the drop off from yesterday’s stuck and power straight up, was it a display of shear skill or just bragging? We shall never know…

Driving down the highway we cut out a bit of gravel but pass the two sisters and head to skull springs for a photo op. The water we are finding is crazy. There is nothing 50 meters away then it is an oasis. Anyways I grab a non stick frypan and begin to dig in the gravel.. looking for my gold nugget. Alas it alludes me yet again. Asareh is questioning if the pan I used was non stick… something about abrasive gravel not being good for them.  We have a little snack before moving on heading back to Nullagine. We stop at mosquito creek to have a look at some old workings before heading to the pub for a beer and to plan our next move.

Can’t beat this water

A beer down we decide to push for Marble Bar as its only 120kms away, but its also 1pm, the sun is cooking through the front window and it’s about 42c out. I try 80, I try 110 it doesn’t matter. Its just hot. Fearing for my life Asareh has gone silent. There may have been a comment about how stupid no AC is.

We touch pavement and Marble bar is in sight, I will live another day. We pull into camp and quickly grab a cool beer, Hutchy isn’t far behind as he needed fuel and that gave us a chance to spread out to avoid dust. We have a laugh and relax before cleaning up and heading to the iron clad pub for a feed.

We find a plaque of all the deaths in the early days, with room at the bottom for recent ones? Don’t piss your boss off out there. “died of mysterious circumstances” At the pub a few CDC boys rock up, Gavin from Millenium days even and we have a laugh till late, a bigger laugh at the smoker’s tree. With this being the hottest town in Australia the night is actually rather cool.

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Not a bad place to wake up

Corrugations for days!!

Packed up, its time to head out, the sun is out and already getting a bit toasty.  We back track a few kms to the carawine gorge north road and take the trail. Its dusty, and Carawine north has only dirty water in it. Heading north we hit the river and actually need to do a water crossing, now normally I wont bother walking the clear ones but because the old wagon doesn’t have a snorkel I double check, plus getting the feet wet is a good feeling (the wagon has an old school foot vent so it feels like ac almost)

After a few kms of zigging and zagging through the gorge we hit pavement for a mega high 14kms about before we turn back onto the gravel and head into our campsite. Pulling up we luck out and find a great spot in the trees, the gravel is super soft but easy enough for the vehicles, mine being light, and Hutchy having bulk power on tap. We set up and quickly get in the water for a drink.

A bit later we have a couple pull up next to us and ask about the area, I say there is some shaded area about 50 meters away, she looks and then head back to there vehicle before he promptly chassis it on the drop off. We go up and help them unhook the trailer and he is able to air down and drive off. Followed by setting up right next to us. But I guess that’s how it goes sometimes.

Next thing we have Hutchy’s mattress out and are floating across the gorge to see the cliffs close up and of course do some diving. The water is perfect. We slowly float back with everyone kicking in a different direction our progress is slow… very slow. I’m looking like a lobster, I require shade asap. Haha. A few nibbles on shore then back in the water, this time I have snuck a ring in my pocket. A sneak it out and show megs quickly and she exits the water, and I pop the question, SHE SAID YES!! 

She said yes!

As a bonus the station hands all arrive in fashion in the choppers and put on a show. We finish the night with pasta and a fire, I show off my fishing technique which is a hook and bait chucked out and left to sit for hours which after about 1.5 hours I hear the drag take off, Fish on!! I pull up a decent sized cat fish, but decided not to eat him. They make weird noises on land.

The stars are out, the beers flow and we enjoy the shadows of the cliffs against the dark sky. A perfect end to a perfect day.

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We are all somehow awake at 7am, although a bit rough around the edges. I have a nice bowl of cereal and enjoy a bit of peace before a few flies come out of hiding and start to annoy me. Hutchy has new lamps he is opening, solar powered, pretty keen to test them that night. After showers we get some fuel and rock and roll down Skull Springs road. First stop, the old amethyst mine, Asareh had never been, although we had snuck out on night shift to see it a few years back. It’s a lot longer drive then I remember. We pick a few rocks for our toy digger at home and enjoy a cool drink.

Tonight’s camp site is a place called Running Waters, and after a couple hour drive down skull springs that water was well welcomed. But first back to the drive, First up, No aircon in the old wagon, gas had leaked out and I couldn’t get it fixed, so its windows down and 35c but there is next to no dust getting it and we are rather happy.

Passing the skull springs sign we stop for a photo op, the sign is marked by heaps of broken springs which show just how tough this country is to get around in. We also find a heap of old mine sites.

Leading the way

Hows this for a campsite!!!

Another 15km down the road we click into 4wd and do a very short drive to our camp nestled in the trees right next to the water, the clearest water. As a bonus, there is a rope swing. I try a few flips and what not but am nowhere near as good as I thought I was.  Steaks for dinner, we test some lights and enjoy a few beers. A solid win, the sky is clear and we enjoy a great night view followed by a woman screaming bloody murder. Unsure if it was a murder or what. Sounded a bit to real for my liking, but as normal I fall asleep anyways. The nights are still cool making the trip a win, a great way to spend my birthday.

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Now Thats a truck
Massive engine

Lets get this adventure rolling, 100km out of Newman the pavement ends and the fun begins. Airing down to about 28psi all the way around to float over the corrugations I take off, The wagon glides effortlessly of the dirt. Pulling up to the pub, I have a cold refreshing beer before Asareh shows up, thanks to our travel buddies/ good friends, Hutchy and Megs. We even run into Knuckles at the pub and enjoy a few to many beers before setting up for the night in town. The pub has a great feed.

And were ready for adventure

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430 Starts

I pulled into the cappy after about 13 hours on the road and grabbed a parmi like every good Aussie does. That beer was well earned. I pulled into Newman in the dark to find no campsites so Upon talking to a local they said you can camp at the info center or footy field, which was in use, so sleeping in the parking lot it was. Met a nice old couple on there way around and had a red can or 2.

Bit of a restless night as cars come and go 24 hours a day in the mining town. But I did eventually fall asleep as the weather cooled down.

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