Posts Tagged With: broome

Broome to Ellendale Rest Area [Fitzroy Crossing]

Posted on Monday, July 1, 2013 by shorty

Great weather was forecast for Broome today, and even better further east.  It was time to move on so we headed east along the Great Northern Highway.

Several things struck us about today’s drive, including:

  • Cattle – there were many more cattle along the road today than we had seen previously, although very little in the way of road kill.  They must breed them smarter in this neck of the woods.
  • Ant Hills – they were everywhere in all sorts of shapes and sizes from football size to distorted sumo wrestler size to cattle size and even cemetery headstone size.
  • Roadworks – there was plenty of activity on the roads and we had to stop and wait several times.  There were massive graders, huge side operating tip trucks, and other machines cutting the grass and clearing bush on the sides of the road.
  • Single Lane Bridges – we crossed over two single lane bridges which surprised us considering the amount of traffic on Highway 1, and the disruption they caused to traffic flow.
Cattle & Ant Hills

Cattle & Ant Hills

Single Lane Bridge Ahead

Single Lane Bridge Ahead

On-coming Traffic on Single Lane Bridge

On-coming Traffic on Single Lane Bridge

Road Sign (and Boab Tree)

Road Sign (and Boab Tree)

Erskine Range

Erskine Range

 

First stop for the day was the Nillibubbica Rest Area.  Another designated free camp with a maximum 24 hour stay, this was well set up with undercover shelter, toilet, dump point, and space for plenty of travellers.  Great spot.

The Boab Rest Area was similar and would be a great place to stop.  We wanted to get a few more miles under our belt so we just had a quick meal break but there were others already setting up for the rest of the day and night.  Highlight of this particular rest area was the huge Boab tree in the centre.

Our final destination was the Ellendale Rest Area, which is about 90 kms East of Fitzroy Crossing.  Although we arrived at around 2.30 pm space was already at a premium and we were probably the second last van in for the night.  But what a spot this is!  We set up the awning and spent a very relaxing afternoon in absolutely perfect weather conditions (mid 20s, slight breeze, great views and a magnificent sunset).

Morning Stop - Nillibubbica Rest Area

Morning Stop – Nillibubbica Rest Area

Lunch at Boab Rest Area

Lunch at Boab Rest Area

Overnight at Ellendale Rest Area

Overnight at Ellendale Rest Area

Sunset at Ellendale Rest Area

Sunset at Ellendale Rest Area

Still living the dream!!!!!

Categories: 2013 Big Adventure, Free Camping | Tags: , ,

Broome – Day 4

Posted on Sunday, June 30, 2013 by shorty

It was windy last night, so much so that I got up in the middle of the night to check that the awning outside was OK.  Everything seemed to be in order so I went back to bed, but once up in the morning I added an extra tie down and some extra tent pegs just in case things got out of hand.

Today’s highlight was a Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour.  There is a bus option and a self drive option which required the use of a 4WD.  So we set out in the mighty BT-50 for a stint of off-road driving. It was certainly a bit of a challenge as we haven’t done very much 4WD-ing until now, but we thought that we’d give it a go.

We started off on the bitumen for the first 20 kms or so to Willie Creek before the road surface changed to a wide, graded, red dirt road.  At this stage we changed into 4WD and coped quite well with the corrugations and some mud.  The surface eventually changed to a single lane sandy road, which was fine until we met a number of vehicles coming the other way!

Dirt Road to Willies Creek

Dirt Road to Willies Creek

One Lane Road to Willie Creek

One Lane Road to Willie Creek

Nearly there

Nearly there

After some 15 kms of dirt/sandy roads we eventually arrived at the oasis of Willies Creek Pearl Farm.  Our tour guide Finn (he’s Irish) started off with a very informative and entertaining lesson on the styles of oyster that grow pearls, the anatomy of a pearl oyster, the seeding, cleaning and harvesting process, and more.  We learnt that pearl meat sells for up to $500 per kilo overseas – that’s a lot of oysters though.

Arriving at Willie Creek Pearl Farm

Arriving at Willie Creek Pearl Farm

Ann's New Friend

Ann’s New Friend

Finn - Our Tour Guide

Finn – Our Tour Guide

Then it was off to lunch which included some delicious Kimberly Dampier [sorry Downunda – no photos].  After lunch we boarded our “luxury cruise ship” to see some oysters in the wild and to go for a bit of a cruise around Willie Creek and surrounds.  We saw a crocodile – there are known to be three in the area.  Finn also pointed out many interesting examples of bird life, geological features and so on, as well as detailed some history of the area.

Boat Cruise around Willie Creek

Boat Cruise around Willie Creek

Cleaning Oysters the Old Way

Cleaning Oysters the Old Way

Clean and Healthy Pearl Oyster

Clean and Healthy Pearl Oyster

Back on dry land it was back into the showroom for a more detailed discussion on the end result – pearl jewelry.  This was also very informative and it was quite surprising at the difference in prices for the various sizes and styles of pearl.  Several members of our tour actually bought some of the beautiful pearls.

Later in the afternoon we met up with our friends for another Happy Hour before returning to the fiver for the night.

Categories: 2013 Big Adventure | Tags: ,

Broome – Day 3

Posted on Sunday, June 30, 2013 by shorty

After a mild night, Saturday morning started off quite fine so we headed off to the Broome Courthouse Markets, set in a large tropical garden area.  What an amazing mix of stalls and individuals!  Clothing, handcrafts, artwork, more clothing, charity stalls, local tour operators and so much more.  Then of course there were plenty of choices when it came to food, including many Asian styles, local organic produce, and even a considerable choice of coffees.  We succumbed to some incredible Indonesian treats and some Kimberley Coffee Company coffees.  And there were buskers and musicians of all types, including banjo players, country and western guitarists, flautists, and more.

Artwork at Courthouse Markets

Artwork at Courthouse Markets

Busker at Courthouse Markets

Busker at Courthouse Markets

Clothing Stalls at Courthouse Markets

Clothing Stalls at Courthouse Markets

Food Choices at Courthouse Markets

Food Choices at Courthouse Markets

Relaxing at Courthouse Markets

Relaxing at Courthouse Markets

 

We stayed at the market for quite some time before heading back to the fiver for lunch.  Then, as the wind was increasing a bit, we decided to hang around the caravan park and attend to some more domestic pursuits.  Ann caught up on some washing, which dried brilliantly in the wind, and then did a heap of cooking to tide us over the next few days which we anticipate will include several days of free camping.  I spent some time trying to reduce the red colour of our caravan and was at least partially successful.

Not Quite Finished!

Not Quite Finished!

 

During the afternoon we were visited by some fellow travellers who we had met at Port Hedland Golf Club but left a couple of days after us.  We later caught up with them for a Happy Hour (or two or three) under the awning of the fiver.

A great end to a great day!

Categories: 2013 Big Adventure | Tags:

Broome – Day 2

Posted on Friday, June 28, 2013 by shorty

We played tourist today, and loved it.  It was a nice change from driving and we walked and walked until we both had blisters.

Temperatures ranged between 18 and 27; mostly fine but the sky was a bit cloudy and overcast most of the day.

We spent much of the morning in the Chinatown precinct, which is very impressive.  Obviously the Chinese had a major role in the early development of Broome.  A number of pioneers of Broome’s cultured pearl industry  are remembered in statues in Chinatown.  Also of interest was the Sun Theatre which claims to be the World’s Oldest Operating Picture Gardens, originally built in 1916.

Pioneers of the Cultured Pearl Industry in Broome

Pioneers of the Cultured Pearl Industry in Broome

Sun Picture Theatre in Chinatown

Sun Picture Theatre in Chinatown

 

Being a tourist is hungry work, so we stopped at the Roey Hotel’s Pearlers’ Bar for lunch and a cold beer.  Delicious!

Pearlers' Bar for Lunch

Pearlers’ Bar for Lunch

Pearlers' Bar for Lunch

Pearlers’ Bar for Lunch

 

This afternoon we visited the famous Cable Beach and Ann fulfilled a lifelong dream to walk on the water’s edge at Cable Beach at sunset.  The overcast skies and cloud cover resulted in a less than spectacular sunset, but it was absolutely brilliant being there.

Cable Beach

Cable Beach

Cable Beach Sunset

Cable Beach Sunset

Cable Beach Sunset

Cable Beach Sunset

Cable Beach Sunset

Cable Beach Sunset

Cable Beach Sunset

Cable Beach Sunset

Cable Beach Sunset

Cable Beach Sunset

 

After the beach we returned back to the fiver where I cooked dinner on the barbeque, accompanied by a cold stubby.

Life doesn’t get much better than this.

Categories: 2013 Big Adventure | Tags:

Sandfire Roadhouse to Broome

Posted on Friday, June 28, 2013 by shorty

We were up early this morning, showered, breakfasted and away, just like everyone else at Sandfire Roadhouse.

Peacocks at Sandfire

Peacocks at Sandfire

 

First stop for morning coffee was the Stanley Rest Area.  This was another council designated free camping area and it looked very well set-up.  Toilets, dump point, under-cover areas with concrete floors, mini barbeques, and even several concrete pads for caravans.  There was still a bit of water around but that wasn’t stopping the dozen or so caravans, motor-homes and campervans that were there when we stopped.  Somewhere worthwhile stopping at if we are back this way again.

Stanley Rest Area

Stanley Rest Area

 

After a cup of coffee and cake, we headed back along the Great Northern Highway.  We did a quick drive around the Goldwire Rest Area which again had toilets, dump point, undercover areas, etc.  Still some water around but also plenty of travellers enjoying the surroundings.  We would definitely consider a few nights here – in dry weather.

We stopped for lunch at the Roebuck Plains Rest Area, which is just a rest area and we wouldn’t stay there.

Finally we turned left off the Great Northern Highway onto the Broome Road for the final 30 kms or so to our overnight destination.  Right away the extent of the recent rains is obvious, with water still by the sides of the road and very recent grading on both sides of the road.

Recently Graded Road to Broome

Recently Graded Road to Broome

 

Our destination was the Broome Caravan Park.  We quickly found our spot, parked the fiver, got set up with awning and floor matting, and sat down to relax. What a fantastic spot this is, and so very much different to the red dust we have been living with for much of this trip.  Shorts, thongs and a t-shirt in a tropical environment sure beats jeans, muddy boots and a rain jacket.  Ann couldn’t wait and everything was washed by 5.00 o’clock.

Just Landed at Broome Caravan Park

Just Landed at Broome Caravan Park

Serenity!

Serenity!

Welcome Party at Broome

Welcome Party at Broome

 

We might have to stay here for a few months!

This post is late as I had to choose between updating the blog or taking Ann out for a barramundi dinner.  Dinner won and it was fantastic.

Categories: 2013 Big Adventure | Tags: ,

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