Final Report for this Trip

We are heading home -

We left Mt Magnet on the 30th August heading for Mullewa to see the wild flowers but not longer after we had left we had a phone call from my niece, Lisa, to say that my brother-in-law, Ted, is very unwell and not expected to last too long.  Graham and I decided that we didn't think with this in mind we would enjoy the rest of our trip and we decided to start heading home.  We really had done all that we wanted to do in the west and we were going to do the South Australian Peninsulas on the way home - but we can do this at another time.

Anyway we turned round and headed for Kalgoorlie - we had 3760 kms to travel so we decided to go for it.  We didn't quite make Kalgoorlie on Tuesday - we stayed at a free camp about 170 km north of Kalgoorlie.  On Wednesday we were up and on the road by 6-15am and we did about 700 km staying at another free camp on the Nullarbor.  We went to the Head of the Bight on Thursday.  There were quite a few whales in but they weren't doing much, lots of babies with their mothers.  We were going to stay at the Head of the Bight  for the night but decided that we could do a few more kilometres whilst we still had daylight and we stayed at a free camp (Yalata West).  Up early again on Friday and we drove to Port Augusta - we were going to try and get to Crystal Brook but it was just too far.  Today we came through to Horsham.  We have averaged about 725 km per day.

Tomorrow we will head home - it is only 366 km so it will be a relatively short trip.

In Kalgoorlie we had to get diesel and a bit of shopping - guess what - the only park we could get with the caravan on was right outside of one of the brothels.  It was working brothel and they do daily tours - I wonder what they show you on the tour.

Head of The Bight

Mother & Baby

DAY 124

We decided to have a drive to Sandstone today - a mere 340 km round trip - Sandstone is another gold mining town with some old historical buildings.  On the way the scenery changed quite a lot - from purple wild flowers to red bottle brush trees and carpets of pink and white flowers.  It was a good drive.  

While we were in Sandstone we drove the Heritage trail.  First stop was the site of The Brewery - which was constructed in 1907 to provide the miners of the area.  I have attached a photograph of the plaque which explains the history of the brewery.  The brewery was in operation until 1910 when the railway line between Mt Magnet and Sandstone was completed.

We then travelled further on to London Bridge - this is part of a large rock formation about 800 metres long and varies in height from around 3 - 10 metres.  It is thought to be about 350 million years old - and like the 12 apostles in Victoria is actually falling down.  

Then onto Contradiction Well - which was the first town water supply.  It supplied water to Cobb & Co and travellers who passed through the area.  

We then had a drive around the town of Sandstone and there were some historical buildings and a few rusted out cars.   Also a very colourful windmill.  

All in all it was a long day but well worth it.  

Beer Cooling Cave

This is where the beer was passed to the cooling cave

Bush BBQ

I have always wanted to climb "London Bridge"

Contradiction Well

Rusted Vehicle

The National Hotel  built in 1907

Bottle Brush

Day 123

Much better day today. We left Meekatharra - have to say that we did not really look round but it wasn't a town with much appeal.  We drove through to Mt Magnet.

On the way here we had to get right off the road twice as there was an extra wide load on the other side - we have seen some wide loads before but these left us quite amazed.  They had police escorts and when you see the photographs you will see why.  Just as well we were in an area where there was room to get off the road.

We then passed through a little town called Cue - really nice old buildings.  Gold was first found in Cue in 1892. The Post Office, Police Station and Courthouse which were all built between 1895 and 1897 are still used for their original purpose.  We spent about half an hour walking round and taking some photographs.     The Gentleman's Club built in 1895 is now the Shire of Cue offices.

This afternoon after we had set up in the Caravan Park in Mt Magnet we went for a drive around.  Once again Mt Magnet is a mining town - but this time it is gold.  The population here is about 700.  We went for a drive around the town. Once again there are a few historical buildings.  We went up the lookout at Mount Warramboo which gave us a birds eye view of the open cut gold mine - which is owned and run by Ramelius Resources.  Just a little piece would have done me but no such luck there was none around. 

No arguing with these you get right off the road - 1st lot

Half an hour later - 2nd lot

Post Office, Police Station & Courthouse in Cue

Gentlemans Club - now Shire Office

Open cut gold mine

More wildflowers

Day 122

Not been a good day today - we left Newman intending to stay at Gascoyne River (Middle) - this was a free camp that had been recommended to us by several people.  Well the navigator (namely me) put in the wrong co-ordinates and we were 44 kms passed it before we realised - but in my defense we did not see any signs pointing to it either.  We did come across Gascoyne River (South) which was another free camp but it was very dusty and quite close to the road.  Anyway we decided we would keep going and head towards another camp which was the other side of Meekatharra - big mistake - it was just a layby and again very dusty. So we have finished up in the caravan park - if you can call it that - in Meekatharra.  It is a dust bowl and on each of every two sites only one power socket works.  Fortunately it is not busy and we are only here overnight.

Forgot to mention in yesterdays Blog - on our way out of Tom Price we saw our first Dingo on this trip.  It was on the hill above the roadside but moved to quickly for us to get a photograph.  They are a wonderful looking animal.  

Day 120 & 121

Not much to say about Newman.  We arrived here about lunchtime yesterday and once again it is a mining town.  Where as Tom Price was Rio Tinto this is BHP Billiton.  Every other car on the road is a mine car.  The shopping centre is a little bigger but once again there is red dirt everywhere.  We had a ride around the town this morning, went up the Radio Hill  lookout which gives a panoramic view of the surrounding country side and the mine and then had a look at the Information Centre.

This afternoon we were able to wash the van.  It looks so much better but it took an age to get rid of the red dust (PIlbarra Pink as it is known).  We also hosed down the bikes as they also had a red glow.

We had dinner in the camp kitchen both nights whilst here with a couple from Ringwood (Bob & Glenys) and a couple from Berwick (Keith & Beth).  It is much better when the caravan park has a camp kitchen - makes it easier to mix with other campers.  This caravan park is quite good - the cheapest we have had in the west ($28) - but there are a lot of miners here.

View from Radio Hill Lookout

View from Radio Hill Lookout

Statuets outside the information office

Another Tonka Truck

Day 119

Didn't do much once again today.  Washed the bedding and it was dry within an hour or so.  We then sat and read our books for a little while.  After lunch we went for a drive looking at the wild flowers around the place. There are not as many here as in some other places but we did see some really nice ones.  

Day 118

Well we may have had a few quiet days but we certainly made up for it today.

We went up Mount Nameless - what a view.  It was quite a difficult drive up to the top - very steep and rocky and lots of red dirt of course.  Once we were at the top it was well worth it, the view over Rio Tinto Mine and the Hammesley Ranges was incredible also the view of Tom Price township.  The drive down was a bit more hairy but Graham managed it.  I am always in awe of the wild flowers that grow on the side of the road, it makes me wonder how they survive.

We then went on the tour of the Rio Tinto Mine.  We left from the tourist information centre on a full coach, lots of young children.  After a brief tour of the Tom Price township and explanation of different buildings we were taken out to the pit.  The hole in the ground where they were mining (I think it was mine number 2 that we went to) was massive - but not as big as the super pit in Kalgoorlie.   We saw lots of big trucks and diggers and there was a train in being loaded with iron ore.  The driver on the bus was very informative.  


Unfortunately there is a heat haze over the mountain range so the colours are not quite as good as I would like them to be in our photographs.

After the tour I went into Tom Price and had my hair cut.  Boy does it feel better.  

We then paid $5 at the caravan park to wash the car.  It was covered in red dust and it gets in everywhere.  We gave it a really good clean inside and out and it looks so much better.  Hopefully we will not be going on many more dirt roads.  The next job is the outside of the van and our poor bikes which are covered in red dust.  We have bought a bike cover but until we get chance to clean them there is not much point in putting it on.  

Needless to say tonight we are having a quiet night and an early dinner.

We have decided to say at Tom Price for another night (3 in all) as I want to go out and see the wildflowers that we passed on the way up here yesterday.  

How do they survive?

Beginning of the road to Mt Nameless

Rio Tinto

Made it safe to the bottom

The pit

Just one of the "Tonka" trucks

Train being loaded