Wednesday, July 21, 2010


Jake on his new scooter doing some jumps. The christmas scooter fell to bits and this is Jakes new obsession, so we shop at Kmart at Port Hedland to find this new replacement.

Port Hedland Rio Tinto salt. Huge piles so close you could just fill up your salt shaker (or maybe not!).

Woops - back to Port Hedland. Forgot to put a couple in. This is Tim and Robert working on the Anglican Church roof where it had been leaking for quite some time!
At Port Smith we discover a well hidden track to this beach. We had it all to ourselves for the afternoon. We were just on high alert for sharks as we had spotted one the day before! Yikes.

Port Smith WA

Port Smith is about 150ks south of Broome. We stop here at the Caravan Park for 3 nights. Its a fantastic place and yet VERY busy. Grey Nomads like to leave BEFORE 7am!!!! The caravan park only had 5 washing machines - so it was fingernails out to get a washing machine before the sun went down! Meow.... Anyway here is Mr Mudcrab that Tim and Lauren caught together at low tide. He was just delicious!

The freshly shaven Tim. Or is it Starsky or Hutch? Not sure which but he's ready to blend with the Broome surfy crowd soon...

Cape Kerauden WA


Between Port Hedland and Broome we stop at a campsite called Cape Kerauden. We are right next to the water and the tides are amazing. They go out for miles and miles. We discover more hermit crabs and mermaid money shells. The beach changes everyday here. Fishing is at high tide.

Here at Port Hedland we met Bishop Joseph and Mumma Margaret from Uganda. The Pilbara Anglican Churches are partnering with Bishop Josephs region in Africa to help him with the many needs they have there. They are a lovely couple. Mumma especially loved hugging Miss Amy.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010


We watched the tug boats bring in this ship, GLOBAL COMMANDER, to be loaded up. The ships are huge - this one had about 4 tugs pulling it into harbour.

Port Hedland WA



We have finally arrived at Port Hedland. It has just been raining and everything seems fresh and clean. The industrial areas surround the town and the hum of machinery never seems to stop.

The kids had to complete a few tasks to become Karijini Junior Rangers, and get their patches. They did a great job.
This is the end of Knox Gorge, where its a class 6 hike - meaning you will need equipment to get down here. Except if your a Parker of course and you just go anyway.

My little mountain goat, great at all the tough walks through the Gorges at Karijini.

More of the stunning scenery...

Circular Pool - another beautiful, peaceful spot. We love it here at Karijini....
Here we are about to do Spider Walk - where you shuffle along with both hands and feet on the sides of the gorge. This is mine and Amy's 2nd attempt at doing it - and we succeed!! Yeah.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010



We stop for a rest near the ampitheatre of Dales Gorge. The walks are fun and challenging too.

The views are stunning here in Dales Gorge. Looking out from the top of Fortescue Falls

Beautiful Fern Pool in Dales Gorge. Lovely (but freezing) to swim here.

Karijini National Park WA


This is the campsite at Dales Campground. The red dirt gets on everything. Our shoes were orange by the time we left. How would believe that this dusty red campsite is surrounded by beautiful, scenic gorges and waterfalls???

The kids compare themselves to the height and size of this enormous tyre! We found it was very cold here as Tom Price has the highest elevation in all of WA.

The massive machinery was very impressive here at Tom Price Mine. The dust is incredible. Our bus driver Baz called it the Pilbara Mist. Everything seems this dusty red colour.

Tom Price WA


We take a tour of the Tom Price Rio Tinto Iron Ore mining operation. You have to wear the saftey gear even though you are only out of the bus for a short time.
John and Tim are overlooking Parraburdoo's Golf Course. The stunning mountain ranges surround this tiny town.

Parraburdoo


Here we are overlooking Parraburdoo, a mining town in WA. The minister of the Anglican church here, John has taken this photo for us.