Port Hedland and further north

Port Hedland is an amazingly busy and noisy place. Unlike most cities that have their port aside from the central part of town , their port is right in the middle of town. Trucks are ferrying minerals day and night, ships are leaving as quickly as they can get them loaded and life goes on at a very brisk pace. Many of the people here are fly in fly out but there are also many permanents. We were happy to look around and leave - cities not being our favourite places anyway but you will get the idea from our pics.

                                                                                                                 The port

Trucks lined up waiting to unload

One boat leaves with a 3 tug escort - there were about 8 boats waiting to come in - no wonder Gina is so rich!!!

Another getting ready

One of 2 huge piles of salt almost in the centre of town

The historic Esperance Hotel in Port Hedland

Control Tower

After a fairly hectic couple of weeks travel we found the de Grey River just north of Port Hedland. It was a designated rest area and because of unseasonal rain the river was flowing strongly and the grass was lush and green so there were quite a few campers there taking advantage of the fresh water swimming and huge area to spread out. This railway bridge was being repaired while we were there as the flooding a few weeks earlier had damaged it.

Small side stream where we swam usually 2 or 3 times a day. There was talk of croc sightings but we felt we were pretty safe where we were.

Our camp right on the river

Kerry helped Janice skin and cook an eel while we were there - met some very interesting people there - played cards, had good discussions and read and slept - it was just great

Eighty Mile Beach - full of anglers trying to catch salmon and 4WDs up and down the beach

Kerry in the Indian Ocean

Fingernails to die for - not sure about the hands though!!!

Streeter's Jetty in Broome

A pearling lugger

The beautiful beaches of Broome - yes the water really is that colour. This is Deep Water Port

Cable Beach in distance and some of the very rocky coastline

The lighthouse and one of the best private homes in Australia right on the headland overlooking the ocean - note the boab tree in the garden

The original lighthouse keeper's fireplace - all that is left 

Cable Beach - famed for hippy haven in 60s and 70s

We are heading east now - have finally made the turn towards home - we will be lost in the Kimberleys for a while and will emerge at Katherine at some stage