Broome to Exmouth

Broome to Derby - Horizontal Falls – Saturday 10 & Sunday 10 September 2011

It is now 2 days since we arrived home from our Kimberley Trip and we are starting to catch up, today we leave the van in Broome and head back to Derby, about 220km, then out to the Horizontal Falls  for the night.

We arrived Derby about lunchtime and the place was starting to close for the weekend, we had a look at the huge wharf then went to the Kings Town Resort.   This is where the car is staying the night , while we fly out to the Falls.  The barman at the resort, really a rough pub, assured me that the car would be safe, I was unsure but had no choice.  We flew in a seaplane from Derby airport mid-afternoon and after a smooth landing on Talbot Bay we had arrived at the Horizontal Falls. 

Our plane awaits

Captains ready to go - no need to panic

First thing was to take a boat ride through the falls, the low to high tide is a variance of about 5 metres, causing a huge amount of white water rushing through a 10metres gap in the range, the driver navigated the gap at about 40 knots and with ease then did the big 360 turn, just incredible.  The second falls is a gap of 7 metres and the water was rushing through at a rapid rate, causing a 2 metres wall off water backed up on the top side, we were unable to get through this one, the depth on both falls is about 45 metres.  The whole experience is just incredible to see and experience.

Horizontal Falls from the air

Water rushing through the Falls

Back at the pontoon we swam in the shark cage and feed the sharks, one of the workers had is arm bandaged from a close encounter the week before, so they were real.  On sunset we took off in the boat again for another run through the falls with the sun setting on the range, just spectacular.  We stayed on board the Barra Shack Houseboat the night and of course had fresh Barra for dinner. Sunday morning we were up at dawn to watch the sun rise over the bay, then off to run the falls again.  This time it was at the peak of high tide and we are able to run through both falls, flat strap, just sensational. Back at the pontoon our plane arrived to fly us back to Derby.  The car was still there and I was happy, now for the 2 hour drive back to Broome and sunset on Cable Beach at the SLSC, just another great day in Broome.

Feeding the Sharks

Walter the pet Bat Fish

The crew aboard the Barra Shack - note the guy with the bandaged hand - yep the shark

Broome – Monday 12 & Tuesday 13 September 2011

Monday was an easy start to the day and a last look around the shops in Broome, it really is a great town.  That afternoon we rode the camels along Cable Beach, one of those things you do and it was just fantastic. 

Riding the camels on Cable Beach

Still on the camels

Tuesday we were up early to catch the bus out to Willie Creek Pearl Farm, for the morning.  Another great tourist destination, the they take you through the pearl farming process, then on a cruise to show you the pearl farm, morning tea of homemade damper and of course their showroom.  It was all very interesting, we arrived home and went for our last swim (this time around) on Cable Beach.  That night we found ourselves at Roebuck Bay and the “Stairway to the Moon”.  This occurs when there is a full moon and a low tide, the moon shines across the sand and the reflection looks like a stairway up to the moon.  And yes it does.

Stairway to the Moon - Broome

Broome to Port Hedland – Wednesday 14 September 2011

After nearly 3 weeks in and around Broome it was time to say farewell and turn left and head south for a few weeks. We very much enjoyed our time in Broome and will certainly spend time here again.  Leaving Broome also meant that we were now heading back to Canberra, but still have plenty of great things to do on the way.  We had about 620km to do today so we were on the road by 8am, and 2 tanks of fuel later we were in Port Hedland.  The road is long, straight and fairly uninteresting, but all that aside it has a special something that keeps you interested, any new road and place is always interesting.  Fuel was at Roebuck Roadhouse and Sandfire Flat Roadhouse, that is all there is along the way.

Port Hedland is a huge mining town, there are two things that stand out as you enter town, firstly huge salt piles, Dampier Salt, and the other thing is hundreds of white 4WD with orange aerials, all belonging to the mines, and they are everywhere.

Salt stockpile  - Port Hedland

Salt water on the side of the road

We settled into the Big 4 Cooke Point Holiday Park for the night, we were lucky enough to capture the second night of “Stairway to the Moon” here, it only happens 2 nights each month, and again it was a pretty special sight.

Stairway to the Moon - Port Hedland

Port Hedland to Karratha – Thursday 15 September 2011

Not such a big day today only 250km, but we were on the road by 8am again, our first stop was Roebourne and then out to Cossack a historic place that is home to the first pearl industry in the north west, then on to Wickham to check out 15 Spencer Place where friends use to live, it’s still there Paul and Lyndal, sorry we didn’t make south Hedland.  Onto Karratha and the Big 4 Pilbara Holiday Park.

15 Spencer Pl Wickham

Just to prove the car and van are still clean

We went for a run out to Dampier to check out the port facility and of course many many more white 4WDs with orange aerials.  Also saw the ‘Red Dog’ monument at Dampier, as this is the home of Red Dog from the movie.

Me & Red Dog

Karratha to Exmouth – Friday 16 September 2011

8am on the road again, over 550km again today, 3 days in a row and close to 1400km is tiring, but we wanted to get to the Coral Coast  and a few days’ rest.  Same trip as usual out here, long, flat and only the occasional roadhouse to fuel up at, the difference today was we are now starting to see more and more wild flowers on the side of the road.

Sturts Desert Pea

Starting to see some wild flowers

The flowers are a great sight on the side of the road

Arrived Exmouth mid-afternoon and settled in, the weather is still hot 30deg but much cooler overnight.  It’s all good.  Exmouth is the northern tip of the Coral Coast and the Ningaloo Reef, so we are set to explore this over the next few days.