At Karratha

Karijini was FANTASTIC - you don't really get how dramatic the gorges are - they are awesome!
When we woke up at Tom Price that morning it was raining - unbelievable! We headed out to Karijini - about 50k away. We were so glad we weren't camping as the campers looked pretty miserable and dishevelled in the rain.
The first gorge we went to we had to be really careful going down the steps as the rocks were really slippy - even with our hiking boots on. Fern Pool was just beautiful - very serene and peaceful - the photo would be a good one to have as a screensaver when you are at crappy work!
We also looked at Circular Pool and walked through Weano Gorge.
While we were at Tom Price we checked into the Visitor Centre where we had to apply for a permit to travel on the Hamersley Iron Private Road from Tom Price to Karratha. This is a track that runs along the rail transporting the iron ore. We also had to watch a 20 minute DVD on the conditions for using the road.
Next day we set out on the track. This turned out to be a real challenge. Started off OK - saw lots of iron ore trains along the way. But the track deteriorated as we went along. There was a lot of water on the road and I had to drive slowly and carefully around the water, watching out for ruts in the road (we did'nt want another 'clanger' like the road from Mt Augustus where we knackered the tyre and bent the wheel!!!). Sometimes I had to drive through the water and also there was a fair bit of mud which reduced traction. We wanted to go to Millstream but 15k up the turn off track the road had been closed so we had to turn back and carry on to Karratha. Fortunately the road turned to lovely bitumen about 100k before Karratha so we thought it would be all smooth sailing. But when we got to the Harding River the whole road had been washed away and a makeshift road had been built (see photo). We were very glad to reach Karratha but the poor truck was a mess - there was mud caked everywhere! We gave it a good wash down at the Caravan Park in Karratha and now she looks lovely again! Spent last night and tonight in Karratha, which is quite big and busy, lots of industry. On Sunday we head thru Port Hedland on the way to Broome. We will be spending Sunday night at Eighty Mile Beach. Watching West Coast later this avo, desperate for a win!!!!