On we go through Port Headland to Karratha

 Our trip through Port Headland was fairly smooth the next morning - about 2 hours and we stopped in briefly to see the huge mining port with boats loading and unlacing ore and minerals. The trains were HUUUUGE - so many carriages.

Then onto Karratha = another few hours away.

We were quite surprised at how big this town was and how much to do. We checked into our cabin and then went exploring. Our fav spot was Hearson's Cove - about 30mins from the centre of town. It was  a tad late in the afternoon to swim as the tide had gone a long way out.

Sam joins us and we head to 80 Mile Beach

 In the morning we drove back into Broome to collect Sam [ a friend of Ms C's who she worked with back in Katherine at Clyde Fenton School]. Sam had driven from Katherine to Darwin then flown to Broome to join us for the next week.

Whew - lucky I am so GOOOOOOD at problem solving. We had to arrange all the packing and luggage to fit an extra person and bags in. It was really nice to have someone in the back seat with me and Sam, Tony and even Ms C took turns sitting with me as we drive for 3 and a half hours to our next destination. We had a new agreement in the car - whoever sat in the front passenger seat go to choose the music - we listened to quite a variety - NOT all country any more.

Eighty Mile Beach, also spelled Eighty-mile Beach or 80-mile Beach, and formerly called 90-mile Beach, lies along the north-west coast of Western Australia about half-way between the towns of Broome and Port Hedland. 220km of uninterrupted white sand and turquoise water, mudflats and mangroves.

We had a BBQ on our veranda of our cabin and then Ms C beat us all with the game Pass the Pigs and Rickety Kate - I am not sure how she won every game BUT she assures us no cheating was involved.

Ms C slept in a little the next morning BUT Sam took me out for the sunset with her - it was very special.

Eco Beach Wilderness Resort

 It was now ANZAC Day and time for us to leave Broome. Ms C packed us all up and back into the car [with help from me of course] and we trekked out to Eco Beach Wilderness Resort [130kms away]. Well now it is a very impressive place.

The resort features exceptional eco friendly accommodations, expansive views of the Indian Ocean, abundant activities and luxury amenities.

There were Yoga classes I wanted to go to but Ms C would not let me........

We did go to the infinity pool and I had a dip with Tony BUT Ms C said way too cold and only put her legs sin up to her knees. So many mossies in the afternoon - we saw a lady with soooo many bites all down her legs. Ms C made sure we all sprayed and covered up as we sat outside for dinner overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Broome - a fab place to stay for a few days in Western Australia

 So after we made it safely across the Fitzroy River we headed full steam ahead [not speeding of course] into Broome - about 400kms away.

We travelled smoothly and listened to some Country Music [Keith urban featured of course]  as he is still one of Ms C's favourite musicians. We arrived in Broome early afternoon and Ms C checked us into a bit of a flash resort - she decided we were due for a special treat and some pampering.

There were 5 swimming pools at our place - I checked out all 5 and swam BUT Ms C only went in the main pool near our private courtyard.

Ms C was then determined to head to a car wash as her new car was VERY duty - it did end up a bit cleaner after going through the automatic car wash BUT I think Ms C will need to do a bit more soon to have the car shinning again.

We explored the Port and the surrounds and caught up for sunset at Gantheaume Point with some friends of Ms C's. Jake and Jade Andrews and their boys now live on Yeeda Cattle Station [about 200kms from Broome]. Jade and the boys live in town during the week for school. Aaron [the younger one] had AFL training on the beach - how unusual so we joined them.

We saw a really unusual boat come out of the water on wheels - it was a whale watching tourist boat and as it approached the shore the wheels hit the sand and it rolled onto the beach for the tourists to get out of the boat.

The big question - will we get across the Fitzroy River?

 We left Lake Argyle on Saturday morning and after a quick stop in Kununurra [70kms away] for fuel and supplies we headed further west. Our plan was to travel 658kms through Halls Creek and onto Fitzroy Crossing. BUT Ms C has been very anxious for a few weeks about whether or not we would get across as the main bridge [in fact the only bridge] collapsed during the flood early January and will take 2 years to be completely re built. There had been a temporary barge service started a few weeks ago BUT very limited access. The was also work being done on building up the old Causeway with pylons to help the river flow through and then tonnes of rock and soil to build up the temporary road / access.

It had opened on 3rd April BUT sadly due to Cyclone Isla and the water flowing down from the catchment area closed again later that same day. Ms C has been checking the Fitzroy River Notice Board on Facebook many times each day to see what the status was. To her relief it was announced the causeway opened Thursday - just a few days before we were due to cross. BUT Ms C was still VERY worried we would travel all the way to Fitzroy and get STUCK!

We arrived in Fitzroy late in the afternoon and quickly checked out eh collapsed bridge and the temporary access road - all seemed Ok so we were then positive we would get across in the morning. 

So we were up early [even Ms C who we all know likes to sleep in] and on the road before 8am. We headed straight down to the Causeway and only had to wait for one car to cross then we followed after a 4WD towing a boat went across. Check out our video..... I have to tell you I was a little worried BUT VERY pleased when we got safely to the other side of the massive river.

 

Ok - safely across - now off to Broome we go - Ms C reckons 4hours of travel today!

Heading into Western Australia - fab stay at Lake Argyle

So after a bit of a slow start we hit the road again headed out on the Victoria Highway towards Western Australia. We stopped off at Timber Creek for a picnic lunch and to fuel up [so expensive] the hit the road. Lucky re remembered NOT to take any fruit or veggies across the WA border as we were stopped at border control and checked.

After 500kms [about 5 hours later] we arrived at the picturesque Lake Argyle - we soon checked into our cabin. Ms C thought she booked waterview BUT in fact we did not have any view from our cabin BUT that was ok as we could go and watch the sunset etc up on the hill. 

Tony went for a long walk exploring - he enjoys hiking and running.

Ms C and I headed to the infinity pool. BUT IT was SOOOOOOO cold - or so Ms C tells me. You know what she forgot - with all the packing? MY swimmers - I was not happy at first BUT once I realised how cold the water was I was ok about this for now BUT Ms C will have to get me some swimmers soon.

We were surprised when we were told we had to order dinner by 6pm each night as the restaurant closes at 6:30pm. Now for those of you who know Ms C well - you would be well aware she often does not eat till after 8pm. - so this was a challenge for her BUT I was Ok with eating early and having an early night so I would be fresh and ready for new adventures the next morning.

We went exploring in the car after the swim and visited the lookout, the dam outlets for the Ord Irrigation system and the surrounds. Ms C got excited [and so did I] about going on a boat cruise the following day on the Lake - we found out it is 21 times the amount of water as in Sydney Harbour - WOWZA - that is a lot of water!

PS - the new car is LOOKING VERY dirty and dusty - I hope Ms C goes to a car wash when we get to Kununurra in the next few days.

We spent some time the next morning at the Durack Family Museum - I learnt lots about how the Durack family travelled from Queensland in the 1880's to settle with cattle into the Kimberley area - they took over 2 years to try and bring 7500 head of cattle BUT sadly half did not make it on the trek /  trail. 

I was really surprised at the REALLY old phone - just could not work it out at all. The cooking pots looked tough going as well. Life must sure have been more difficult in those days for everyone. Well worth a visit if you ever head this way with your families.

Off we go - Leaving the NT

 Off we go - after much planning and packing Ms C and I [ALLE] headed of on Wednesday 19th April for our epic 10 week road trip adventure. I was so happy the children and staff at Alawa included me in Ms C's survival kit - otherwise I think she may have left me at school - I would have been sooooo sad!

Tony [a friend from when Ms C was very young and teaching in Broken Hill in NSW] flew to Darwin from NSW to be OUR travel buddy for the first few weeks of our epic road trip. Lucky he came along as I am just not strong enough to carry all the shoes and clothes Ms C was determined to bring along as well as her essential supplies and vibration plate [just like the one under her desk at school]. 

The new Mitsubishi Outlander was very well packed and we managed to fit everything in and still have loads of room for comfort on our travels. Ms C also bought a new Brass Monkey car fridge [which takes up half the boot space] BUT she is having a few probs working out how to set this and keep her ice and Diet Coke cool as we travel.

We took it easy for the first day and stopped off to collect a suitcase from Squizz [who will join us later on the trip in Esperance for the massive trip across the Nullarbor and then into South Australia and then back up the track into the NT]. We then stopped off at Darwin River to have lunch with other friends of Ms C's who Tony met 28 years ago when he and his wife Annie visited Ms C in the NT.

Then we travelled further to Katherine and spent the night with friends of Ms C's and she stayed up really late - laughing and chatting BUT I of course went to bed early ready for the next big day!