Karratha to Karijini…360kms, half of the kms on sealed road and there were extensive road repairs along that stretch which delayed progress. 

Then you have to make a choice – remove dentures/adjust bra straps/secure your nuts and drive on the serrated unsealed road….. OR…..take the unsealed but very well graded private rail access Rio Tinto Rd (for which you technically need to apply for a permit, who knew??)….yes, I nervously chose the latter option…without a permit, hoping I wasn’t going to be pulled over by a company patrol. And very glad I got through without any embarrassment! 

Right on cue, a Pilbara Iron train drove past laden with ore from one of the mining sites along the road.

Stayed at the Karijini Eco Retreat, my eco tent giving me a lovely bush perspective. The wind was howling all night on the first night, and a pack of dingoes joined in around 2am. Ah nature!! 

Knox Gorge is a deep chasm that intersects Wittenoom Gorge just along from the Knox Lookout. The 2km Knox Gorge walk trail takes you down into the gorge past fig trees which cling to the rock walls. There are rocks to scramble over and pools to swim in. I looked encouragingly at a family who was making its way down 🙌 🙂

Joffre Gorge is a stunning natural amphitheatre with a splendid curved seasonal waterfall. There’s a lookout platform with views across the gorge. And there are iron ladders to scramble down if you want to reach the pool downstream from the waterfall. 

Fortescue Falls in the Dales Gorge, are a tropical oasis in the middle of an unforgiving desert-like Pilbara region. They tumble 20m down red rock benches/steps. Vibrant red cliffs surround the colourful and clear water with some green vegetation under cloudless blue skies. 

Oxer lookout at Weano Gorge is a mere 15 minute walk from the car park. I took a breath and peered over the edge at the stunning panorama. Sheer walls plunge 100m or more to the gorge floor of layered rock and languid pools. Noticed that a little tree on one of the cliffs close to the gorge floor, was illuminated by the sun, through a crack in the rock. 

Drove to Paraburdoo, a small mining town built in the 1960’s (as you do). On the main road into town, visited a sculpture “Resilience”, that pays homage to the mining industry of the Pilbara, local indigenous culture, the people of Paraburdoo and the spirit of regional communities in WA. Zhou Xiaoping, the artist who designed the work in consultation with stakeholders, was born and educated in China but since 1988, he has been actively engaged with Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land, the Kimberley and Pilbara. Some galahs flew in to sip some sprinkler water but a truck disturbed them …….

And of course, Red Dog has a lovely memorial here as well ….

Today, got up early and drove 605kms to Eighty Mile Beach, at least it was all on a sealed highway. After seeing a lovely sunset, will sleep well tonight.