Monday 27th May – Karratha to Millstream

Packed up and set off early (7:30am) as the Prado was the first vehicle on the hoist at Pilbara Toyota.  Looked for somewhere to have breakfast but a bit early for any of the cafes.  Ended up with a GF muffin and coffee at the Cento Shopping Centre.  Karratha is the largest place we have been in since leaving Roma – it’s also quite new and buzzing with lots of construction work happening.  It’s very much a mining town but there’s also lots of families around which is good to see.

The car was finished about 11:30.  We met up with Margaret and Arthur and headed for the port of Dampier.  It’s quite a view from the lookout where you can see where the salt and Iron Ore are loaded.  Was also interesting to see where the salt is produced – shallow areas that are flooded with sea water and then left to evaporate leaving the salt easy to be harvested.

Red Dog statue at Dampier

Salt waiting to be shipped at Dampier Harbour

Dampier Harbour

Dampier is the “home” of Red Dog and there is a statue of him along with lots of other information on the area, both history (much about William Dampier) and the mining operations in the area at an information booth leading into town.

Had lunch at the Mermaid pub overlooking the water – served by another skimpy (barmaid in underwear).  Jill and I shared a grilled groper with salad and chips – excellent.  The view out to sea was interesting with lots of activity of ships being loaded with ore and small tug pushing ships about.

Back to Karratha for grocery shopping before heading off to Millstream.  An interesting drive with lots of hills covered with different coloured Spinifex.  Also lots of patches of very red rock poking through the Spinifex.  Hamersley Ranges in the distance are quite spectacular.  Were driving along beside the railway line that brings the iron ore from Tom Price to Dampier.  Passed several very long trains – 3 locomotives and hundreds of trucks.  Most of the road was bitumen except for the last 40 or so kilometres which was fairly corrugated gravel.

Ore train between Karratha and Millstream

The Hamersley Ranges - Mulla Mulla in the foreground

Arrived at Crossing Pool campsite in Millstream to be met by camp hosts Flo and Jim (and Karen and Mark).  This is a lovely spot where you camp right on a large pool on the Fortescue River.  Devilled sausages for dinner.