Australia - Northwest

18.11.2022 ● Kunuulu
After a relaxed night in the cool, our breakfast is a bit sparse. The heat is causing the fridge to struggle and turning the milk into cottage cheese. So no cornflakes for us.
We have to adjust our shopping behavior and will go shopping every other day in the future so that nothing spoils.

We start the day with a scenic drive over the dam of Lake Argyle. In the valley of the dam, water is forced through narrow pipes and electricity is generated. This causes waves to rock in the river.

Then we continue to the Hidden Road and the Mirima National Park. A maze of striped rock formations. Since the 44 degree mark is reached again here, we take a short 10 minute hike into the interior of the maze. When we reach the end of the path, we look out at the mountains on the horizon.

In Kunuulu we visit the Visitor Center to plan our next route. Right next to it there is a water park that we of course use immediately. The children have a lot of fun and really let off steam.

After shopping and refueling, we continue towards Halls Creek. On the 3-hour drive, we enjoy the view. The scenery constantly changes.

☆ High rocks soaked in red.

☆ Two pictures - on the left burnt out steppe off the road, on the right everything shines in lush green.

☆ Large termite mounds resemble buffaloes or elephants.

☆ Wide view over vast land and rain in sight.

☆ Red gravel road leads to our sleeping place.

Arriving at our destination 'Caroline Pool', we see lots of kangaroos again. They curiously watch what we're up to, then hop away into the night.

19.11.2022 ● Geikie Gorge National Park
On the drive along the Great Northern Highway, we pass many national parks.

Some are several hundred kilometers away from the main road and can only be reached via dirt roads. However, this is not an option for us with the motorhome. So today we visit Geikie Gorge National Park. The Fitzroy River has carved a 14 km long gorge here. It is up to 30 meters deep and was once part of the 1000 km long and 20 km wide ancient Devonian Great Barrier Reef. Therefore, the high rock walls consist of fossilized coral reefs.

The hike through the rock formations is sweaty. The heat accumulates between the rocks and no breeze blows. We prefer to walk along the river and search for freshwater crocodiles.

Instead of crocodiles, we see kangaroos jumping through bushes and drinking at the riverbank.

When we arrive at the rest area, we tidy up the motorhome, and it's not just the adults' work. The children help actively.

20.11.2022 ● Derby
On our journey through the Australian outback, we see many boab trees in bloom. The oldest tree, 1,500 years old, is located in Derby. It used to be used as a natural prison.

Right next to it, you can admire the longest cattle trough in the southern hemisphere, which is 120 meters long. It used to have a natural inflow and was constantly filled with water. Today, a windmill helps to pump water into the trough.

We continue driving through the center of Derby to relax at the beach. Unfortunately, the low tide ruins our plans. Here, the largest tidal difference in Australia is 12 meters. So, we don't see any water as far as the eye can see. Back in the center, we cool off in the swimming pool instead.

Then we continue to Broome. We are surprised at how modern this city is. The center is beautifully designed with many shops and colorful plants. Here we restock our supplies.

Then we go to the beach. Kilometers of sandy beach with beautiful waves. We feel comfortable here and stay until dinner time.

21.11.2022 ● Broome
Broome is a holiday paradise for tourists and locals. Hotels and luxury resorts are lined up at Cabel Beach. Not surprisingly, because the beach is fantastic.

The sand under our feet feels like flour. The clear water invites you to swim. The children play, jump, and roll in the waves.

We even see dolphins swimming close to the shore. What more could you want!?

A little further on is the cliff coast with the Gantheaume Point lookout, which is known for the fossilized dinosaur footprints.

Contrary to expectations, there are no barriers or signs here, which means we are searching for the needle in a haystack. We climb over the rocks and follow the footsteps of the dinosaurs. With a lot of imagination, you can see traces in the rocks, but we're not completely sure.

The next bay is the Roebuck Bay Lookout. From here, you can enjoy a beautiful view of untouched nature. There are trees and bushes with roots that extend into the water. We even spot fish jumping out of the water.

22.11.2022 ● 80 Mile Beach

On the way to Port Hedland, we take a detour on a red gravel road to the remote 80 Mile Beach. When we arrive, we find ourselves in paradise. We expected white sandy beaches and turquoise blue sea just like in the Caribbean.

There are shells as far as the eye can see on the beach, and many large corals have also been washed ashore. We haven't experienced anything like this before.

It is beautiful how much there is to discover here. After a walk along the beach, we build sand castles, and even there, we are surprised by small and large shells hidden in the depths of the sand.

After the peaceful silence, we set off again for civilization, to Port Hedland.

23.11.2022 ● Port Hedland
After endless vastness and nothing but nature, Port Hedland offers a complete contrast. The industrial city welcomes us with large cranes, excavators, trucks, and endless trains. Compared to all these giants, we ourselves feel very small.

Here is the largest iron ore deposit in the world. More than 34,000 people work here for bhp.
We can even watch salt being mined and accumulated into huge mountains.

But there are also many covered playgrounds for children in the center. Right next to the campsite, there is a skatepark, and the children's eyes light up because they can ride scooters again.

24.11.2022 ● Karijini National Park
After endless flatland, today we return to the mountains, or rather to the hilly landscape of Karijini National Park. 

The night reveals a breathtaking view of the stars once again.

The national park is interspersed with canyons, rivers, and swimming holes.
From the eastern entrance of the park, we drive to the Fortescue Falls. Here we take a hike along the edge of the cliff to the lookout where three gorges meet.

We hear the rushing water from Circular Pool. There should be a hiking trail leading down and the river's course leading us to the waterfall. But unfortunately, we can't find a safe descent. So we go back the same way and find the hiking trail from the other side after descending a steel staircase into the gorge.

But we continue a bit further and find the bathing paradise in the Fern Pool.

We happily spend a few relaxing hours here. Small fish swim around our feet curiously nibbling. White cockatoos fly over our heads while swimming. The beauty of nature can't get any better.

On the way through the forest, we pass flying foxes. We can watch them climbing from tree to tree.

Next, we head to the Joffre Falls. Instead of simply driving off-road through the park, we have to take the 40 km detour on the asphalt road with the motorhome.
When we arrive, we can look into a deep hole via a steel platform. But the water is nowhere to be seen.

We can guess the course of the water from the discoloration of the rock wall. 

We had actually planned to take a swimming break here. But instead, we move on to the next lookout.

 
Here at the Knox Gorge Lookout, three gorges meet again. We are always fascinated by the gigantic size and vastness.

25.11.2022 ● Tom Price
Tom Price is a mining town and at 747 meters above sea level, it is the highest city in Western Australia. From here, we want to rent a 4-wheel drive vehicle and drive to the Hamerlay Range, which is worth seeing. The 50-kilometer dirt road leads to the ancient mountain world of Hamerley, which is millions of years old. The highlight is a waterfall in a round rock recess that also invites you to swim.

Unfortunately, things turn out differently, and there is no available car for us. So we have to give up the northern part of Karijini National Park.

 
Instead, we switch to Plan B and ride scooters in the skate park. Many parrots are watching us.

Afterwards, we cool off by swimming in the outdoor pool. The water is well covered and simply ice-cold.

Our next destination is Exmouth on the coast. We will complete the journey in two days. At night, we find a rest area with a great view.