Port Hedland

Karratha – Port Hedland:  12 July [291 km]

[Note:  We travelled into Point Samson which added to our overall distance travelled today]

On another cloudless day, we headed north out of Karratha.  After about 40 km, we turned onto the road to Point Samson.  We passed Wickham and arrived at the delightful Point Samson:  apart from a few homes, there are two caravan parks with superb locations and a very small shopping centre.  This would be a lovely spot for a holiday or even to break a long journey.

Back on the highway, we cruised past Whim Creek (not much there today) and drove into Port Hedland.  We noticed the increase in the number of road trains with four trailers:  the day of only three trailer road trains is passing! 

We were able to book into our cabin early so that was great;  we had a relaxed lunch and then drove around Port Hedland.  Cassie in the information centre was very helpful:  we walked to the Marapikurrinya Park to get a view of the operations of the port.  The iron ore carriers are enormous when seen close up and there are a number being loaded at any time with up to 15 waiting off shore for a loading berth.

We drove back to Redbank Bridge to get a good view of the spectacular mountains of salt at the Dampier Salt works and of the ore trains that stretch into the distance. 

 

It was fascinating seeing all the small four wheel drive vehicles, each fitted with a little flag pole and an orange safety flag, shooting around Port Hedland.  We enjoyed dinner looking over the ocean and then prepared for our long drive to Broome next day.