Karratha

After leaving Barn Hill we headed south and did an overnight stay at Pardoo Roadhouse. This was comfortable for one night. The roadhouse had a licence restaurant & bar. We met a lovely couple from Bunbury, John & June sure had a few tales to tell and loved to tell us about all the fish they caught and lived on solely for the last 2 weeks but also telling us how difficult it was getting their car and camper out of the place after having jacked knifed the van several times......I didn't even take a photo of Pardoo.

Port Hedland (9)

Harbour Sign

Next stop was Port Hedland. Well what can I say Industy, industry and more industry. We saw Dampier Salt company. Salt everywhere and mining cars, trucks also everywhere. Looked like Kooragang Island just bigger and mightier. We need gas but couldn't find it anywhere. The salesperson at the roadhouse said you wont find gas anywhere in Port Hedland as it is an island. You have one place only to get it until you reach Perth area and that is 15 km away at South Headland????? Off we go as we just stocked the fridge again, to South Hedland. Bingo they had a swap and go service and it was only $34. We thought we would be up for heaps more. We have full tank of diesel & gas, we are happy again....

Dampier Salt

Port Hedland has a population of 15,000 people. Very busy harbour, bulk carrier vessels of up to 260,000 tonnes and over 230 metres in length entre here through this narrow entrance adjacent to the main street. We weren't too impressed so decided to move on to Karratha.

Port Hedland (2)

This is from my window as we travel.............

Karratha was just 40 km down the road anyway. 12,756 population and heaps better shopping centre. About the same size as Jesmond centre. This town is apparently the main business are of this region. The Woodside's North West Shelf venture is off the coast here. (The gas in the ocean) as well as Pilbara Iron and Dampier Salt. All the cars are mostly miners vehicles, the caravan parks are full of these guys living there. I could live in Karratha if I had too, reminds me of Wagga Wagga. Two night will do! Take me to the tourist areas. The weather here is a pleasant 29 degrees.