Lucky you. For mine, the Pilbara is as good as the Kimberley - just magic. Such an ancient landscape.
Look forward to comments and descriptions from you during the trip - even though you are working......
Few years back, we worked in construction camps, 100km and 200km south of Port Hedland. We were there from Sept to Feb. It should be getting into the hot, storm season, up there now. We saw some incredible lightning storms and had some pretty fierce windstorms, too.
Enjoy. I'm sure you'll be making notes for future travel reference.

Hi all. Have had a frenetic and crazy trip so far. Lots of driving and its good to see so much country even thouhg it would be nice to spend more time in it. We went from Meekatharra to Newman and spent the night there and then on to Tom Price.

The drive was spectacular across the ranges. Still lots of rain about so the landscape has many shades of green constrasting with the deep red soil. Some of the local wattles are flowering and in Tom Price itself there were many tropical trees flowering. Coming across to Port Hedland across the gorges was incredible. As Wendy said, the ancient landscape was unbelievable. I am checking out local camping spots for later reference.

Spent last night in the infamous Cooke Point CP at Pt Hedland - the expense was not surprising as recently I paid $290 per night for a scungy old cabin there (or rather my work aid). It is soooo hot here - 6.30 am and already must be 30 degrees or more.

The entry into Pt Hedland is so ugly. The mining companies really should put some serious money into landscaping.


Off to Roeburne and Karratha today, then Exmouth tomorrow and then 2 x 800km days to get back to Perth via Carnarvon. Then I pick up my caravan which as been having new struts fitted and a couple of other little adjustments. Then I tow her down to Demark on Monday and book her in to have solar panels fitted and other electrical work.

Wow Elle you are a busy little bee at the moment, you won't be sorry once solar is fitted the freedom they bring is worth every cent.........drive safely.

Agree with you, that Port Hedland is quite ugly. We've been there a few times as travellers, and of course when we were working in the camps, it was the local supply point, so we are familiar with it. For mine, it has little for travellers to see and now that staying there is so costly, I reckon the best thing to do is to go to South Hedland just long enough to visit the shops and restock, then go to one of the many much nicer places a bit further away.

Pt. Hedland is not a tourist destination, just a service point to refuel and restock.
I spent many weekends there for Netball regional commitments and a couple of times for medical attention.
Pt. Hedland is actually the older part of the original town.
You can tour the ore handling facilities if you're keen to learn a bit about this huge mining industry.
There is no real reason to stay there.
The people I've met there are really nice, but the town itself is nothing to write home about. It can be a gateway to some of the interior, but you can free camp, selectively to base yourself and tour around.
Recogniasance for future travel.

When we pulled into Pt. Hedland Caravan Park about 6 years ago. The first words uttered to us were ' Do you want a job?' Couldn't stay there a week, never mind work and live there.

The last time I travelled through that region was when I left Broome and headed south after 15 years in the Kimberleys.
It was the tail end of the tourist season so I knew space would be hard to find in Hedland and Karratha, so I camped at the Roebourne park. The new owners were working hard to get it up to an acceptable standard, but everything was working and clean. The park is safe and secure, and reasonably priced.
It's a great starting point for several sightseeing opportunities.