My first free camp heading south from Port Hedland.
shekon said
09:57 PM Jul 29, 2015
And there are those who say it is not worth the drive as there is nothing to do or see......... This is a copy of what I have written on my blog.........I have posted here rather than the solo section as a member asked about travelling North from Perth.
AND ANOTHER STUNNING DAY.
After many goodbyes, hugs, kisses and promises to keep in touch I finally left Pardoo Station. I was a really good girl and did not cry as I drove away, I was ready to leave, although the new friends I have made there, I will miss.
So driving into Port Hedland was spectacular as it always is, the colours of the ranges, the changing vegetation, the cows grazing on the road side, one is never bored driving along these roads.
I needed fuel before leaving the Port and had been told I could go into the service station that is signed as trucks only. I seen caravans etc in there, unfortunately I could not pull in as I had a road train right on me so continued on. I had to do a detour to Sth Headland to fuel up. Now, this was interesting, there was a gentleman next to me filling up, said hello, nodded and we went about our business. I was nearly going to ask him where he was heading and for some reason didn't. Now keep that little bit of information in mind as the story continues.
So all fuelled up and I headed towards Yule River. This free camp is about 15mins from Port Headland. What a delightful spot, but first the countryside. Leaving the Port, amidst all the construction and works going on there the country changes so much. It flattens out and greens up. The grasses that fill the paddocks are bright green, silver green, small shrubby bushes, and along the side of the road it is actually mowed so looks like a really well maintained lawn. The road is wide, long and straight and the road trains thin to nothing as you pass the Newman turnoff. A very pleasant drive.
Seen the river and the GPS told me that I had reached my destination. I however missed the turnoff as it is not signed. Darn, I thought I would go a little further down the road and find a spot to turn around. Well I discovered that I was not the only one that must have done this as a turning point has been created just as you cross the bridge.
Found the turn and went into the camping area. It is a lovely spot next to the river, although there is not a lot of water in it at present. Still enough to attract birdlife and mosquitoes. I found a spot to park, not sure if it is the right spot as the white ****atoos seemed to think the trees next to me were there own private playground until about 4.30 and then they all flew away and have not been seen since. Guessing they will be back bright and early in the morning.
I had no sooner started to set up when a convoy of MH's pulled in, plus the man from the service station. 2 of the Mh's stayed and three moved on. The man from the service station stayed. They are all solo travellers, plus there is a couple from Adelaide in a caravan, so it was a nice afternoon all getting to know each other and chatting. The solo travellers are members of the CMCA, and heading to the rally that is on later in the year. They were a little surprised when I said I was not going and it was not something that really interests me at this point in time. Happy hour was a very lively affair with stories of travels, places we had been and people that we had met.
Service station man, Rod, has been a wealth of information on free camping in WA, and we spent some time highlighting the good spots with little tips on areas that are not in the book.
The sunset was beautiful with little finch like birds flitting over the water and the larger Jabirou's standing in the water, making for an interesting photo opportunity.
The sun set over the water and it was all very wonderful and beautiful as the sunsets up here are. I have to say it again, I love this country so much. I am looking forward to exploring even more of it as I head South and come in closer to the Indian Ocean. I am now sitting here in the darkness, listening to the frogs and the different wildlife sounds, certainly different from the cows at Pardoo.
-- Edited by shekon on Wednesday 29th of July 2015 10:03:04 PM
-- Edited by shekon on Wednesday 29th of July 2015 10:04:25 PM
Good story from you thanks, a pleasure to read
I hope you have many stunning days to come
Cheers John
Weevil said
12:45 AM Jul 30, 2015
Fantastic read Sharon, thank you!
The Doo crew said
06:06 AM Jul 30, 2015
Reading your descriptions of the Pilbara reminds me of the many things I miss about it, went to Hedland for a 4 week stint in 93 & ended up staying 17 years.
So many great spots to camp & not enough time to visit them all.
jules47 said
08:19 AM Jul 30, 2015
Yule River - we also passed the turn off, found the turn around and found a good spot to camp for the night. Nice spot, though seemed a lot were traveling together, and bunched up. The countryside is indeed beautiful in that area. Keep on keeping on.
Happywanderer said
08:57 AM Jul 30, 2015
What a wonderful story Shekon. Made me want to get back there sooner than later and experience it all again.
shekon said
09:20 AM Jul 30, 2015
Jules after we all spoke last night, we had all missed the turn off. Lol.
I love this side of the country. So different and vast compared to what I have grown up with and lived in the eastern states. Still so much I have not experienced over there either. God willing I will get to do that also.
Hahhhhh, one day!
I have just come back from watching the sunrise and bird life, amazingly serene and worth the early morning rise and walk in the deep sand of the river bed. Will post some pics a bit later.
shekon said
12:03 PM Jul 30, 2015
Some photos of the sunrise serene setting this morning at Yule River. Stunning.
Also seems as if the Rod, the man from the service station is also a grey nomad. I just forget his handle at present, but he does not post often and usually out of phone range so only comes in every so often. So yes I have met another GN.
Sharon, good read again. Have never visited the Pilbara but are thinking of going to Port Hedland next March, so it was very interesting to read you comments about the countryside.
Lynda
jules47 said
06:22 PM Jul 30, 2015
Watch the weather over that area Sharon - looks like some bad stuff heading in - check the post in here on General forum. Take care.
shekon said
09:27 PM Jul 30, 2015
Thanks Jules, I am up way North of that area. I won't be in Geraldaton area for a month yet. Clear Blue skies here at present with a temp of around 32. The night is calm and warm. If I did not have to have Miss Daisy there in August, I might just head North again. Sounds a bit hairy down that neck of the woods.
Stay safe everyone down there.
spice said
03:30 PM Aug 2, 2015
Hi Sharon, you missed a good night at Sherlock river last night, moon coming up over river, Kaye and Bill were there also, I am at Point Samson for a couple of days, Rod
And there are those who say it is not worth the drive as there is nothing to do or see......... This is a copy of what I have written on my blog.........I have posted here rather than the solo section as a member asked about travelling North from Perth.
AND ANOTHER STUNNING DAY.
After many goodbyes, hugs, kisses and promises to keep in touch I finally left Pardoo Station. I was a really good girl and did not cry as I drove away, I was ready to leave, although the new friends I have made there, I will miss.
So driving into Port Hedland was spectacular as it always is, the colours of the ranges, the changing vegetation, the cows grazing on the road side, one is never bored driving along these roads.
I needed fuel before leaving the Port and had been told I could go into the service station that is signed as trucks only. I seen caravans etc in there, unfortunately I could not pull in as I had a road train right on me so continued on. I had to do a detour to Sth Headland to fuel up. Now, this was interesting, there was a gentleman next to me filling up, said hello, nodded and we went about our business. I was nearly going to ask him where he was heading and for some reason didn't. Now keep that little bit of information in mind as the story continues.
So all fuelled up and I headed towards Yule River. This free camp is about 15mins from Port Headland. What a delightful spot, but first the countryside. Leaving the Port, amidst all the construction and works going on there the country changes so much. It flattens out and greens up. The grasses that fill the paddocks are bright green, silver green, small shrubby bushes, and along the side of the road it is actually mowed so looks like a really well maintained lawn. The road is wide, long and straight and the road trains thin to nothing as you pass the Newman turnoff. A very pleasant drive.
Seen the river and the GPS told me that I had reached my destination. I however missed the turnoff as it is not signed. Darn, I thought I would go a little further down the road and find a spot to turn around. Well I discovered that I was not the only one that must have done this as a turning point has been created just as you cross the bridge.
Found the turn and went into the camping area. It is a lovely spot next to the river, although there is not a lot of water in it at present. Still enough to attract birdlife and mosquitoes. I found a spot to park, not sure if it is the right spot as the white ****atoos seemed to think the trees next to me were there own private playground until about 4.30 and then they all flew away and have not been seen since. Guessing they will be back bright and early in the morning.
I had no sooner started to set up when a convoy of MH's pulled in, plus the man from the service station. 2 of the Mh's stayed and three moved on. The man from the service station stayed. They are all solo travellers, plus there is a couple from Adelaide in a caravan, so it was a nice afternoon all getting to know each other and chatting. The solo travellers are members of the CMCA, and heading to the rally that is on later in the year. They were a little surprised when I said I was not going and it was not something that really interests me at this point in time. Happy hour was a very lively affair with stories of travels, places we had been and people that we had met.
Service station man, Rod, has been a wealth of information on free camping in WA, and we spent some time highlighting the good spots with little tips on areas that are not in the book.
The sunset was beautiful with little finch like birds flitting over the water and the larger Jabirou's standing in the water, making for an interesting photo opportunity.
The sun set over the water and it was all very wonderful and beautiful as the sunsets up here are. I have to say it again, I love this country so much. I am looking forward to exploring even more of it as I head South and come in closer to the Indian Ocean. I am now sitting here in the darkness, listening to the frogs and the different wildlife sounds, certainly different from the cows at Pardoo.
-- Edited by shekon on Wednesday 29th of July 2015 10:03:04 PM
-- Edited by shekon on Wednesday 29th of July 2015 10:04:25 PM
Good story from you thanks, a pleasure to read
I hope you have many stunning days to come
Cheers John
Fantastic read Sharon, thank you!
So many great spots to camp & not enough time to visit them all.
What a wonderful story Shekon. Made me want to get back there sooner than later and experience it all again.
I love this side of the country. So different and vast compared to what I have grown up with and lived in the eastern states. Still so much I have not experienced over there either. God willing I will get to do that also.
Hahhhhh, one day!
I have just come back from watching the sunrise and bird life, amazingly serene and worth the early morning rise and walk in the deep sand of the river bed. Will post some pics a bit later.
Some photos of the sunrise serene setting this morning at Yule River. Stunning.
Also seems as if the Rod, the man from the service station is also a grey nomad. I just forget his handle at present, but he does not post often and usually out of phone range so only comes in every so often. So yes I have met another GN.
Lynda
Stay safe everyone down there.