Pilbara - 2025

Sunday 28 th June– Sunday 13 th July

Attendees: Penny and Spence: Landcruiser 200 series Ivo and Lucy: Landcruiser 300 series Sue and Steve: Patrol Ron: Pajero Richard and Naomi: Pajero David and Megan: Patrol

The Trip This is the first of our trips where most people had taken a caravan and I was a bit nervous about a convoy of 5 caravans on the Great Northern Highway but it all went quite smoothly despite the large ore trucks and oversize loads. We headed up the coast to 40 mile beach West of Karratha and then back via Millstream-Chichester N.P. and Karijini N.P. .

The Drive North First stop was Galena Bridge 24hr rest stop where we met Richard and Naomi.

The next day we had a short drive to Gladstone Station, a lovely spot right on the beach with an opportunity for kayaking. That night we had our traditional “bring your own topping” pizza evening.

After an overnight stay at Barradale Rest area we headed for beachside camping at Gnoorea Point. We chose not to swim, although the Wikicamps info had the icon for swimming right next to the one for crocodiles. It was a lovely relaxing spot; the men were able to stand around and talk about all sorts of important issues and the ladies got to drink bubbles at sunset on the beach.

Millstream-Chichester N. P.

We camped at Miliyahna camp site in the National Park, walked through the beauty of the park to the cliff lookout, swam in Python Pool, and swam and kayaked at Deep Reach. David and Megan met us here after travelling up on their own.

Trains and Mines

You are never far from mining activity in the Pilbara. We travelled the Rio Tinto Rail Access Rd to get down to Karijini. This is now tar for the top stretch and good gravel for the lower stretch. You always have to be prepared to wait for a train to cross the line which takes a while with their huge number of rail cars (about 250). Ron carried on towards home at this point and we look forward to him joining us on another trip in the future.

A few days later we did a Rio Tinto mine tour complete with hard hats and safety glasses. A fascinating insight into the operation there with the added bonus of big toys to be admired, and a beer at the tavern afterwards.

Beautiful Karijini

David and Megan left us after Hammersley Gorge to go and climb Mt Augustus. Some of us did swim in Hammersley Gorge but it was bitterly cold and we moved on to a bush camp just outside the Western entrance to Karijini. The awesome beauty of Karijini takes your breath away no matter how many times you visit (so do the climbs in and out of the gorges!).

We all attempted some part of Mt Bruce with Ivo making it furthest as usual. Kalamina Gorge walk meanders through the shallow gorge, crossing the river with some interesting ledge walking and a wonderful swim at the end. The others did the challenging walk down into Dales Gorge and along the base to Fortesque Falls. Spence and I opted for the stairs down into Fern Pool. It was early enough for us to have the usually busy spot to ourselves so I could swim across to the waterfall in my own private pool.

Walking and Swimming

There were lots of opportunities for walking and swimming, although the water was a bit chilly and in the case of Python pool a lovely fluorescent green. (just keep your head above water and its fine). Some of the group tackled some really difficult walks in Karijini including Ivo doing his mountain goat impression as usual, Sue and Lucy braving the rocky climb down into Dales Gorge and Naomi trying her hand at the odd level 5 walk!

Fires

We managed to have fires most nights by staying in free camps outside of national parks with the exception of Millstream. They were very welcome not only so we could sit round and talk the usual rubbish, but because the nights were quite cold. Sue gets the firebug of the trip award – definitely a natural pyromaniac.

Repairs

As always there were a few repairs required. Both Spence and Richard had a flat tyre. Caravan doors proved a bit dodgy. Spence wins the McIver award. After leaving the cap of the diesel heater tank at Minilya Roadhouse he fashioned a new one from a part recovered

from a wrecked car, demonstrating that a Hyundai does have some use in the bush, and later repaired the flame thrower (don’t ask) using the screw recovered from his flat tyre.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us on this trip. It was a lovely relaxing couple of weeks. Penny and Spence