Karijini – Hamersley Gorge – Rail Access Track – Karratha (300kms approx.)
Up early, broke camp, and on the road again, bound for Karratha via the Rail Access Road. Stopped at Hamersley Gorge, and ran into Cynthia, Ellen and Steffi again, in this most remote part of Karijini. Chilly swim in the pool at the bottom of the gorge, before an invigorating scramble up the falls to another pool. The tortured folds in the earth’s crust were evident in this landscape. Robert offered to prepare lunch and invited our friends – and warmed up the thai green curry and served it with rice – delicious! Rather late in the afternoon, we reached the Rail Access Road, and encountered our first giant iron ore train; it took over 2.5 minutes to pass us. It was a challenging drive along this rough track into the sunset, and eventually into the night. Reached Karratha early evening where a caravan park booking did not work out. Fortunately, able to get accommodation at the Mermaid Motel, Dampier, one of the few motels in the area with reception staff after 6!
