DAYS 30-31 Pilbara – Kimberley Trip
MILLSTREAM CHICHESTER NATIONAL PARK
Whilst we were in Tom Price we organised to get a permit to travel on the private Pilbara Rail Access Road. So after leaving our lovely camp spot we headed for this road and Mt Sheila.
It had drizzled again overnight and we were not sure what roads might be open as there was a lot of water on the road. We managed to miss the turn off for Mt Sheila. We continued along the road that was very well maintained compared to the national park roads. We saw several of the trains go past. Are they long!
It was a very picturesque drive between Hamersley Ranges for a considerable part of the road.
The amount of water on the road though was causing some concern. Although not raining the day was overcast and there was considerable mention of the progress of Cyclone Poncho west of the coast on the radio.
We turned off to Millstream component of the national park. Several creek and Fortescue River crossings were interesting as the water was flowing reasonably fast over them.
The old homestead is now a very interesting visitor’s centre.
The pictures of the 2006 floods were quite unnerving. We walked along the homestead trail that is signposted with information from the perspective of life on the station in the 1930s through the eyes of a 12 year boy. It was a very interesting walk but the highlight was the aquifer and the clear water pool with beautiful pond plants and fish like in an aquarium.
Many parts of the park were closed but the Cliff Lookout was accessible. A good view of the Fortescue River from here.
We took the Snappy Gum Drive to Crossing Pool where we intended to camp. I held my breath going through two of the river crossings. We got through alright.
The Crossing Pool area was lovely and we decided to stay put here for a couple of days.
We caught up with some chores and spent the evening relaxing. We met a lovely couple that have traversed this country in every direction as well as visited most parts of the world. We had a most enjoyable evening with them. There were another two cars of people tenting as well.
Lightening started to appear in the evening and went on through the night. Then thunder started up with a little drizzle of rain at about 10.00pm. So we got up out of bed and brought in the washing that was still wet and pulled the pop top down. Then the rain really came down. It poured and poured and poured. We had to get up again to close all our windows. We got 50ml of rain although we did not know this at the time.
The morning was beautiful. So we relaxed prepared to spend the day chilling out. At about 11.00am the ranger appeared. Before we knew it we were all on our way out of the park. He told us how much rain we had received and that more was on the way. The river was rising (we could see this as well parked as we were along its bank) and the crossings were getting to be risky. One of the camper groups from last night had left early this morning and their car had been swept into the river when they tried to get across. They were pulled out by the Water Board people. Our choice was to risk staying and not being able to get out for up to a week or to move quickly out.
We quickly packed up and left in convoy with the couple with whom we had spent last night.
There was considerable water to get through just to drive out the first kilometre. Dawson Creek crossing was about 60cm deep and it was flowing very fast. The ranger decided to see us all safely across this creek before closing the park. We croseed it using 2nd low gear. The only option we had was to head for Roebourne as it was the only road open. After numerous water crossings and a slippery, spongy road we finally got to some bitumen through the Chichester Ranges. Another WOW escaped our lips when we had our first glimpses of it. It is very different to the Hamersley Ranges.
Reminded me of films with landscape depicted of ancient times. At this point our convoy broke up as we decided to have a look around. We stopped at Mt Herbert. You wouldn’t believe it but my battery went flat in one camera and I filled up the memory card of the second camera. So we stopped for a late lunch whilst camera was down loaded.
The road from Mt Herbert on was very picturesque. We stopped at Python pool and decided to go for a swim as it was beautiful clear water with a little waterfall down its rock face.
We drove another two kilometres and have camped at Snake Creek campground in the national park. It seems quite safe here if it rains. I have informed hubby not to expect me to venture outside here as there must be a reason for naming it Snake Creek. After a lovely roast Sunday dinner we are relaxing in our quiet surrounds.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment