The Pilbara

Port Hedland was a bit of a change from the remote coastal areas we’ve been recently, but it was also an interesting place to visit.  There’s nothing touristy about it, which suited us fine – we just wanted to see what goes on there.  Iron ore is obviously the biggest export and we were lucky enough to see one of the very lengthy trains (250 wagons full of ore) making its way in from Newman.  No, we didn’t count the wagons, a fellow standing nearby on the bridge did the hard work for us J 

We spent some time down at the harbour, where cargo ships were being loaded.  Everything’s big – the ships, the conveyors, all the machinery.  We called in at the Seafarers Centre where they keep track of all the port’s comings and goings and walked around to where the tugs are moored until they’re required to steer ships in and out of the narrow harbour.  We found it all very interesting.

Just around the corner was another loading facility where salt is transferred onto cargo ships for export.  There’s a huge salt mine in Port Hedland where we were able to watch, from a distance, loaders filling trucks for transport to the harbour.  The public can’t get close to anything but at least we could get an idea of how things work here. 

Dampier Salt mine in the background, iron ore train making
 its way to port in foreground

Our next destination was the beautiful Karijini National Park, deep in the Pilbara.  The Pilbara’s known for its red dirt and rocks but it’s so much more!  Add the white trunks of the snappy gums, the straw-coloured spinifex,  the blue sky – it’s a really soft feel actually.  

As for Karijini, it’s easily one of the most beautiful parks we’ve visited.  Its main features are the gorges – I think about 8 of them cutting through that soft, colourful landscape.  They’re all different, all special in their own ways.  We spent 4 days exploring, taking our time to really absorb it all. 

Weano Gorge

Hancock Gorge

Knox Gorge

"Kermits Pool" in Hancock Gorge - a challenge that was well worthwhile

We have some lovely photos and even better memories of Karijini, one of those places where the photos just don't do justice.  We're now at Tom Price, a surprisingly nice little town - we're doing a tour of the mine tomorrow morning.  Looking forward to seeing this part of the mining story.