2015 East to West - The Indian Ocean at last

Monday 6th July – 16th July

Our final leg to the Indian Ocean commenced …..

From Tom Price we took the loop down to Paraburdoo, another Rio Tinto mining town. We don’t normally stay in caravan parks but this one we could not resist … $25 powered site and FREE washing machines and dryers all supplied by Rio Tinto.! A proper wash for sheets/towels/seat covers/shower curtain/clothes/my hair. Us in a caravan park for three days – unheard of! There was really nowhere to go in Paraburdoo apart from the miners’ mess so we had breakfast there on two mornings. Breakfast 4am to 8am.
(Just a comparison - In the Tom Price C/P a powered site would have cost $46 and the washing machine at $4 a load - we did 3 loads -– Total $58!)



Next on our travels further west we called into a sneaky spot called Mickey’s Hideaway. This spot, on the Hardy River was so delightful we stayed 5 nights. Visitors to our riverside camp were, an egret, a black swan, water hens, corellas and painted finches. It was fascinating watching them.







One night in a roadside stop at Barradale Rest Area with 100 caravans and we were on our final leg to Ningaloo Homestead turn off.
Most pastoral leases along the northern WA coast ceased on 30th June ’15 with the lands being taken over by CALM. Ningaloo Station is one but they are taking the matter to court. We can only wish them the very best.
At Ningaloo Homestead we lined up with others either arriving or departing. Apart from the camping fee, a bond of $100 is paid for a key to the allocated camping area. Back in 2009, there were no locked gates into South Lefroy, Winderabandi or other camping areas.
Excitement mounted as we reached our allocated campsite at South Lefroy right next to ExplorOz friends who did not know we were coming. They couldn’t believe it when the green truck rolled in.
We spent 2 nights at our ocean front camp site and enjoyed happy hours, sitting & walking on the beach and admiring the sunsets.






We had made it!
7,637 km from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast, then west across the continent to the Indian Ocean.



Next blog: From Ningaloo south to Steep Point, the most westerly point on the continent.