Kennedy Ranges to Mount Augustus (World largest Monolith no less!) W.A.

Thursday 25th May
Kennedy Ranges – Mt Augustus WA

More rain overnight and into the early morning. Threatening skies when I poked my head out at 7.00 a.m. It did not bode well for the day. We were packed and hitching the car to the trailer by 9.00 a.m.John and Julie were a bit behind us so we headed off towards Mt Augustus.

We weren’t long on the road before we drove out from under the clouds and into a beaut sunny morning. The main Gascoyne Junction – Mt Augustus Road was in great condition and we enjoyed ambling along at 65-75 kph. The road was often through low hills and ranges affording goods views of blue hills and mounds in the background. Richard (camp host) had given me some info on the geological history of the area and we had a good time finding the features it described as we drove through Sandiman station and others.John and Julie caught us up at 11.00 a.m. so we paused by the road for a cuppa and headed off again.

The number of huge wedge tailed eagles was a testament to the good and easy pickings of the area. We counted 7 of the huge birds on one fresh road killed carcass by a creek bed. Our second crossing of the Lyons River provided some scenic excitement.John made Julie walk the river (despite it having a cement causeway across its bottom).

We reached the Mt Augustus Tourist resort (laughingly) just after three and set up camp on a nice grassy area. We did a late afternoon drive into the emu viewing area where John discovered a rubber grommet had mysteriously disappeared from the dashboard screen of the old 80. Another case for Detective Eller who was seen searching the car and posting “lost” notices all afternoon (heh heh). Julie and Amanda prepared a chorizo and bean concaise for dinner.