From Port Hedland we headed south into the Pilbara area (and where most iron ore mines are located). We stayed at the ‘wrong’ free camp at Blakey’s spot as we took the wrong turn off the road. Soon a German lady, travelling on her own, joined us at our site. We’ve since met her several times. Best of all Sarah really loves playing with Kristin :-)
After a night with some road noise from the many, many road trains filled with some of Australia’s finest earth, we drove off towards Karijini NP. Soon the drive became interesting with lots of rocky hills and some beautiful wildflowers along the way. We wanted to see one of the gorges on the northern side of the National Park, but on arrival the access road was closed as the gorge contains a lot of asbestos. Nevertheless we had a fantastic view onto the range for our lunch.
We drove on to the Tognolini Rest Area,
just outside the National Park. Advertised as the best free camp in WA,
Tognolini Rest Area certainly lives up to that standard. Lots of spacious,
private campsites with stunning views, away from the road. But it’s not only
the rest area; it probably was the most beautiful drive we had for weeks, from
the turn off onto national road 95 all the way to Karijini NP. The wildflowers
are flowering in a lot of different colours and shapes; at the horizon you see
dark red rocky ranges with green flanks. It’s a gently landscape that pleases
the eye.
