Sat 27th, 80 Mile Beach to Nullaginen

Occasional showers over night, on the road again today. Got away about 8:30am. Did a check of the Marble Bar to Newman road once we had mobile phone connection. All Pilbara roads were open, the storms the other night hadn't caused any problems.

More boring plains country with the a few ranges in the distance as we approach the Marble Bar turnoff.

At 11:30am it is only 29C, a big change. The Foxes have gone to Port Hedland as we (us and the James) go onto Marble Bar and Newman.

Country into Marble Bar country turns briliant. Stop at Doolena Gorge 41 clicks out of MB for a look, brilliant spot, unfortunately only a bit after noon, time to put a few more K's under the belt.

Continue onto Marble Bar, highlights are the police station (old Gov. Stone buildings) and the Chinaman Pools. Still early so on we go.

Old gov't buildings, now police station.

Marble Bar introductory art works

Continue on to Nullagine where we get diesel a couple of minutes before Saturday closing and then find the 'caravan park, avoid this if posible. $30 bucks a night to be greeted by an unfriendly manager, basic camping facilities, a VERY clean loo that stunk of disinfectant and a number of permanent employees of the mining variant. Being Saturday night their conversation flowed as did the F words!

About 10:00pm after everyone else had gone to bed I went and asked the mining employees if they could turn off their outside flood lamp when they went to bed which they did imediately. Next thing you know we are talking, I go back and get my wine and we chat about AFL, superannuation and Dunsborough (many of my relations live there) as one of the lads comes from there. The 3 blokes were drilling contractors on a two weeks on, one week off fly in fly out contract.

My current opinion is Marble Bar has done a lot towards tourism, welcoming, sign posting etc. There is not much there but there is a feeling you are wanted. In Nullagine you are not! Nullagine is supposed to have quite a few things to see and do, in the morning we will we if we can find any of them.

If you can the Marble Bar to Newman road is worth the detour, very pretty. The road from Nullagine to Karajini is expected to be better. Bring it on!

Best day travelling yet for the countryside!

 

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