Lewis's Travel on the Gravel: Cape Leveque to Karajini National Park 25th 26th August

Reluctantly we left Cape Leveque. However we were off to Karajini. We were up for an epic drive today (around 800kms)and we had to stop at Broome for supplies so of course we left late. We headed south from Broome and eventually came to a sign that said farewell from the Kimberly (Boo Hoo) and we were now in the Pilbara. Well as soon as you hit the Pilbara you hit the Trucks. Trucks Trucks and more Trucks. The Pilbara for people who don't know is mining territory. This industry never sleeps. It is an unforgiving continuous pounding on the Earth relentless in its search for precious metals and fossil fuels 24/7. The landscape is ancient and to my surprise is absolutely covered in wild flowers. Masses of purple flowers that sway in the breeze with underlying yellow buttons and of course the Sturt Desert Pea. We make it to a free camp just out of Port Headland just in time for sunset. The truck noise from the road backs off at about 10pm and it is a beautiful night sky.

This burn is not done by the locals. It is a Council burn ( huge and achieves nothing)

Up early quick breaky and another huge day of driving. We see some of the infrastructure for the port it is huge like everything else in Port Hedland. The only thing that is not huge is the accommodation for the workers the whole place resembles a prison camp. The change once you enter Karajini park is evident. Our campsite is not much as the place is full and we have to camp in the overflow but we don't spend much time at camp anyway so no matter.

First stop is Dales Gorge and Fern pools. The rock structure is completely different to anything we have seen in the Kimberly and NT. It is layers of stone that look like they have been placed there like a huge game of Jenga and the gorge is deep and narrow. We walk the rim and then head down along the gorge floor and are rewarded with a swim at the Fortescue falls. The water is cold! A short walk from here is fern pool. This is a quite special spot. The aboriginal people ask that you be quiet while swimming here and that you should announce yourself before entering the water.