Meekatharra to Munjina

3^rd May 
Meekatharra to Munjina

Odometer 17392  Temp 25

A continental breakfast was included in our accommodation. The local mine workers had already been through the dining area and there was only a small amount of food available and no cutlery to eat with! We could choose from 3 cereals, fresh fruit, bread for toasting, a 1kg tub of yoghurt and fruit juice.

Whilst Mark was packing the car I wandered to the other end of town approximately 100m and took photos of our hotel and the main street of Meekatharra.

The main street Meekatharra

You can see our car parked outside the demountables next to the pub 

Meekatharra Pub

 As always our first priority was to fill the car up. It took three attempts to find a service station with diesel. Finally filled up at the Shell ($1.68.9).

It was 9.30 before we were on the road and heading north to Newman. The drive was uneventful with just the occasional bit of traffic heading south including the inevitable road trains. We also spotted four wedgetail eagles and managed to get photos of two of them.

It was 1.45 by the time we reached Newman. Poor signage due to roadworks meant we were heading through the outskirts of town. We refueled at the BP ($167.9) and they gave us directions back into town and the tourist information centre. Outside the tourist information centre was a 6 wheeled tip truck. Great opportunity to show the size of these monsters.

We drove up to the Telephone Tower for ‘great views’ and for a very late lunch of salad. I was disappointed with the view as I thought you could see the mine from up there. Since we had phone service we rang home.

It was 3.10 before we were back on the road again. The lady in the visitor information centre gave us directions to Silent Gorge. We missed the turn off, a dirt track after a bridge so turned around and headed off on this very narrow bumpy road. We came across two T intersections before we gave up and headed back out to the main road. I was not that desperate to see it. It was now my turn to be booked for doing 118 in a 110km zone, $75 fine and no demerit points.

It was getting dark by the time we arrived at Auski Roadhouse at Munjina(5.30) our accommodation for the night. A very popular spot with the truckies. The room was quite large with a Queen and a single bed. First order of the day was washing. The machines were $4 for both the washing machine and the dryer. We ate dinner in the roadhouse. Mark had Fish n chips($22) and I had Fillet steak($32) with Dianne sauce($3.50). We could help ourselves to the salad bar and hot vegetables. A fresh batch of sandwiches had arrived so we decided to stock up for the next day’s lunch.

Mileage 733kms

Total Mileage Total 5080kms

Munjina to Tom Price

Day 8^th 4^th May
Munjina to Tom Price

Odometer 18025 Temp 29

We were on the road by 8.45 after refueling ($1.83.6) at the roadhouse. On the way north the previous night we drove through a gorge. With sunset fast approaching we didn't stop to take in the view so decided to get some photos on the way south this morning. We initially drove through the gorge then did a U turn, stopping at what we now new to be Munjina Gorge East to take photos and videos.

                                             Unfortunately the photos don't do justice to this gorge.

We arrived at the pay station at Karinjini NP (which consisted of an honesty system box). The entrance fee was $11 per day. It was a further 10km drive to the visitor information centre.

Margie one of the staff at the information centre was extremely helpful and assisted us to upgrade to the monthly pass ($40 for 28 days). Following a quick look around the information centre we headed out to Dales Gorge and the Circular Pool Lookout. I was keen to hike the gorge. Margie advised us to walk into the gorge at the Fern Pool end if we were going to walk the gorge as the descent down to Circular Pool was extremely steep and their had been some fatalities.
We drove to the Circular Pool Lookout

Circular Pool from the lookout

The view up the gorge from Circular Pool Lookout

before continuing back to the Fortescue Falls car park where we had morning tea before setting off down into the gorge.

Mark was all smiles before we took off down the path to the gorge

The view of Fortescue Falls from the top of the gorge

The hike down into the gorge is a class 3 and requires a moderate level of fitness. We walked past Fortescue Falls continuing onto Fern Pool

where we both took the plunge and swam over to the waterfall. The water falling over the waterfall was warm and gave a lovely massage. It was a bit slippery trying to sit on the ledge under the waterfall.

Our first view of Fern Pool

Fern Pool

Julie enjoying a massage

Mark enjoying a massage

Mark sat in the water for about 20mins chatting to a couple from Queensland and allowed the little fishies to nibble on his feet.

We walked back to Fortescue Falls where we found a spot in the shade and ate our sandwiches.

Looking down into Fortescue Falls

Looking up to FortescueFalls

We had to clamber down these rocks to get to the path to walk through the gorge

We had to clamber down these rocks to get to the path to walk through the gorge

I convinced Mark to hike the gorge floor to Circular Pool a 2km Grade 4 hike. Grade 4 trails are described as 'often rough and require a moderate to high level of fitness'. We did find the trail difficult at times with some high steps up and down and some narrow ledges to traverse. A bonus was spotting a Perenti beside the track.

Perenti

We had to climb down

across

and around

Mark decided to stop before reaching Circular Pool, about half way between the gorge exit and the pool.

I was determined to get to the end of the trail to get a photo. I had almost reached the end when I had to climb up onto a rock ledge from 3 rocks balancing on each other. Thankfully I removed my cameras and hat. Even standing on my tippy toes I couldn’t reach the ledge and managed to fall backwards into the slimy green water, cutting my right knee in the process. Still not deterred I found another way across the waterfall

I fell into this green pool of water in my quest to get to Circular Pool

to ensure I was able to continue to the end and the ultimate goal of a photo of Circular Pool. 

Circular Pool

By the time I returned to Mark I was bleeding profusely from my knee and we still had to climb the very steep steps and ladder up out of the gorge.

Our car was still parked at the Fortescue Falls car park so we still had a 2km hike back to the car. We managed to get lost walking along the gorge rim so turned around and walked back to the car via the road. I cleaned the wound and did some basic first aid before we headed on to Tom Price. The drive to Tom Price was approximately 100kms and took us an hour. Mark drove me straight to the hospital where I spent almost 3 hours getting cleaned up (only 2 sutures to allow the wound to drain and a tetanus shot). Whilst I was waiting I sent Mark off to check in at the caravan park. Thankfully they had had a late cancellation (an hour earlier) so we were able to upgrade to a Deluxe cabin which had an ensuite. We were disappointed they charged us full price for both cabins as they would have received full payment for the deluxe cabin. It was almost 8pm by the time we left the hospital and we still hadn't had dinner. We bought takeaway Chinese from the Moon Palace Chinese Restaurant. Payment was cash only. Once we arrived back at the caravan park I took lots of drugs as by now my leg was excruciatingly painful. I was not looking forward to the next couple of days.
Mileage 218kms
Total Mileage 5298

Tom Price

Day 9 5^th May

Tom Price

Odometer Total 18243kms  Temp 22-31

Our plans today included returning to Karinjini NP to view the gorges at the western end of the park. Unfortunately my knee injury put the kybosh on any hiking. The first thing on the agenda was securing new accommodation as the caravan park was unable to provide us with an ensuite room the 2^nd night. Even though they advised us they would be charging us for the 2^nd night we  decided to cut our losses and look for alternative accommodation as there was no way I could possibly walk to the outside facilities overnight. We booked into the Tom Price Hotel Motel($215), a no frills affair but at least it had a bathroom. Mark went to Coles and did the shopping to restock the fridge whilst I waited at the visitor information centre. Whilst we were at the information centre we decided to watch the compulsary 20min. video necessary prior to driving to Millstream Chichester NP via the private unsealed  road the next day. The price of the permit $10 and a donation to the RFDS for watching the video.

It was midday before we left Tom Price and 1pm before we arrived at Weano Gorge in Karijini NP. I prepared ham & salad rolls which we ate in the cool of the car. Thankfully the walk to Oxer and Junction Pool Lookout was described as only 300m & 30 mins return. Even with my right knee giving me holy hell I managed to hobble to the two lookouts and it only took us 20mins. I didn’t find the view as impressive as Dale Gorge.

The sun obscured our view

The bottom of the gorge

I am not sure why we decided to drive out to Hammersley Gorge instead of driving out to Joffre and Knox Gorges. The drive to Hammersley took us almost an hour with most of it on unsealed road. The sign to the turnoff to the gorge was just after the actual road. On the drive in were some unusual rock formations.

The road into Hammersley Gorge

The lookout was under construction which made it tricky to see down into the gorge. There were two hikes down to the pools which were very steep and so not possible for me since I was incapacitated.

The path down to the gorge

Got to love those dirt roads

Looking down into the gorge from where the new lookout was being constructed

We returned to Tom Price via the Nanutarra Road(unsealed). When we arrived in back in town at 4.45 we decided to head up to Mt Nameless. Once again there was poor signage so Mark turned round after 10mins.

Dinner that night was at the Hotel. I had the fillet steak with Dianne sauce and Mark had the Fillet with Bugs and prawns in a garlic sauce, including the bugs & prawns I was so supposed to have ($39 each). Drinks were $14 for a cruiser and a schooner.

Mileage 274kms
Total Mileage 5572kms