Tom Price to Port Hedland

The majestic Mt Nameless was showing off its rich red face in the early morning light as I cycled in and around Tom Price, admiring the softness of the landscape before the harsh heat of the day. I had to get some exercise in before we were to be seat bound for the rest of the day.

 

As we travelled through Karijini National Park we passed Mt Bruce; WA’s second highest peak that we conquered in a four hour return walk last visit in July.

 

It’s not ideal walking weather now, because as we drove towards the Newman/Port Hedland intersection the temperature got hotter and hotter. The wind picked up too and whenever we stepped out of Delvy for a stretch and driver change it was like entering a fan forced oven. Once we turned left onto the Great Northern Highway conditions were compounded as 100 metre long road trains thundered past, each with four trailers, transporting iron ore from the Roy Hill mine to the coast, then returning empty to fill another load. Chatter on VHF Channel 40 was continuous. Gary, as co-driver, joined in the fray letting drivers know that “we’d back off the throttle when they wanted to come ‘round”, while I tightly held the wheel and tried not to get the wobbles up as these enormous vehicles overtook us on the narrow stretch of bitumen. At one stage I practically jumped out of my seat when a stone flicked up and slammed into the front of the bus: a broken high beam light was the victim.

 

The heavy vehicle traffic continued all the way into Port Hedland as this is where the iron ore is shipped to China, mostly. The sea breeze was most welcome as we pulled up at Marapikurrinya Park in the town centre to watch the loaded Capesize ships being maneuvered by tug boats out of the port.

 

The Court House Gallery was a sanctuary from the mining theme, and we thankfully crossed the threshold within minutes of closing. The 2014 Hedland Art awards were on exhibit, and we specifically wanted to see one in particular: Ningaloo, by Coral Bay’s resident artist Sadie James. She certainly got our vote for the People’s Choice Award.

 

After another ship viewing session, we fuelled up (again!) and drove 80kms out of town to our chosen campsite and enjoyed the huge reduction in truck traffic as the red sun sank behind us.