Pt Hedland south to Whim Creek WA Photos added

Not a very attractive place with roadworks making it easy to get lost. Also a lot of very old houses that could do with a lick of paint.
But once you see the ocean and port, Wow! what a view. A very industrious sight to behold. This is one of the worlds largest in terms of tonnage with over 158 million tonnes of product worth  billions shipped each year.
There are plenty of iron ore trucks and trains continually going back and forth from the mines to the port. Most trucks are considered road trains with 4 trailers and the BHP Billiton's trains are some of the longest in the world transporting iron ore from Mt Whaleback in Newman to the port.
The locals have to be some of the most friendliest I've come across. The truckdrivers gave me directions over the UHF when I couldn't find the street I needed. When I asked at the chemist about the availability of doctors as I needed a script renewal, the lady rang through for me and got an appointment for that afternoon, then gave me directions. The receptionist at the doctors changed me to a different doctor as the one I was booked in with was running an hour behind.
My windscreen was replaced at long last and also was able to fill a container with drinking water there from their kitchen, thank you so much to the people of Pt. Hedland.
Port Hedland is divided into 3 parts, being South Hedland -the main residential area, Port Hedland - With the Port and some housing as I mentioned earlier and a small shopping centre, and Wedgefield where the light industry is.

Had hoped to get some photos and have a good look around after coming back in from Marble Bar, unfortunately a rainband spread through the Pilbara causing heavy rain in Pt Hedland, turning all uneven ground into lakes, including where we stayed the night as Pt Hedland Gold Club.
Heading south we have come across some good photo opportunities which I will post here.
Leaving Pt Hedland we made our way to a great spot by a dry river bed called Peawah.

These road trains are everywhere around the Pilbara, always 4 trailers and always very friendly and helpful drivers. At times they are bumper to bumper.

Beautiful tree formations at Peawah.

The main road bridge over a very dry river bed.

Solar Power keeps the lights burning at night

A very different roadside rest stop cover over the tables

Marble Bar WA

Marble Bar is situated 203 ks south east of Pt. Hedland and is considered Australia's hottest town with temperatures climbing above 38 degrees for days on end.
To get there is to travel through wonderful countryside with large hills and gorges, driving through these gorges are a delight of small winding roads but no hilly areas and shared with road trains going in and out with iron ore to Pt. Hedland.
The drivers of the road trains are a very courteous lot and do a great job. For this road all the way in from the main road just north of Pt. Hedland we turn to UHF 8 so we can keep up with the action on the road. The road trains will say when they are about to enter the gorge so other drivers are aware they are nearby. They will also have a chat with the nomads on the road, a very friendly group.
We stayed at Stan Streckfuss overnight stop on the way in and back out again. The only stop safely set up for campers with a lovely river view, toilets and a dump point, plus undercover tables. While there we had unseasonal rain which left a lot of the grounds very slushy and not driveable without 4WD.
Driving into Marble Bar on the Saturday for a day of sightseeing was an experience. Firstly knowing we needed to fill up with Diesel while in there to be sure of getting back to Pt. Hedland, we stopped at the first service station which looked like it hadn't been used in years. It was closed with a Run out of Power sign on the door. We found out later he had been open earlier in the day and supplied a bit of diesel to some desperate drivers.
So we drove on the next one which was the Marble Bar Roadhouse. Guess what? Out of Diesel. The truck had got bogged two days before on one of the roads leading in and they were still waiting on it to arrive.
After taking a few photos we drove out to the Marble Bar site of Rocks, water and hills for more photos. Being of Red Jasper and not Marble as is well known, we were able to take some really nice photos before heading back into town, where we sat in our vans for an hour catching up on internet before using the dump point and filling water containers.
Back to Stan Streckfuss overnight stop for another couple of nights stay, hard work this travelling. Have to rest for two days before moving on. Really, there wasn't much point of going into Pt. Hedland on a Sunday as we had a bit to do on the Monday.
We were fairly confident we would make it back on the remaining diesel we had left in out tanks.
We did, only just.

The road travelling south from Broome

Having left Broome some time back we are now on the road south stopping at overnight camps along the way. The road is fairly monotonous with a bend every so often and lots of low lying scrub to the left and right.
The trees seem to be stunted, like bonsai, and the grass is tufted with very dry spikes. Occasionally we come to a bridge with a very dry river bed underneath.
As we come south we find there are a few caravan parks out on the coast but very expensive, being on a pension best to be avoided.
Was able to take photos of bird life along the way at some of the free camps but have noticed an absolute absence of wild animal life except for a lizard at the Sandfire Roadhouse.
Saw a field of Brolga not long after turning on to the road south at Roebuck Plains. Also large herds of cattle milling around the water troughs.
Some of the roadside stops were only a pull over behind some trees with rubbish bins only. Others had toilets, dump points, tables and seating under cover. Very well cared for and cleaned regularly with the council boys coming most days during the week to empty bins and hose out toilets.
One day while camped at Stanley Rest Stop, in came the Camps Australia Wide crew, obviously getting ready for the updated version No: 8. which will be out early next year, 2015. They only stopped long enough to park in a good spot and take photos, then move on to the next camp.
Also that same day we saw a couple come in driving a ute towing a boat on the back. Could see the tray of the ute was packed with their gear but they were using the boat for their daily living activities. Saw them take clothes in to change, also having a wash and making lunch. What a novel way to travel without a caravan in tow. I was very amused by that one.
Heading south again we then came upon Sandfire Roadhouse deciding to stay 2 nights but after one night went back into the shop and paid for a 3rd night.
What a great place to stop with a farmyard feel about the place. In amongst all the animals which included Bulls, A camel, kangaroos, at least 20 peacocks, about the same geese, cockies, galahs,  corellas and other small birds of different varieties, we found an ablution block that certainly was worth staying for. Toilets, showers, a kitchen and also a laundry room.
We were able to catch up with our washing as well as do a bit of spring cleaning, a bit early but had to be done. Shower daily, oh what a relief after showering weekly. And generally catch up on all we needed to before moving on.
We also had one of their famous sausage rolls, well I had two, on two different days, $6.00 and worth every cent. Home made and to die for. Very large and tasty.
Took plenty of photos as you will see below. This place has been battered by several cyclones over the years, nearly flattening it all at times but has risen again to be a most popular spot.
Thoroughly enjoyed having the animals so close by, made it a very relaxing place to stay, could have stayed longer.
Moved on heading south, stopping at Pardoo Roadhouse for a leg stretching break before making for De Greys rest stop which is well set up with two lots of toilets and two dumpspots. A beautiful river among the trees, heaps of room, more like acres of room. Stayed her two night before heading into Pt. Hedland where I needed to be on the Monday to finally get my windscreen replaced. 

Woolworthium Dumptii

Brolgas

A type of wattle

Think these are peewees, will check if there is another name.

Wattle

Zebra Finches, quite a few photos of them on here.

Lot of high grass like this around.

Zebra Finch

Peacocks at Sandfire Roadhouse

Sandfire Roadhouse

Peacocks Sandfire Roadhouse

again

and again

This is a very large plaited rope that goes the length of the property, not sure why.

I presume these next photos are all a type of corella, although white they all have a pink tinge

Make up your mind

Rightfootium Lostiii

Sunset at Sandfire