Picnicing at Port Hedland
Leaving Derby at about 6'o'clock, we were planning to get to Sandfire Roadhouse before 10, to avoid the problem of heat. We did encounter a problem before we left though. The lock on the door wasn't latching properly, and we had to just rely on the hook to keep it closed. That was only the first of many things to go wrong that day. We drove for several hours, listening to talks on the kindle and napping alternately.
Soon however, the road began to heat up, and our tyres began to heat up badly too. Then the fatal pop came, and we had one tyre down. This tyre was the same one that we had popped before, and it was a new one. We started to change the tyre, but we had a stubborn nut and a lot of grunting and heaving went on to loosen it. One of the worst things is that the tyre gets so hot you can't touch it and hold the tyre still. We finally got it free, and we had one tyre changed.
We headed off (again) only to get ten minutes down the road and pop another one. We were only carrying 2 spares, and we were all praying that we could get away without any more spares. When we came to put the second spare one, the one we just yesterday received, it was flat and we couldn't drive on it. Still 100 km from a roadhouse, with no spares. We made the decision to leave the caravan and the two boys and go to Sandfire and pump up the tyre. Leaving the boys with some water and the caravan, we headed off to Sandfire.
We headed off (again) only to get ten minutes down the road and pop another one. We were only carrying 2 spares, and we were all praying that we could get away without any more spares. When we came to put the second spare one, the one we just yesterday received, it was flat and we couldn't drive on it. Still 100 km from a roadhouse, with no spares. We made the decision to leave the caravan and the two boys and go to Sandfire and pump up the tyre. Leaving the boys with some water and the caravan, we headed off to Sandfire.
While at Sandfire Roadhouse we grabbed some lunch and pumped up the tire. Dad also called NRMA, to check that the caravan was covered for towing and what they should do if something was wrong with the tire. Luckily we have premium cover (covers all Australia) and the caravan was covered as well as accommodation and towing costs. The drive back was uneventful.
We got back to the boys, fine and dandy, and the boys were all alive, so we counted it successful in picking up a spare. Then the trouble started again. The caravan rolled as the handbrake wasn't holding properly and our jack broke. Luckily (saved us more than once) we have two jacks, and the tire was successfully put on. We then realised we had lost a USB with movies on it, and we had to go back to try and find it. The USB had vanished into thin air and was never seen again. Such an eventful day.......
We made it back to Sandfire just as the sun set, and quickly set up. There was a yard out the back of the roadhouse, with a camel and a huge bull ( taller than Joel). The horns on it were humongous. It was really quiet though, and Joel held on to the horns on it for a while.
In the night, apparently a big brown snake slithered straight under Josh's tent. We used torches whenever we were going outside after that.......
So we made it to Port Hedland safe and sound, and no more tyres gone!! Port Hedland is a big mining town, and there is fluro wherever you go. They also had a big salt mine in the middle of town, and the girls were fascinated by a big pile of slat towering up. We went to the port, and had a look at some of the big ships there being loaded up. We also saw a big cruise ship, Voyager of the seas, heading out to sea and even the adults of the group were amazed by the size.
Even though there was a lot of mining going on, you can still find good spots in Port Hedland. Pretty Pool was one of these. We all had some great fun down there, swimming around and Chloe even snorkelled. When the tide came out, you could sit in the current and let it try and sweep you away. It was pretty fun!! We had dinner there quite a few times as well.
Northern Gateway to The Pilbara
"600km SW of Broome"
General Introduction:
Port Hedland is a town with a population of around 20,000 people located on the coast. As it's main industry is mining, we found things very expensive, such as accommodation and restaurants. There was plenty of shops, including a Woolworths and Coles. We visited the Anglican Church at Port Hedland. We again were here at the end of the wet, so we still found it hot and humid. Joel, Bethany and Chloe enjoyed riding over to the South Hedland Library, which had lots of books, and computers that were free to go on for 1/2 hr sessions. Chloe also got to do craft.
Places to visit:
Port Hedland Visitor Centre: 13 Wedge St, Port Hedland Ph: 08 9173 2632
Pretty Pool: Styles Rd, Port Hedland
This was a lovely place to visit, with a great park and 2 barbecues. There was also toilets and showers to rinse off under. We had dinner here quite a few times, greatly enjoying the views. The water was a lovely temperature compared to the day temperatures.
Marquee Splash 'n' Play: Cottier Dr, South Hedland
This was great fun, and it was very refreshing. We had dinner here while the kids ran around under the water. The dry playground was also good, with races up the spider happening quite a few times. There was barbecues, toilets, picnic tables, a kiosk, and lots of grass to run around on. The best thing about this park is it doesn't cost a cent to get in.
Family Eating Out: We did not go out to eat as it was all very expensive.
Port Hedland is a town with a population of around 20,000 people located on the coast. As it's main industry is mining, we found things very expensive, such as accommodation and restaurants. There was plenty of shops, including a Woolworths and Coles. We visited the Anglican Church at Port Hedland. We again were here at the end of the wet, so we still found it hot and humid. Joel, Bethany and Chloe enjoyed riding over to the South Hedland Library, which had lots of books, and computers that were free to go on for 1/2 hr sessions. Chloe also got to do craft.
Places to visit:
Port Hedland Visitor Centre: 13 Wedge St, Port Hedland Ph: 08 9173 2632
Pretty Pool: Styles Rd, Port Hedland
This was a lovely place to visit, with a great park and 2 barbecues. There was also toilets and showers to rinse off under. We had dinner here quite a few times, greatly enjoying the views. The water was a lovely temperature compared to the day temperatures.
Marquee Splash 'n' Play: Cottier Dr, South Hedland
This was great fun, and it was very refreshing. We had dinner here while the kids ran around under the water. The dry playground was also good, with races up the spider happening quite a few times. There was barbecues, toilets, picnic tables, a kiosk, and lots of grass to run around on. The best thing about this park is it doesn't cost a cent to get in.
Family Eating Out: We did not go out to eat as it was all very expensive.