Coral Bay to Onslow

The dismantling begins … tent is still up at this stage

My first stop from Coral Bay was at the Nanutarra Roadhouse, a favourite stopping off point for the road trains.  Saw a goanna there, just checking everything out but I wasn’t game to get too close because I remember how they can suddenly rush at you.   That memory comes from time spent in Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory back in the 80s. I was in the garden trying to take a photo of this very large goanna when I got too close for its comfort and it suddenly lunged forward.  Needless to say I retreated very quickly.

Salt lake on the way to Onslow

Stopped at the roadhouse for fuel as Bluebird was getting very low and then proceeded to drive through country that contained hundreds and hundreds of termite mounds.  There are also quite a few white salt lakes and now I know what I have seen from the air when flying into Broome, because I could never quite work out what the formations were on the ground.  There are so many of them.

Another salt lake en route to Onslow

Interesting land formations

This is actually part of the Pilbara and there are salt mines here and the road was quite busy with the road trains today, going back and forth.  I asked a couple of the drivers at the roadhouse where they were going and one had come from Newman and was going to Carnarvon and the other one does the Kalbarri run three times a fortnight.

While at the roadhouse I had a surprise phone call from the girls at Moo in Melbourne while they were having their lunch.  Miss those friendly familiar faces … thanks girls.

Eventually got into Onslow about 2.30pm.  It’s apparently quite popular with the fishermen and is coming into the busy season now.  Mostly caravans here, though I have an on-site cabin which doesn’t have an ensuite and the one near me is being refurbished and the new block is a bit of a walk away – not too excited about making the trip in the dark.  I’ve already seen a gecko inside the cabin so don’t want to get a fright outside!

Ah, get used to it, Tina!

When I arrived at Onslow the Manager of the Caravan Park said that people who come to Onslow usually do so because they like it here and that not many come just for one night (like me!)  Also, that they don’t get backpackers because there isn’t any work for them in Onslow.

I can see why!  It’s a real wild west type of town, though it’s by the sea and looks like new holiday places are being built.

Campground at Onslow

The Park I stayed in is owned by the local Council and is in dire need of refurbishment but the Manager and his wife were extremely pleasant and helpful.

I told the Manager that I decided to come to Onslow out of curiosity more than anything else.

My curiosity has been satisfied!

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