The Heat of the Pilbara
I left Onslow this morning about 9 and drove to the Fortescue Roadhouse where I had a coffee. I was quite hungry but the sandwiches in the cabinet were enormous, and I didn’t feel like pies or sausage rolls so opted to wait until I reached Karratha before I had some lunch.
These roadhouses are literally a few hundred kilometres apart, and they definitely cater for the long distance (hungry) road train drivers, with their selection of hot food and giant-sized sandwiches etc.
Petrol prices vary but of course the more out of the way you go, the higher the petrol price. Still, it’s a necessary evil when you’re dependent on it. I’m glad that I did my homework re filling up the car and so far have survived without having to resort to my can of fuel.
The Pilbara is essentially mining country – iron ore and salt – and gas as well – and there were lots of road trains carrying huge loads back and forth from the mines. Some of the road trains were carrying up to four tankers. If you see one coming up behind you, it’s best to pull over and let it pass because they’re travelling at such a speed it would probably cause an accident if you didn’t. The speed limit is 110 here in W.A. and vehicles towing caravans are only supposed to do 100 but honestly, I’ve been doing 110 and been passed by heaps of cars including those pulling camper trailers or vans.
One thing I do like in W.A. is that if you are behind a slower vehicle they will flash their indicators to let you know that it’s safe to pass. And all vehicles drive with at least their parking lights on.
Here you are surrounded by the rich red earth and the heat is fierce, intense.
Some nice greenery at the motel where I stayed in Karratha
It got to 40 degrees in the Pilbara on the way to Karratha.
I actually find it quite pleasant to drive with the driver’s side window open as there is a nice breeze. No matter that the car is probably getting full of dust …
Reached Karratha about 2.15pm and booked into the motel. Did my washing as the machines and the soap were all free, and then went into Karratha to buy some food.
Karratha has quite a decent sized shopping centre however I wasn’t paying attention to where I had parked Bluebird so when I came out of the shopping centre it took me at least 20 minutes to find her again – I walked round and round the car park with thoughts of “has somebody taken my car” going through my mind – guess I was hitting the anxiety button for a while. Then I realised I had come in to the shopping centre through a different entrance so had to re-trace my steps. Who would have thought that I’d get lost in a small shopping centre car park in the backblocks of W.A.
Not many pics this time as the scenery was a little monotonous today … red earth, road trains …
2 Comments
Hi Tina,
Well done!
Would love to have some of your 40 degrees in Melbourne today. It is at a high of 15 at the moment.
Are you on track to reach Broome Mother’s Day? Seems Karratha to Broome is about 8.5 hrs on Google.
I am interested to hear what are the fuel prices are like, and the eating establishments you might have tried.
Brendan
Hi Tina, you are inspirational ! Frankston to Broome, nearly a fait accomplit ! Congratulations ! xx