FROM NEWMAN TO THE COAST

We headed off from Newman and travelled along the Hammersley Range through Karijini National Park towards Tom Price and Paraburdoo. We didn't actually go into Tom Price as it was off the main road, but we stopped at Paraburdoo for fuel and went for a walk around. In that short time, Steve got offered a job driving the school bus but we declined for the sake of fishing. It reminded us very much of Rawson in Victoria. A little planned town, well maintained but the busier times have gone so 70% of the shops are empty.

When we parked the bus, there was a small old van near the Servo that they obviously use at various times for selling Fast Food. Here is the menu on the side.

We then headed out of town and we thought this sign was quite appropriate, our buses namesake .

We camped at a spot called "Beasley River Rest Area" approx 170 km east of Nanutarra Roadhouse (Nanutarrra is another rip off roadhouse according to other travellers). When we first drove into the Beasley River Rest Area there was already a few campers there near the toilet block, so we decided to head further in towards the dry river bed. We found a great spot, just a pity there was no water. It was very relaxing and we decided to stay here a couple of nights.

Steve did his good deed for the year while we were here. An old bloke and his wife drove in with his commodore and old caravan and drove straight out onto the dry riverbed - and you guessed it - he got bogged. Steve pulled him out with the Nissan and they were very grateful.

After a couple of days of R&R, we headed further west towards the coast. On the way we came across this creek and we thought it even more appropriate than the last one. Someone must have been looking into the future when they named this creek - as this was the first time we travelled this road - (met a Wandy -- get it) - LOL.

We decided to stop at Barradale Rest Area which was situated near a river. This rest area was huge it was like national Lampoons vacation with all the motorhomes living next door to each other. We set up camp (that means pulled out the chairs and drinks - LOL) and were sitting outside when another bus pulled in. We watched them park and Steve and I were thinking - that bus looks familiar - and it was - it was Liz and Trev who we had met at Alexandra 2 years earlier. You can't go anywhere in this country without bumping into people you know or they know someone you know. Liz and Trev had been working on the harvest south of Perth for CBH and were heading up to Port Headland as Trev had a job.

The next morning, Steve went for a walk down to the river and came across a waterhole that was being dive bombed by hundreds of Budgies. They were swarming in a huge flock with perfect syncronisation moving in and landing on the water with split second timing before shooting off again. While they were buzzing around it sounded like a huge propeller on an old plane winding up and down.