Travelling around Australia in a motorhome. A story of our travels starting from NSW then through Queensland, across to Northern Territory and Western Australia, then to South Australia, Victoria and finally across the seas to Tasmania. We have enjoyed everywhere we have visited and look forward to setting off again in our motorhome.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Port Headland 7 – 10 October 2006

In the morning, we watched the tide come in. What had been a large mudflat with a few rocks sticking out quickly filled up with sparkling blue water. We watched fishermen launch boats next to a sign warning of the dangers in the water – crocs, sharks, sea snakes, stingrays, stone fish and stingers. No chance of a swim here!
On to Port Headland which we were told was a nothing - guess what, they are right! It’s like taking a holiday in Port Kembla but with lots of orange Pilbra dust that has ground into everything to make a hazy-brown landscape. The wharves create a bit of interest and contrast but the set-up is huge industrial scene. Went on a tour of the BHP iron ore loading setup and were amazed at the rail systems. Trains come in about 6 – 8 times a day from Newman about 3kms long with hundreds of ore trucks. They actually have a record haul of 7.2kms train with only one driver.
They incongruously produce masses of salt nearby and the spectacular pyramids of white are a blinding sight - probably the prettiest thing in Port Headland. It takes about two years to dehydrate sea water into salt. About 2% of it is for domestic purpose, the rest for industry. We stayed at the nearby settlement of South Headland about 15km away, where the majority of the population live, however it felt like a combination of Penrith South and Walgett. Thank goodness there was a pool at the park and $2 washing machines (they are usually $3 each!) Paid a fortune to get the air conditioner fixed yet again. Expensive due to “difficult research”. Nice guy ripping off tourists!

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