spaswinefood: Pilbara Region, Western Australia: Wide open spaces, sunsets and more

The adventurous Spaswinefood traveler who likes isolation and wilderness will fall in love with Western Australia's Pilbara region. However, if you do not want to get too far away from it all, you can still get a sense of the Pilbara, by sticking to the main routes where towns and attractions in the north west are separated by hundreds of kilometers. Winter Season (May to October) is the most popular time to visit, with daytime temperatures ranging from mid 20s to the low 30s (Celsius). During our recent #oz15 road trip through this region we were not only stuck by the natural beauty of its wide open spaces but the spectacular sunsets that provided us with so many photo opportunities.

Sunset, 80 Mile Beach © Spaswinefood

Our road trip from Exmouth to Broome, a distance of 1385km, took us along the North West Coastal Highway (Highway 1), plus we did a few off the main highway explorations.

Main Roads to Port Hedland, Western Australia © Spaswinefood

After leaving Exmouth (Ningaloo region) we drove to the North West Coastal Highway (Highway 1) where began our journey north through the Pilbara region to Port Hedland then onto Broome.

Road Sign to Dampier © Spaswinefood

Here are Spaswinefood’s highlights while traveling through the region:

Homestead Creek

After leaving Exmouth we drove all day to reach Homestead Creek. We stopped for lunch and later in the afternoon we made a brief stop at Nanutarra Roadhouse.

Nanutarra Roadhouse © Spaswinefood

Then it was onto a roadside rest at Homestead Creek on Highway 36 to Tom Price. Homestead Creek is some 60 km off Highway 1. That night we enjoyed a camp fire, a great dinner and a beautiful sunset.

Relaxing at Homestead Creek © Spaswinefood

Preparing Dinner, Homestead Creek © Spaswinefood

Preparing Mushroom Dish, Homestead Creek © Spaswinefood

Dinner, Homestead Creek © Spaswinefood

Camp Fire, Homestead Creek © Spaswinefood

Yes, there was a beautiful sunset that evening.

Sunset, Homestead Creek © Spaswinefood

After a pleasant night at Homestead Creek we returned 60 km to Highway 1. It was well worth taking the time to visit this area.

Dampier
Next day we arrived in Dampier around mid-day.

Karratha, Dampier & Burrup Peninsula © Spaswinefood

As we approached Dampier Road we saw more road trains on the road.

Dampier Road © Spaswinefood

Dampier is a port town that gets its name from founder William Dampier. Today it is one of the largest Australian shipping ports. It houses exporting facilities for Pilbara Iron, Dampier Salt and North West Shelf Project. In the Burrup Peninsula area there are boat cruises, fishing charters into the Damper Archipelago. The memorial to the “Red Dog” is also located here.

We found Dampier to a little too industrial. The caravan park in town was also crowded. We decided to look for something more relaxing in Point Samson.

Point Samson

After checking out Dampier we traveled onto Point Samson for the night. We stayed at The Cove Holiday Village Caravan Park in Port Samson. The Point Samson area is known for its pristine beaches, coral gardens and abundant fish.

The Cove Holiday Village, Point Samson © Spaswinefood

We ate dinner that evening at the tavern across from the caravan park. We ordered a number of fish and chips plates and a vegetarian plate.

Fish Plates, Point Samson Tavern © Spaswinefood

Fish Plate & Vegetable Plate, Point Samson Tavern © Spaswinefood

The food that evening at the Point Samson Tavern was delicious. Again at the end of the day there was another beautiful sunset.

Sunset, Point Samson © Spaswinefood

It was a restful stay in Point Samson. Next morning there was a beautiful sunrise.

Sunrise, Point Samson © Spaswinefood

After leaving Point Samson we explored the Roebourne area, leaving around mid-day to continue our drive north.

Distance to Port Hedland © Spaswinefood

Soon we saw the sign for Whim Creek.

Next Stop: Port Hedland © Spaswinefood

Port Hedland

Port Hedland is known for its massive resource industry, long trains, big ships and salt piles.

Salt Pile, Port Hedland © Spaswinefood

We did a quick stopover in Port Hedland to fuel up. We also stocked up on a few supplies.

Road Train © Spaswinefood

After leaving Port Hedland we passed the exit to Marble Bar. Marble Bar is one of the places in Australia where you get record high temperatures.

Exit to Marble Bar © Spaswinefood

Yes, we were back on the road heading north of Port Hedland towards Broome. This would be another day to drive long distances through stunning landscape.

Driving the Highway 1 © Spaswinefood

Driving, Driving © Spaswinefood

After leaving Port Hedland we stopped at Whim Creek to check it out. When you travel for hundreds of kilometers you so welcome the opportunity to stop for a break.

Whim Creek © Spaswinefood

There is some copper mining nearby. Later after lunch at a roadside rest stop we continue onto a bush camp at a roadside rest, at about 60 km south of Pardo Roadhouse.

Sunset in the Bush © Spaswinefood

Sunset on the Road © Spaswinefood

Next morning as we continue along the route to Broome we are reminded that there are two roadhouses stops (Pardoo and Sandfire).

Broome 560km © Spaswinefood

Since we had an early morning start we continue onto Pardoo Roadhouse for breakfast.

Pardoo Roadhouse

Australia’s roadhouses are not only a place to fuel up and move on they have restaurants and other needed services. Typically the roadhouses offer accommodations and have restaurants as well. This time we stopped for breakfast.

During most of our oz15 travels we would fill the tank and maybe have a coffee however, this time we decided to have breakfast. For breakfast we ordered eggs and bacon and poached eggs. From Pardoo Roadhouse it was a pleasant drive to 80 Mile Beach.

80 Mile Beach

We arrived at 80 mile Beach Caravan Park in the early morning and checked in. After scones and tea we explored the beach.

During our two day stay there were beautiful sunsets. 80 Mile Beach was just perfect for enjoying a glass of wine.

It was a relaxing stay for two nights at 80 Mile Beach. From there it was onto Broome where we would begin our adventures in the Kimberley Region.

Sandfire Roadhouse
Along the way we stopped at the Sandfire Roadhouse to fillup the gas tank. It is not wise to travel in the north west without a full tank of petro.

We also stopped briefly at the turnoff to Port Smith.

While earlier we had talked about the possibility of stopping over night in Port Smith we decided not to go.

The 23km of dirt road to get there was a big factor because the camper we were driving was not a 4x4 vehicle. Instead we continued onto Broome. Soon Broome was only 38km away.

The Warlu Way
It is important to note that The Warlu Way, a route of 2480 kilometers, extends from Exmouth to Broome. If you travel along The Warlu Way you will be introduced to the Warlu and other Aborigial legends. While we did not drive the entire length of this route but we did cross and/or travel it at points during our travels from Exmouth to Broome. The Warlu Way includes such iconic sites as Ningaloo Marine Park, Karijini and Millstream Chichester National Parks, the Barrup Peninsula and Cable Beach (Broome). Travelers along this route have the opportunity to be introduced to indigenous cultural experiences (see The Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council).

The Pilbara Region of North Western Australia is a large area with a very small population. The petroleum, natural gas and iron ore deposits of the Pilbara make a significant contribution to Western Australia's economy. While we traveled along the coast there are many places to visit inland. Australia is a large country and given our time schedule of three months we travelled mostly along the primary highways near the coast, except for our later travels through Central Australia. I invite you to join me in my travels in Australia and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.

Sharon

May 2015

Pilbara, Western Australia

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Thursday, August 6, 2015

Pilbara Region, Western Australia: Wide open spaces, sunsets and more

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