Karratha/Dampier WA

We had a magnificent sunrise over the plain. 

Then it was back on the road, 118km to Karratha. Of course we spotted some more mine trains along the way. 

We arrived just before 9 am and went to fill Buster up with fuel ($1.76). We are still getting under 20l/100km.  We encountered our first set of traffic lights for while… since Kalgoorlie!

We had a quick visit at the tourist office and then enjoyed a breakfast pie from the bakery. Fortified, we went to explore Dampier and the Burrup Peninsula.

The first lookout was of Dampier Salt which is the 2nd largest solar mine in the Southern Hemisphere. 

We then had a look at the memorial to Pilbara’s famous Red Dog. 

We stopped at William Dampier Lookout.

On the other side of the town we could see the busy port where all the trains loaded with the iron ore from the mines are loaded on the ships. 

Further along the Peninsula we could see the huge gas plant. Unfortunately the visitors centre is closed at the moment.

We enjoyed a cuppa at Hearson Cove.

In the Murujuga National Park there is the largest concentration of ancient rock art in the world. There were some interesting interpretive panels as we walked along the concrete paths and steel ramps.

We headed back into Karratha and did some shopping, then set up camp at the Karratha Golf Club overflow camp. The tourist office said it was closed, the golf club said park up and pay at the tourist office! Too confusing, so here we are for a free night.. 

196km of touring today