Millstream Chichester NP WA

We were once again on the road after our coffee, heading north to Millstream Chichester NP. We chose to travel along the Rio Tinto private road that runs along their train track that takes the ore from the mine to Karratha. To use this road you need to get a free permit either from the Tom Price tourist office or online. You have to sit through some drive safety videos (20mins) and answer some pretty easy questions online. The blue area was gravel with a few corrugations but overall we thought it was great.

We managed to get another train at a crossing, this one was full heading to the port in Dampier. 

We turned off to go to Millstream Homestead in the National Park. 

This pastoral station was built in 1919 set on the banks of the Fortescue River. 

Unfortunately the walk to the pond and scenic drive loop were closed. We had a cuppa at the lookout. 

Then strolled down to Deep Reach picnic and swimming area. The effects of a recent fire are still evident and repairs have not been completed yet. 

We return back to the main road and 20km later we turn off again towards Python Pool. This is in the Chichester Range and the views at Mount Herbert are extraordinary.  

We arrived at the waterhole around 1pm and find the carpark nearly full. By the time we are lunch only one car was left, so we had the place nearly to ourselves. The water looked a bit too green for us to swim. 

We then decided it was too late to drive to Karratha this afternoon arriving at 4:30pm and may be a bit risky to find a spot to stay. So we found a spot at Mt Herbert lookout (fingers crossed we don’t get tossed out…ssshh don’t tell anyone). 

We did 228km today.