Dales Gorge
In addition to the oft-expressed “you will love it” in relation to caravanning in general we have frequently heard about “free camping”, normally expressed with the same “you’ll love it” edict.
The Dales Gorge within the Karijini National park has a free camping area which is a genuine delight and we spent a pleasant afternoon and evening overnighting in the bush.
A sealed road all the way from Tom Price to where volunteers man the camping fees collection of a ridiculous $13.20 per night for 2 seniors. After that it is half a kilometre of dirt road to the Dingo Loop which was our bucolic abode for around 20 hours. ( rain was due the next day and as the whole area is a genuine red ochre site, we didn’t relish the thought of more top- end red stuff invading our lives).
We walked the level 2 pathway (for woozers like me) to the circular pool and for my money you can forget the gorges and resultant pools; it is the flowers and wildlife that bring charm to this outstandingly beautiful wilderness.
We were visited at our campsite by about 7 different species of birdlife including a black headed kingfisher and a couple of red-capped finches adorned in brilliant pillar box red colouring.
The next day (Wednesday) we travelled 420 km plus across to Munjina road house where it joins the Great Northern Highway towards Port Hedland and turning left to access Karratha,
The countryside was quite unbelievable, especially through the cuttings at Munjina East Creek area. But the scenery couldn’t quite overcome the worry of running out of fuel over lengthy sections bereft of a Coles Express, Woolworths Caltex, or a Telstra cell area from which to get the RAC to bring you out some petrol.
But we limped into Roebourne on the smell of petrol soaked rag, filled up and re-commenced breathing normally once again.
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