Day 57 27/10 (Wed) – Let’s go a bit further north!

Set off for Dampier and Karratha, stopping on the way for a photo of the myriad termite mounds littering the landscape all around Onslow. Quite different to those further inland, as the termites out here seem to have a penchant for pointy tops to their mounds. Not so generally amorphous like the Karajini termites. Long day travelling with only a brief stop for lunch near Miaree Pool, about 30-40 km from our destination. Arrived Dampier Transit caravan park (only allowed max 3 night stop and have to have your own drinking water) a bit after 5 pm. Quite a nice spot overlooking the port and Sam’s Island. Nice shady sites and grassy areas. Bit surprised at Dampier itself (although don’t know why I should have been). Was expecting little seaside town as the gateway to the Dampier Archipelago, however although it is a seaside town, it is obviously also a major port for the iron ore trade and the drive in from the main highway passes through a rather desolate area with rail and industrial infrastructure that looks a bit like what the surface of Mars. Drove into Karratha(19 km) to get our bearings, as the car was booked for a service at the local Toyota dealership early Friday morning and wanted to know where the shopping areas were (retail therapy in air conditioned comfort seemed like a brilliant way top spend a few hours!). Picked up a few provisions and enjoyed a nice BBQ’d tuna steak and salad for dinner.