Sandfire R'house to Point Samson 09

September 14th, Last minute shopping then packing up to leave was our intentions for to-day. However fate decided otherwise, as we were leaving Town to return to our Caravan Park, I was flashed by an oncoming Police Car, who proceeded to book me for doing 79 kph in a 60 kph zone. I just had my mind on other problems, not even thinking of the speed limit. So $150 later and a loss of 2 points, caused me to be in a very dejected mood for the rest of the day.

September 15th, We left Broome and drove to the Sandfire Roadhouse. We were driving into a strong headwind, so used a lot more fuel than normal and had to top up the tank with the spare fuel we now carry in the boat petrol tank. The cars computer said we had 2klms of fuel left when we stopped at the Sandfire Roadhouse Petrol Pump. There was no other fuel stop along the way.

September 16th, Booked into Cooke Point Holiday Park in Port Hedland and could only get 2 days. So, off to the Information Centre to get brochures. Booked myself on the BHP Mine Tour, 9.30am Friday. We took a drive around Town and took a few photos.

September 17th, Had a look through Dalgetty House, the local Museum, which was involved with the early development of Port Hedland. Very informative display, but you need a lot of time to read through all the information, and the assistant was very knowledgeable on all the local developments. After lunch we drove to South Headlands to check out the area and stock up at the Shopping Centre.

September 18th, Packed up and left the Caravan Park early. Dropped Val at Woolworths Shopping Centre and went to meet the 9.30am Tour Bus at the Information Centre. The Tour involved all the BHP operations from the arrival of ore trains to the loading of the ore onto the huge Tankers. It was a very interesting and informative tour and is an eye opener when you realise the immense size of this project. By the time I had picked up Val and we set off to our next destination, our next stop had been changed. A recommendation from the Service Station attendant, had us travelling to The Cove Caravan Park at Point Samson. We liked what we saw and booked in for 4 nights. After setting up we walked across the road to The Tavern and had a couple of drinks and enjoyed the ocean views. While talking with the locals we were entertained by a pod of whales frolicking in the ocean, unfortunately about 1 klm off shore.

September 19th, Washing day, how exciting! Saw whales from the CP again to-day. They were a little closer in, so actually saw a flipper out of the water from a side roll movement, very exciting. After lunch we drove around Point Samson and checked out the Jetty, Fishing Fleet and Honeymoon Cove Beach. Don’t know how it got its name but it is the local place to swim. We drove out to Wickham, a small workers settlement, and found that they had a Woolworths Supermarket and a Service Station, handy to know. Next we went to Cossack, a Heritage Town. It was the first Port Settlement in this area and lasted until 1904 when a jetty was built at Point Samson to handle the bigger ships. Cossack was supported by the Pilbara gold rush and the thriving Pearl Industry. Most of the original timber Town houses were lost in Cyclones but of the remaining stone building, some have been restored. There was a Wedding in progress at the old Customs Building and the food smelled great.