We packed up camp and said goodbye to Karijini NP. We had a great time with walks towards, along and into the gorges. Swimming in Fern-pool was the best. Not only because of the waterfall over the cliff under which you could sit but more because of the walk towards it over the gorge floor. It is full of trees and bushes and everywhere you hear the birds.

On the road north to Port Hedland, the engine started to misfire now and then. We had driven 950 km on the tank and the level was halfway. Was there dirt in the tank or the diesel filter? We filled up 60 l of diesel (more than enough to get to town where the diesel is 30 cents cheaper) and had no problems after that. Stuart (the camper owner) had arranged for a checkup at a Ford garage. All appeared to be ok so we drove on towards Broome.

First a detour to shop and see the large iron ore harbor in Port Hedland. It is very much a town in development. The mining companies have built up the suburbs and looks like the housing is improving from workers accommodation to family residents. We saw large ore ships being loaded and the sailors going to the ships for their 9 month tours. We camped 75 km outside Port Hedland at one of the many designated 24 hours rest stop. It is a great place next to a sandy river with tree coverage. Many large spots available and only a few other campers.

The next day we drove on to Broome. On the way we had some misfires but it kept running. In town we first did a walk on the beach and after a short drive the engine stopped completely. I added the spare 10L tank of fuel but that did not help. After 1 and 3/4  hour road service came by and the car engine started without problems (as usual when you ask for help). We then drove some  5 km but got stuck on a roundabout 800 m before the campsite. The engine stopped completly. Some helpful people pushed us off the road to a bus stop, a few meters away. After a while a tow truck arrived and brought us to the campsite. It took the best part of an hour to get the camper off the truck because it was a bit too long (bull bar and rear overhang) and heavier than expected. Since it is Saturday we have to wait till Monday to find out if Stuart can arrange for a mechanic to fix the camper.

After all the problems and long drive (500+km), we are finally resting outside in the campsite and enjoying the cool breeze (without mosquitoes). 

It is now Thursday morning, the start of our 6th day at this lovely campsite some 3 km from the famous Cable Beach.  One time, at the end of the afternoon, we walked to the beach. It is very long and wide and does not feel crouwded. Many 4×4’s drive on to the beach (especially on Sunday for a family get together to watch the sunset). A line of camels brings tourists around. We watched the beautiful sunset and later had a drink and pizza overlooking the beach before walking back to the campsite where a nice refreshing shower is waiting.


There is shade and shelter at the campsite kitchen facility. Many young European travelers are camping here. They are making their Australian trip as part of the 1 year work permit they get. They all have some form of transport and camping options.

Stuart was able to find a mechanic who will look at the camper. Unfortunately he can only start working on it next week Monday, 8 days after we got stranded here.  We are uncertain about our options. Even if the camper is fixed… is it reliable? Jamaliah does not feel comfortable to continue further with it. After much soul searching, we decided to rent a camper for 2 weeks and continue our drive North towards Darwin though the Kimberly and Bungle Bungle mountains and then back to Broome. Since we do not have a 4×4 and many campsites in the park are closed (start of the hot, rainy season) we may not see much of the national parks spread out over the area. Once the camper is repaired, we will drive it back to Perth and then continue our trip further south. The return flight is booked for 7/1/2025 and changing it is not an attractive option. So we are making the best of the situation we are in.

Like visiting the Horizontal falls yesterday.
We got up at 4:00am to be picked up at the front gate of the camping at 5:00. We were not the only ones getting up before sunrise. It is fascinating sitting outside so early. Cool and you hear different birds announcing their presence one by one. No cacafonie which you get at sunrise. The bus drove around picking up some 25 other people. Was the seaplane that big? No. We were split up over 3 planes and everybody had a window seat. During the 1 hr flight in and out the pilot pointed out the many islands in the Buccaneer Archipelago. The horizontal falls are between 2 of these long narrow islands. The 11 m high tide rushes though one 20 m and one 10 m gap. Between the islands the tour operator has a hotel/barge with landing bays for up to 4 seaplanes and 3 large passenger boats. In peak season there can be up to 150 people on the barge. So we were lucky with our total of 25. At the end of this month they stop operating due to rain and cyclone season. With our speedboat we went up and over the falls several times i.e. through the gap with the up coming tide flowing at 20 knots. It was a thrilling experience. On the way back from above in the plane, we saw a humpback whale doing flip in the sea.