Saturday 22 September 2018

Day 19–to Carnavon and beyond

Another 650km on the costal road today.  Not that we saw the ocean…. just more flat red desert and scrub.  To the west we passed Exmouth and Coral Bay.  the only sign of civilization until we reach the outskirts of Carnavon were the roadhouses.

We did pass another long road train rest stop similar to last night’s campsite.  However this one was fenced off with a large yellow sign proclaiming “Bio Hazard”.  I wonder what that’s about? Winking smile

We didn’t actually enter Carnarvon as the road junction south is on the northern outskirts of the town.  We’re working to a tight schedule so I’ll have to come back one day and have a good look around.

Yet more kilometres of empty road until we eventually reached the highway rest stop at Edagee.  The State Highway Department has constructed a number of these rest stops on NH1 but this was the first we had used.  The stops have been designed so that road trains can’t use them.  They are strictly for light vehicles, caravans and camper trailers.

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The areas are well utilized by the ‘Grey Nomads’  This one had space for approximately 30 caravans.  You are only supposed to stay for 24 hours but some people looked like they had been there longer.

The only facilities are a dump station and long drop toilets

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Remember to bring your own paper!

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We should have set ourselves up with the trailer facing the opposite direction as the wind came up during the night giving Carlin and Monique a right bucketing.  My stretcher tent was lower down and slightly sheltered by some adjacent scrub.

Dinner was another of my “all in one” stews   

4 comments :

Mike Griffin said...

More details of a great trip. Your car looks very clean considering the dusty journey.

Looking at maps of the area you have visited, numerous routes seem to be entry by permit only, what's the reason for this? Mining areas?.

Thanks for a great read.

Mike.

Tom and Jan said...

Hi Mike

I believe you're on the money regarding access. Many of the roads are privately owned by mining companies and access is prohibited. Another reason is Aboriginal Land where access can also be prohibited. We needed to obtain and carry two aboriginal land clearances earlier in the trip.

Halfie said...

Overstayers on 24 hour "moorings"? I wonder where might you have come across that sort of thing before!

Tom and Jan said...

Very few "enforcement officers" out here. They are all looking for speeding boats (oops vehicles)!