Driving day to day - drove 600km  to Port Headland which took all day (from 9-6pm).

Went to Cable beach for lunch and a walk, but was very breezy. After lunch went to Gantheaume Point where the oldest record of Dinosaur foot prints can be seen. Of course they were only visable a low tide, and with what looked to be a lot of clamering over rocks (not so good for small children). Also the fact that it was high tide put a damper on things. We did get to see the concrete cast of the prints ....

Drove around and had a look at Broome Jetty, where the water was rushing past faster than most rivers I have seen (and this was just the tide going out!), and then a drive around town. Town itself was very bitsy with 3 or 4 parts to the town now, and much of it split by swamp. We also heard the land round town was now aboriginal land and they were not allow to build on it!

In the evening went to the Sun Picture Theatre which is the oldest picture Garden (outdoor theatre) still operating in the WORLD! Saw Red Dog which was a bit appropriate as based at Dampier where we are planning to visit soon!

Today we did a tour which we booked when we thought we’d still be waiting for a new tyre. I was quite happy in the end a there was an all full lot of driving and the first 2 hours (and there for the last 2 hours home) the road was pretty crappy. Once past the first 2 hours then it was tarseal up to the top of the cape. Apparently this was done so the people at Beagel bay could access the all weather airstip at the top of the cape. Why they didn’t just seal the road to Broome (probably less Km’s ) I guess we will never know!

First stop was Beagel Bay Church. Here the church alter was made of pearl shells. Also all the stain windows were all made by local priests at different times.

After morning tea we headed off into the bush to go Mud Crabbing. They said they would supply shoes for this exercise but I did not quite expect us to spend 2 hours knee to waist deep in Mangrove mud. Anyway we did and it was great fun. We did manage to find one crab (which turned out to be plenty for Josie and me). The local Aboriginal lady, who’s land we were on, cooked the crab over hot fire coles, and we ate it, can get fresher than that! For the kids there was an awesome spread of food, chicken, etc Yummy!

Off to the One Arm Point Hatchery, where they grow Trochus shells. At this stage we were about 220km north of Broome. Lovely spot on the water edge. Here they grew shells to repopulate areas that were getting overfished and have had good success for this. As part of growing the shells they needed to study what size they should grow to before being releasing and what was eating the shells when young. So the hatchery  actually had tanks of fish, and other preditors of the Trochus. Kids got to feed, and touch turtles, feed Barramundi (and so did I), snapper and a few other fish.

Next off to the Cape Leveque Beach for a swim, we were promised there were no Crocs! Back to the resort for the Sun Set  on the beach with the red cliffs and then drive home arriving about 9:30 pm.

First up today to get the tyre refitted, time for a coffee! Then we went to the Pearl luggers Museum and saw the Pearl Luggers (boats) and a very interesting demonstration of the history of Pearling and the gear they used to use. The main industry was actually for the pearl shell, which was used for cutlery and buttons (before plastic was available).

They used to dive in woollen underwear, covered with heavy rubber suite, a metal helmet and lead boots. They were connected to the air with a hose and a pump operated manually by hand! Apparently only 30% of divers survived the first dive – not good odds.

Anyway the Japanese were best at this for many years. There is a very large Japanese Cemetery to attest to this! In the 70’s some local Aussies brought wetsuits and Scuba gear to the industry, and challenged the Japanese to see who could get the most shells in, in a week. The new technology won an the Japanese packed up an left. Apparently there would have been thousands of Japanese there, now there is none. Even the Japanese restaurant in town is owned by a Frenchman! Also the area where the Japanese lived as been done up and renamed Chinatown! Very odd.

Anyway after the tour Josie wanted to purchase a pearl but luckily could not find one she liked. Well there was on, but at ½ the price of a house I managed to talk her out of it! We did get to hold a $100,000 pearl in our hands, but unfortunately we had to give it back!.

Off then for some lunch at a German beer garden (it was October fest), and then drive out to the Pearl farm for a tour.

The pearl farm tour was very interesting about how they grew the pearls and we even saw a pearl being extracted from an Oyster. Then a boat trip, to see how the oysters where farmed in the water, and then a trip to spot some nature which was nice, but we really did not see much!

More of a catch up day as tomorrow we have, a couple of big days planned.

Called the Tyre place to confirm the Tyre would be available on Monday and they said ready today, so we decided to go shopping while we waited for the tyre to be fitted. When they fitted it we found they had put it on backwards so we had to return the next morning to get refitted!

At least Josie and Charlotte got some shopping in!

Drove back down to the waterfront to see the tide out, OK was a bit impressive now that we had seen the tide in! Then dropped in at the Royal Flying Doctors office to drop of the money Charlotte and Harry (and Friends) had raised busking in Kununurra.

On the way out of town saw another prison tree, who would want to be stuck in one of those!

Temps here were still in the early 40’s and we were hoping for a bit cooler as we go south.

On the road to Broome and the temp was still 41 degrees 15 km from town. Then by the time we had driven the 15km, the temp was a much nicer 30 degrees! Much better. Checked in to the caravan site and rang to check on the tyre order (still the end of the week they say!), today being Wednesday.

Had a swim and hung around to catch up on some school work, homework etc.

Broome 13^th October

Kids had a day off, and a day to play with friends in the park. Have met some nice families here. Not much work done, except for poor Josie who ended up working most of the day.

We did manage a visit to the local Markets for dinner and viewing of the famous “Staircase to the moon”. The Stair case to the moon happens only when they have a low tide coinciding with a full moon rising. This was the last one for this year. Tony tried to get some photos but was very crowded on the water front and difficult to get a good steady shot.

Up this morning and off to Geike Gorge for a boat tour at 8am. Great gorge with a very entertaining commentary from the DOC guide. Comments like if we sink and you see a croc, blow your whistle really loud so I know which way to swim to get away from the croc... made us wonder what we had let ourselves in for. Saw a number of Crocs (Freshwater), birds, lizards, a snake and again a wonderful colour display of the red gorge, against the water and rocks. Amazing the amount of water that comes through these areas when it rains, something like it would fill Sydney harbour in about 8 hours! And then to see it so dry when we visit!

Back to the van and finish packing up before heading to Darby approx 180km away. Arrived just on lunch time and tried to get tyre fixed, but unfortunately the old tyre was had it. No one in town cold supply one and the best advise was to get one in Broome. So called and ordered a tyre which may take a week or so to arrive!

Drove down to the waterfront to see the famous tide variations they have here, of course the tide was in so did not look very impressive at all! They have 12+ metre tides here. Had a drive around town and went to the famous (well locally famous) Boab tree to get a picture over the water of the sun setting. You be the judge.

Also on the way home visited to old jail which was very very basic and very poor conditions.

Big drive today through to Fitzroy Crossing. Tried to visit The Bungle Bungles on the way but they were still closed due to bush fires.

Decided to stay at the main caravan park on the main road but subsequently found they had a serious ant problem. Luckily in our case they didn't bother us. We did manage a swim in the pool and since such a ling day had pizza from the bar for dinner.

Heading today back along the Gibb River road towards Kununarra. On the way we visit El Questro which is famous as the place to be / go in these here parts. Had to purchase a day pass here to drive on their roads which was fair enough. Went on a couple of 4wd tracks and looked at the gorges they had. Unfortunately it was just getting too hot to do too much, 38 by 10am in the morning so we did a bit of driving, viewing etc from the comfort of the air conditioned car!

Back then to the van at Kununara where it was a bit cooler and the pool was a great cool me down!

We heard the heat had got to the Grey Nomads, so they had headed south 3 weeks before, but I think now the heat is starting to get to us as well. Anyway as we start to move south hopefully it will get  a bit cooler (but it seems for the forecast there will be no respite until we get to Broome).