I’d heard quite a few people say that the roads around Newman were quite good. Heading north, it wasn’t the road so much (it’s not a “twisty”) but rather the scenery – quite spectacular.
The landscape soon become quite hilly (Juna and Mulga Downs – to the east of Karijini), showing all of the colours as to why the mining companies love it up here.
As for photos – it’s not really the place to stop on the side of the road. If you do, you’re likely to piss off the road-trains big time. So, only a handful. However, lots of video… I’m gonna try to load a few up to YouTube this evening if I can.
For the first half of the trip the scenery seemed to change every few miles: rocky, then rolling hills, then wooded areas, then flat plains, then rinse repeat. This is a road you should try if you have the chance.
The second half was flat, flat, flat… which meant wind, wind, wind – again – at 10-11 o’clock for the rest of the way. This part of the trip was made more difficult due to the road-trains. With a trailer, I’m only allowed speeds of 100kph. These 4x bogie 60+m long bad boys do a little less than that – annoyingly only a little less. Yes, I know my ST can go much faster, but it’s a confidence thing: hitting 120 to pass, in strong headwinds, in the wake of a truck, towing a trailer… a little unnerving, but I’m getting used to it.
While I’d filled up on premium in Newman, I reached the Aski roadhouse with only half a tank. Again – only 91 – but in she went. There is a part of me that feels the bike is getting better fuel consumption on a blend of 91 and 95 – maybe some research is needed.
Arriving at Port Hedland at 2:30pm – I headed to a supermarket, stocked up on some necessities, and rang around for a campsite. I ended up at a place that’s functionally fine, a little noisy (could be trouble tonight) with passing trucks and iron-ore trains, but a plain dust-bowl – not a blade of grass anyway. It’s not even gravel – just red dirt.
A quick check of the map and I’m a little ahead of my original plans (was to be in Karratha tonight). So, I’m thinking of make the longer run to Broome tomorrow, then a short drive to Derby for the following day – leaving me with some extra time in each to look around.