11/7/12 Left on our way south for a long drive. Filled up with diesel and water at the Sandfire Roadhouse aand then drove onto the De Grey River camp site for the night. A large site and quite a few campers there mostly on the river. We stayed on the flat above the river close to the road. There had been 100 vans there on the weekend before.

12/7/12 Up earlyand drove into Port Hedland where we drove around town and filled up with diesel once again. We seem to be helping the WA economy in that regard. Took some photos and tried to go to the Rock Of shop which was closed and the sign said only open on appointment. We were tyre kickers so didn't bother. On our way south Marion saw some Sturt De on the side of the road so we stopped twice for a couple of photo shoots.sert PeasWe drove onto Roebourne where we visited the Information Centre and Museum before driving out to the historic town of Cossack. After a walk around Cossack and a drive to the lookout for more photos, we drove onto Point Samson for a look around before heading off to Karratha. Had intended to camp at the Shell Roadhoue on the south side of Karratha but it is now owned by Coles and doesn't allow campers. We had been going to spend a little time in Karratha but as our friend from Tassie who was wotking there had moved on to Perth and as we were on the southside of Karratha we decided to motor on. Luckily not too far down the road we found a Day Rest Area with a couple of vans so we called in and spent the night on the banks of the Maitland River. We went for a walk over the bridge and , sure enough, more Sturt Peas were to be seen growing on the side.

13/7/12 Another big day of riving and looking at the scenery which is very stark. Most of the country is god forsaken and lucky to run a rabbit to the acre.We stopped for the night at the Burkett Road Rest Area and for a while it looked like we might have it to ourselves. On dark another traveller pulled up and set up camp. The Camp was a bus meeting point and a sign stated that buses would be turning up at 2.00 am. However when we left at 8 the next morning no buses had arrived.

14/7/12 Decided to go to Exmouth today and take a cruise on te Yardie River and spend the night in the Cape Range National Park. However on arriving at the Information Centre there was a sign on the door saying all NP Accommodation was booked out - School Holidays. The boat cruise only runs Tuesday to Saturday and the Saturday cruise was booked out. To compound our woes all the Caravan Parks were booked out and the Council was charging $38 for an unpowered and $46 for a powered siteat the overflow park. $38 seemed a lot to pay for 15 square metres of land so an executive decision was made to move on, We drove down to Coral Bay for a look see and it too was booked out. A lovely spot, but that seemed to be everybodies' opinion. We drove to the Lyndron River West Camp for the night.

15/7/12 Drove into the Maniya Roadhouse and filled up with diesel. Decided we wanted to see the blowhole at Quabba. After that we drove down to the Quabba Camp site and the ranger gave us a great site on the beach beside a Camping Prohibited sign.  Great views, level site and all for $5.50. Tomorrow we are off to Carnarvon and points south.