Karijini National Park - Pilbara WA
Late June, 2012
Only the magnificance of Karijini National Park in the heart of the Pilbara in north-west WA could lure us away from the coast. It was amazing in its size, ruggedness and richness of colour.
We hit the Pilbara and our car, its contents, and particularly its children turned red. Small iron filings within the dirt clung to Archie's little magnetised Thomas the Tank Engines. The scale of iron ore excavation is mind-boggling. The roads run constantly with massive road trucks loaded with ore and new train lines are being constructed to cater for the kilometre-long trains that pour this ore into the docks at Port Hedland and elsewhere. 
And that's a small one! The kids and dad take a mine tour at Tom Price Mine.
This was one of our most eagerly anticipated destinations - an amazing natural adventure playground....but why do you look so worried Paul?.....It's only a 100m sheer drop.
Our campsite at Karijini - lovely desert contrasts
Beautiful sunny days....but c-c-c-cold at night - about 4C or less...not that we're complaining about the weather you southern folk.
Gorgeous Gorges
OK guys - time for an adventure walk
Those jagged old rocks.....they crack me up
Don't fall in buddy - that water's too cold for even your mother to rescue you...a thrilling walk through cascades, narrow chasms with that ever present risk of a plunge into icy water. A great moment in a stunning landscape.
Happy as pigs in Pilbara Mud
But mummy, I don't WANT a wash.The Good: Doing the grade-5 `spider-walk' through a fast flowing chasm with spider-monkey boy Riley (grade 6 walks require abseiling equipment). We came back with the adrenalin running, no injuries and happily soaked but not drowned.
The Bad: The not-so-little brown snake Nikita nearly shared her peanut paste sandwich with when choosing a nice sunny rock to sit on for her lunch in Dales Gorge. You could hear the shriek for miles....rattled for a short while, but pretty keen to tell the story to every bushwalker she met for the next few days.
The Ugly: Archie locking himself in the public amenities at Hammersley Gorge. Unlike every other ramshackle, gappy, un-locking toilet around, this iron vault was inpenetrable. Despite much coaxing to undo the lock, and Riley's offer to climb in through the roof, it was dad's trusty screw-driver to the rescue with a quick lock removal.
It is no wonder crocodiles eat their young........
Our last night in the Hammersley Ranges and Riley picks a Zero degree night to have his first sleep outdoors in his swag. Might as well - wasn't much warmer in the tent! Back to the beach after this.
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