TRIP to CANNING STOCK ROUTE DAY 22 - CSR

3 July 2012

STAGE 3 CSR Day 1

WILUNA, Well 1, NORTH POOL (28km)

When we drove into Wiluna yesterday we were comprehensive. The pub looked delapidated, all the windows barred. The campground was at the back of the pub and had a lovely grassy area. However, this place grows on you. There are very few white people here. They are mostly local indigeneous people and some Malays and Asians. The local indigeneous people at the caravan park were very friendly and took great pride in looking after their place at the park.

There are information stands throughout the town providing an historical perspective of the town.

We did some of the laundry as it was too late to hang out for the night. We were all parked between two permanent campsites. Other occupants further along told us it was very quiet there the night before. Well tonight it was not quite that way. Those living next door to us set up a campfire and started to play music. It was very pleasant to listen to but obviously there was a party going on. We could hear them talking in their own language. How wonderful!  Sometime later we were invited to join them. So all six Oka occupants joined in. We had an interesting and enjoyable evening interacting with family group. They were celebrating a birthday and a birth of a girl. They gave us some hints re the Canning and told us to go to North Pool.

This morning we attended to various tasks , restocked and some of us got a chance to get down to the Council Chambers. The art gallery is only opened on request so I asked to go in. The work was of a high standard and very interesting. The prints were exquisite.

Obviously I was taking too long as all the Okas arrived to collect two of us that were here. We drove up to the beginning of the CSR

and another kodak moment was to be had.

We then turned to have a look at Well 1. It was finished in April 1908 and is 45 feet deep. Apparently all the wells are 6 x 4 feet of boxed timber.

It is the only well with two drinking troughs at right angles to each other. Everything here was rusted and broken. The stock headed from Well 1 directly north to North Pool. So we did the same and continued onto North Pool.

What a magic place. The water looks red initially. Caning did not consider this a permanent water hole. However, the locals told us that they believe the serpent spirit resides here as they have not known it to dry up.

We decided to spend the night here.

Tall red river gums line the banks.

There was a rocky outcropt on one side of the river and vegetation was rather sparse.

We looked unsuccesfully for the initials FM on a tree marking the tree where the second aboriginal guide was brought to the Canning in 1906 and chained to a tree with his initials.

We sat around talking about various country music festivals before turning in as the night got cold - again at around 8:00pm.

It was a full moon and the moon looked glorious as it rose over the trees. We all went a bit crazy trying to photograph it – some more successfully than others.

TRIP to CANNING STOCK ROUTE DAYS 17-21 Gunbarrel Highway

28 June 2012 – 2 July 2012

STAGE 2 Days 6-10 Curtin Springs to Wiluna

GUNBARREL HIGHWAY, WILUNA

For once it was a warmer night last night.

Last night one of our party informed us that they were going to continue on their own. So it was an interesting morning as the group separated into two. We were part of the three vehicle convoy that a few metres from the campsite turned onto Gunbarrel Highway and slowly made our way along and over corrugations.

Often we did not know which fork to take – which was less corrugated.   It was a bit of pot luck at times whether we took the better alternative.

Beautiful flowers lined the road intermittently.

Two beautiful brolga were observed walking stately down the road.

We stopped for morning tea at a bore. Lots of entertainment here as the men washed their hair in the cold water.

Some interesting things were seen along the way. An old cairn and marker were close to the road.

 We visited Beadell’s camp and then lunched on Mt Beadell

where there was a stunning 360 degree views of the landscape.

It was a bit of rought going to get up and down Mt Beadell.

Soon we were driving through the Gibson Desert. Termite mounds were not as numerous as further up north.  The wind was still still strong as we continued along the highway.

We all signed the book at interesection with Gary Highway.

A problem again as our car didn’t start. Bump started again and when we got to the historic Geraldton Bore we stayed put. Apparently our cable to the starter motor had burnt out. The problem was sorted out and we were able to enjoy just being here. Washed some clothes and had a roast dinner as we had plenty of time to relax.

Next morning Jenny and I went for a walk before breakfast as the morning was so nice.

When the men were lugging dead wood for the campfire Oka 306 bent a pipe used for carrying a spade. So our old turfer was brought into play in an attempt to straighten it. Eventually they cut the centre bent bit out.

After a nice evening we set off back on the corrugations towards Carnegie Station.

A kodak moment was called for at the sign announcing arrival at Wiluna Shire. The road from here improved greatly.

We passed an area that appeared to be a camel graveyard because of all the bones in the vicinity.

We stopped at an old wreck where the men were like little boys with a newly found toy.

It was checked over with a fine tooth comb looking for any suitable spare parts. Alas none were found to be suitable.

At lunchtime a game of Irish bowls with paddy melons in the middle of the road provided some entertainment for the day.

We reached the 'end' of Gunbarrel Highway at Carnegie Station – a spot of oasis in the middle of this arid land.

After a short stop we left to find the campsite at Mingal waterhole. It was 70km from Carnegie. A beautiful eagle captured our attention along the way.

The terrain has changed and we are now in cattle country. A few kangaroos were also seen in the area.

We continued on to Mingal.  The waterhole is a beautiful spot. It is a dried out river bed with several permanent waterholes. We were surprised to find the other Oka here. It appears that they still fully intended to continue on the trip but on their own even though they led us to believe otherwise.

Cooked over a wood stove at the campsite. Hubby played his accordion, Garry sang and a great night was had by all.

We stayed here the next day.

We just relaxed and enjoyed the sights. The girls went exploring in the morning by walking around the waterhole. There was so much birdlife here. The tree were large, regal and interesting. On two trees there was a profile of an old woman.

Finally it was our last day on the Gunbarrel.

Started the morning with a walk around the stockyards close by.

The birdlife was abundant and very entertaining.

The waterhole looked lovely in the early morning light.

After a leasurely start we made our way towards Wiluna.

We stopped to have a look at the salt lake

and then lunched at 14 Mile Well.

Before long we came to the sign saying this is the end of the Gunbarrel Highway. We stopped for the mandatory ‚Oka kodak moment’ and drove into Wiluna. Before us is the Canning Stock Route and all the unknown that comes with travelling over unfamiliar terrain.