CARNARVON

Described as a regional service centre for the Gascoyne region a year round holiday destination supporting an abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood.  We can certainly vouch for the fresh fruit and vegetables and we found a plentiful supply at the Saturday morning markets at the information mall.  Frozen mango, broccoli, beetroot, lemons and sweet corn cobs and Wayne had to try the yummy Rocky Road.  Locals and visitors all descend there on Saturday morning to get fresh veges and food.

Wednesday 14th Sept. We biked the Tramway Bridge Trail, part of the original tramway linking Carnarvon and the One Mile Jetty.  The township is mostly flat so great for a ride once again.  Haven't been using them as the huge bindies were puncturing the tyres.  All good here.


Thursday 15th Sept.  We woke up to the wind quite still and calm so decided to head out to One Mile Jetty and walk it after climbing the old water tower to take in the view.

View looking out the One Mile Jetty and the new cafe Interpretive Centre - home to the HMAS Sydney II/HSK Kormoran display.

Looking over to the Keepers Cottage Museum built in 1900 and the top of the old lighthouse and original tower.

We also came out here on Tuesday while driving round the town and stopped to explore the railway Station Museum which houses the Kimberley Steam train and WA's first Shearing Hall of Fame.  Very interesting reading in here and found that Charles Kingsford Smith and 3 others foundered the first trucking business in the greater Gascoyne region to bring the farmers wool out to the jetty for shipping south.

The Coffee Pot train that one can take a ride out to the end of One Mile Jetty

The local government are always looking for extra funds to maintain the jetty

The very end of the jetty is still in need of TLC to restore back to its glory.  Photos in the museum show trains loaded with wool bails, stock and people back in the 1900's loading ships.  A very busy place in its time.

Got a phone call from a couple of lovely people we met up at Eighty Mile Beach that are heading south to Albany so met them for lunch and a catch-up as they had exchanged their camper trailer for an off-road caravan.  Very nice George and Karen.  Hope to meet-up again as they come back up this way.

Gascoyne River looking east from the road to Kennedy Ranges with permanent water

The same Gascoyne River from the same road looking west towards Carnarvon!!

Friday 16th Sept.  We took a drive out to Gascoyne Junction 177 klm's east from Carnarvon situated on the banks of the mighty Gascoyne River with a permanent waterhole almost 4 Kim's in length.  The town is considered the gateway to the Kennedy Range NP to the north, Mt Augustus NP to the east and heading on south to Murchison.

Driving the road out and back we marvelled at the colourful displays of wildflowers, these eagles having a meal on road-kill and the local cattle from farms along the way.

Definitely not doing 110 while so many cattle on the road.