Day 71: Wed 30 Jun - Derby to Broome, 218 km; total towed: 6 911 km

20-31 degC

Even though we only had a little over 200 km to drive today we were still on the road just after 8 am; just can't help ourselves. We stopped for an early mornos at a gravel pit, and received a few toots from fellow travellers.  The highway once again, was fantastic.  

We knew we could not check-in to the van park until 12 midday, so we stopped at the 12 Mile Bird Park, run by a single woman. Established in 2008, the Park now hosts over 600 birds, with more than 80 different species spread across almost 100 aviaries, and has been open to the public since 2013. Our feathered friends range from tiny, beautifully coloured Gouldian finches; to majestic blue and gold macaws; to pheasants, ducks, kookaburras and owls; and an array of cockatoos, including black, gang gang, and sulphur-crested – just to name a few. Many have been hand-reared and are more than happy to entertain you with their cheeky antics! We met a few of the cheeky ones. We didn't realise at the time, however, the website says they are closing, with effect this afternoon, due to unforeseen circumstances. We certainly hope the birds survive as they have obviously been well cared for.  It is so sad as there were plenty of visitors there who were really enjoying the place.

We got to the Broome Caravan Park a little before midday to find 11 vans waiting to check-in; reminded us of Alice Springs during school holidays. There was a man there telling us all what to do, and obviously there were some that did not have a booking as they did a U-turn and did not join the queue. 20 minutes later we were checked in and on our site (#147), and set up not long after.

After lunch and a rest and some book reading, we set off on the bikes to explore Broome.  Although the first 2 km was on the verge of the road, everything after that was on a lovely new cement walking/cycling path.  As always, the first stop was at the info centre to get some visitor info, and then we followed the bike/walking path to Town Beach before heading back to the van. 

Broome is VERY busy, bustling town, reminds us a bit of the Sunshine Coast.  We're relieved the van park is out of town.  The 2 km on the road was a bit daunting for Wendy, but the drivers were mostly considerate.

There have been plenty of these one-lane bridges to cross

Mornos stop

Olley, the red-tailed black cockatoo showing off

Norm, a sulphur-crested cockatoo

A Gouldian finch

A mulga parrot

Carnaby's cockatoo

Macaws

The check-in queue

Z Special Unit Memorial

Broome War Memorial

Broome Town Beach

One of the explorers from the 1800s

Dampier's war chest

Women of Pearling monument

A lovely park which is being developed at Town Beach

Day 70: Tue 29 Jun - Derby

20-29 degC, humid and cloudy to start the day, clearing to bright sunshine

We have now been away from home for 10 weeks, our longest trip so far, including overseas trips. We only hope we can continue with our planned itinerary; we may be stuck in WA forever!  There are worst places to be "trapped" in.  

After breakfast, Greg went for a ride out to the Aboriginal Art place that was closed on Sunday, and guess what? Yep, it was closed, due to the Community being in lock-down.   It was then onto the long water trough, the JoonJoo Botanical Trail and the Pioneer Cemetery.  He came home for lunch, then we both had an LLD.

Not a very exciting afternoon, with computing and relaxing. We rode to the wharf area to view the sunset which was a bit of a fizzer.

Tomorrow we will be in Broome. Thank goodness we booked as there are people next to us that have not booked and are having trouble finding a spot. We have tried to book other places onwards from Broome, however, they don't take bookings and work on a first in best dressed principle. If we can't get in anywhere, we'll just move on.  There's always next time.  

Good morning Derby

The long trough with no visitors

Kimberley Heather on the Botanical Trail

Pioneer cemetery, unusual and well tended graves sites ..... 

.... and the not so well tended

Derby sunset pics

Day 69: Mon 28 Jun - Derby

19-29 degC, a cloudy afternoon

This morning we woke to the news that SA has closed it’s borders to WA, QLD, ACT, etc. We only hope this mess is sorted before we need to cross the Nullarbor in about five to six weeks time.  As much as we like being out in this big brown land, we would love to eventually get home.  Thank goodness we don’t have Perth on our itinerary this time.  We are a little concerned about 1 000s of people that may be flying in to the North during the school holidays.

After breakfast we rode out to the Derby wharf area, which is looking a bit sad these days.  The cattle exports have stopped and iron ore is no longer shipped out of here.  Although mineral sand products continue to go out.  We then did a few other tourist ‘attractions’ before finding a coffee shop for mornos.  The coffee was good. After lunch and a rest, we went shopping at Woolies, haven’t seen one of these for a long time. It did not have the range that the larger centres have, however, we were able to restock most items. There is also a Woolies in Broome so we will not have to go without.

A relaxing afternoon and evening was had.

Derby sculpture art snapped during our early morning walks

The boab trees in Derby are numerous and photogenic 

Main street of Derby, green area used to be a tramway

Entrance to the van park

#125 Kimberley Entrance Caravan Park

Cycle path out to Derby wharf

Old cattle loading race

Derby wharf

Photo of a photo of the wharf

Centenary Pavilion at the wharf

Coffee shop

Robert Rowell, a famous local

Propeller from SS Colac which sunk in the harbour while loading

A very sad Cenotaph / War Memorial at Derby

Old Derby Gaol which sadly housed mostly aboriginal people  

Derby Catholic Church