Vroom, Vroom Around Broome !
Trip Start
Sep 04, 2007
1
94
123
Trip End
Sep 01, 2008
Broome,
Australia
Friday, May 16, 2008
This morning, our 4 x 4 vehicle rental was delivered to our resort as scheduled at 9am! It was a newer Mitsubishi Outlander with two wheel and four wheel drive capabilities. In addition, it had a unique sportronic transmission that allowed the driver to shift from automatic to easy (clutch-less) manual shifting.
With daylight burning, we headed out shortly after to find the steepest and roughest off-road 4 wheelin' trails! Just kidding! Instead, we started our day with a drive out to Gantheaume Point! As we turned onto Gantheaume Pt Road, the paved surface soon disappeared and was replaced with a rich reddish-brown soil referred to as Pindan soil. The northern areas are predominant in this type of soil and Broome is no exception!
Upon arriving at the Point, a short walk had us near the cliffs of Gantheaume Point
Enjoying the Day Around Broome !
! It seemed every view offered amazing rock formations and vibrant colors, a photographers paradise! The reddish pindan soil; rough cliffs; plants, flowers, shrubs; and ocean displayed a multitude of colors along the coastline. In this area, dinosaur tracks which are approx 120 million years old and can be seen at low tide. However, the footprints are amongst a fragile reef. In addition, with the unpredictability of Broome's tide, which can reach 10 meters, a cast of the footprints were embedded at the top of the cliffs. Anastasia's pool, a small pool carved in the rock for a former lighthouse keeper's arthritic wife is also seen on the cliffs. A short drive down from from Gantheaume Point had us arriving at Reddell Beach, known for it's Pindan Cliffs! It's a rather isolated beach area, inhabited by thousands of little hermit crabs! However, the rock formations and colors again, offered fantastic photo opportunities!
We continued our journey around the point before returning to a paved surface road. A right turn and a couple minutes had us arrive at Broome's deep water port, home for large freighters and cruise ships!
With noon upon us and an appetite looming, we found ourselves downtown in the big metropolis of Broome
Gantheaume Point Rocks !
! Finding the tourist information center wasn't to difficult! A little guidance and suggestions and we were off to find some lunch! On this day, a submarine sandwich would satisfy our appetite! We chose the beautiful and scenic Town Beach which overlooks Roebuck Bay to eat our one course meal and diet coke! After lunch we decided to venture to Willie Creek Pearl Farm, which is about 25 kms north of Broome townsite! Everything was cool until we left the paved surface and started driving on the pindan soil of unsurfaced road. At this point I wondered where all the riches of WA's resource boom was being spent by the state government because it obviously wasn't being spent on their road system!
The trip out to Willie Creek was venturesome! Traveling on an alternate route around the mud flats. One could only imagine what this area would look like during high tide season when that entire area is covered by ocean tide! About 15 minutes later, we made it to the Willie Creek Pearl Farm. Pearl Farm tours are regularly held here! However, we chose not to partake in the 2pm tour. We did walk down to the mouth of Willie Creek. This area is also known for it's salt water crocodiles! Thus, swimming was not encouraged!
Since we weren't interested in the Pearl Farm tour and Elsie wasn't interested in browsing the Willie Creek Pearl Gallery on site, we decided to return back to our resort
Low Tide at Town Beach !
. A nice swim and lounge at our resort's pool provided some much needed relaxation. That four wheelin' was stressful! However, the poolside snooze only lasted a short time as we grabbed a couple of brews from the fridge and hopped into our 4x4 for another Cable Beach sunset. This time, we were driving north of the rocks (which required a 4x4) and watched the sunset on the beach! Apparently, during high tides, tourists have paid $30-$40,000 to rental companies because they drove their vehicle rentals on Cable Beach without knowing the tidal times and heights! On this evening, that would not happen! It was another unforgettable Cable Beach sunset!
This evening, we made arrangements to meet Deanne & Peter for Chinese dinner in downtown Broome. We previously met Deanne a few weeks earlier at our friends Borys and Janenne! Janenne and Deanne are sisters. We learned that Deanne and Peter have lived in Broome for about 11 years. Couldn't think of a nicer place to make a residence! The cost of living though, was much higher! Fuel was $1.68/liter! On our way home, we tanked up the Outlander as we normally do for vehicle rentals. Well, $25.00 for 130 km's driving! Ouch! Oh well, the experience more than made up for it!
Hope you enjoy the photo's!
Cheers, Rick & Elsie!
