Day 161–163 31st Aug– 2nd Sept; Cape Leveque to Pt. Hedland

Our aim for today was to leave Cape Leveque by 8.30 am and make our way back to Broome where we needed to do some quick shopping to stock up supplies for Daisy’s birthday, which we were going to celebrate whilst at Karijini, fill up with fuel, get some Maccas for lunch as a treat and try to make it to 80 Mile Beach Caravan Park. We were a little delayed leaving and so didn’t drive out of Kooljamon until about 9.15. We made good time down the track, however my fuel gauge was showing that we were getting dangerously low on fuel. I had miscalculated the amount of driving that we would do at Cape Leveque. Andrea talked me into turning off at Beagle Bay to get a top up there. No luck. It was Sunday and the fuel depot and store was closed. I was still pretty confident that we could make the distance, however the 8 kms that we traveled into Beagle Bay for no result would have used up valuable fuel and there was no more fuel until Broome. We pushed on and pretty soon the sealed section of road gave way to the unsealed section which was pretty rough and corrugated and not good for smooth driving and petrol consumption. We finally made it back onto the bitumen some 20 km from Broome and then onto the main h.way in to town. We had 9 km to go and my orange fuel warning light had been on for at least 40 km. I can usually get about 60 km before it empties completely. We reached the main turnoff about 3 k’s from the centre of town. I say to Andy I think we might be alright. Just as I say it the car splutters….Oh no. The car rolls to a standstill.. Only one thing for it, I grab an empty jerry can and begin to hitch into town. I was lucky to get a lift from the 2nd car that passed me. It was an Aboriginal couple driving a pajero, with 2 young kids in it. The youngest was a baby 6 weeks old. They graciously gave me a lift to the servo, while I sat in the back nursing a 20 litre jerry can and feeding a 6 week old baby its bottle. Quite bizarre!! Got the petrol and a lift back within 30 mins and we were away again. We left Broome at 2.15 and subsequently our chances of making 80 mile beach were nil. We drove until about 4.30 until we reached the Stanley Rest Area, a road side rest area where we decided to free camp for the night. This was fine! These rest areas are specifically set up for travelers and are especially prevalent in W.A. where there are such great distances between towns. For example we were travelling from Broome to Pt. Hedland which is a distance of approx 730 km and there was not one town between these 2 places. The rest areas usually have level areas on which to set up, toilets, sometimes water, picnic type tables and chairs and are usually well back from the road. We were set up fed and in bed by 8.30 and up next morning and on the road again by 7.40 am. We decided to push on to Pt. Hedland. By 9.30 we had reached the 80 Mile Beach Caravan Park turnoff, so we decided to travel the 10 k’s to the coast to have a quick look at this and get a coffee and some pastries for morning tea, which we had heard were available and yummy. They were right!! Had a quick look at the beach and back out on to the hiway. Topped up at Pardoo Roadhouse about 170 k’s fro m Pt. Hedland and then continued on arriving there at about 1.00 pm. We once again managed to secure the last available spot at the Cooke Point Caravan Park for an overnight stay. Since leaving Cape Leveque yesterday we have travelled 950 km’s and only passed through one town!!!! Radiator holding. Phew!