8th June 2002: Port Headland – Coongan River (near Marble Bar)
Say goodbye to our fellow campers, pick up supplies & petrol and head toward to Marble Bar almost 200kms away. We set up camp on the Coongan River around 45kms north of Marble Bar. Amazingly we are the only campers here for our two nights stay. We have an easy afternoon relaxing and explore the area the next day visiting Dolena Gorge, Kitty’s Gap and Copping Gap. The drive to Kitty’s Gap is on a pretty rough 4WD track but with good scenery… plenty of red dirt and greenery after the recent rains.
10th June 2002: Coongan River (near Marble Bar) – Eighty Mile Beach
Take off north and drive around 170kms through some good Pilbara country before we hit the main road. We cross the de Grey River on the way and arriving at Eighty Mile Beach by lunchtime where we set up for the night, enjoy a walk on the beach and watch the stunning sunset.
11th June 2002: Eighty Mile Beach – Broome
Another big day on the road driving 360kms to Broome. We meet Greg the cyclist around 100km short of Broome and enjoy a refreshing beer and chat with him. At Broome we set up in one of the smaller, quieter caravan parks and spend the next couple of weeks exploring the area as well as welcoming Paul, Julie’s Dad, who is joining us on our Broome to Darwin leg of the trip.
WELCOME PAUL! For six months or more we have travelled alone, The only contact with family via internet and the telephone, Then one June day, but not really out of the blue, Paul came to join the intrepid crew. Broome was the place that Paul had come, To visit us and greet the sun, With bedding and rakia supplies in hand, We had added one to our travelling band. From here we are heading to who knows where, When I showed Paul the route it gave him a scare, Crocodiles, dirt roads and possibly no fuel, "As long as there's rakia", was the only rule. For 11 weeks Paul's adventures will last, By then thousands of kilometres will have past, Darwin is our aim but in-between, The wonderous Kimberley is yet to be seen. So welcome Paul to your indenture, Not unwilling though, its to be an adventure, With Julie & Craig leading the way, Where we'll end up, no one can say. Craig, 14 June 2002
