Tuesday 13 June 2000

Turned off to Mt Sheila and drove to the top.  There must have been a mast or something there in the past – a narrow winding track was sealed all the way to the summit.  I think that it must have been the steepest road I’ve ever been on.  Parked Lari nose into the gale and lifted the bonnet to let it cool down when finally made it to the top.  Spectacular views and an interesting protrayal of Sheila! 

Continued on our way towards Karijini National Park and popped into see Hammersly Gorge.  Amazing!  Visited Wittenoom – the town is now more or less a ghost town, with very few people still living there.  We drove down Wittenoom Gorge, keeping windows tightly shut.  Glimpsed the old asbestos mine – abandoned.  I wonder if anything will ever be done to clean up the area.  Signs everywhere warning of asbestos dust.  The old tailings heaps from the mine have just been left as they are – steep sided with gullies from water erosion. 

After our brief tour of Wittenoom, we set off back the way we came and located an unsigned 4WD track into Bee Gorge.  Had a great drive up this scenic gorge – some fairly challenging rock hopping up creek beds (tyres looking rather worn now!).  Met a group camped in the river bed.  Chatted and discovered that continuing up the gorge led to 2 exit points, so we continued but eventually turned back as we weren’t sure we were getting anywhere and time was ticking. 

Left the gorge and made tracks to Tom Price, where we eventually found the filling station.  Really getting late by now – dark in ½ hour.  Decided to carry on to the planned campsite anyway.  Down 18km of 4WD track with creek crossings.  NO major problems although I had to wade on creek to check on depth – wet socks and boots (as I couldn’t be hassled with flip-flops.).  Awoke in the morning to discover that we were camped in a beautiful spot, next to a shady pool, under tall gum trees.