Whim Creek

7 May. Day 5. Whim Creek.

0700/1700. 670 KM

Another longish day so an early start, on the road by 7am.

After approximately an hour’s drive we pulled into Bellara Station. This is another station stay camp/caravan park on a working station. I had stayed here two years ago. It is great stop over. A rustic setting with character and interest. They are renowned for their scores. Last year they converted the old shearing shed into an enlarged and enhanced cafe and dining area. They have done a great job, plenty of character. And the scones are still very good!

Shortly after rejoining the NW Coastal Highway we crossed over one of the emergency runways that are marked out on the various highways around the state, for critical emergency landings by the RFDS. In a conversation with an RFDS pilot a few years ago he told me they are used as a somewhat last resort, and that to maintain currency for the procedure each pilot has to do one training landing per year, at night, on one of these strips, and with only three lights positioned along one side of the road. A real “black hole, aircraft carrier“ type landing! Pretty challenging stuff.

Pulled into Fortesque Roadhouse for a lunch stop. MYO ( make your own) salad roll, as Judy had bought some very good bread rolls from the bakery at Exmouth.

Arrived at Whim Creek at 5 pm with just sufficient daylight left to set up camp. The hotel that has a lot of character, closed down a number of years ago. But it is supposed to be reopening. There is a caretaker in residence in a donga out the back somewhere who waters the lawn and cleans the solitary toilet. The old copper mine is visible about half a kilometre further back. Anyone is entitled to park up for the night in the gravel parking area and can use the toilet. A nice gesture by someone.

Dinner consisted of Italian sausages and lamb chops on an open fire, accompanied by a salad, and a red of course. The fire was put to good use thereafter, along with a tawny port. How many hours can you idle away looking into the flames of an open fire, takking about nothing in particular? Plenty!

Whim Creek pub parking area.
FOC.
One toilet available
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