Carawine Gorge, Western Australia.

July 1993

This trip started after a pin was stuck in a map. A common way for this family to go anywhere. We had frequently passed through the Pilbara region but not stopped for any length of time. A weeks leave was due and it fortunately coincided with the school holidays.

The pin had landed near Nullagine, a small mining town a short distance to the North of Newman. A quick look at the topographical maps for the area showed some tracks to the North-east of Nullagine which has potential.

After loading the truck, we headed off early on the Saturday morning with plans for meals at Wubin (breakfast) and Meekatharra for lunch. This was achieved and we eventually camped just north of the Tropic of Capricorn.

The next morning, we continued towards Nullagine. The roads had all been good, and no untoward delays being experienced. We stopped briefly to help a couple whose caravan had blown a wheel. They had a new Pajero (?Shogun overseas) as the tow vehicle and its wheel nut wrench was not the same size as the nuts on the caravan. A quick wheel change and they were off, heading rapidly back to Capricorn Roadhouse to buy the correct wheel brace.

At Nullagine, (1366 kms ex Perth) we headed onto gravel. This initially was good but soon started to deteriorate. We moved onto ever smaller mining vehicle tracks trying to follow the direction to the Oakover river. There was a straight road but it didn't appear to be much fun!

After several errors trying to find the correct track (the maps were made in 1974), we ended up following a washed out , deeply rutted "path" which wound its way up a small, but steep hill. Many bends were on a reverse camber and life became a little fraught! At the top of the track, it stopped. There was a small circular area about 4 meters across. On two sides the edges dropped away into an open cut mine. Fortunately, we don't have a trailer. Eventually, we turned round (not a three point turn), and retraced our way down and followed a second smaller track around the hill. This took us to the Davis River (a tributary of the Oakover River) and we had to recross it several times as both it and the track meandered round. The crossings weren't deep (about 30 -40 cms) and the base in general was sound.

We eventually came out at a junction with this wide road which joined up with the Telfer Mining centre road. Since it was early to mid afternoon, with the Isabella Ranges on the right, we started looking for a place to camp. A track to the left was marked "Carawine Gorge", we followed this and came to the edge of a dry river bed. The base was composed of loosely packed, smooth rocks of varying sizes. It was a slow, low range grind forward to the edge of a delightful waterhole. It was long and wide. At one end, a group of geologists and their helicopter were based but there was plenty of space for us at the opposite end of the gorge. The water was good for swimming and we could also use it for cooking etc. Firewood was available but we also carried some in. Position S21#29'E121#01.4'

We spent three relaxing nights there before we headed towards Marble Bar and home.

The gorge is marked on the "Streetsmart" map - The Pilbara. It is easily accessed from the Marble Bar end - except the last 5kms or so. That segment was definitely 4WD. The Nullagine approach was more fun.

At the time we were there, a program of eradication of feral donkeys and such was underway. We had chatted on the way through to a donkey shooter and spasmodically you could hear the program in progress.

This area is remote and HF radio should be carried. It is frequented commonly by Port Hedland residents at Easter and other holiday periods.

- Nigel Buxton

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