West Coast Mission: Day 16

Wittenoom is officially abandoned on account of the "asbestos fibres prevalent in the air." I say officially abandoned, try telling that to the 25 people who still live there, firmly denying that the mining of blue asbestos in years gone by would pose any threat to them or tourists. My fold out maps advised against going anywhere near the place and the Lonely Planet says if you go there you might want to wind your windows up.

Well how are you meant to buy souvenirs without getting out of the car?

Wittenoom Guest House

Wittenoom Gem Shop

It was on the way anyway so we pulled in, did a quick circuit and took a few deep breaths before heading north to Karratha with newly acquired stickers that read, "I Went To Wittenoom And Lived."

I'll remember this moment in roughly 10 to 15 years when my lungs fall out.

There are two roads to Karratha from Auski Roadhouse, one of them is about 400km along the tarmac and the other is more direct, about 300km along a slightly corrugated unsealed road. We took the dirt.

What a boring fucking road! All you want to do is read a book or something but you can't on account of the whole Having To Drive thing. There's no let up in the monotony, we probably saw about 3 other vehicles the entire way plus the corrugations don't make it the most pleasant drive ever. I wished I still had my clit hood pierced, at least then I could have driven the road with a smile on my face.

300km Of This

Eating My Dust

Apart from a minor incident in the Millstream National Park when I nearly span off the road after lecturing Craig on the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt we rocked up to Karratha in once piece where we'd be spending a couple of nights. Craig's sister Julie lives here, he hardly gets to see her so we chilled at their house which was awesome, we got fed and got to sleep inside and had proper showers and did all kinds of exciting things such as laundry. I hadn't done laundry since Albany.

My clothes practically walked to the washer.

written by

Koala Bear on May 17, 2007 from Karratha, Australia

from the travel blog: Sod Off Great Big Mission Round Oz

tagged RoadTrip, LovinIt and WestCoast

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