Spring 2007. Third leg around Australia - Pilbara, Mid West and on to Perth

This page: Barn Hill - Day 162-169 [10 September 2007 - 17 September 2007]

After not being all that impressed with Broome and to some degree forced by business issues to hang around it is a relief to be back on the road again. As soon we travel the 33 kilometres out of Broome and make the right hand turn at the Roebuck Plains Roadhouse where the sign says Port Hedland I can feel the stress levels reducing. From here it is just a short 95 kilometres to another right hand turn onto a 9 kay dirt road, through three gates and we are at Barn Hill. This well kept secret is not so secret any more. We stay a week and ask ourselves why we didn't come here instead of spending all that time in Broome. Goes to prove that when something goes pear shaped and consumes most of ones time how easy it is to lose focus.

Barn Hill is on the Thangoo Station (500,000 acres) and is managed by Janice Bell one of ten descendants that inherited the property more than 20 plus years ago. Originally Janice set up a small hut at the place now known as Barn Hill where friends could camp and fish. A group of people from Collie (east of Bunbury) arrived and volunteered to help develop the site by running in the services and building the now famous Barn Hill Bowling green. They built open air toilets and shower facilities and just recently have completed a stair way to the beach. Boats can be launched from the beach where good fishing grounds can be reached offshore. I fished the beach with some success landing a nice size tuskfish (parrot or bluebone), a small shark and had some fun with a 6'+ shark on my heavy surf gear for over half an hour losing out to the shark when he did a final leap just behind the shore break and snapped the wire trace. They are always good practice and a tussle like that teaches good discipline when playing large fish. The main camp area has power supplied by diesel generators and all outlets are restricted to 4 amps. No heating elements, microwave ovens, air conditioners or heavy drain appliances can be used. Generators can be used in the unpowered areas that are away from the main camp. There are bowls lessons conducted most mornings, BBQ night each Wednesday evening, BYO. Pizzas can be ordered and delivered most nights and for $15.00 per head the Sunday night roast (3 course) is fantastic.

It is 6:15 AM and we leave here later this morning after a great night at the Sunday Roast best value meal we have had for many a long day with a bonus last night as we were entertained by local indigenous band, Family Shoveller Band, until well after 10:00 PM. All for $15.00. Well done Barn Hill and Family Shoveller Band.

During the tourist season, May thru August many sites are booked year in a year out by the same people and bookings are essential. From November to March, the build up, wet and cyclone season Barn Hill is open however a phone call to check conditions would be prudent. We had a great week here. Will we be back? You betcha.