Wednesday 10 May - Leaving Sydney

We left Sydney right on time. Crossing an area of the Great Dividing Range, it was lovely looking down on the clouds hugging low into the valleys.

For a while we followed what could only be the Murray River. It is easy to take a very straight line from Sydney to Perth.

Eventually when I looked down again, we were crossing a coast line. Taking photos was one way to exactly identify where we were. However, it was apparent it was one of the peninsulas in South Australia. I later confirmed that we passed right over Port Lincoln.

Then we were over open ocean – the Great Australian Bight. Cloud increased and was dense right across the Bight. It cleared just enough as we once again crossed the coast, with a very identifiable coastline below.

Sweeping shallows gave way to the land mass. Then as quickly as it had appeared the view was once again replaced with a layer of cotton wool cloud. The cloud spread far away in the distance with some small holes appearing blue and larger tall cumulus clouds off in the distance. We could have been crossing the vast icy wastes of Antarctica.

Passing over a larger hole in the cloud the landscape appeared flat but distinctly separated into large tracts of what was probably farmland.

No sooner than the clouds had closed over again, the captain announced our descent into Perth.
After a couple of hours turn around time, we were boarding our flight to Broome. Skies were clear as we left Perth and remained so as we headed north to Broome. Everywhere looked very dry. The landscape seemed flat and again, mostly farmland. However, as we made our way further north the landscape changed from brown to red. The coast came into view and below were what seemed to be salt flats. I scoured the landscape for signs of mining. I was sure we were over the Pilbara.

Need to check on Google Earth but it looks like we passed by a massive iron ore mine. A huge scar on the earth. I wish I had binoculars. It is so fascinating, to me at least, seeing these ancient land forms from the air. I wish I knew where we were in relation to Port Hedland, the exit port for all the iron ore extracted from this part of the world.

Some scattered cloud obscured the view from time to time but the red landscape continued, as far as the eye could see.

Here and there were massive scars. Some more obviously mining activity than others. Associated airstrips were also clearly seen. It was too difficult to make out the necessary rail line which would transport ore on one kilometre long trains.

Then we were descending into Broome. Glimpses of the startlingly turquoise water off the coast confirmed we were arriving in one of the truly most beautiful coastal resorts in the country.

We collected our luggage and found our transfer. After settling in to Cable Beach Club Resort we went for a walk to check out this famous beach. We saw the ubiquitous camel trains on the beach taking tourists for rides. Perhaps we will have a chance to do this. It will depend very much on the timing of our return to the resort after our trip.

These wallabies were shy but lots around the resort

In the palms outside our verandah

The famous Cable Beach camels

After a walk around the resort, which is very substantial, we returned to our room to organise ourselves for the evening and another early start in the morning. We decided to go for drinks early so we could catch the sunset. This did not disappoint. As the sun went down the camels were brought up from the beach (having finished for the day after the sunset ride). It was a charming start to the evening.

We joined others from our tour for dinner and met our tour guide, George, who advised that there was a washed out bridge so our first day itinerary needed to be adjusted. This was not surprising as the wet season had finished late and was very substantial. However, there is flexibility in the itinerary to cope with these eventualities.