Today we headed towards Cape Leveque 200km north of Broome. Our original intention was to spend a night in the tent and have 2 days up there but Jude wasn't feeling well so we made a day trip of it instead.
The first 100km is unsealed road which is not too bad with some ugly spots along the way -there is a lot of sand which has been put there to smooth out the corrugations however it is piled quite high in the centre and up the sides. We passed a permanent camp 10km north of Broome which is dedicated to the protest against the proposed LNG gas concern just off the coast from here. Not sure how the protest is going - I think the decision to go ahead with the project has already happened?
At the end of 100km of dirt road we hit a lovely new bitumen road for the next 100km - we understand this road was built because of a need to move mining trucks around this part of the country. Our first stop is Beagle Bay where we had the chance to visit the Sacred Heart Church built 1915 - they've managed to utilise much of the available local materials - the most notable being a large variety of shells used to build the alter. They've even managed to use oyster shells as borders for the windows.
Next we travelled on to the end of the road at One Arm Point where we visited the Hatchery. Here they have tanks where they breed various reef fish, barramundi, turtles, giant clams, and other shells all found in the local area. This also provides work for the local aborigines.
WE stopped at the boat ramp and watched a couple of lemon sharks and a turtle swimming close to the shore in the beautiful clear waters. We also saw the remains of a turtle which had been eaten by the locals.
Then down to the point and had some lunch beside this spectacular coastline.
Next back down the highway to Cape Leveque. We wandered around the visitor centre and check out the view - while we there the cooks from the restaurant were trying to feed this sea eagle (I think?) with a whole reef fish placed on one of the fence posts. It kept circling but wouldn't take the fish so they cut it in half and still wouldn't take it. Then they went back inside and got a large Barramundi fillet and left it on the post. The eagle came in and took it immediately - apparently fussy about the type of fish offered.
After this we checked out a couple of the camp sites on the road back - there are 6 different camp sites all overlooking the water. Then we pulled into Lombadina - a thriving aboriginal community about 50km from the northern point. There we saw the Christ King Mission used for about 40 years early last century.
Also found this great tree growing in the midst of the community.
On the way back along the unsealed road we came across a couple in a Land cruiser broken down (still 80km from Broome) waiting for a tow truck - we would have towed them ourselves however the tow truck was already there - would have been well after dark before they made it back.
Got back to town, went and picked up Rosie form our friends then back to the van.
The Campbells
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