Tom Price - 2 September
Our trip from Karijini to Tom Price was uneventful - but we were definitely feeling sad that someone had stooped so low and spoilt what was a beautiful experience at Karijini National Park. The senior constable at Tom Price took our details and said it was probably French backpackers - they had caught some recently and they are "well known" to do this sort of thieving. Anyway, we found an ARB supplier at one of the stores in Tom Price and bought a replacement air compressor.
Tom Price is primarily an iron ore mining town under the control of mining giant Rio Tinto. There are loads of sporting activities in town: BMX, motocross, speedway, three football ovals used for footy, softball and soccer, netball, basketball and there's an Olympic-sized pool, tennis, squash courts, and volleyball courts. I guess with a young-ish population and in a town that is fairly remote, sport is the 'go-to' for the majority of the community. Typical country life.
Tom Price also has a high level of artists who seem to focus on painting and photography of the landscape or their Aboriginal heritage. With the beautiful 'Pilbara pink' and contrasting colours it's easy to see why.
Dinner was at the miners "restaurant" - think of the old Coles cafeteria and you'll have some idea of what it's like. A huge area with laminex tables and chairs, many with mining families sitting down sharing their evening meal; and some miners catching up with mates at the end of their shift. Others having breakfast, obviously having come off night shift. And then there were blow-ins like us who paid $19.90 for an "all you can eat" buffet.
I mentioned it to some people who were camped near us at Karijini and who we caught up with again at the Tom Price caravan park. The conversation went something like this:
Her: "No", she said, "He (thumbing to her husband), used to work in the mines as a FIFO - he used to eat at places like that - that's how he lost all his weight!"
Me: "But there's a chef there who will cook you a steak or fish", I said.
Her: "He's not a chef you know. He's what they call a 'fitter and turner'. They fit something in a pot and turn it into shit!"
The police were out in force and I got pulled over for a .05 breath test. The only night since we've been away we haven't had any pre-dinner drinks, phew! I realised later it was probably because the local footy grand final was on. We made it for the second half. The Tom Price "Towns" vs Paraburdoo "Saints"with the Towns running out winners by three points. "Robbed" was the common outcry from the Saints supporters. It was true - one of the 'Towns' boys ran the ball over the boundary line and the clock kept running - well spotted by 'our' timekeeper, John.
The trains once again run to and from the port full of the red iron ore heading for Europe and Asia.
Our next stop is Karratha and we don't want to have to backtrack up the bitumen to Port Hedland before heading south, we want to use Rio Tinto's "Mine Access Road" which runs alongside the train line and will take us due east, the most direct way to Karratha. The Rio Tinto Iron Ore rail access roads are private roads on a mining lease, are part of an industrial workplace and were not designed for public use.
In order to obtain a "Mine Access Road Permit" we had to sit through a half-hour DVD of the do's and don'ts of using Rio's road. Amongst the many rules are these:
Rule # 1: Speed limit is 80 kph.
Rule # 2: Drivers must slow down on the approach of other vehicles.
Rule # 3: Drivers must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Rule # 4: Drivers must carry sufficient food and water for at least forty-eight hours in case of a breakdown or stranding.
Rule # 5: Headlights must be on at all times.
Rule # 6: Drivers must be prepared to meet and give way to heavy vehicles and equipment at all times.
Rule # 7: The maximum speed limit for B-Doubles and Road Trains is 60 kph. Do NOT overtake these vehicles. Wait until the vehicle turns off the Mine Access Road. Be patient.
Rule # 8: Nobody is permitted to wear a red t-shirt or top. A red top is used by a Rio Tinto employee to indicate to train drivers there is danger ahead.
With our passes we could now legally access the Mine Access Road. Rio Tinto's section was in great condition, unfortunately the section maintained by the WA government was in a much poorer state. This machine is designed to remove the old track, it lifted the track, pulled it out and moved it to the side. It was fascinating to see.
It would not be a good idea to use this road without the necessary paperwork - we were pulled over by an inspector to have mine checked.
Tom Price is primarily an iron ore mining town under the control of mining giant Rio Tinto. There are loads of sporting activities in town: BMX, motocross, speedway, three football ovals used for footy, softball and soccer, netball, basketball and there's an Olympic-sized pool, tennis, squash courts, and volleyball courts. I guess with a young-ish population and in a town that is fairly remote, sport is the 'go-to' for the majority of the community. Typical country life.
Tom Price also has a high level of artists who seem to focus on painting and photography of the landscape or their Aboriginal heritage. With the beautiful 'Pilbara pink' and contrasting colours it's easy to see why.
 |
| Tom Price mine from the top of Mt Nameless. |
I mentioned it to some people who were camped near us at Karijini and who we caught up with again at the Tom Price caravan park. The conversation went something like this:
Her: "No", she said, "He (thumbing to her husband), used to work in the mines as a FIFO - he used to eat at places like that - that's how he lost all his weight!"
Me: "But there's a chef there who will cook you a steak or fish", I said.
Her: "He's not a chef you know. He's what they call a 'fitter and turner'. They fit something in a pot and turn it into shit!"
The police were out in force and I got pulled over for a .05 breath test. The only night since we've been away we haven't had any pre-dinner drinks, phew! I realised later it was probably because the local footy grand final was on. We made it for the second half. The Tom Price "Towns" vs Paraburdoo "Saints"with the Towns running out winners by three points. "Robbed" was the common outcry from the Saints supporters. It was true - one of the 'Towns' boys ran the ball over the boundary line and the clock kept running - well spotted by 'our' timekeeper, John.
 |
| One of the Tonka trucks on the outskirts of town. |
 |
| John at the top of Mt Nameless. |
Our next stop is Karratha and we don't want to have to backtrack up the bitumen to Port Hedland before heading south, we want to use Rio Tinto's "Mine Access Road" which runs alongside the train line and will take us due east, the most direct way to Karratha. The Rio Tinto Iron Ore rail access roads are private roads on a mining lease, are part of an industrial workplace and were not designed for public use.
In order to obtain a "Mine Access Road Permit" we had to sit through a half-hour DVD of the do's and don'ts of using Rio's road. Amongst the many rules are these:
Rule # 1: Speed limit is 80 kph.
Rule # 2: Drivers must slow down on the approach of other vehicles.
Rule # 3: Drivers must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Rule # 4: Drivers must carry sufficient food and water for at least forty-eight hours in case of a breakdown or stranding.
Rule # 5: Headlights must be on at all times.
Rule # 6: Drivers must be prepared to meet and give way to heavy vehicles and equipment at all times.
Rule # 7: The maximum speed limit for B-Doubles and Road Trains is 60 kph. Do NOT overtake these vehicles. Wait until the vehicle turns off the Mine Access Road. Be patient.
Rule # 8: Nobody is permitted to wear a red t-shirt or top. A red top is used by a Rio Tinto employee to indicate to train drivers there is danger ahead.
With our passes we could now legally access the Mine Access Road. Rio Tinto's section was in great condition, unfortunately the section maintained by the WA government was in a much poorer state. This machine is designed to remove the old track, it lifted the track, pulled it out and moved it to the side. It was fascinating to see.
It would not be a good idea to use this road without the necessary paperwork - we were pulled over by an inspector to have mine checked.
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