Day 91 - Marble Bar

We were at a loss for something to do today, particularly as Port Hedland shuts down from about midday on Saturday. So after "hanging out" with our family on Google+ for Di's birthday celebrations, we hightailed it to Marble Bar, 200km away.

It was a very interesting drive.  For the whole of the way we competed with road trains carrying ore to port and returning empty. We passed a couple of mine turnoffs eg Abydos Mine, Spinifex Ridge Mine.

For about 50km we skirted a range which was showing the after effects of fire break burns, and there were several burns going on as we passed through.  At the end of the range we passed through the Coondang Gorge, about 6km of winding, undulating road - very interesting.  We should add the road was bitumen all the way.

Marble Bar has the reputation of being the hottest town in Australia.  It was a lot larger than we expected.  It no doubt services the many mines that exist in its nearby surrounds.  It is named after a wide, rocky bar which crosses a large creek about 2km out of town.  It looks like marble but in fact is jasper.  It is a very attractive rock as rocks go.  There were two permanent water pools there, one called "Marble Bar Pool" and about 250m away, another called "Chinaman's Pool".  Such oases in what otherwise is a dry area, were most welcome.

Trivia for the day - there was no take-away food at Marble Bar, so we suffered in silence as we made our way back to Port Hedland.  Maybe we will go out to dinner this evening.

060714 Mountains on Marble Bar Road - Note black from fire break burns

060714 Driving through Coongan Gorge.  Note the undulating road

060714 A sign coming in to Marble Bar

060714 Chinaman's Pool at Marble Bar

060714 Marble Bar Pool at Marble Bar

060714 The Marble Bar

060714 The jasper rock in the bar - not marble

060714 Marble Bar from a nearby hilltop

060714  They are proud of their hotspot and their reputataion