Dampier

Dampier is located just south of Karratha. We decided to go the North West Shelf to learn about how gas is mined out at sea and processed on land. the North west Shelf is the one of largest liquid and natural gas fields in the world.

At the visitors centre the boys campleted a quiz and received prizes. They had a ball.

The gas piplin; note the hats the boys received for completing the quiz.

The refinery. Can you spot the flares?

On our way out of refinery we stopped to look at some Aboriginal Art. This art was 25000 - 30000 year old and was different to the other types we had seen. Firstly, the art was completed out in the open and not in a cave or under a shelter. Secondly, the art was more like etchings instead of using clays or ochre.

Emu in centre

Kangaroo at the top and smaller animal towards bottom.

We also went to the Dampier Markets where there were free rides and Prue purchased some cakes from the stalls.

Cossack

Cossack is an Historic Town north of Karratha. It had amy uses throughout its time, for example, Pearling and shipping. Parts of the town have been restored for visitors.

Cossack

Old court room

Gaol

Settlers Beach where ships were unloaded. Point Samson in far right.

Spot the Lighthouse on Jarman Island in the background.

Point Samson

Point Samson is located near the mining town of Karratha. As there is not much to see in Karratha itself we decided to stay at Point Samson.

During our stay we decided to embrace the Tour de France and do a Tour de Mum on our bikes to see the sights of Point Samson. Our tour went for approximately 1.5km and had 6 stages (or stops).

Stop 1: Honeymoon Cove

Stop 1: Shipwreck off Honeymoon Cove

Stop 2: Historic Jetty - or as Ethan called it Prehistoric Jetty (although he could not explain how the dinosaurs built it)

Stop 2: Carriges used at the Historic Jetty

Stop 3: Samson Beach - Soldier crab hunting

Stop 3: Samson Beach - octopus in the pools when the tide is out (about the size of a plate)

Stop 3: Samson Beach - octopus spitting water at us as a warning.

Stop 4: Park

Stop 6: Cape Lambert iron ore loading facility

The family enjoyed this Tour de Mum much better than the Tour de Mum in Carnarvon where we were stopping at the roadside fruit and veg stalls.