Joe, (I may have mentioned this in another thread?); I recall intentionally having a beer at the Wittenoom Pub back in 1988 on our first of several visits to the Pilbara, knowing it would be my last opportunity to do so. This extract from my trip diary may be of interest? Cheers, A.D.
"1/7/88...........................We shifted camp this morning and headed for Wittenoom, stopping at an old asbestos mine in Yampire Gorge, along the way. No wonder they are about to post signs in the area warning about asbestos fibres, etc., the stuff is lying on the ground all over the place. This includes the camping areas in the park (Hamersley Ranges N.P. - now Karijini N.P. ), and I guess the rock they crush for roadworks in the area has a certain amount of asbestos in it.
We drove through Wittenoom Gorge, finding some more asbestos, and getting out fast. It's a pity the stuff wasn't left in the rocks, as the gorge is quite attractive, but past promoting as a holiday spot.
The ranges along the northern boundary of the park are quite spectacular.............
Wittenoom is nearly a ghost town, but signs of its past glory remain. We had a beer at the pub, posted a couple letters, and stocked up on bread, milk and petrol, before heading 120 k's up the dirt track towards Millstream. Signs of the rain five weeks ago were present, with wildflowers out along the way, including Sturt Desert Peas in large numbers in the gutters off the road.
Tonight we are camped amongst low hills, dotted with spinifex and termite mounds, just off the road; a pleasant setting."
"1/7/88...........................We shifted camp this morning and headed for Wittenoom, stopping at an old asbestos mine in Yampire Gorge, along the way. No wonder they are about to post signs in the area warning about asbestos fibres, etc., the stuff is lying on the ground all over the place. This includes the camping areas in the park (Hamersley Ranges N.P. - now Karijini N.P. ), and I guess the rock they crush for roadworks in the area has a certain amount of asbestos in it.
We drove through Wittenoom Gorge, finding some more asbestos, and getting out fast. It's a pity the stuff wasn't left in the rocks, as the gorge is quite attractive, but past promoting as a holiday spot.
The ranges along the northern boundary of the park are quite spectacular.............
Wittenoom is nearly a ghost town, but signs of its past glory remain. We had a beer at the pub, posted a couple letters, and stocked up on bread, milk and petrol, before heading 120 k's up the dirt track towards Millstream. Signs of the rain five weeks ago were present, with wildflowers out along the way, including Sturt Desert Peas in large numbers in the gutters off the road.
Tonight we are camped amongst low hills, dotted with spinifex and termite mounds, just off the road; a pleasant setting."
