Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Samson Beach Bistro
( 08-9187 1435; mains $11-44; 11am-8.30pm daily, closed 2-5pm Mon-Fri)
Serves up great seafood
on a shady deck overlooking the ocean. Underneath the pub.
SEAFOOD
$$
8
TOM PRICE & NEWMAN
Bookending Karijini National Park are the neat, company-built mining towns of Tom Price and Newman. New-
man, to the east on the Great Northern Hwy, is the larger of the two, with better transport and accommodation op-
tions, although it's a lot further from Karijini. Both have good (ie air-con) supermarkets, fuel and excellent visitor
centres, which can book you on mine tours if huge holes are your thing. The local libraries have internet access,
and Newman's caravan parks are OK for a tent.
Newman Visitor Centre
(
08-9175 2888;
www.newman-wa.org
; Fortescue Ave;
8am-5pm, closed Sun
Jan) Ask for its mud-map of local sights.
Tom Price Visitor Centre
( 08-9188 1112;
www.tompricewa.com.au
;
Central Rd; 8.30am-5pm Mon-
Fri, to 12.30pm Sat & Sun, shorter hr Nov-Apr) Can supply HI road permits and also books tours.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Millstream-Chichester National Park
Among the arid, spinifex-covered plateaus and basalt ranges between Karijini and the
coast, the tranquil Millstream waterholes of the Fortescue River form cool, lush oases.
Lovely
Crossing Pool
(sites per person $7; )
, with palms, pelicans and gas barbecues, makes an
idyllic camp site, though some may prefer the larger
Milliyanha Campground
(sites per person $7)
,
with its camp kitchen and nearby visitor centre.
Murlamunyjunha Trail
(7km, two hours re-
turn) links both areas and features interpretive plaques by the traditional Yindjibarndi
owners.
08-9184 5144; 8am-4pm)
houses historical, ecological and cultural displays; as a lifeline for
flora and fauna during dry spells, the park is one of the most important indigenous sites in
WA. The nearby lily- and palm-fringed
Jirndarwurrunha Pool
is especially significant and
swimming is not permitted.
You can swim at
Deep Reach Pool
(Nhangganggunha)
, believed to be the resting place of the
Warlu (the creation serpent) and the shady tables and barbecues are perfect for a lazy pic-
nic.
