Karijini National Park...Mining...Asbestos...

Albert Togolini Rest Area was a spectacular place to stay and made a great base for us to explore the nearby Karijini NP. From water front views one night to this view of the ranges the next.

However, in this very similar area to Karijini, is the town of Wittenoom, today a semi-ghost-town. Midnight Oil fans remember 'Blue Sky Mining'; both the song and the album. The song was inspired by Wittenoom. Blue Aesbestos has been mined there for decades and it was once had a thriving population of 30 000. To date 2000 past residents have died of mesothelioma with the 40 year incubation period not yet over and more expected cases to come in the near future....apparently the government is trying to get the remaining 5 permanent residents to leave. But it all seems a bit hush hush here. We have not seen any particular warnings at Visitors centres, or the Parks or anywhere. It was only in our road atlas that there was a warning not to go to Wittenoom because of 'blue asbestos dust that may cause cancer', that we did a bit more further research. The Wittenoom Gorge is SO close to the gorges of Karijini, they all connect. Wandering around Karijini, which is truly spectacular, blue layers of rock are very obvious. The stockpiles in Wittenoom which cause the risk, one can only hope neighbouring Karijini is in no way effected by these regardless of what way the wind is blowing......

The photos wont capture how stunning this national Park is. The rocks, their shape and forms are amazing. They contain so much iron ore that they look rusty in colour, and they are layered (with blue) and in very geometric, slab like shapes. There were lots of swimming opportunities in the most beautiful gorges and pools.

We are now in Paraburdoo, 140km south west of Karajini via Tom Price. Its a 40 year old purpose built mining town. Apart from the normal service occupations such as medical and teachers etc, everyone works in the mine. A lot of them fly in and fly out. The population are all wearing fluoro vests. Its been fascinating talking to locals about their work and lifestyle here which doesn't seem too bad at all.. They very much get looked after by their employer Rio Tinto. We ate in the miners Mess last night. What a great meal! And what a positive energy and caring atmosphere is created for employees, complete with recommendations of which food to 'eat more of' and which foods to 'eat less of'. As for us, we just ate everything, and certainly too much of everything. It was a pupil free day today so there were lots of kids about and we chatted to some at the skate park. We stay at the Rio Tinto caravan park which doubles as temporary accommodation for relocated miners. Facilities are amazing. Everything is neat, clean, new and orderly. Cem loves it.

Yesterday we did a tour of the Rio Tinto mine in Tom Price and saw some very big machinery and a lot of iron ore.

Also partially climbed Mt Bruce, second highest peak in WA, great view of a 240 carriage iron ore train on it's way to Dampier port, then took the 4WD track to the top of Mount Nameless which is the highest peak in WA at 1116m above sea level. The aboriginal people, according to info at Karijini Visitors Centre (nice building!), are a bit annoyed that its been called Mt Nameless, they say, of course its got a name, its Jarndunmunha, if they'd asked us we would have told them..... I must say, Mt Nameless is a bit of a stupid name. Cem made enquiries about Wittenoom at the Tom Price Visitors Centre. The lady who had been so cheery to the customer before, suddenly cooled down and said to Cem, I cannot say anything about that area, Cem pressed for a bit but her lips were sealed....