Day 16: Broome to Port Hedland - 605 km

Neil spoke to Macca on the "Australia All Over" program, and the conversation can be heard here. They originally planned to stop at a roadhouse about 70 km from Broome, but Neil, who rode right past it, was engrossed in chatting with Macca. Concerned about fuel consumption, they rode most of the 300+ km to Sandfire Roadhouse at 95 km/h.

After about 150 km, they stumbled upon the Lagrange rest area, where they were pleasantly surprised to find a solar-powered EV charging station with diesel backup, a unique and unexpected feature in the outback.

At Sandfire Roadhouse, they met some caravanners who, though not quite "grey nomads," recognized them from the "Australia All Over" show. They had a great chat about their respective travels.

Upon their arrival in Port Hedland, they were warmly welcomed by Shelly, a proud local who kindly offered them a place to stay for the night. Her hospitality and local insights made them feel right at home.

Port Hedland is a 24/7 iron ore and salt shipping terminal. The ship pilots were flown to and from the ships by helicopter, and the busy schedule meant they heard the choppers frequently. From one of the observation points, they counted around 10 boats on the horizon, though there may have been more.

Despite the town's active port, which gives it a red dust tinge, they were pleasantly surprised to note the absence of any unpleasant odour, a testament to the town's cleanliness and management.

Support Their Cause
Neil and Dave are riding to raise awareness and funds for Legacy. Donations can be made via their Facebook donation page or directly to Legacy, noting 'Lap for Legacy' in the comments.

Follow the adventure of Day 13
See the previous day's track notes.