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The Northern Highway is the main artery up through Western Australia to the mining fields of The Pilbara region. This Sunday morning we found ourselves joining the stream of road trains heading north out of Perth. Our destination today was New Norcia, a Benedictine monastic community dating from the 19th century. We heard about New Norcia from Bunty's friend Geraldine who is a historian and currently works for the monks a couple,of days a week helping with their archives.
The 130k drive up the Swan river valley took us through vineyards and out onto the open plains. We soon left most other cars behind and were gazing in amazement at the size of the 3 times articulated road trains. Just when we thought we have seen it all we came across a couple of absolutely huge vehicles with out riders. Luckily it was as the one place in many miles the we could overtake. On the back of these trucks were 2 dumper trucks. They absolutely towered above us with the wheel alone being about 12 feet across. How amazing it would be to see them at work in the minefields. There s a mining boom in Australia, practically anywhere they dig there seems to be rich in some kind of mineral, ore or precious metal.
On arrival at New Norcia our first stop was the Roadhouse to fill up with petrol. Owned and run by the monks this provides fuel and refreshments mainly for the truck drivers with 300 passing by each day to and from the mines many miles north of here.
How the mines have changed this community with this once dirt track and now a major highway with these monsters thundering through all the time. Part 2 to follow don't want to risk losing it all again!
- comments
Kate Nprburu Wow - heard something about road trains on TV this week and thought it was fiction !!!! I well remember the Swan river and all those vineyards - in the days when I drank !!!!! Look forward to having you back Love Kate
Min What sights you have seen!more to come yet in Singapore.A trip down Memory Lane .