Thursday, 21 April 2011

Day 44 Tom Price - 12/4/11

I forgot to mention that Tom Price was named after an American, Thomas Moore Price who was instrumental in the incepton of the Hamersley ventures and the discovery of the mountain of ore called Mount Tom Price. 


This morning we had to be at the Visitor Information Centre at 10am for the mine tour.  Unlike the Kalgoorlie tour, we didn't have to wear long sleeves and long pants as the only requirement was for closed in shoes.  We were given a hard hat and safety glasses for when we got out on the tour.
The Visitor Centre

The tour bus turned up on time and we set off for the mine.  The main mine was on Mt Tom Price and had actually taken away half of the mountain.  It was very similar to the superpit at Kalgoorlie but was no where near as busy as they actually had several mines on the go.  This mine was for iron ore.  It was a really interesting tour and we got to hop out near the mine for a closer look. 
When we got back from the tour we had lunch and then went for a drive to Paraburdoo mainly because I liked the sound of the name! 

Dump Trucks 
A special machine for lifting the huge tyres 
Dump truck coming back with a load of iron ore 
The guide giving a talk  
The Open Cut Mine at Mt Tom Price
The Lookout

Paraburdoo was another mining town constructed in 1970 to service the local mining industry.  We stopped at the shopping centre to get an ice cream and were amused to see some cattle in the local park.
Entry sign for Paraburdoo 
Artwork on one of the buildings 
Paraburdoo Golf Course 
The cattle in the park

On the way back we went a little way into Karijini National Park and went to a lookout.  We were surprised to see that the rocks around the lookout had been painted on with memorials.  It was quite bizarre.  There were even a couple that had proper plaques on them.
Memorials on the rocks 
One with a proper plaque 
Another with a plaque 
View from the lookout

Tomorrow we are going to camp in Karijini National Park.

cheers
Pete and Roz

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