From Exmouth we drove towards Karijini National Park. Our original plans were to drive directly into the park which would have meant to drive for 8,5 hours straight. What sounds like a lot to Europeans is actually a very normal thing to do for Australians.

However, we did not dare to drive this long so we opted for a stop in Cheela Plain Station, a pastoral lease about 5,5h drive from Exmouth.

After toping up the car so that we would hopefully be able to get through the National Park all the way to Port Hedland we hit the road and drove for three hours to Nanutarra Roadhouse for a late breakfast in the shade. Driving here is really relaxing as traffic is sparse, the roads are in excellent condition and the speed limit of 110km/h does not allow for speeding.

What helps with that is the gorgeous ever changing landscape from plains to hills and the amazing display of colors. Within half an hour of driving nature has completely changed making the drive anything but boring.

Once again, something that was planned as a necessity turned out to be a great decision that day. So good that in fact we would not have minded to stay a bit longer at Cheela Plains. The station is beautiful and you can take a tour from here on their own land. However, they want you to do the tour before 2pm so you don’t return in the dark as there is stray cattle on the roads at night time.

Since we arrived too late for the drive around the station and as the temperatures have increased from the ocean to this inland location we decided to take it slow that afternoon and just relax enjoying this magnificent view from our patio before heading to a sunset spot and then dinner.