Stopped at Meckering at the Lions Park they have some info and memorabilia from the earth quake in October 1968. The earth quake measured 6.9 on the richter scale and more than 40 aftershocks were felt some measuring as much as 5 on the richter scale. The earth quake was the most severe recorded in Australia to that time. In 40 seconds the town of Meckering was completely destroyed. Luckily no one was killed in the earthquake or the aftershocks as it was a weekend the schools and shops were closed. The earth quake was felt over 400 kms away in Perth and Geraldton. The Great Eastern Highway, Transcontinental Railway, Eastern Goldfields Water supply pipeline and telephone lines were all disrupted at the fault line.
The pictures below show the damage done to the water pipe and the train line.
The fault line is still visible and we spent some time driving around trying to find it however the street signs basically point you driving around in circles. We found some old farm house ruins but didn't find the fault line itself, had to give up the search eventually and get back on track to Kalgoorlie.
Water for Kalgoorlie is piped in from Perth. The pipe follows the road all the way. It supplies all towns between Perth and Kalgoorlie with their water (which tastes horrible!!!!!!)
We have passed many train crossings and at each one until today we hadn't seen a train. We have always approached with caution not sure whether or not the lights actually work, well today we found out for sure that they do. As we cross each train crossing I make a train whistle sound, I got a real thrill when out of the car taking this photo the train driver blew his whistle at me (yes I know, small things - pretty sad hey!!)
Today was the first wet day we've had since we left Esperance (many many weeks ago), it was also the first day we've had under 30 degrees (reached a top of only 21) for a while too - a shock to the system to be back in jumpers. We passed lots of road trains many of them oversize and they sure kick off some spray and wind as they go past in this weather!
Did the usual swapping drivers routine, it takes the pressure off when we can share it around. The road today was pretty good, fairly wide a few sections like roller coasters up and down but generally pretty good. Lots of little towns to pass through, it makes you wonder why they exist there is really nothing there and the town populations aren't big either. Coolgardie looked like a very interesting town as we drove through however it was pouring so we didn't stop - will have a look on the way back out as we have to pass through it again.
Arrived in Kalgoorlie early afternoon and setup camp in the rain - Murphy's Law ruled today as soon as we'd finished the rain stopped!
Went for a drive around town, bit of a walk down memory lane for me as I used to come to Kalgoorlie all the time for work. Not a lot has changed. Funny thing happened though, we were waiting for the lights to change before crossing the road (standing outside a skimpy bar) and Tom was being silly on the foot path, he sees a girl (can't call her a lady) dressed in a short blue dress with much cleavage showing , fish net stockings and smoking a cigarette. On the front of her dress it says Police. He stops what he's doing stands up straight and says "better be good Mum cause the Police are here." He gives her a good look and is horrified that she is smoking. By this stage Dave and I are cracking up laughing - she's no police person she's a stripper! Tom is very confused as to why we are laughing so hard and is desperate to know why. We try and give him the child appropriate version of what a stripper is but all we manage to do is invoke much curiosity - his response - "Can we go watch Dad!" Think I'm gonna have to watch this one - I think its defiantly the shy quiet types you have to be careful of.
We went out to dinner tonight to the Albion Hotel in Boulder. Boulder (which is where we are staying) seems to be the more family friendly part of town where as Kalgoorlie has the skimpy bars and is very much for the single, mining man!
Kms travelled today 538
Kms travelled overall 10 733
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