We were leaving Kalgoorlie today, but not before one last blast around town to take in the final few sights that we wanted to see. That meant that we had to be up at a relatively early hour, so as to have enough time to do all that we wanted. As it turned out, we were actually ready to leave the park 20 minutes earlier than expected. That was a blessing in disguise, although I think I would have preferred the extra sleep this morning.

I had slept terribly, despite dreaming happy thoughts about riding down the side of the ‘Super Pit’ in one of the giant dump trucks. I think my dreams may have been influenced by the roaring sound reminiscent of one of these trucks coming from the other side of the caravan and it was this constant loud droning that had hampered my ability to get a decent nights rest.

Out of the caravan park, we made our way to the Hannan Tourist Mine and Super Pit Shop. This complex has only recently been reopened, and is still undergoing renovations, so many of the displays were still in disarray or closed. That might explain the modest entry price of $2.00 per person, while it was a further $2.00 to join the tour of the truck. I would have been happy to pay a whole lot more just for the chance to climb the narrow steps that lead diagonally up past the radiator of one of the giant Cat 793 trucks, reaching the platform and drivers cab a whopping 5 metres higher. But no, $4.00 was all they asked of us, so at that price, even Bec signed up for the tour.

The tour of the truck wasn’t destined to begin until 11:00AM though, which gave us almost an hour to look around the rest of the complex. In its current state, an hour is too long, so we got a chance to explore every nook and cranny, before Bec relaxed in the serenity of the Chinese garden, peering across the pond, as Koi swam energetically below. While Bec watched the darting fish, I wondered back to wait my time out in the vicinity of the truck, so as to make sure I didn’t miss out on the tour.

As 11:00AM approached, I was fidgeting agitatedly, waiting amongst a group of ½ a dozen others who were also waiting to climb the steps to the pinnacle of the giant yellow tipper. After a wait that seemed eternal, a young girl finally came out of the office, handed out hard hats for us all to wear, just to make it feel more authentic, then unlocked the gate across the bottom of the steep steps leading up to the upper reaches of the huge machine. At the top, there was ample room for us all to mill about uncrowdedly on the expansive platform, while we were given a rundown on the pertinent information about the trucks and their busy lives hauling ore about the mine. A chance to sit in the drivers cab was the highlight of the tour, with Bec hovering around like a professional paparazzi photographer, making sure my elation was captured for all prosperity.

Bec begrudgingly clambers up the stairway…

…to take photos of me in the drivers seat.

For such a giant piece of machinery, I was surprised to see how spartan the interior of the cab was, although this particular truck is an older Cat 793C. Apparently the newer models feature a more modern look, with digital displays replacing many of the analogue instruments. I would also imagine that the built in ashtray might well be a thing of the past. Sitting nearly 5 ½ metres up in the air, surrounded by steel, the view of the road isn’t the best, although cameras and rear view mirrors that rival the size of a normal cars windscreen assist with maneuvering.

Only after the guide had suggested a couple of times that it might be time for the tour to wrap up, was Bec finally able to drag me back to earth, but there was no wiping the smile off of my face as I declared this to be among the top three of my highlights for the trip. Somewhat surprisingly I thought, Bec didn’t rate the experience quite so highly.

Feeling a little tired after all the fun and excitement.

While atop the truck, we had been advised that blasting at the ‘Super Pit’ was due to take place at midday today, which gave us just enough time to reach the lookout after we left the tourist mine. We actually arrived about 10 minutes early, but that gave us ample time to stake out a position along the fence line, looking deep into the pit towards where the blasting zones were neatly laid out. The lack of activity within the pit was palpable as we waited patiently. I was expecting a whistle or a siren to announce the imminent detonation, but we nearly missed the first explosion. There was nothing more than a puff of smoke and dust to announce the spectacle, followed several seconds later by the low pitched, growling woomph of the blast. Before the dust had even settled, a second zone of solid rock was pulverized in the same fashion. Funnily, Bec preferred watching the explosions to climbing the haul truck.

There one second.

Gone the next.

We back tracked back into town next, to do a bit of last minute grocery shopping, before eventually leaving Kalgoorlie at about 1:15PM. We had originally planned to spend tonight in Kalgoorlie, but instead decided to start our southbound trek towards Esperence, deciding to stay in a rest area on the side of the road to save a few dollars. We were thankful though that we only had to make it about 150Km down the road, before we could set up camp. The short drive today was especially welcome, since I was already feeling tired. I think the fatigue was brought on by my ordinary sleep last night, combined with the excitement of the morning and the hot sun streaming through the windscreen as we bounced along the road, surrounded by Eucalypt forests to our camp ground.

On an exciting note before I go tonight, both Bec and I have now received confirmation of extensions to our leave from work, so we have decided to adjust our date of return. Just by a couple of days, but an extension nonetheless. Ostensibly to make up for the time we lost in Perth, it’s more to do with the fact that we just don’t want to return home. So, instead of expecting us home on the 11^th of October, you can now mark the 14^th of October in your diaries as the date of our grand arrival back in Melbourne. Only the date, not the time has changed though, so taking into account this mornings 20 minute credit we’re aiming for 5:20PM on the 14th. See you all then.

Until next time, stay safe, have fun and don’t forget to write.