The One Mile Jetty

Previous blogs have explained the walk out here, and also the Heritage Museum which is at the start of the jetty. Now here is the jetty itself. It is the longest in the north wets of Western Australia.



(Left - the introduction board for the jetty, with all the facts and details)


The jetty was constructed in 1897, originally wholly of jarrah. There are nearly 1000 pylons in the jetty, with them forming an artificial reef at the end, which makes it a popular fishing spot for locals.


(Right - the start of the jetty and the usual "legal" sign obsolving liability for anyone who goes onto the jetty)



It was constructed to accomodate State Ships bringing supplies and passengers from Perth. It also allowed the export of livestock and wool from the area. The first live export o sheep occured in 1900.

The tramway was added in 1900 and cost Pounds 4248/2/4. Initial wagons were horse drawn and also sail mounted driven by wind power. In 1908 steam waws introduced with the engine "Kia-Ora", leter replaced by the "Kimberley", which is now fully restored in the Museum.


(Left - these rail tracks lead onto the jetty from the various sheds in the Museum)

(Right - after the big build up, the conveyance onto the jetty is rather a let down. The pulled car is quite open and the engine is a converted car engine with a child like body!!)

(Left - the trip out on the jetty takes a while as speed is limited to "walking pace". The driver does not need to concentrate too much as the rails guide the engine and car)

(Right - A rail runs along one side of the jetty, but the other is open, and with a stiff breeze it can be quite daunting at the end, surrounded by water)

(Left - the driver sits in his cab)

(Right - further out the jetty is over the water- even though it is quite shallow at this stage. Further out it gets deeper, and much windier)

(Left - now we are out past the beach, and the wind and the waves are getting stronger)

(Right - In 2007 there was a fire about halfway out on the jetty. It severaly damaged a number of planks and made the jetty hazardous. Consequently they closed it partially for safety. However, this did not deter the locals, who cut a hole in the fence netting to gain access to their beloved fishing grounds. Whilst I was in town the local newspaper ran an article on the hazards. On the day that I visited, another chap turned up with several containers of fishing gear. The little train has a rack on the back to carry such items. These were loaded. HOWEVER when we reached the barrier, we found that the hole had been securely closed up. So our earstwhile fisherman loaded all his stuff back on the train, and we backed up to the shore again. He decided to go somewhere else!!)

(Left - at the current turn around point, looking further out to the end - that should be re-opened in late February)

(Right - we back up to the shore again. Note the tracks and the way they have been distorted by the wave action on the jetty pylons)

Heritage Museum - Carnarvon

On the previous blog I covered the walk across Whitlock Island to Babbage Island where the one-mile jetty is located. At the end of the walk and the train tracks from town, just before the jetty is the Heritage Museum. This is a collection of items representative of the area and the history around the jetty.

(Left - arrival at the end of the walk and the Heritage Museum buildings)

It is maintained by volunteers, so I found a common interest. I'm not quite sure where their money comes from as they don't seem to charge much for admission or to ride the train out along the jetty (a later blog to come)

(Right - this plaque commemorates the first steam locomotive to operate on the jetty tramway in 1909. It was replaced and eventually superceeded by the "Kimberley" built in 1921, and now fully preserved in the Museum)

(Left - towering about the static exhibits is the water tower - no longer in use, but a distinctive land mark)

(Right - the water tower look out can be reached by the staircase - it is an easy climb, but in the custom of almost everything these days, there is a sign to suggest that if your health is not up to it, then you should not climb!!)

(Left - view from the start of the steps to the lookout platform - looking west toward the sea and the jetty - the green building is the Office for the jetty rides))

(Right - another image looking east
along the walking track and the currently unused rail tracks back to Carnarvon)


(Left - here is the jetty - a whole one mile of it - stretching out to sea)

(Right - from the tank platform looking south, across the very inhospitable countryside)



(Left - an old very rusted tractor -part of the museum)

(Right - a heavy cart used in the early days for transport)

(Left - inside the Museum buildings are some restored items, and also some that are in more need of protection)

(Right - a carry over from the whaling days - with these bones)

(Left - the old Kimberley was one of the early steam engines that operated on the jetty. It has been fully restored, but is now too heavy to travel on the jetty. There are plans to fire her up again, and start trips along the line to the first stop at Whitlock Island. These are due to start in late February - so I MAY get to see it!)

(Right - a visitor was so interested in the Kimberley that he made a replica from a single log - using saws, chainsaw and chisels)

(Left - some of the rolling stock that they have restored for the line. Plans are under way to cover the outside of these cars with some wood panelling, and then drag them behind the Kimberley when she starts her runs from Whitlock Island)

(Right - During World War II, the Australian ship HMAS Sydney II came across the German raider Kormoran. In the battle that ensued, the Sydney was sunk and the Kormoran extensively damaged. She eventually beached and some of the crew made it back to the Australian mainland, not far from Carnarvon. This is one of the lifeboats from the Kormoran)

(Left - I couldn't resist taking this shot of a meat safe of the pre-refrigeration era)

Walk to the One Mile Jetty

The One Mile Jetty extends out from the land at Babbage Island. In turn Babbage is an island separated from the mainland by Whitlock Island.

(Left - a map showing the walking trail across to the jetty in the precinct area)

(Right - the bridge across to Whitlock Island from the mainland - the water level is quite tidal)

A sealed road runs around to the One Mile Jetty (that is the dark line at the top of the map at the top), but the walking track is much closer (that is the black line lower down on the map at the top) , and goes straight across both islands. The rail tracks also follow this walking track. Unfortunately most of the rail track is not used - although plans are afoot to reopen the section of line from the Museum to the last stop, called Whtilock Island, which is a short walk across the bridge to town.

(Left - across the bridge, you find the first station on the "jetty Line", called "Whitlock Island". Unfortunately there are no trains currently running to this station. The other end of the line is at the jetty museum. There are plans afoot to reintroduce this service by the end of February - hey that is THIS month!!)

Then it is quite a long walk across Whitlock Island to Babbage Island and the jetty - actually not that long - perhaps 25 mins.

(Right - a place to sit down on the way, and a bit of shade)

(Left - then continue with the walk - the island is also a nature reserve, and has lots of signs to educate the walkers and also protect the habitat as best it can - so that it may retain its natural state - I guess that without the road this would have been much as the early sailors discovered - and probably why we were descended from the British rather than the Spanish or Portuguese)

(Right - one of the nature signs on display - this one explaining the sand dune system)

(Left - this is the type of terrain we are walking beside - real saltbush AND salt)

(Right - I was fascinated with this sign - practically half way - the terrain absolutely flat - 360 degree visibility - and not a vehicle in sight - and a crossing sign!!)

(Left - very desolate, but still quite pretty - in its own sort of way - I did see vartious tracks in the dirt crossing the road - several slither marks, which I wishfully thought might be snakes - but didn't see any live animals - it was probably too hot and they were sheltering for the day)

(Right - another reason the train doesn't run - missing tracks!! Although they told me that they can be replaced very quickly - for the February restart)

(Left - desolate but not totally dry. Due to the nearby sea, there are lots of water areas as you walk across)

Our Community Hall

Several years ago our group made application for a Government grant to build a nice Community Hall.

(Left - the Community Hall)

(Right - Stuart sits on a table waiting for the 10am meeting to start - we started about 10.30am - Carnarvon time!!)

The funds came through and we now have this nice building just outside the Administrative block.

Last week we had a meeting - the Men's Group - comprising local groups and organisations who meet regularly to address certain issues. This particular meeting was chaired by one of the local police officers and covered a range of subjects.

(Left - police and group representatives chat prior)

(Right - chairs out ready for the start)

But it gave me an opportunity to look inside.

(Left - some moves to start!!)

(Right - a view through the open doors)

My Vehicle

As part of me being over here, they agreed to provide a vehicle. When I arrived it was in for repairs - and that took two weeks. Finally it was available, and I collected it on the last Friday evening. However, there were still some problems with it - like there was no handbrake, which I discovered when I first parked - on a slight incline!!!

(Left - the vehicle at the house - looks not TOO bad!!)


(Right - even side on seems dependable and hard working!)


So it was back to the mechanics on Tuesday, and they fixed the red light coming on the dash when driving, but reported that there are no pads so the handbrake doesn't work anyway!! Now it has to go back to have the pads re-placed. Over here they don't have annual road worthy checks!!!!!

(Left - from the rear it looks a bit hardworked!!)

(Right - inside you can see the difference - it has 285,000kms on the clock!!)

(Left - across the front seat - not too comfortable to take the ladies out!!! The vehicle was stolen and vadalised and had necessary repairs carried out so that I could use it - I am nervous of even the run to town in case it breaks down!!)