Eagle Rock and Kalgan Creek 4WD Circuit, WA – July 2024

In July and August 2024 ten people in six vehicles travelled through the Pilbara and along the Coral Coast of WA.  The trip commenced in Alice Springs with the convoy travelling west along the Gary Junction Road into WA.  We explored many national parks and dirt tracks, enjoying each other’s support and humour, and sharing many campfires, stories and meals.  A highlight of the trip was three days driving the Eagle Rock and Kalgan Creek 4WD circuit north of Newman, WA.

With our permits collected and noting the conditions of access: 80km/hr speed limit; lights on; seatbelts on; and strict instructions not to remove any rocks; we headed north to the Three Pools Road to commence the 110km circuit.

 

 

 

 

Three Pools Road could best be described as driving through an Albert Namatjira painting.  The views were amazing, including a view of Hope Down Mine and Mt Newman.

 

 

 

 

Three Pools Road was slow going negotiating the ups and downs of the steep hills, often dropping into low range.  It was rough and rocky with many washouts.

After many hours we reached Three Pools,  Track access to the pools was difficult so we parked and walked the final section.  The pools are very pretty with delicate wildflowers blooming in the surrounding harsh environment.

 

 

 

 

The track improved as we travelled alongside the mine water pipe, reaching our overnight campsite at Eagle Rock Pool.  The hum of mining machinery could be heard throughout the night, along with howling dingoes.

 

 

 

 

Day two and the girls walked ahead to Eagle Rock Falls with the boys following in the vehicles.  The deep gorge was spectacular with water in the lower pools.  Once again the road was in good condition.  There were many mining tracks branching off the main track but these are clearly signed NO ENTRY, so there is no chance of driving astray.

 

 

 

 

Departing the falls, we headed south and negotiated what was probably the steepest climbs and descents of the circuit.  A stop at Kalgan Pool Lookout gave us a taste of our next campsite at the Pool.

 

 

 

 

The pool gave us an opportunity for a cold dip.  Birds, including a white necked heron, a little black cormorant and an intermediate egret, sunned themselves on the red rock cliff or busied themselves catching small fish from the pool

 

 

 

 

As tradition has it, Dolph baked scones, and Tom made fudge for a group afternoon tea.  It was a pleasant evening with a campfire and quiet night under the stars.

 

 

 

 

Day three and we left the dry tracks behind and journeyed along the Kalgan Creek watercourse.  The base was loose shale or river rock with stretches of deep water.  Three Pools, Eagle Rock Pool and Eagle Rock Falls are no longer fed by an aquifer due to the mine and are much drier than they once were, depending entirely on rainfall.  Instead the mine has tapped into the aquifer and is responsible for the diverted water that flows into Kalgan Creek.  Travelling east we drove through creek crossings and along the creek bed in deep flowing water.  The longest section is about 700m and has a turn, so you cannot see the end as you enter the creek.

 

 

 

 

The cars swayed along the rocky wombat hole creek bed between reeds and gum trees. There are small campsites along the creek which would provide plenty of opportunities for bird watching, rest and relaxation for small groups.

The track back to the highway is maintained by the mine, so is an easy drive despite washouts along the edges, sand and some corrugations.

 

 

 

 

The Eagle Rock and Kalgan Pool 4WD circuit provides travellers with wonderful scenery, wildflowers, peaceful campsites and some challenging dry and wet driving conditions.