Joining the Great Northern Highway on the eastern side of Karijini National Park, the four hour drive north to Port Hedland takes you from range country to coastal plains. Along the way you may spot the bright red tubular flowers of the parasitic harlequin mistletoe nestled in the wattles, cassia, native hibiscus and royal mulla mulla. Spotted emu bush, desert poplar, yellow flame grevilleas, twinleaf mallee and coolibah also colour the roadsides. A stop in Port Hedland, famed for its super sized port facilities, will reveal there’s much more to this industrial town, including a rich Aboriginal cultural heritage. It’s a top whale watching spot and an important turtle nesting site too. From here, it’s another three hour drive south east to reach Australia’s hottest town on record since 1924 – Marble Bar. Look out for the desert walnut around South Hedland and towards Turner River, before enjoying a cold beer at Marble Bar’s iconic Iron Clad Hotel. Stay overnight in Marble Bar.