WE SAW
Lots of Wheat Silo's, Road Trains, Wild Pumpkins, Great Sunsets, Dirty Stinky Roadhouse Dunnys, Long Lonely Roads, Millions of acres of wheat farms, Thousands of hectares of vineyards,
Not very many Tassie number plates, no camels, a few Emu's and a couple of kangaroo's.
We didn't think there would be very good radio reception between Port Augusta and Perth, so we borrowed some audio books to listen to on the long days on the road.
We listened to:
: Simon Cubits stories of Tasmanian High Country people
: Kerry O'Keefe - Unplugged (an autobiography):
:DAWN FRENCH'S autobiography (6 discs):
:WILLIAM McINNES - "A fairly true History of Modern Australia" (this one was 7 discs)!
31.5.10
HOME AGAIN
The day we were to come home we spent some time in Richmond looking at factory outlets, then we found our way over to Highpoint in Footscray for some more retail therapy.
Back in Port Melbourne we caught up with Jack and Su for a coffee and a natter before we boarded the boat.
There was not many cars waiting to board and we were able to drive straight on. The crossing was a bit bumpy once we got outside the heads and didn't settle down until we had rounded King Island.
They had us disembarked by 6.30am.
As we had done some shopping for Jane while we were in Western Australia, we ended up going straight out to Railton to deliver her goodies.
We originally planned to meet up with her in Latrobe before she opened her shop, but as we were off the boat so early, we ended up going to her place instead.
We were back home by 10.30am! EXHAUSTED.
Back in Port Melbourne we caught up with Jack and Su for a coffee and a natter before we boarded the boat.
There was not many cars waiting to board and we were able to drive straight on. The crossing was a bit bumpy once we got outside the heads and didn't settle down until we had rounded King Island.
They had us disembarked by 6.30am.
As we had done some shopping for Jane while we were in Western Australia, we ended up going straight out to Railton to deliver her goodies.
We originally planned to meet up with her in Latrobe before she opened her shop, but as we were off the boat so early, we ended up going to her place instead.
We were back home by 10.30am! EXHAUSTED.
Back in Victoria
We left Victor Harbor on Friday morning with the intention of getting half way to Melbourne.
As we went up to the mouth of the Murray River we found ourselves at a ferry crossing that we had been on before when we went to Adelaide in 1998. This took us over to Tailem Bend and from there it was back onto Hwy 1 again. We stopped off at Keith at a little cafe for yummy hot pumpkin soup.
Not far east of Keith we had to stop at the side of the road and draw a line in the dirt to mark the 10,000th kilometer that we've travelled since leaving home 29 days earlier.
Soon the rain was coming down in buckets and the road was getting quite busy with Friday afternoon traffic, so we did a quick cruise around the motels in Horsham to find a bed for the night. I'd looked at Horsham motel prices on Wotif and theyre all around $100 a night. We chose the Majestic motel which was not on wotif and the tariff was $90. There was nothing Majestic about it, but it was clean and warm. We went to the chinese restaurant next door.
Next day: MELBOURNE
SATURDAY: We left Horsham around 9am and got to Ballarat where we went to a shopping centre to get some things we needed. Then we decided to go on to Bacchus Marsh for lunch. Its been 13 years since we had called into Bacchus Marsh and found that its really grown (I suppose as its so close to Melbourne, a lot of people probably commute) We had to find a chemist and an ATM so the shopping centre seemed like a good spot to try.
The night before at Horsham we saw an ad on TV for Chickenfeed. Apparently they have opened some stores in Victoria recently. Well, this shopping centre in Bacchus Marsh has a chickenfeed store! Felt like we were home already. Don'tcha Love 'em.
We had lunch in a little eatery there (Lamb and pearl barley soup) mmmm. Then it was on to Melbourne. We stayed at the Novotel St.Kilda and we went out to dinner that night Peters sister Eileen, her hubby Rob and their son Graham. Also that night, we met Linnie Carew and her family who are all related to the Ray family. We all went down to Acland Street for ice-cream afterwards. Graham showed us a shop called Trampoline that sells gelato. Very delicious. We also found a cleanskin shop selling red wine for less than $3 a bottle. They also have a shop in Richmond which we went to the next day and bought enough to fill the wine rack at home.
As we went up to the mouth of the Murray River we found ourselves at a ferry crossing that we had been on before when we went to Adelaide in 1998. This took us over to Tailem Bend and from there it was back onto Hwy 1 again. We stopped off at Keith at a little cafe for yummy hot pumpkin soup.
Not far east of Keith we had to stop at the side of the road and draw a line in the dirt to mark the 10,000th kilometer that we've travelled since leaving home 29 days earlier.
Soon the rain was coming down in buckets and the road was getting quite busy with Friday afternoon traffic, so we did a quick cruise around the motels in Horsham to find a bed for the night. I'd looked at Horsham motel prices on Wotif and theyre all around $100 a night. We chose the Majestic motel which was not on wotif and the tariff was $90. There was nothing Majestic about it, but it was clean and warm. We went to the chinese restaurant next door.
Next day: MELBOURNE
SATURDAY: We left Horsham around 9am and got to Ballarat where we went to a shopping centre to get some things we needed. Then we decided to go on to Bacchus Marsh for lunch. Its been 13 years since we had called into Bacchus Marsh and found that its really grown (I suppose as its so close to Melbourne, a lot of people probably commute) We had to find a chemist and an ATM so the shopping centre seemed like a good spot to try.
The night before at Horsham we saw an ad on TV for Chickenfeed. Apparently they have opened some stores in Victoria recently. Well, this shopping centre in Bacchus Marsh has a chickenfeed store! Felt like we were home already. Don'tcha Love 'em.
We had lunch in a little eatery there (Lamb and pearl barley soup) mmmm. Then it was on to Melbourne. We stayed at the Novotel St.Kilda and we went out to dinner that night Peters sister Eileen, her hubby Rob and their son Graham. Also that night, we met Linnie Carew and her family who are all related to the Ray family. We all went down to Acland Street for ice-cream afterwards. Graham showed us a shop called Trampoline that sells gelato. Very delicious. We also found a cleanskin shop selling red wine for less than $3 a bottle. They also have a shop in Richmond which we went to the next day and bought enough to fill the wine rack at home.
CLARE VALLEY - McLAREN VALE - VICTOR HARBOR
Well, we originally planned to only drive as far as Port Augusta today .... but, we decided to push on a bit further.
Along the way we detoured in to a place to look at these amazing stone formations named "Murphys Haystacks" They are not very far out of Streaky Bay in South Australia.
Murphy's Haystacks
We stopped next for lunch at a roadhouse back on the Eyre Hwy, then it was off in the direction of Port Augusta. Once there we decided to keep going to the Clare Valley. It was dark by the time we got to Clare and the caravan park was just closing. They said they only had the 'top of the range' cabin left @ $115 a night. As it was raining and we didn't want to put the tent up in the rain (and mud) we took the cabin. It wasn't that flash, but it was warm and dry. Also, there were around 70 cabins in this park, and only half of them were occupied. I guess thats the price you pay when you turn up late at a caravan park. We could have got a nice motel room in Clare for a similar or cheaper price, but they wouldn't have had cooking facilities (we had our own food on board that we needed to cook as the next place we were staying doesn't have cooking facilities) So we were happy to stay in the cabin.
The next day (Wednesday) We had a bit of an explore around Clare. Seems like a nice friendly little town. By lunch time we were back on the road with the GPS programmed to take us right through Adelaide and down to Victor Harbor. We had a good run and managed to out run the rain that had followed us since Kalgoorlie. We took a detour into McLaren Vale and had a bit of a look around.
Then it was back on track for the 20 minute journey down the Fleurieu Peninsula to Victor Harbour. When we got there the first place we found was the restaurant we were to go to tonight for the Rotary Meeting. Then a quick look in Victor Harbor before finding our 'resort' - the McCracken Country Club. Its set in the middle of a Nicholas Baudin designed golf course. Very nice.
That evening we went to the Rotary Meeting where Peters cousin from Tassie is a member.
Next day (Thursday) was spent wandering around Victor Harbor. 
The horse pulling the tram is Carmen Clydesdale
We went out on the horse drawn tram that takes you over a causeway to Granite Island. We had a drink at the cafe there and watched dolphins frolicking in the harbour while we waited for the next horse tram to take us back to the mainland. Trish went for a swim at the resort when we got back and joined in an aqua fitness class while there. Later that evening we dined at the resorts restaurant with the people from the aqua class and half the South Australian police force who were there on a course.
24.5.10
STREAKY BAY - in South Australia
Building at New Norcia - Western Australia
MONDAY 24th
Saturday and Sunday were spent on the road, we left Kalgoorlie around 8 on saturday morning (thank you to Viann and Mick for your hospitality). We had already worked out that we would get to Madura Pass by the end of the day. We had booked a budget room but when we got there the manager tried to talk us into a regular motel room which cost $134. We took the key to the budget room to check it out ..... and it was fine, clean, comfy bed, ensuite. We would have put the tent up but it was dark and a storm was brewing.
We ate at the Madura restaurant where they had a buffet option. The food was really nice, had a 'home-cooked' feel to it. Soup, roast, desserts. There were apple slices which we wrapped in a serviette for our breakfast the next day.We were asleep by 8pm.
Awake Sunday at 3am and by the time we hit the road it was 5.45am
We stopped at Eucla and ate our apple slices. There were large pools of water everywhere along the way after the storms the night before.
It was around 4pm when we arrived in Streaky Bay. As the weather was still looking stormy we checked into the Budget Motel which has some new units. We booked in for two nights as we needed a rest after being on the road for pretty much a whole week.
The weather got worse over night but on Monday was fine long enough for us to go for a walk around the town. We got some King George Whiting for our evening meal while we were out.
We have decided to head off to Port Augusta tomorrow, then on wednesday make our way down to Victor Harbour. We've booked into McCracken Country Club at Victor Harbour. The rooms were $79 a night on Wotif. (normally $240 a night)!! Then it will only be one night stay between there and Melbourne.
trip to the Gold Fields
THE PINNACLES at Nambung National Park near Cervantes in W.A.
Lots of water laying around as we approached the Nullarbor Plain after heavy rains overnight. This is at Mundrabilla Roadhouse at dawn
Streaky Bay in S.A.Wednesday 19th
Packed up and left Port Denison. This is the last of our API accommodation now.
We took off down the coast road, through Jurien Bay and down to Cervantes where we had a picnic brunch on the waterfront.
Then it was another 17km's down the road from Cervantes to the Nambung National Park to view the PINNACLES.
We did not know what to expect when we got there, but there was a Parks Ranger at the gate and we had to pay $11 for the car to enter. The Pinnacles are in a desert environment and there is a track around the national park that you can self drive around and view the Pinnacles. It was totally well worth the trip and the $11 fee to get in, we thought that there would only be a handful of Pinnacles to see in a small area, but, there must have been over 200 acres of them that we could drive around and look at, and get out and walk at anytime we liked. They were really awesome, highly recommended!
Then we turned the car east for the first time since the 1st of May. Across country to Moora where we had a picnic snack and an ice cream. Back in the car again and off to our next stop - NEW NORCIA - This little town out in the middle of no-where is owned by Benedictine Monks. The achitecture is totally awesome, you can stay there in the caravan park or at the hotel, go for tours of the cathedral and join the monks for prayers. As long as you are there before 4.30pm. Unfortunately it was 4.45pm when we got to the town. We didn't know where we were staying that night, the options were Toodyay or Northam.
Toodyay didn't look too friendly so we continued on to Northam. It got dark just as we arrived in Northam, we followed the signs to the caravan park hoping to get a cabin as we didn't relish the idea of putting the tent up in the dark. We had been on the road since 9am and it was 6.15pm by this time. Along the way we saw a pub that had accommodation units behind it, so thought we could go back there if we couldn't find anything else. We drove through the centre of town and it was looking very feral. There were a few pubs in the middle of town offering accommodation, but there was no off-street parking, and we had 4 weeks of clothing and gear in the vehicle which we didn't feel like leaving parked in a public place over night.
We found the caravan park but office hours closed at 6pm,. I rang the bell but no-one came , while I waited, I was getting an increasingly bad feeling about the caravan park, it looked like a shanty town with permanent residents, there were no tourist cabins that we could see. So we gave up and went back into the town again. We found a proper motel, but they had the no-vacancy sign out. By the looks of the vehicles there, it seems that the place was full of tradesmen staying there. So, we went back to the first pub we had seen on our way into the town. The units at the back were converted 'demountable' buildings. (simply a motel room with an ensuite in each) The good thing was that the units were surrounded by high fences with razor wire on top and a heavy lockable gate. We went to the bar to see if they had any vacancies, the girl said there was one room left but unfortunately there was no TV in the room. We thought that was fine as we would go out for a meal in the town and then have an early night. The bed was comfy, the room was clean, there was not more else we could ask for.
We went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. We were given complimentary prawn crackers while waiting for our meals. The good thing was that the serves were so generous, they put our left overs in a takeaway container which we could take away and re-heat for tomorrows lunch!.
THURSDAY 20th May
Left Northam around 8am after a quiet night at the Avon Bridge Hotel units. Destination: KALGOORLIE today.
Along the way we stopped at a huge roadhouse at Tammin for petrol, then after Southern Cross we pulled into a roadside rest spot where we got the BBQ and Wok out and re-heated our left over Chinese from the night before for our lunch.
When we got to Kalgoorlie we drove around and got lost a few times, checked out the Miners Hall of Fame, then went up to the Super Pit. There was a sign there saying that they would be blasting in the pit at 5pm. So off we went and found Viann's work, then got lost trying to find Micks work. Then it was back up to the Super Pit to watch the blast. Well, every tourist in Kalgoorlie must have known that blasting had been re-scheduled for 5pm (normally they blast at 1pm) We managed to find a parking spot and pushed our way in amongst the crowd at the viewing platform. What happened next was really awesome, right on 5pm the ground under our feet shook violently (even though the charges were in the pit below, almost 2km's away) At the same time we could see the lights/flash of the charges going off around the base of the pit before we heard the bang. Then there were some puffs of dust where the blast had taken place, this gradually rose and got bigger as the dust cloud spread. Next the smell of the explosives hit. So it was a real mixture of senses. You could Feel the blast, See the blast, Hear the blast and Smell the blast.
We were lucky, this was a larger than normal blast today. Mick's workshop is not far from the Pit and he said he normally can't feel the blasts but todays shook his building. BONUS.
FRIDAY: 21st May
This morning we went to visit an underground mine. We went down a shaft in a cage (similar to what they use at Beaconsfield) It was scary, but also exciting to do. We went down around 35 metres underground and were shown around by an old miner by the name of Jim. We got to walk around the tunnels and Jim explained how they used to extract the gold in days goneby.
After we were safely delivered to the surface, we went to view a gold pour. They melted the gold in a furnace and poured an ingot.
Then we did some gold panning and found a few minute pieces of gold which we could keep.
Then we went to visit Mick and Beanie at the workshop before we went and got some lunch down town. Then I received a phone call on my mobile from the manager of the Avon Bridge Hotel we had stayed at on Wednesday night asking us what we had done with the TV in the room we had stayed in last night.
1: We didn't stay there last night, it was the night before last.
2: The girl informed us before she gave us the room key that there was no TV in the room.
He took a bit of convincing and I rang him back again a couple of hours later to confirm with him that he had spoken to the girl that checked us in on Wednesday that she already knew that the TV was missing before we got there and that they were not going to add any extra charges to our credit card. GRRRRR.
That night Viann and Mick took us on a guided tour of a bordello (Langree's on Hay Street) Very interesting.
Then we met up with Cathy and Chris and went to the York Hotel for dinner. We all had seafood and it was yummm!
Then they took us for a drink in a Skimpy bar. Some of the girls working behind the bar were not wearing tops but when the police raided the place they covered up. Before we went back to the car we walked through Paddys Bar and the same police were in there, apparently they have to sign a book at each bar they visit to verify that they had done checks on the premises that night (in the interests of public safety I think)
SATURDAY: 22nd May
Left Kalgoorlie by 8am this morning, headed out through Boulder (lots of damage to their old pubs in the recent earthquake there, some of the buildings will need to be demolished) Then it was out to Kambalda for a quick look on our way to Norseman. Refuelled at Norseman and got some lunch to eat on the way across the Nullarbor.
We made it to Balladonia by lunchtime so stopped for a picnic and to stretch the legs a bit. Then the next stop was Cocklebiddy to refuel. A white Hummer had passed us before Cocklebiddy and they were there refuelling too. They soon overtook us again after leaving Cocklebiddy. About 40 km's up the road there was a crashed Toyota Ute with Vic number plates on one side of the road and on the other side there was an enclosed trailer laying on its side. Just as we did a U-turn to go and check to see if there were any bodies in the Ute, the guys in the Hummer turned around and came back too. They checked the cab of the Ute but there was no one there. Peter felt the engine and it was cold, so it must have happened earlier in the day. The Ute had flipped end to end, the trailer must have jack knifed and come un-hitched,. There was also a gas BBQ and fridge in the back of the Ute but they had been dumped when the vehicled rolled. Their personal effects were strewn all over the place. The vehicle was a write off by the looks. It was not a very nice sight to come across on the hway. Mobile phones don't work in that area and the nearest satellite phone was back about 10kms if we needed to call for help. We didn't hear anything on the news tonight so we assume the occupants got out ok.
We continued on to Madura Pass where we got a room at the inn. To our surprise the guys in the white Hummer had checked into the room next door. They had left Kalgoorlie this morning too. AND, they are aiming for Streaky Bay tomorrow, just as we are.
Tomorrow will be another huge day on the road and the weather forecast is not looking good. Either way we will stop for a couple of days down Streaky Bay way (on the coast past Ceduna) We will be able to by-pass a lot of the Nullarbor/Eyre Hway as the road goes in from Ceduna and you can go right thru to Port Lincoln if you want to (We probably won't, we will most likely get back on the main road near Port Augusta.
Packed up and left Port Denison. This is the last of our API accommodation now.
We took off down the coast road, through Jurien Bay and down to Cervantes where we had a picnic brunch on the waterfront.
Then it was another 17km's down the road from Cervantes to the Nambung National Park to view the PINNACLES.
We did not know what to expect when we got there, but there was a Parks Ranger at the gate and we had to pay $11 for the car to enter. The Pinnacles are in a desert environment and there is a track around the national park that you can self drive around and view the Pinnacles. It was totally well worth the trip and the $11 fee to get in, we thought that there would only be a handful of Pinnacles to see in a small area, but, there must have been over 200 acres of them that we could drive around and look at, and get out and walk at anytime we liked. They were really awesome, highly recommended!
Then we turned the car east for the first time since the 1st of May. Across country to Moora where we had a picnic snack and an ice cream. Back in the car again and off to our next stop - NEW NORCIA - This little town out in the middle of no-where is owned by Benedictine Monks. The achitecture is totally awesome, you can stay there in the caravan park or at the hotel, go for tours of the cathedral and join the monks for prayers. As long as you are there before 4.30pm. Unfortunately it was 4.45pm when we got to the town. We didn't know where we were staying that night, the options were Toodyay or Northam.
Toodyay didn't look too friendly so we continued on to Northam. It got dark just as we arrived in Northam, we followed the signs to the caravan park hoping to get a cabin as we didn't relish the idea of putting the tent up in the dark. We had been on the road since 9am and it was 6.15pm by this time. Along the way we saw a pub that had accommodation units behind it, so thought we could go back there if we couldn't find anything else. We drove through the centre of town and it was looking very feral. There were a few pubs in the middle of town offering accommodation, but there was no off-street parking, and we had 4 weeks of clothing and gear in the vehicle which we didn't feel like leaving parked in a public place over night.
We found the caravan park but office hours closed at 6pm,. I rang the bell but no-one came , while I waited, I was getting an increasingly bad feeling about the caravan park, it looked like a shanty town with permanent residents, there were no tourist cabins that we could see. So we gave up and went back into the town again. We found a proper motel, but they had the no-vacancy sign out. By the looks of the vehicles there, it seems that the place was full of tradesmen staying there. So, we went back to the first pub we had seen on our way into the town. The units at the back were converted 'demountable' buildings. (simply a motel room with an ensuite in each) The good thing was that the units were surrounded by high fences with razor wire on top and a heavy lockable gate. We went to the bar to see if they had any vacancies, the girl said there was one room left but unfortunately there was no TV in the room. We thought that was fine as we would go out for a meal in the town and then have an early night. The bed was comfy, the room was clean, there was not more else we could ask for.
We went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. We were given complimentary prawn crackers while waiting for our meals. The good thing was that the serves were so generous, they put our left overs in a takeaway container which we could take away and re-heat for tomorrows lunch!.
THURSDAY 20th May
Left Northam around 8am after a quiet night at the Avon Bridge Hotel units. Destination: KALGOORLIE today.
Along the way we stopped at a huge roadhouse at Tammin for petrol, then after Southern Cross we pulled into a roadside rest spot where we got the BBQ and Wok out and re-heated our left over Chinese from the night before for our lunch.
When we got to Kalgoorlie we drove around and got lost a few times, checked out the Miners Hall of Fame, then went up to the Super Pit. There was a sign there saying that they would be blasting in the pit at 5pm. So off we went and found Viann's work, then got lost trying to find Micks work. Then it was back up to the Super Pit to watch the blast. Well, every tourist in Kalgoorlie must have known that blasting had been re-scheduled for 5pm (normally they blast at 1pm) We managed to find a parking spot and pushed our way in amongst the crowd at the viewing platform. What happened next was really awesome, right on 5pm the ground under our feet shook violently (even though the charges were in the pit below, almost 2km's away) At the same time we could see the lights/flash of the charges going off around the base of the pit before we heard the bang. Then there were some puffs of dust where the blast had taken place, this gradually rose and got bigger as the dust cloud spread. Next the smell of the explosives hit. So it was a real mixture of senses. You could Feel the blast, See the blast, Hear the blast and Smell the blast.
We were lucky, this was a larger than normal blast today. Mick's workshop is not far from the Pit and he said he normally can't feel the blasts but todays shook his building. BONUS.
FRIDAY: 21st May
This morning we went to visit an underground mine. We went down a shaft in a cage (similar to what they use at Beaconsfield) It was scary, but also exciting to do. We went down around 35 metres underground and were shown around by an old miner by the name of Jim. We got to walk around the tunnels and Jim explained how they used to extract the gold in days goneby.
After we were safely delivered to the surface, we went to view a gold pour. They melted the gold in a furnace and poured an ingot.
Then we did some gold panning and found a few minute pieces of gold which we could keep.
Then we went to visit Mick and Beanie at the workshop before we went and got some lunch down town. Then I received a phone call on my mobile from the manager of the Avon Bridge Hotel we had stayed at on Wednesday night asking us what we had done with the TV in the room we had stayed in last night.
1: We didn't stay there last night, it was the night before last.
2: The girl informed us before she gave us the room key that there was no TV in the room.
He took a bit of convincing and I rang him back again a couple of hours later to confirm with him that he had spoken to the girl that checked us in on Wednesday that she already knew that the TV was missing before we got there and that they were not going to add any extra charges to our credit card. GRRRRR.
That night Viann and Mick took us on a guided tour of a bordello (Langree's on Hay Street) Very interesting.
Then we met up with Cathy and Chris and went to the York Hotel for dinner. We all had seafood and it was yummm!
Then they took us for a drink in a Skimpy bar. Some of the girls working behind the bar were not wearing tops but when the police raided the place they covered up. Before we went back to the car we walked through Paddys Bar and the same police were in there, apparently they have to sign a book at each bar they visit to verify that they had done checks on the premises that night (in the interests of public safety I think)
SATURDAY: 22nd May
Left Kalgoorlie by 8am this morning, headed out through Boulder (lots of damage to their old pubs in the recent earthquake there, some of the buildings will need to be demolished) Then it was out to Kambalda for a quick look on our way to Norseman. Refuelled at Norseman and got some lunch to eat on the way across the Nullarbor.
We made it to Balladonia by lunchtime so stopped for a picnic and to stretch the legs a bit. Then the next stop was Cocklebiddy to refuel. A white Hummer had passed us before Cocklebiddy and they were there refuelling too. They soon overtook us again after leaving Cocklebiddy. About 40 km's up the road there was a crashed Toyota Ute with Vic number plates on one side of the road and on the other side there was an enclosed trailer laying on its side. Just as we did a U-turn to go and check to see if there were any bodies in the Ute, the guys in the Hummer turned around and came back too. They checked the cab of the Ute but there was no one there. Peter felt the engine and it was cold, so it must have happened earlier in the day. The Ute had flipped end to end, the trailer must have jack knifed and come un-hitched,. There was also a gas BBQ and fridge in the back of the Ute but they had been dumped when the vehicled rolled. Their personal effects were strewn all over the place. The vehicle was a write off by the looks. It was not a very nice sight to come across on the hway. Mobile phones don't work in that area and the nearest satellite phone was back about 10kms if we needed to call for help. We didn't hear anything on the news tonight so we assume the occupants got out ok.
We continued on to Madura Pass where we got a room at the inn. To our surprise the guys in the white Hummer had checked into the room next door. They had left Kalgoorlie this morning too. AND, they are aiming for Streaky Bay tomorrow, just as we are.
Tomorrow will be another huge day on the road and the weather forecast is not looking good. Either way we will stop for a couple of days down Streaky Bay way (on the coast past Ceduna) We will be able to by-pass a lot of the Nullarbor/Eyre Hway as the road goes in from Ceduna and you can go right thru to Port Lincoln if you want to (We probably won't, we will most likely get back on the main road near Port Augusta.
16.5.10
KALBARRI
FRIDAY: 14th May:
Yesterday as we were driving from Perth to Dongara we could feel and hear a knocking under the left side of the car. We thought it was a back left Shockie gone.
Today when we got in the car a funny thing happened, both the front seats had been moved back a notch. Then we noticed that there was no knocking. The shockie fairys had been overnight and fixed it. ( ????)
It didn't seem to take long to get to Geraldton. We were there before 10.30am because breakfast was still on at Maccas! After a quick look around we decided we would perhaps call in on our way back on Monday and spend a bit longer there.
Up the road we turned off at Port Gregory to see the Pink Lake. It was very nice. There was supposed to be a pink lake at Esperance but it wasn't pink anymore as the algae that makes it look pink had been flushed out during a storm. This one at Port Gregory was really pink. The photo opportunities were on the Port Gregory Road but when we got back on the Brand Hwy we could see that the pink was much more deeper in colour from that side, but there were no places to stop for a decent photo from that side.
Next stop was to view some awesome sea Cliffs just south of Kalbarri. From there it was 12 km's into Kalbarri. Found the API units easily then wandered across the road to the beach and hopped on a boat which took us up the Murchison River. The river is very shallow and silted up and the boat kept running aground on sand bars. The boat owner was starting to lose his cool by the he had run aground for the 4th time. The last time the boat would not move off the shallows, he eventually had get the passengers to shift the balance of weight to the front of the vessell then when that didn't help, he had to jump overboard and push. The sun had set by the time we got back to Kalbarri.
SATURDAY
We walked down to the Black Rock Cafe for brekky this morning. Then we walked back and got our stuff and went across the road to the beach to do some fishing. Unfortunately the only things caught were an ugly puffer fish, an undersized whiting and a crab. But it was a great day out in the sun, and very relaxing. Before sunset we went up Meannara Hill to take some photographs.
SUNDAY
Up early so that we didn't miss the Pelican Feeding on the beach. Its a daily tradition in Kalbarri. The Pelicans come in for a snack of fish each morning,. The town has a roster of 'Pelican Feeders', The pelican's fish is kept in a special pelican fridge at the backpackers lodge. The person pelican feeding duty goes to the backpackers and brings a bucket of fish to the shore. The cost of the fish is covered by donations made during the feedings. One family had some left over bait they were donating, so their children got to be the first Pelican feeders of the day. They accept donations of money or fish to keep the feeding program going. Today only 4 pelicans arrived for feeding, along with about 50 seagulls who stole half the fish.
Then we took our own breakfast (cereal) down to the beach to eat it.
After brekky we filled our water bottles up and headed off out to the National Park where we trecked into the Z Bend gorge and the Natures Windown part of the gorge, plus a couple of other look-outs along on the way. The heat from the cliffs was quite oppressive.... Could have been over 40 degs towards the middle of the day. Theres hardly any shade on most of the tracks and some of the tracks are extremely dangerous around the cliffs, no handrails etc. It was awesome and quite a challenge but we were so thrilled to have done it.
When we got home we whipped up some pasta then went down to the beach with a fishing rod and an icecream. Still no luck with the fishing, we just donated some expensive bait to the fishes.
I reckon we will sleep well tonight.
Tomorrow we turn the car in a southerly direction for the first time as we begin the journey back to Tasmania.
Monday and Tuesday night will be spent at Port Denison (we might get some more fishing done perhaps)
Wednesday night will be somewhere between there and Kalgoorlie. Then two nights in Kalgoorlie staying with Viann and Mick (Thurs and Fri) Then its back across the Nullarbor and a couple of nights down Streaky Bay way when get to South Australia.
(:: POSTSCRIPT ::) Monday 17th: THe car repair fairies have been again overnight: The light on our dashboard the indicates that there is still a door left open, has not worked since we were in Esperance over a week ago. WELL -- Today the light works again !!!
Thank you car repair fairy!!
Today when we got in the car a funny thing happened, both the front seats had been moved back a notch. Then we noticed that there was no knocking. The shockie fairys had been overnight and fixed it. ( ????)
It didn't seem to take long to get to Geraldton. We were there before 10.30am because breakfast was still on at Maccas! After a quick look around we decided we would perhaps call in on our way back on Monday and spend a bit longer there.
Up the road we turned off at Port Gregory to see the Pink Lake. It was very nice. There was supposed to be a pink lake at Esperance but it wasn't pink anymore as the algae that makes it look pink had been flushed out during a storm. This one at Port Gregory was really pink. The photo opportunities were on the Port Gregory Road but when we got back on the Brand Hwy we could see that the pink was much more deeper in colour from that side, but there were no places to stop for a decent photo from that side.
Next stop was to view some awesome sea Cliffs just south of Kalbarri. From there it was 12 km's into Kalbarri. Found the API units easily then wandered across the road to the beach and hopped on a boat which took us up the Murchison River. The river is very shallow and silted up and the boat kept running aground on sand bars. The boat owner was starting to lose his cool by the he had run aground for the 4th time. The last time the boat would not move off the shallows, he eventually had get the passengers to shift the balance of weight to the front of the vessell then when that didn't help, he had to jump overboard and push. The sun had set by the time we got back to Kalbarri.
SATURDAY
We walked down to the Black Rock Cafe for brekky this morning. Then we walked back and got our stuff and went across the road to the beach to do some fishing. Unfortunately the only things caught were an ugly puffer fish, an undersized whiting and a crab. But it was a great day out in the sun, and very relaxing. Before sunset we went up Meannara Hill to take some photographs.
SUNDAY
Up early so that we didn't miss the Pelican Feeding on the beach. Its a daily tradition in Kalbarri. The Pelicans come in for a snack of fish each morning,. The town has a roster of 'Pelican Feeders', The pelican's fish is kept in a special pelican fridge at the backpackers lodge. The person pelican feeding duty goes to the backpackers and brings a bucket of fish to the shore. The cost of the fish is covered by donations made during the feedings. One family had some left over bait they were donating, so their children got to be the first Pelican feeders of the day. They accept donations of money or fish to keep the feeding program going. Today only 4 pelicans arrived for feeding, along with about 50 seagulls who stole half the fish.
Then we took our own breakfast (cereal) down to the beach to eat it.
After brekky we filled our water bottles up and headed off out to the National Park where we trecked into the Z Bend gorge and the Natures Windown part of the gorge, plus a couple of other look-outs along on the way. The heat from the cliffs was quite oppressive.... Could have been over 40 degs towards the middle of the day. Theres hardly any shade on most of the tracks and some of the tracks are extremely dangerous around the cliffs, no handrails etc. It was awesome and quite a challenge but we were so thrilled to have done it.
When we got home we whipped up some pasta then went down to the beach with a fishing rod and an icecream. Still no luck with the fishing, we just donated some expensive bait to the fishes.
I reckon we will sleep well tonight.
Tomorrow we turn the car in a southerly direction for the first time as we begin the journey back to Tasmania.
Monday and Tuesday night will be spent at Port Denison (we might get some more fishing done perhaps)
Wednesday night will be somewhere between there and Kalgoorlie. Then two nights in Kalgoorlie staying with Viann and Mick (Thurs and Fri) Then its back across the Nullarbor and a couple of nights down Streaky Bay way when get to South Australia.
(:: POSTSCRIPT ::) Monday 17th: THe car repair fairies have been again overnight: The light on our dashboard the indicates that there is still a door left open, has not worked since we were in Esperance over a week ago. WELL -- Today the light works again !!!
Thank you car repair fairy!!
15.5.10
13.5.10
moving North - Thurs 13th May
Point Peron: After an early morning storm, we packed up ready to move on. Mobile phone reception was difficult here and we were lucky to get a signal for the internet, the modem was searching for a signal the whole time we were packing up. We were wanting to get onto Australia Posts website to see if our express post from Tasmania had arrived at Rockingham City post shop. (We got Bette, our housesitter, to send over Peters BP prescription) Well, just before we had finished packing the car we managed to get a signal and we were able to log onto the express post tracking site. As we knew the tracking number, we were able to check to see its whereabouts. Yay, at 2.50am it arrived at the Rockingham delivery centre! So the first stop was the Rocky City Post shop. This post office is located in a large shopping centre and since there was a million pensioners in the queue we decided to go for a browse around Kmart to see if we could find a tent.
I have $14o worth of gift vouchers from my Birthday and was hoping to find an extra large tent, one that you can stand up in, and that had at least two rooms and an awning.
I have $14o worth of gift vouchers from my Birthday and was hoping to find an extra large tent, one that you can stand up in, and that had at least two rooms and an awning.
We found one on a shelf (a Jackaroo) that had been reduced from some exorbitant price down to $160. This one seemed the best value for money so we chose that one. Thinking that we would have to add $20 to vouchers I had.
When we got to the checkout, the tent scanned up at $120 - BONUS! ITS LIKE WE GOT A FREE TENT !!!
When we got to the checkout, the tent scanned up at $120 - BONUS! ITS LIKE WE GOT A FREE TENT !!!
The Canvas Hilton
Once we loaded it up, we went to the post office to collect Peters express post. Thank you Bette.
As it was raining quite heavily, we didn't bother stopping in Perth. We were hoping that it would fine up a bit the further north we went. No such luck.
We continued driving with only one stop, at the Reagans Ford Roadhouse, for food and fuel.
Then it was onwards and upwards (Well North, anyway) We dropped off the Brand Hwy at Denison Point, we are staying here for a couple of days once we started making our way back, so we checked out our accommodation there. Looks ok.
Then it was up the road to Dongara. We initially planned to camp the night at Cerventes near the Pinnacles/Nambung National Park, but due to the wet weather, we have decided that since we have to come back this way again next week, we will slip in there for a look then.
We have opted for the luxury of a room at the Dongara Hotel tonight. The free WIFI internet was the big clincher here.
We dined in the hotel dining room too, Satay chicken skewers and rice, and, grilled Snapper with garlic prawns.
Tomorrow its off up the road to Kalbarri where we stay in the one place for the longest time since we left Tassie - 3 nights at the one place. Hopefully re-charge ready for the drive back.
We still have Kalgoorlie to see and spend a couple of days, plus we hope to spend a couple of days in Streaky Bay in South Australia on the way back.
WEDNESDAY 12th
we reluctantly packed up and left the luxury of the Bussellton villa we had been staying in as we had accommodation booked at the API's Point Peron cabins. We had originally booked Point Peron for two nights (thats the minimum booking you can make) But we have decided its too far to drive to Kalbarri in one day, so we are only going to stay at Point Peron for one night.
On the way up the coast we had a bit of a look in Bunbury, then it was on up to Rockingham. We soon found Point Peron which is on the road to the HMAS Stirling Navy Base.
On the way up the coast we had a bit of a look in Bunbury, then it was on up to Rockingham. We soon found Point Peron which is on the road to the HMAS Stirling Navy Base.
Bunbury LighthouseWe knew that the cabins at Point Peron were basic and that there was no television and the furnishings were older style, but, we were not prepared for how ancient the 'huts' are. How they can actually charge people to stay there is beyond us. Ok, it was only $45 a night (Well $90 really as I had to pay for a minimum of two nights, and its our fault we had already decided later on that we would only stay here for one night)
But: I think that we really should have been told that the toilet is outside, there are no floor coverings, just bare unsealed wood, the shower is in a cupboard and the sink is in a bedroom. There is a kitchen, but no lounge room or lounge furnishings. We were told the property was beachfront - well ok, there is nothing between the huts and the beach except a couple of hundred metres of scrub and sand dunes.
Brown door is the outside toiletA big storm came thru during the night but fortunately the louvre windows didn't let too much rain in.
The next morning we found a previous tenants sleep attire hanging behind the bathroom door. Ugh.
Anyway, once we got over our initial shock at the condition of the place and decided that it was only for one night and we will try to fill in as much time out sight seeing anyway. We took off up the road and had a wander around Fremantle.
When we got back we got changed and went out to find somewhere to eat. We settled on an Italian Restaurant at Rockingham Beach. We had the yummiest garlic bread , fettucini carbonara and garlic seafood medley.
When we got back we got changed and went out to find somewhere to eat. We settled on an Italian Restaurant at Rockingham Beach. We had the yummiest garlic bread , fettucini carbonara and garlic seafood medley.When we went back to the hut, we realised that we were litterally at the entrance to Garden Island, the HMAS Stirling Naval Base. Then the penny dropped, Nathan Watkins from St.Helens was based there now. We checked his facebook profile and sure enough he had his location listed as Rockingham, so we sent him a message on the off chance that he would see it. Sure enough, we got a message back from him and he came over to visit us in our luxurious villa! At around 10pm Nathan asked us if we would like to have a look around the Navy Base. SOUNDS LIKE FUN, so we all piled in the car and took off over the road. We had to stop at the Security booth before the bridge to the island and show our ID and get passes to enter the base.
Friget at the Navy BaseNathan took us to the Docks and showed us the buildings he lives in and works in, plus many more. We were so glad we saw him, the first familiar face since we left Tassie on the 1st of May. And probably for Nathan it was good to also see a familiar face from home too.
Nathan and Peter
11.5.10
** MARGARET RIVER **
First stop was at Cowerup to collect a map of the area. Had a look around the CANDY COW lolly shop, then next door there was a providore shop where we purchased some chilli Dukkah to have with bread dipped in olive oil.
Then on to XANADU Winery for some tastings. Very impressed with the place, beautiful gardens and buildings, and the wines were gorgeous. We bought three bottles of red there.
Next it was the through the Margaret River town and onto the WATERSHED winery for more tastings.
From there it was on to LEEWIN ESTATE Winery. This winery is set back in a few kilometers off the road, the grounds were superb and they set up a sound shell for music in the vineyards there, we sat at a table under the tree's and had our lunch (we had salmon and cheese rolls that we had made at home before left this morning). More wine tasting but we didn't purchase anything there.
Then we went to the heads of Margaret River at Prevally Beach and watched the surfies for a while. There was heaps of people surfing as there was quite a swell happening. Next stop was HOWARD PARK Wines. From there we went to EVANS & TATE winery. The Cab Sav there was very nice and we treated ourselves to a bottle.
Then it was on to SANDALFORD Wines. Their wines were very nice and if you bought six bottles of their Emerge label, you could get them for $10 each.
We also stopped at a new winery - McHENRYS FARM DOOR - They have a cafe there and also sell their farm meat. We were impressed with their 3 Amigo's Shiraz Grenache Mataro Blend, which we were able to buy a bottle of for $10.
We were driving along and saw a sign saying "SURF ART" Trish has always had an interest in painting beach scenes so we drove up the driveway to have a look. There were horses in the yard and a sign saying that it was a retirement home for old horse and hippies. When we pulled up at the door it looked like a junkyard and there was a sign saying "Deslie paints on anything" - she sure does, her whole house and yard are 'works of art'. Her elderly father was sitting outside reading and asked us where we were from,, when we said Tassie, he said that he worked at Tarraleah in the 1950's.
Deslie does literally paint on anything, thongs, ice-cream tub lids, canvas, old real estate signs, you name it, she never locks her place up, she said one day she came home and someone had taken one of her books and left the money on the doorstep, the books were not even for sale. I told her I would send her another copy of Papillon to replace the one she has lost.
We finally got away from the 'Surf Art' people and set off in search of Simmo's Icecreamery where we tried the Mars, Macadamia Mocha, Butterscotch and Hazelnut Icecream.
Then it was back to Bussellton in time to watch the sunset over the Jetty. The jetty is 2km long but at the moment it is undergoing a redevelopment and most of it is closed.
more photos will be added when we get back to Tasmania, uploading photos uses up our megabyte allowance too quickly with our mobile broadband while we are travelling :-)
DENMARK
We left Albany and headed for Denmark where we visited Bartholemews MEADERY (Honey Wines) not even 10am and we were tasting wine! We purchased 4 bottles for Jane. Trish purchased some Bee Pollen there, she has been reading about the health benefits of Bee Pollen, and since she has had a mystery illness for some months, she is going to try taking a teaspoon a day with yoghurt, she has three weeks to use it up as we are not allowed to take any bee products back into Tasmania.
Jane also told us to go to the TOFFEE FACTORY just out of Denmark. The lady there had a box of samples ready for us to take home for Jane's lolly shop in Latrobe. We also purchased a sample pack for ourselves. While we were there we tasted some chilli Dukkar and for the rest of the day were kicking ourselves for not buying some to take home.
Peter was dissapointed that he couldn't find Mary Donaldson in Denmark. Apparently she was overseas.
We arrived in Busselton mid afternoon and found the API unit to be very flash by API standards!! It also has its own laundry (the others had shared laundrys) so we will be able to catch up with our washing. We purchased some Red Emporer so Peter is going to BBQ that for our dinner.
Jane also told us to go to the TOFFEE FACTORY just out of Denmark. The lady there had a box of samples ready for us to take home for Jane's lolly shop in Latrobe. We also purchased a sample pack for ourselves. While we were there we tasted some chilli Dukkar and for the rest of the day were kicking ourselves for not buying some to take home.
Peter was dissapointed that he couldn't find Mary Donaldson in Denmark. Apparently she was overseas.
We arrived in Busselton mid afternoon and found the API unit to be very flash by API standards!! It also has its own laundry (the others had shared laundrys) so we will be able to catch up with our washing. We purchased some Red Emporer so Peter is going to BBQ that for our dinner.
9.5.10
CHECKING OUT ALBANY - Sunday 9th
We had trouble finding food to cook when we arrived in Albany yesterday, pulled into the Woolworths car park and they were just closing. At 5pm. Coles also closed. We couldn't find an IGA. A fish and chip shop advertised groceries but all they had were potatos and onions.
We ended up going to a chinese restaurant in the city for our evening meal.
The traffic outside our unit quietened down last night. Had a fair bit of rain over night.
Today we went down to the Torndirrup National Park. Awesome coastal scenery
8.5.10
FRIDAY and SATURDAY 8th and 9th of May
FRIDAY and SATURDAY 8th and 9th of May
We have had a couple of fairly quiet days.
Friday we had to go to the post office in Esperance and post home the spare house keys that we could not find before we left (They turned up in our luggage on day 3)
We also sent home an express post for Bette to send back Peters presciption that he forgot to bring.
We have had a couple of fairly quiet days.
Friday we had to go to the post office in Esperance and post home the spare house keys that we could not find before we left (They turned up in our luggage on day 3)
We also sent home an express post for Bette to send back Peters presciption that he forgot to bring.
We then did a bit of shopping and visited a couple of lookouts before finding a car wash to try to clean the locust mess off the front of the car. Did a pretty good job too.
After lunch we cleaned some of the red dust off the tent, then we went for a swim.
Dinner Friday night was at the Taylor Street Jetty Restaurant (Pumpkin soup entree followed by Lamb Shanks and Beef and Reef)
***********
SATURDAY: Time to move on. Nearly 400 km's to Albany. We left at 9.30am and arrived in Albany about 4pm. Stopped off at a town called Jerramungup. A reasonably sized town which was totally deserted. They were either all on holidays or they only come out at night. Was very eerie.
Albany is bigger than we expected. Probably around the size of Devonport or Burnie. The units we are in are at Middleton Beach. Right across the road from the beach with lovely views.
The units are very nice by API standards, very clean (unlike the Esperance ones).
This is the view from our unit over Middletons Beach
The units seem to be on the local 'blockie route', car after hotted up car with doof doof music going along the coastal drive.
We've already been out for a look along the scenic drive and found a few things we would like to have a look at tomorrow.
We have found that since we started travelling west along the nullarbor, that all other travellers wave as they are passing (not the truckies)
This is where we stayed at Albany
This is Dog Rock in the centre of Albany city!
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