Back to Sunday week ago, it was a beautiful day in Perth, so we spent most of the day at Cottesloe beach, walking. It was a bit cool for us to swim, although plenty of people were in the water. About 10kms of walking, so a good work out.
Later, we boarded our flight back to Melbourne for Noel’s funeral on Tuesday. The red eye flight departed at 11.45pm. It wasn’t much fun really. You didn’t know whether to try and sleep or just give up! Lousy in flight snack too. Got to Melbourne about 5.15am. Uber to Michael’s then slept for a couple of hours. Nice to catch up with family, despite the funeral. We had a good flight back, (9.15am) although it was 45mins late leaving. We both watched a few episodes of “The Americans”. Really good, so that filled in the time. The in flight snack was much better too!
Back in Perth for Wednesday night. Still windy, and drizzling weather. We now think that WA means “Windy Always”.
Heading East on Thursday, time to put in the long driving days. Our first stop was a free camp at Karalee Rock. A nicely laid out free camp, with fire pits, tables and toilets. About 12 vans here. Road in was a little rough, but not too bad. The corrugation always seems worse at the end of a day’s driving. (450km). The rock was a catchment for an old irrigation/water supply for this remote area. A dam, flume, wall to collect run off from the Rock. It was construction between 1895 - 1900. There is now a closed Pipe line from Perth to Kalgoorlie, with numerous pumping stations along the way.
We dropped in to Kalgoorlie for a drive down “Hay Street” once famous for its brothels. There is now only one operating in the street. Just a normal commercial strip now, Kmart, Coles, Woolies etc. No Lebanese restaurant with neon signs, just a kebab shop! (Family joke)
Our next stop on Friday night was at Fraser Range Station Fraser, still a working Station, but now has a formal caravan park, with cabins, sites, camp kitchen and restaurant. Green grassed sites, roaming emus and kangaroos, a Nullarbor Golf hole (didn’t bother playing it). There are numerous old buildings, one which is the camp kitchen. A nice fire was going, and the footy was on. A bonus. Good game Dees. As it was blowing a gale and freezing outside, we opted for fish n chips in the Nullabar (another old building with a lovely fire going). (Fish n chips with salad was the only option). Dessert too. Apple pie. Good conversations at dinner and watching the footy. Good fun.
Saturday was another day of straight road. We have had the 90 Mile Straight Road, but it is pretty much all straight. Despite that, the landscape does change a little. About 520kms today to Mundrabilla, just a Roadhouse stop, but we could get TV reception, so we got to watch the Pies defeat GWS.
Russell had an E2 moment at Mundrabilla. Using the microwave to heat up some 90 second rice. After it goes bing after 90 seconds, he opens the door and decides the rice would cook better if he actually put it in the microwave! Haha.
We have renamed Eyre Highway - it’s Road Kill Highway. Glad we are not driving at night.
Nullarbor means “no trees”. That is accurate for large stretches.
Back on the road on Sunday, with a couple of nice spots to stop at, the Head of the Bight. Great whale viewing at this time of year. There is a fantastic boardwalk to get to the viewing areas. The whales are only about 100m from the shore line. Being elevated, you get a better sense of how large the whales are.
Not only good whale viewing, but dramatic coastline to view. This was a good lunch stop for us, before moving further on.
Our last stop on the Nullarbor was 180km west of Ceduna. It is really the first pastoral area after nearly 2,000km of “not much”. It was a farmstay called Corrabie. Another working station, 2,500 sheep. The owners are 4th generation. Diversification seems to be the way to go out here. They have cabins to sleep 30 and unlimited caravan/camping spots. Limited power and water, which is the norm. If you connect to power, you can’t use kettles, toasters, microwaves. Really only good for lights and fridge. We didn’t bother. 12v and gas do fine. Good toilets and showers, and the camp fire (good for $20). We joined the owners and some other guests around the campfire. Poggy (the owner) warmed our seats by putting a shovel of hot coals underneath. Fantastic. (Metal chairs). It was a more rustic/authentic farmstay. Good stay.
On Monday, we headed back to civilisation. A drive through Ceduna (border control here for East travelling), before making our way down the Flinders Highway to Streaky Bay. It is nice knowing we are here for a few days, not getting up and hitting the road.
The Nullarbor was an interesting drive, but long, especially as it was windy on 3 out of the 5 driving days. That makes it harder with the van. More concentration required, especially with heaps of road trains.
Streaky Bay. Our campsite is on the Water’s edge. Very pretty.
A few loads of washing were the first priority, (not much water available across the Nullarbor), followed closely by a very late lunch. There wasn’t much in the fridge as we had used up all fruit and veg (to avoid dumping at the Border). Shopping was next. Treated ourselves to Eyre Peninsula Oysters. We have driven 15,000kms to get them. (The long way round). Delicious.
It’s a nice walk along the path in to town, so that was a good way to start the day. A run for Russell, just a walk for me. A leisurely breakfast ensued. After that it was a drive around the Westall Way loop to see some spectacular coastline. Mostly on dirt/sandy roads, so a dirty car again! The views were worth it though.
A different coastal loop drive tomorrow, with some more afternoon relaxation before heading to Port Lincoln (via Coffin Bay for more oysters) for 3 nights.
Photos are in a separate blog page.
No comments:
Post a Comment