The Lap

A 330-day adventure by Therese Read more

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Day 122
Sunday, May 7, 2023 at 11:00 AM
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Australia Franklin Harbour Pioneers Memorial Oval -33.678333, 136.92333333°40’42” S 136°55’24” E
Port Gibbon
May 7, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Arrived in Port Gibbon via Cowell and are parked up right on the beach front.
Day trip to Arno Bay, Cleve back to Cowell. Cleve had the most amazing sculptures on the street, made from steel scraps etc they were brilliant.Read more
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Day 124
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 10:56 AM
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Australia North Shields -34.641235, 135.8580934°38’28” S 135°51’29” E
Port Lincoln
May 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
Drove to Port Lincoln via Port Neil and Tumby Bay. Staying at North Shield Caravan Park on the water front. Off to Coffin Bay for a tour of an oyster farm. Coffin Bay is small with a caravan park, general store, and a post office. There is also a large oyster farming industry with about 30 businesses growing and harvesting oysters. We had an interesting lesson in growing oysters and then got to shuck our own for tasting. Coffin Bay also surprised us with the number of emus walking around town.
Returning to Port Lincoln, we went fishing off the bank close to our camp, and Bruce caught a lovely sized salmon trout.Read more
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Day 129
Sunday, May 14, 2023 at 3:47 PM
☁️ 22 °C
Altitude: 27 m
Australia Elliston -33.649673, 134.96340533°38’59” S 134°57’48” E
Elliston
May 14, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Arrived at Elliston bush camp, about 6kms from the coast. Great camp with helpful owner. Jetty did a runner after a mob of kangaroos. It took half an hour to get him back. The next day, we drove into Elliston, the weather was perfect, and the coast line was spectacular, reminding us of the Great Ocean Road. We were very near the spot where an Elliston teacher was taken by a shark just the day before. We saw Anxious Bay, Little Bay and Waterloo Bay on our travels.Read more
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Day 131
Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 10:25 AM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 3 m
Australia Peninsula Hill Tank -33.231667, 134.67333333°13’54” S 134°40’24” E
Streaky Bay
May 16, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Arrived at Streaky Bay via Venus Bay. We are staying in a bush camp owned by the same people who owned the bush camp at Elliston. This bush camp is right on the beach front with views of Streaky Bay. Not the best beach we have been to, lots of rocks and pebbles and very little sand. Celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary at Drift Restaurant in Streaky Bay, a beautiful seafood platter and a glass of Chardonnay.
We had a day trip to Point Labatt and Port Sceale. We saw the sea lions at Point Labatt, the largest colony of sea lions in the world. We went on to see Murphy's haystacks, large boulders that stand on their own, and are awesome. Our last day here was spent watching dolphins frolicking and kayaking in the ocean.Read more
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Day 135
Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 4:41 PM
☀️ 16 °C
Altitude: 4 m
Australia Ceduna Railway Station -32.133333, 133.67166732°7’60” S 133°40’18” E
Ceduna
May 20, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
A few days in Ceduna to prepare for the Nullabor crossing. There was not a lot in Ceduna, but the caravan park was lovely and clean. We caught up on all the washing and cooked up all the veggies so that we could go through quarantine crossing into Western Australia. We did manage to take the bikes of the back of the caravan for the first time and take the boys for a short ride.Read more
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Day 138
Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 2:15 PM
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 36 m
Australia Twin Rocks -31.473333, 131.11666731°28’24” S 131°7’0” E
Head of Bight
May 23, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
We are staying at a free camp just a few kilometres from the Head of Bight visitor centre. We arrived about 1pm and had lunch and then headed to the visitor centre. We followed the board walk through to the end and had amazing views of the Great Australian Bight and Bunda Cliffs. No whales to be seen todayRead more
TravelerWow! That looks beautiful
5/25/23Reply
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Day 139
Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 9:50 AM
🌬 16 °C
Altitude: 55 m
Australia Nullabor Motel Airport -31.45, 130.89666731°27’0” S 130°53’48” E
Nullarbor
May 24, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 16 °C
We made it to the Nullabor. We drove it over 4 days, taking our time to see everything there was to see. Nothing I have heard about the Nullabor seems to be true. It is a long road but has so much variety and scenery to see. From the Head of Bight, the ocean views are amazing, and the Bunda Cliffs were beautiful. There are plenty of roadhouses along the way, and we had no fear of running out of fuel. The first night, we camped at Eucla near the old telegraph station. We walk through the dunes to the ocean and the old jetty. The second night was at Madura at the Tip of the Ridge with a beautiful view over the plain. Our last night was at Taylor's Maze, about 60kms out on Balladonia, a lovely bush camp with campfire. Unfortunately, this was also our coldest morning of the trip so far😶‍🌫️. We crossed the border to WA on the 24 of May😆Read more
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Day 142
Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 7:21 AM
☀️ 5 °C
Altitude: 124 m
Australia Dundas -32.395271, 124.48795232°23’43” S 124°29’17” E
Norseman
May 27, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 5 °C
We camped at Jimberlana Hill, nice bush camp with a walking track to the top of the hill. We climbed with the boys and made it almost to the top, but the rocks at the very top were too much for the boys. It's not a pretty town but interesting with its gold mine and tailings mountain. We had a look round town and drove to the Lakes lookout, Lake Cowan is very large but also very dry, only fills after heavy rain.Read more
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Day 144
Monday, May 29, 2023 at 10:28 AM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 301 m
Australia Coolgardie -31.422574, 121.55835331°25’21” S 121°33’30” E
Kalgoorlie
May 29, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Three days in Kalgoorlie staying at Lake Douglas free camp. Lots and lots of red dirt, the dogs are red and we are red but on the up side there are no prickles and it is not cold, winning. We visited the Super Pit lookout. The Gold Mine is the second largest in the Southern Hemisphere, and it is quite spectacular to see the enormity of it. We also visited the Charlotte Mine, a much smaller version that is extremely close to town. At the reservoir, we learnt that the towns water comes from Perth Hills and can take up to 2 weeks to make it to Kalgoorlie. We were more impressed with Boulder (sister city) than Kalgoorlie, though the dog park in Kalgoorlie is the best we have seen.Read more
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Day 147
Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 5:34 PM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 250 m
Australia Kellerberrin -31.6, 117.94531°36’0” S 117°56’42” E
Lake Baandee
June 1, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
We have camped for a couple of nights on the banks of Lake Baandee. Lovely quite spot. The lake is like glass. Nothing to do here except relax and walk dogs.
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Day 149
Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 9:49 AM
⛅ 10 °C
Altitude: 248 m
Australia Tammin -31.584019, 117.47492431°35’2” S 117°28’30” E
Jibberding Nature Reserve
June 3, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
Bush camping at Jibberding Nature Reserve. We are mostly on our own here though two caravans came in late and left early. We drove back to Wubin to fill up with fuel and to have a look around. Only 50 people live in Wubin, and 18 are under 15, so not a big town. The museum was interesting and the information centre had a great rock collection and a lovely lady.Read more
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Day 151
Monday, June 5, 2023 at 12:16 PM
🌬 19 °C
Altitude: 412 m
Australia Mount Magnet -28.068187, 117.85037428°4’5” S 117°51’1” E
Mount Magnet
June 5, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 19 °C
The gold mining town of Mount Magnet was our next stop. We stayed in the caravan park for 3 nights (pay for 2 and stay for 3). We drove the tourist trail and found it very interesting with the miners' cottage, the lookout, the craggy Cliffs with their caves, and The Granites. We also viewed the abandoned site of the town of Lennonville. Mt Magnet has an amazing museum where you could spend a few hours. The stories about Arthur Upfield, author of Bony books, were very interesting, and a movie has been made about one of his plots which came from true life while he was working on the building of the rabbit proof fence.Read more
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Day 154
Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 7:53 PM
🌙 12 °C
Altitude: 515 m
Australia Meekatharra -26.580847, 118.47726326°34’51” S 118°28’38” E
Meekatharra
June 8, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 12 °C
We are camped at Peace Gorge just outside of Meekatharra. Absolutely beautiful area with heaps of room for caravans. We set up and sat down to relax and then were disturbed by a group of First Nations people getting organised for a party. We finally decided that for peace of mind, we would move. We packed up everything and moved about 500 metres further away, and our peace was returned.Read more
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Day 157
Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 3:06 PM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 533 m
Australia Newman -23.356667, 119.73166723°21’24” S 119°43’54” E
Newman
June 11, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
We drove from Meekatharra to The Gascoyne River to camp yesterday. It was a nice camp by the river, but the flies were horrendous, so stayed in side most of the time and no photos were taken.
Today, we drove to Newman and are bush camping just outside town. Newman is an iron ore town with large BHP mines. The town is quite tidy and we were able to do some shopping at Woolies. The lookout was worth driving to. The town is surrounded by mountains and is quite picturesque. There is a silhouette of Stan and Ella on the hill coming into town, Stan discovered the iron ore, and Ella was his wife. The correllas that we saw have a problem with the red dirt and are red in colour.Read more
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Day 158
Monday, June 12, 2023 at 4:19 PM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 729 m
Australia Ashburton -23.043333, 118.8523°2’36” S 118°51’0” E
Mt Robinson
June 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Our next stop was Mt Robinson, about 120klms weat of Newman heading to Port Hedland. We stopped at the rest stop along with a dozen other campers. The mountains were beautiful, and we all climbed to the top of Mt Robinson and were rewarded with some awesome views.Read more
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Day 159
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 5:02 PM
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: 50 m
Australia Port Hedland -20.718333, 118.27333320°43’6” S 118°16’24” E
Yule River
June 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Yule River is 60 klms south west of Port Hedland, we decided to stay here so that we could get an early start to Port Hedland on Thursday. Where we camped is part of a cattle station on the dry river bed. It is a beautiful spot with lots of trees and birdlife.Read more
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Day 161
Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 11:52 AM
☀️ 27 °C
Altitude: 5 m
Australia Captain Bert Madigan Park -20.31, 118.57666720°18’36” S 118°34’36” E
Port Headland
June 15, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Arrived in Port Hedland nice and early and got a good spot in the free RV Park. This is the worlds largest and busiest port and is impressive to see. We went into town to the information centre and booked a tour of the Harbour for tomorrow and then walked the harbour viewing point and watched the tugs bring in a large ship. In the afternoon we discovered a beautiful beach and the boys enjoyed a run and play. I also discovered a dog free park 100 metres from our campsite, so winning 😀Read more
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Day 164
Sunday, June 18, 2023 at 12:59 PM
☁️ 25 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Australia Karratha -20.739802, 116.84814820°44’23” S 116°50’53” E
Cleaverville Camp Grounds
June 18, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
For the next three nights, we are going to be camped at Cleaverville Camp Grounds. The camps are on the beach about 60 miles south of Dampier and are perfect . We have absolute ocean and almost our own private beach. Day one, we went fishing down near the boat ramp and caught 5 undersized fish between us. The wild flowers are now starting to appear, and I was thrilled with our first sighting of Sturts Desert Pea. Day 2, after a night of heavy rain, the day turned out not too bad, and we had a second attempt at fishing. We ended up with 2 legal sized bream out of 3 caught and one too small fingermarks. Fish 🐟 and chips 🍟 for dinner tonight. We also saw a sea turtle watching us from afar, just swimming up and down.Read more
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Day 168
Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 7:12 PM
🌙 19 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Australia Town Beach -21.93906, 114.13229421°56’21” S 114°7’56” E
Exmouth
June 22, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 19 °C
We arrived in Exmouth just after lunch and due to online checking, we were able to go straight to our site and set up. We met up with Ashleigh, Tim and Annabelle and had a great catch up and then dinner at the Froth Brewery. Visited the aquarium with Ash, Annabelle, Nicky and Quaid. Bruce, Tim and James hired a boat and went fishing without any success. Whalebone Brewery was our choice for dinner, and though it was packed, we had amazing pizzas. We booked to come back to Exmouth on the 26/27 July to do a swim with the whale shark tour. Apart from the reef, Exmouth has little to offer.Read more
TravelerI wonder what the dogs thought. Lol
8/7/23Reply
TravelerMega thought all his Christmases had come at once cause it didn't fly away
8/7/23Reply
TravelerThat would have been funny.
8/8/23Reply
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Day 171
Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 3:11 PM
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 68 m
Australia Barradale Pool -22.863483, 114.9532522°51’49” S 114°57’12” E
Yannarie River
June 25, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Just one night here on our way north. Lovely roadside rest beside an empty river. Lots of people are staying here.
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Day 172
Monday, June 26, 2023 at 11:52 AM
🌬 22 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Australia Exmouth -21.78, 114.97521°46’48” S 114°58’30” E
Onslow
June 26, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 22 °C
We are camped on the banks of the Ashburton River about 30 klms from Onslow and 10 klms from Old Onslow. This is a beautiful campsite and is very popular though there is plenty of room for about 200 vans. We drove to Old Onslow, where there are signs depicting what used to be there. There are still some ruins to see, and the history is interesting. We checked out the weir on the way .Read more
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Day 174
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 4:52 PM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 85 m
Australia Springs Well -20.99475, 116.86545120°59’41” S 116°51’56” E
Karratha/Dampier
June 28, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
We have camped about 30 klms out of Karratha. The Ute goes into Karratha for its 70,000 service tomorrow. Day 2 was spent looking around Dampier
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Day 179
Monday, July 3, 2023 at 1:38 PM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Australia Cape Keraudren -19.968533, 119.7760819°58’7” S 119°46’34” E
Cape Keraunden/ Eighty Mile Beach
July 3, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Wow, what a beautiful place. We managed the perfect spot on a beach that never ends. The boys have had a ball running and playing on the beach. We have tried fishing but with no success so far. Finally, on day 4 I caught two good size bream and we had them for dinner.Read more
TravelerThey are loving this. ❤️
8/7/23Reply
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Day 185
Sunday, July 9, 2023 at 3:26 PM
☀️ 27 °C
Altitude: 212 m
Australia Marble Bar -21.176667, 119.74333321°10’36” S 119°44’36” E
Marble Bar
July 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
For a change, we decided to stay at the caravan park and have dinner at the pub. It was a great thought. The caravan park was packed with freezing cold showers, and the pub wasn't serving dinner. There is not a lot to Marble Bar, 1 pub, a general store, motel, police station and the Court House.Read more
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Day 187
Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 9:08 AM
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 127 m
Australia Port Hedland -20.873333, 119.74333320°52’24” S 119°44’36” E
Port Hedland (Take 2)
July 11, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
We drove from Marble Bar to Port Hedland today. For the first time, we saw a herd of wild camels, which was very exciting as we have heard so much about the wild herds but had not seen any sign of them until today.Read more
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