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Top End Treading
Top End Treading

Top End Treading

Our ambition is to circumnavigate Australia...one piece at a time. Read more🇦🇺Melrose Park
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  • Top End TreadingSwan SongTraveler

    Swan Song

    June 19 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Arrived at Snow Town around 5pm...hooked to power and water and paid out $20 for a 24hr stay. We arrived to an empty RV station/ oval, but within 20 mins, two other campervans arrived. It had been an uneventful journey since leaving...all being a little later than planned. Great toilets, and 1 shower! Ian took Frankie for his evening walk...and reported back that the town had little in it! Pizza for tea tonight. As we readied for bed, we realised that we had forgotten our heavy warm bed cover!Read more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler

    Home

    December 7, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Frankie decided to waken ridiculously early, and I was outside with him listening to the dawn chorus. It was pretty magical
    It also meant that we were all up early. Ian was very uncomfortable from his shoulder, we had limited water, so a quick breakfast and with dirty dishes in the sink - we were on the road and heading home by 8.30. We stopped at Port Wakefield service station for coffee chips and cicko roll.
    We arrived home around midday. All tomatoes were alive, thanks to Rosa.    Read more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler
    1

    Bowman park Crystal Brook

    December 6, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Our last stop, the beautiful serene Bowman Park. It has been two years since our last visit, and the volunteers who manage this park, have added a childrens play area. The peacocks still roam the grounds Barking there presence to all visitors and the community use the large green oval to practice Thai Chi on Monday evenings. Jeff and Louise had already arrived!!
    We first met Jeff and Louise at Sheringa Beach on the hottest day of our holiday. The wind was blowing a gale and we could only sit it out and await the predicted change. Jeff was a retired teacher, who had worked in Port Kenny in his early career. Know retired, his interest was in photography and talking!!! He especially liked taking photographs of sand dunes. His wife, Louise was a pilate instructor and with Jeff as her photographer, and produced several videos on the subject. We next met them as they pulled beside us in Elliston, then Venus Bay, Tumby and now Bowman Park (which Ian had inadvertently told them about).
    On setting up camp, our power from the batteries would not work so we were unable to pump water from the tanks for washing dishes, or flushing toilets. Ian was also very sore from his nerve pain in his neck/ shoulder.
    We had bought some lovely lamb chops from the butcher in town, which proved to salve some of the discomfort from having to share our lovely camp, and not having water    Read more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler
    1

    Kimba

    December 5, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    I saw Jeff and Louise pull out off Venus Bay around 9am. We were heading to Kimba this morning. The middle of Australia. There was a free camp there which is run by the Lions Club. As we headed inland, we turned on ABC Radio Adelaide. Nicholas Braithwaite was just finishing an interview about being appointed as conductor for the ASO. It took about 4 hours to get to our destination....but we where very impressed. Huge park, with great camp kitchen. Clean flushing toilets, and hot showers $2 for two minutes. It was stinking hot though. We walked into town and were passed on route by Jeff and Louise, obviously going to the same camp. Town was closed...except for the pub. They had a lovely grassed area out back with access from a large gate so no need to go through the pub. As I had forgotten my mask this was perfect and a cold cider went down well in the heatRead more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler

    Another day in Paradise

    December 4, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    We went to Talia caves this morning. They were about 20 km away. Another stunning location. Wild wild seas and pristine beaches. I wonder how long SA can keep these places untouched, and largely unknown. The caves where down a staircase of 98 steps, and the most notable thing was a ?bee swarm on the roof. The rocks leading to the cave were polished by waves, with channels cut through by their force. Magnificent.
    This afternoon we walked along the Southern coastal walk. It was 2.2km long and hugged this crumbling cliff top. Heading out of Venus along the path was calm, with two dolfins feeding below us, and then we rounded the corner into the wind and huge waves. It was quite a dramatic walk. Ian got talking to our neighbour about his collapsible boat, which he had been out fishing in all day. He had caught a ton of fish in it.    Read more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler

    Venus bay

    December 3, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    We were given a prime spot in Venus Bay, and parked by the ocean. Then we walked down to the pier. One guy at the very end was catching Salmon, Tommy's, and whiting. The sun was shining, and although strong winds where forecast for later it was perfect when Ian fetched his rods and went fishing. He did catch a tiddler, but rest was weed.. we went to Port kenny for some grog, and had a drink on the pub
    The woman behind the bar was a dog groomer and owned 4 salons, but she had no idea what type of dog Frankie was. She thought he was a bitsa. She took a photograph to put on the pubs web page. Ian was talking to a guy who was an abalone diver. As his father had been before him. Fish and chips tonight from the CP. Whiting for me Fish basket for Ian. Crap TV reception, and strong winds tonight.    Read more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler

    Fishing off the pier Elliston

    December 2, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Ian spent last evening and this morning readying his fishing gear. I took Frankie out for a walk along a lease free beach. It was beautiful. The beach stretched for 1.4km from the boat ramp to the pier, with white sand and turquoise water. Frankie and I were the only creatures on it. Ian was fishing off the jetty, so we walked down to meet him. There was a fierce cold wind blowing along the jetty and Ian was frozen. I drove back to the van to get his jacket. Salted pilchards and other bait where on the back seat so I moved them to the boot, so that Frankie could sit. However they fell on their side unbeknown to me and spilt strong smelling liquid over the carpet in the boot. Our neighbours from Sheringa had arrived at the CP, and were again beside us.
    We drove out to Locks Well later. Another mind blowing view. 298 steps down to the beach. We stuck to the viewing platform instead! We finished the afternoon going Walkers Rock. This was a very large area of sand dunes and ocean which the council allowed campers on. Good for 4 wheelers.    Read more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler

    Elliston

    December 1, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    We took a wrong turn leaving Sheringa Beach this morning. It took us to the next bay, used by surfers....it was magnificent from the top of the cliff looking down. Crashing big waves well off the coast. No surfers yet this morning though. By 11.30 we were in Elliston. Very pleasant caravan park. Lush green grassy sites. Hot showers with good forceful flow. We had a pie at the bakery for lunch, and bought a few things in the grocery store. Then we went to view the Elliston cliff driving trail!! Wow! The sea was wild below the cliffs. Round each bend was another fantastic bay. There were sculptures dotted around the place, and magnificent views. We walked along one path just down the road from the CP, and the wind almost blew us away. We came to a lead free dog beach. The shallow water was turquoise while the deep water was such a deep navyRead more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler

    Heading to Sheringa Beach

    November 30, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Packed up and left in glorious sunshine. We arrived at Sheringa Beach about 11.30am there were a few young 4 wheel drivers lowering their tyre pressures ready for tackling the sand dunes. One other caravan was there. We parked in the same spot as the last time we stayed. A quick to the beach, and back for lunch. Sheringa Beach is wild and rough. There is a great surfing beach in the next Cove, and great fishing. It wasn't until after lunch, that we started to feel the heat. Because we are off grid, we have no fan, or air conditioning. The sun was belting down and it was very hot in the fan...but no shelter outside. We opened all the windows, and partially closed blinds to let the strong breezes throw. It was around 32 degrees. I slept on and off until it got cool enough to go outside. Another van arrived, with an couple of odd occupants. We didn't see them until we were on the beach. She was doing her Thai Chi, while he watched! The weather changed thank goodness by 7pm, and cooled down very rapidly.Read more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler

    Last day at Coffin Bay

    November 29, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Frankie and I had an early morning walk along the Oyster Walk. It was a glorious morning. This truly one of the most beautiful parts of the world. We bumped into our new neighbours, who asked me what we thought of our dinner at the Yacht club. I thought it was great, the view was great and the weather matched. This couple have sold their van and bought an enormous motor home. The towed quite a large Suzuki on the back. Probably a couple of $1000 easy.
    This afternoon we went to one of the many little beaches along the road. Frankie seems to just love it all, but also shallows a lot of seawater, and this makes him sick with dreadful diarrhoea. This in turn puts him off his food for an hour or too. Eventually he will learn I'm sure. We also took the awning down before tea....just to be sure that the trouble we had last time was resolved....and it was! A lot of water had collected at one end of the awning, and had filled the overhanging flap at that end....which meant that the awning rolled up unevenly.
    It has been a lovely memory being here, unfortunately we didn't have any oysters, which is what this place is famous for. There is an already growing in the waters which causes food poisoning....the poor oyster farmers....especially coming up to Christmas.    Read more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler

    Long Beach

    November 28, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    We woke to sunshine this morning. Lovely. The couple next door were already up and almost ready to leave. The man was very friendly and just loved Frankie. And Frankie was very happy to see him too. He was saying that he had a big year ahead. They were heading to Canada in Jan to see the new grandchild and then he was having surgery on his leg (one was shorter, and a??ankle bent the wrong way) with major correction surgery. His new car of three months also needed to go in for repairs. His car petrol gage wasn't working! How bad was that! . Frankie and I had a beautiful walk along the oyster walk heading in the other direction out of town.We watched 17 bikies pass then pass again and again as we made our way home. This afternoon we went to Longbeach...OMG. beautiful. Frankie was in doggy heaven. Thank goodness we found this place. Ian was looking for somewhere to fish....but this place was just amazing! Azure water, with hardly anyone there.
    Tonight we booked into the Yacht club for tea. The weather was beautiful, Frankie was so well behaved, and the scenery was stunning. The Yacht club is run by volunteers. The food was great! Fish and chips of course!!One of the young girls serving came outside to sit on the lawn with her friends. She had a baby there of two weeks old. She was breast feeding no problems, lovely to see. Had a lovely day😁    Read more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler

    Oyster way

    November 27, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    It is still overcast and windy. We went to Port Lincoln for provisions this morning. The sun was trying to come out as we returned. I paid another visit to the Bayroom in Port Lincoln. Love this shop. Bought two pair of very expensive socks.....but still! Bit riskay!
    I bought enough food hopefully to do us until we get home....let's see
    This evening we walked the oyster path again. The weather had improved, although Ian was still suffering from that shoulder pain.    Read more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler

    Coffin Bay

    November 26, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    It was a wild and windy night, with heavy rain thrown into the mix for good measure. Neither Ian nor I slept much, listening to the wind rock the van. On my early morning toilet stop with Frankie i noticed a cruise ship in the bay. It was such an unexpected and unusual sight, I took a photograph incase I was seeing things!
    It wasn't easy to put the awning down either. However by the time we were departing the rain at least had stopped. Waved farewell to Caroline at the exit and headed for Coffin Bay.
    On arrival here we ended up parked beside a couple we had already met in Tumby. He just loved Frankie! We drove out to Farm Beach but arrived closely followed by another four cars. You can drive on this beach, and we intended to let Frankie run a little....but too many people cars etc!!
    Back in the CP, I took Frankie out for a last pee before bed. The place was full of Kangaroos....everwhere! Frankie was amazed and excited...but at least he didn't bark. It was nearly midnight!    Read more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler

    Rain rain rain!

    November 25, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    What a difference a day makes! It was raining pretty heavily as we woke up. The electricity was being turned off at 8am so we managed to get a good coffee in before that happened. We have been using the Aldi coffee machine since we got the van. It has been pretty reliable, and it is nice having capsule coffee first thing in the morning.
    We walked into town for more coffee after breakfast. Tumby Bay is covered in murals and some if not all are really impressive! Ian walked round to the museum again, and Pat Carr (the volunteer) had done some more research for him. He came out with more bits of paper under his arm but no school photograph of his mum...the book was missing.
    Poor Frankie, he never did manage to get into the water here. We drove out to Port Neil this afternoon. It was beautiful, very remote, with two caravans among the sand dunes, braving the could and wind gusts!
    It is quite stormy here too today, but at least the rain stopped! We had a last glass of wine at the pub and then meatballs from the local butcher for tea. (He prepares the meat and sells it though the IGA across the road). I took a couple of selfie photographs at the pub....different and unexpected!!
    Caroline from Paradise called round with her training lead for Sparky. I gave her my email address.    Read more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler

    Family in Tumby

    November 24, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    We all headed off to the town for coffee at Tumby Bay Bakery. Ian has had a very sore back/ shoulder since we left home. It seems to be getting slightly better, but only with the aid of panadol osteo and neuraphine. After coffee we called into the local museum. Frankie and I waited outside. Frankie lay down outside the door, so he could listen to Ian talking. Very cute! Ian found evidence that his mum had attended the school here, but only for a year. The family seemed to be based more in Port Lincoln. The museum gave Ian some relevant photocopies, and the promise of a school photograph tomorrow
    We bought a couple of steaks from the present butcher, who uses foodland to sell his ware. Steak and chips tonight! I spoke to Stephen. Both Tillie and Belle have covid. I also contacted both of them, and judging by the jolly video they sent me, they are both pretty well    Read more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler

    Another side to Tumby

    November 23, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    It was unexpectedly windy overnight, with the van being rocked quite violently about 4am. Then the rain came...again. The weather bureau has confirmed that La Ninõ has formed in the pacific, which means more rainfall in Australia, and stronger cyclones. It generally lasts around 3 years. Well that explains this colder wetter season then. We all walked into town for a coffee this morning. We walked along a path away from any road, dotted with seats yet not the most attractive route. However it got where we wanted to go. This afternoon we drove to Cummins, which was a wheat town inland where Lyalls family comes from.
    Not much to see!! However, I then see a TV advertisement about the coming Christmas celebrations. The town looks much more comprehensive and vibrant than our drive throw showed.
    Our borders have opened today with very emotional scenes at the airport. Now we are just waiting on the virus hitting    Read more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler
    1

    Port lincoln day trip

    November 22, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Frankie and I headed off for our morning walk. Again we discovered another side of Tumby Bay. Huge blocks for sale.....doesn't that imply that things are looking up here. We drove to Port Lincoln after our walk. Ian is very uncomfortable with upper back shoulder pain. We had coffee/ then I called into the Bay Store, and bought a tea towel i also called into the shop beside. I tried on a VERY expensive jacket. Didn't buy...clap on the back for me. Back in Tumby...we had to go to physio for Ian's shoulder. 3 weeks waiting list. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. Spoke to Julie Lang tonight...Read more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler

    Tumby marina

    November 21, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Sunday morning fryup! Bit cloudy today, but no rain! We met Caroline and Sparky this morning. Sparky is an Australian Terrier, and doesn't like eating much, spends time on his back legs and likes to jump on people. Sounds like another dog i know!
    We walked into town and visited foodland then Frankie and I walked in the opposite direction. Lots of shacks, some for sale, but they were proper shacks....then we rounded a corner! A marina, and houses that where never going to be classed as anything but mansions!    Read more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler

    Tumby Bay

    November 20, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    We woke to steady rain in Cowell. Clay footprints throughout the caravan, soaking wet chairs, and the prospect of spending the day stuck indoors! We were on our way by 9am, and booked into Tumby Bay for a week. The closer we got the better the weather. When we arrived the sky was blue and the sun shining! After lunch we took the dog and walked into the town. The caravan park was a little bit tired, but was right on the coast so the vista was perfect. The path to town was just over a km long, and also wound along the coast. The beach had a lot of seaweed but the sea was a beautiful aqua colour. We passed the yachting club and people where sitting on the grass and at benches eating chips and drinking wine. It looked very pleasant.
    Ians' grandparents and mother had lived here. His pa had been the butcher, and his mother became the first female life saver at the local surf club. We walked around the town, which was filled with murals, and lovely old houses. Including an old but still used church. Couldn't find an old butchers shop though. On the way back to the CP, we stopped for a drink at the yacht club. It was someone's birthday, and the sun was shining🌅    Read more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler

    Cowell

    November 19, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Moving on from Crystal Brook in good time. Driving over 300km in the rain to Cowell. We planned to stay in a site provided by the Lions. Great looking site with drinking water, but no toilets. $10 a night. Two vans were here when we arrived. Both looked set up for long stays with their full annex and generators. A short walk to the sea through the Mangroves. Loads of oyster shells lying around and no beach just stones. A few commercial oyster beds could be seen along with some floating pelicans.
    We continued our walk into town. There is a lot of shore front building evident. A new children's water playground, and pavilion. Bought some fresh eggs from the butcher and had a glass of tap wine for me, beer for Ian at the pub. We met out neighbours from the camp. They had a springer spaniel.
    Rain rain rain. And mozzie!    Read more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler

    Hot and windy in Port Pirie

    November 18, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Walked Frankie early this morning. It was 23degrees at 7.30. We walked along by the brook except this morning there was no water flowing. A few puddles here and there, but what a disappointment. Apparently there is a weir upstream, and the council opens it on occasion, which means the river flows. The winds started to increase after breakfast, and by 10am, we had decided to stay put, with expected gusts up to 80km we booked another night at Crystal Brook. It was no hardship. We unhitched and drove Port Pirie, arriving just in nice time for lunch. Finding somewhere to eat outside with the dog was more difficult, but we were given good directions to a French bakery and were undercover for the start of a heavy shower. Port Pirie was looking pretty tired....lots of empty shops. More pubs than anything else it seemed. We bought to dog bowls in KMart and food in Aldi and went home.Read more

  • Top End TreadingOff to Coffin Bay with FrankieTraveler

    Crystal Brook Caravan Park

    November 17, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Late leaving home as usual. Arrived at the CP after 6pm. Stayed hooked up. Frankie has started barking at other dogs...could be territorial, but its a nuisance!! Dog next door= barking dog here.
    The last time we stayed at Cystal Brook CP, the creek was dry. Tonight it is flowing freely. Very picturesque.
    I unpacked and cooked some potatoes to have with the slow cooked mince I made yesterday....but forgot to bring!!! Even more importantly I forgot my gin!!! Spent too long buying and setting up the sprinkler system to organise everything else. Could be worse i suppose    Read more

  • Top End TreadingRoad trip to DarwinTraveler

    Home

    September 3, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    There was a strange fog among the trees this morning in Bowman Park. However it cleared over us, and the sun shone through. We ate breakfast outside, basking in the growing heat of the morning. The sounds of the dawn chorus this morning was amazing...but it started before 6am!
    As soon as we started our journey home the fog returned. It was thick, and black in places. I saw on the news later that it covered the entire state, and was the worst fog in over 20years!
    So now this journey is over....but what a trip it has been.
    Unbelievable!!
    We travelled over 14000 kms in almost 10 weeks.
    Passed through 3 states, and saw and experienced so many incredable things.    Read more

  • Top End TreadingRoad trip to DarwinTraveler

    Bowman Park Crystal Brook

    September 2, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Penultimate day. We packed up nice and early. Got into the car and it wouldn't start! Thank goodness this has never happened before and what a shock to have it happen now! Ian phoned the RAA, and before you know it, a big Tow truck arrived from Wudina. Andrew was perhaps early 50s with no front teeth. However, as Ian remarked later, very smartly dressed. The battery was flat, so we were jump started, and on our way to Kimba for a new battery. There, they charged us $205 for the battery, and $35 dollars to fit it! We didn't leave Kimba until after 1pm, but with a good tail wind, we made it another 300km by 4.30pm and arrived at Crystal Brook. Only one other van was parked in Bowman. The resident peacock met us in all his glory! The weather was beautiful and very mild for our last night in the van.Read more

  • Top End TreadingRoad trip to DarwinTraveler

    Kyancutta

    September 1, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    We woke to a beautiful clear blue sky in Ceduna. No wind and a warming sun. The woman who had given us chocolate cookies yesterday, came over with 2 vegetarian quiche for lunch. They were only tiny things, but what a lovely thought!.
    Her sister was travelling with the couple, and they had travelled over from Perth to watch the West Coast Eagles play .......the sister had spent 30years caring for her quadrapelegic husband, until his death a few years ago....so now she cooked!
    We were heading to Kyancutta, our free camp for tonight. We stayed here on the way to Karratha last year. We arrived in good time for lunch, and chose a site well back amongst the trees. Two lizards made an appearance...but no snakes thankfully.
    The sky was beautiful again tonight, and I relished sitting around our open fire, under the stars.    Read more

  • Top End TreadingRoad trip to DarwinTraveler

    Rainy Saturday at Ceduna

    August 31, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Bought the weekend paper, and a magazine. Settled down and read this morning. It's still quite warm, but rain is forcast for this afternoon. Ian and I did go for a lovely walk along the beach, but otherwise we are just enjoying one of our final days before home. A caravanning neighbour brought some chocolate biscuits over. What a lovely thing to do!Read more

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