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Road trip to Darwin
  • Top End Treading

Road trip to Darwin

Could be our last big road trip to the top end. Ian and I hope to visit Lake Eyre, Darwin, Broome and all the bits between Read more
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  • Top End TreadingRoad trip to DarwinTraveler

    Heading to Ningalo

    August 17, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    The showers and toilets were good in the Shell station, so I had a lovely hot shower. Ian checked the tyre pressure of car and caravan, and we bought a new gas bottle at the service station before we left. One of our caravan tyres is looking very dodgy, so we just hope we can get to Perth before we need to replace it.
    Stopped at Peedamulla for coffee - free biscuit thrown in - at a roadhouse, in the complete middle of nowhere. Lunch at Nanutarra, and arrived at our free camp at Barrowdale (Yannarie) about 4pm. Huge place, with about 50 caravans dotted around the place. Drop toilets, but clean. We had Telstra reception, which meant Ian could listen to the cricket test match in England. He had already watched the Crows get thrashed earlier, and they were playing at home!    Read more

  • Top End TreadingRoad trip to DarwinTraveler

    Minilia Riverside

    August 18, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Last night was very cold, so this morning the quilt went back on the bed, we have had a good month without it.
    We went through the Tropic of Capricorn yesterday, and it's only going to get colder from now on!
    We called into Coral Beach and reversed beautifuly into a space, before walking down to the beach. It is just so incredibly beautiful. The water was a little cool, so no swimming, but paddling fitted the bill.
    Coffee and pasty/pie for lunch. Then on to Minilia River for our stop tonight.
    It was a huge dust bowl. I don't know the last time the river had any water in it. The wind was whipping the dust about. But we had internet, and Ian was able to watch the footie, and cricket. No fire....but at least we would be warm in bed tonight!    Read more

  • Top End TreadingRoad trip to DarwinTraveler
    Sunrise over the NASA Satellite dish

    Carnarvan

    August 19, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    We booked into the Wintersun CP in Carnarvan as we left Minilya. It was probably a wise thing to do, as the park was pretty full by evening.
    The caravan battery was low, and just about everything needed recharged. I was looking forward to using a flushing toilet again.
    I also love it when we are guided into our site...takes the pressure off me. It was a lovely little CP, and reminded me of Butlins. The Tanoy announcement let all the patrons know of the Beginners Boot Scooting session on at 9.30 tomorrow morning, Tomorrow night is spud night with singing entertainment provided. At the back of the CP was the bowls club! They even hired out bowls if required.
    We went into the town and restocked, then walked along the shore front. Carnarvon is a big food growing area with the River Gascoyne flowing into the Indian Ocean and providing the water to sustain the large Banana plantations around. The river was last running in Feburary this year, but the blerb by the beach states that it is a river which also runs about 10ft underground.
    A new statue on the hill depicts a young aboriginal girl and boy, watching their parents being removed to the Islands. I didn't quite understand what it was all about though. Still it was a good sculpture.
    The mile long jetty was still closed for repair. Pity.    Read more

  • Top End TreadingRoad trip to DarwinTraveler

    Nerrin Nerrin 24hr Road stop

    August 20, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    With everything fully charged, we headed off. 4 hrs later, after a roadside stop for lunch, we pulled into our home for the night. As soon as we turned in we both recognized staying here before. This was where we fed curry to a lone cyclist from America.
    The wildflowers are starting to appear. With little rain to sustain them, they are a wonderous sight. I wish I knew how to take photographs of the night sky too. It was majestic. A satellite passed over while we watched. A beautiful place to spend the night. For every ying there must be a yang...flies, and drop toilets for me.    Read more

  • Top End TreadingRoad trip to DarwinTraveler
    1

    Dongora

    August 21, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    We had spotted a free camp offered by the council, in Geraldton. Having never visited there before, we thought this would be good. We arrived around 11.30, and it was full. Only 8 sites were allocated to caravans...but it wasn't to be. Bedsides, it was just a big carpark, even though it was by the sea. We set off heading towards Whitecliffs, which is a beautiful free camp on the beach, with turquoise sea and chalk white cliffs as a backdrop. We stayed there last year, and just loved it!
    On our way we stopped at Northampton for coffee and a very rich but delicious vanilla slice. Ian and I shared one piece, but even that was almost too much. The town had model painted sheep dotted around the town. Also iron cutouts depicting the towns history.
    Our camping plans changed again when we where going through Dongora. Just off the main road, was a green grassy site, with 3 caravans parked. It looked pleasant and had a good feel about it.
    We parked beside a group of two caravans travelling together. They were washing their car with an Aldi power spray, and they could talk!!!!
    We left them to it, and walked to the beach. It turned out to be a little further than anticipated. We walked around 10km, but It was a beautiful day -26 degrees, and no wind. We walked along a boardwalk with pelicans asleep on the beach, or swimming in the water. On the return journey, we stopped at a tavern for a beer, and cold glass of wine as our reward.    Read more

  • Top End TreadingRoad trip to DarwinTraveler
    1

    Yanchep NP

    August 22, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Rain is forcast for today, so it is a bit of a race to get to our campsite before it starts. At least we know that having booked it this morning we have secured our space. We went to Yanchep last year, and although very close to Perth, it is full of kangaroos koalas and birds.
    We stopped for lunch at Jurien Bay, and walked down to the jetty. We were lucky enough to watch a dolfin just lazing around in the water.
    At Yancep, we sat around the campfire chatting until the rain came...and it was heavy! No wonder it is so green here. Such a contrast from the bush and deep red soil, to the verdant green farmlands of the past 24hrs.    Read more

  • Top End TreadingRoad trip to DarwinTraveler

    Perth

    August 23, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    We tried booking into several Caravan Parks in Perth before leaving Yanchep. All were full. We thought we had struck it lucky at the 3rd park. Yep, no problems, he had spaces. Too easy! It appears this caravan park was directly underneath the flight path from Perth Airport. One review said it was fun to download the radar app, so that you could identify the flights destination. It was also Perths newest CP.
    On the way, we stopped and got two new tyres fitted. It was raining pretty steadily at this time, so I went for a wander around some nearby op shops. I came back with two cheap raincoats. Both from the same maker, but one was from the Salvos ($10) and the other from Vinnies ($8).
    We set up in the CP, and yes, it looked very new, but they seemed to have several shabby permanent residents. We were warned by passerbys not to leave anything outside, as it may 'walk'. Lovely toilets though!
    We went to the DFO just a few minutes away. Ian managed to buy two new coats within 20mins of arriving.
    I downloaded the flight app!    Read more

  • Top End TreadingRoad trip to DarwinTraveler
    1

    Stocked up and heading home

    August 24, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    We need enough food to get us through the Nullabor but still not too much, as all veggies need to be eaten or cooked before the SA border. So we did a shop in Aldi, then crossed the road to Callington Shopping Mall (enormous place) and Ian got his hair cut. We had time after lunch to go to Fremantle, where they had a lovely little market. I bought a string of dried seed heads, before Ian could talk me out of it! Dan Murphys for grog, (trying to avoid the $35 bottles of Jacob's Creek from the Rd Houses along the Nullabor).
    We are leaving our quirky CP, with it's over abundance of permanents behind!    Read more

  • Top End TreadingRoad trip to DarwinTraveler

    Merredin

    August 25, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    We left Perth driving into the hills via the Golden Pipeline Historical Trail or Eastern Highway.We debated driving on toward Southern Cross, but the campsite at Merredin we had stayed at before, so settled there about 14.30.
    We were the first to arrive. It is a sprawling campsite amongst the gums, at the base of a granite hill. The railway used the rain runoff by channeling it into a reservoir beside our camp. On top off the granite hill wild flowers were starting to bloom. We saw some native orchids, but most were only just starting to flower. By the time we climbed the hill and returned to the campsite, 3 other caravans had parked.
    On the way here we stopped at Kellerberrin for lunch. It was a pretty quiet town. An IGA was open, but nothing else. However as we sat with soup and dip, next to the railway line, the Indian Pacific passed.
    This evening, black cockatoos circled above, squawking loudly. Luckily (or not) we had telstra coverage, so could watch TV on our phones. England won the test Cricket by one point.    Read more

  • Top End TreadingRoad trip to DarwinTraveler

    Kalgoolie Boulder.

    August 26, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Last one to leave by a long chalk....the rest were away about 8am!
    Lovely salmon gums line the roadside, and some of the gums have started flowering. I think we are probably a couple of weeks too early to see all the flowers in their glory. Apparently the season is late this year.
    We stopped for lunch just after one, at another 24hr stop, which had it's own 'pet' magpie. She would sit on the table and catch the crumbs that Ian would throw.
    We had another 200km to go, so we hit the road again after a pit stop.
    Kalgoolie Centenial park is the next stop. It has flushing toilets Yeh! It really is a very pleasant place with lots of green grass. The flags in the park were at half mast because the Rt Hon Tim Fisher was being buried today.    Read more

  • Top End TreadingRoad trip to DarwinTraveler

    Ten mile rock

    August 27, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Another free camp, but because we travelled less than 300km, we were there in plenty of time to set out the solar panels. They did a beautiful job charging the caravan battery. It was a lovely little camp, with lots of Salmon Red Gums, and native birds. There were 5 of us camped overnight. Only one long drop between us!
    I was astounded to find that I could receive phone calls and was able to speak to Julie. Her brother was very ill, but thankfully, now seems on the mend.
    Baby Red got an airing tonight, and we starting using all the vegetables before crossing the SA border. I made Ratatouille and Ian cooked chicken on the barbie, which we ate sitting around a fabulous campfire.    Read more

  • Top End TreadingRoad trip to DarwinTraveler

    Moonera Tank rest area

    August 28, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We were now on the Nullabor, driving along 90mile straight...the longest stretch of straight road in Australia. Lots of road kill evident, and one or two eagles eating the fallen. Mostly Crows and Ravens though. They say that Crows and Ravens are the fastest growing bird group. Edging out the native Birds of Prey.
    We passed several spots where others were playing the Nullabor Golf link....the longest golf course in the world. We have our certificate from last year. We also met other travelers that we had crossed paths with along our journey. This time a couple from NSW.
    Ian drove just over 400kms today, and we got to our camp site just after 4pm.    Read more

  • Top End TreadingRoad trip to DarwinTraveler

    Just before Head of Bight

    August 29, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    We drove pretty steadily across the Nullabor. Just stopping for lunch, and petrol. Where Diesel costs from $1.35 in Perth, because we are so far from anywhere here, we can pay anything up to $2 a liter or more. The clocks have gone back 1.30hrs, once we crossed into SA. To soften the blow, at the start of the Nullabor (yesterday) a road sign advised to put your watch back by 45mins. Ian would have none of that!! We ate the last of the tomatoes and cucumber with soup for lunch....we just stopped at a lay by at the top of Eucla Gap. What a view we had..amazing. To top it all, the sun was shining , and it was a glorious lunch. However, we now have minimal food left, and still another day- perhaps two to travel! We pulled into another 24hr stop about 30km from Head of Bight for the night.Read more

  • Top End TreadingRoad trip to DarwinTraveler

    Shelly beach CP Ceduna

    August 30, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    This morning was our first day back in SA. We are heading for Ceduna tonight, over 400km away.
    On route we drove down to Head of Bight.
    49 whales have been spotted today many with calves. Two of the calves are white apparently. Around 5% of right whale calves are born white, but few adult white whales are ever seen.
    It was a glorious day, but very windy. I could see no more than 10 whales but that was okay! One of the calves played around a bit, practicing his breaching techniques. Ian got a couple of good photographs. It is certainly an experience not to be missed.
    At the SA quarantine station I was found to have carrots and a red capsicum in the car fridge...neither of which I was aware of! I was allowed to keep the carrot but lost my capsicum!
    We called into the Beachfront CP but they were full. We were instructed to go to the Shelly Beach cp as they had room. This park is out of town a fair way, but right on the beach. The forcast is for rain and strong winds tomorrow, but I think I would still like to stay another night. We have been travelling hard over the past week. So that is what we are doing. Leave here on Sunday!    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

  • 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

    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

    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

    Trip end
    September 4, 2019
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