South Oz & Beyond

A 125-day adventure by Gary Read more

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Trip start
March 12, 2023
South Oz & Beyond Traveler
Merredin
March 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
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Karalee Dam
March 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
Fighting off the dingoes. Travelled from Perth to Karalee Dam with lunch at Merredin. A moment of contemplation as we passed through Southern Cross-Was it always like that or is it just because Great Eastern Highway is so rough. They're doing roadworks now so hopefully it won't stay cross!Read more
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Kalgoorle
March 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Pulled into Centennial Park free 72hr RV park- I'm a pensioner now. Booked up for the Nullarbor golf course and will see the open pit mine blast at 5pm. Having coffee at De Bernales although I'm told they do better" coffee" in Hay St.Read more
Travelertight arse you mean
3/12/23Reply
TravelerI wonder if they give Seniors discount at the Palace Hotel Gold Bar???
3/13/23Reply
TravelerLooks like a good spot. Plenty of other "pensiobers" there too! 😄 Enjoy.
3/12/23Reply
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Widgiemooltha
March 14, 2023 in Australia
Played the Golden Eagles par 3 hole. Unfortunately no eagles but a dismal 5. Ball bounced off the green. Wedgies was home of a 25kg gold nugget. Julie found her own gold nugget 42 years ago weighing slightly more than 25 kilos. I've increased in value since thenRead more
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Norseman
March 14, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Tortured myself with two more holes. Very good visitor centre where we learnt that Norseman was named after a horse-no not Eric. Apparently a guy called Lindsay was travelling to Esperance to see his brothers when the horse went lame. He checked out his hoof and there was a gold nugget lodged in it.Had lunch in Norseman and yet another dilemna- which one do I eat first- the chicken or the eggRead more
TravelerForget the egg!
3/14/23Reply
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Newman's Rock
March 14, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 29 °C
Overnight here about 40 km west of Balladonia. Bad advertising though- can hardly hear the birds let alone the music. Nice outlook though. Woke up to fog in the morning- or perhaps I had one to many beers!Read more
TravelerSurely not 101..1 curtain radio
3/14/23Reply
TravelerIt goes off on a Tuesday
3/14/23Reply
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Balladonia
March 15, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Skylab hole. I think, they left some of the debris on the golf course!
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Caiguna
March 15, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
End of longest straight in Oz. Pity my drive wasn't as straight.
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Cocklebiddy
March 15, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C
Met a lovely couple, Bruce and Samantha- both Eagles fans. I started talking up the Dockers chances this year but that seemed to ruffle their feathers. I asked Samantha if she ever thought of supporting the Pies but she replied" I'd rather eat live mice!!"Read more
TravelerOMG, Gaz, that's bad. Do you have any better ones?
3/15/23Reply
TravelerAs good as it gets, I'm afraid
3/15/23Reply
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Madura Pass
March 15, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C
My 2nd par for the course in front of Swedish backpackers- I overheard them say- Ooh and he can play golf as well!- or I think that's what they said?
TravelerJust wondering if you bought a second shirt with you Gaz?
3/15/23Reply
TravelerMight have to steal it in Shark Bay to give it a wash
3/15/23Reply
TravelerI only use the red shirt for each golf hole and then change but don't worry Pat I'll have the blue and gold on tommorrow arvo.
3/16/23Reply
TravelerAt least there's no hills to climb up to retrieve it!
3/16/23Reply
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WA/SA Border
March 16, 2023 in Australia
Finally crossed into South Oz. Wind has picked , Heading into easterley
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Nullarbor Plains
March 16, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
Start of Nullarbor Plains. Straight into the breeze both driving and on the 630m par 5
Traveler birthday girl!
3/16/23Reply
Traveler Beautiful 🤙
3/17/23Reply
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Fowlers Bay
March 17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 34 °C
Booked into Fowlers Bay for a couple of nights. So far very windy but they say the fishing is good. I think you'll need a 12oz sinker just to get the line in the water. Nice looking jetty so might gi ve squidding a go later if thewind drops. Took the 2nd road in as was told the first would be rough. The road in was about 20kms and half was bitumen so no issue. It got to 43 deg. with hot northerly up to about 6pm then wind changed to south and 2 hours later had a jumper on. Diesal prices have dropped significantly with diesel around $2.03 at Yallara and $1.97 at Nundroo compared with around $2.50 at most stations across the Nullarbor with exception of Nullarbor ($2.80) and Balladonia ($2.37). Spent last night camping just east of Yallara befriended a few magpies- it wasn't the colours that gave them away- it was they had no front teeth. Broken Feather and I spent a couple of hours catching March flies to which bf seemed to like. Went out to Scotts Bay and Mexican Hat camp grounds. Road out through salt flats and only dry weather track but worth the drive as coastline is very nice. Pat i washed the red shirt today albeit I couldn't part from it for long.Read more
TravelerAre you going via Port Lincoln?
3/16/23Reply
TravelerYes. We are heading down the west side of the Eyre Penninsula in a couple of days
3/17/23Reply
TravelerGood CP in Port Lincoln
3/17/23Reply
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Penong
March 20, 2023 in Australia
Penong- home of largest windmill- and they've certainly had a workout the last couple of days
TravelerHardest working windmills in the world with you there
3/19/23Reply
TravelerGood call Kell. Won't be needing any natural wind if Gas is there
3/19/23Reply
TravelerThey have a no "fluffing" rule in Penong
3/20/23Reply
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Ceduna
March 20, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Went through checkpoint this morning- no fruit or veg so sailed through. Stocked up on beer,fuel and food and a little more beer just in case ready for the trip down the Eyre Peninsula. Oyster shack was shut so will have to try tommorrow morning before we leave for Streaky Bay- Don't look Ethel!! Finished the last two holes of the Nullarbor Links at Ceduna and received a certificate for my efforts. The red shirt can now have a rest- for a day or two.Read more
TravelerWell done
3/20/23Reply
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Streaky Bay
March 21, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 21 °C
Arrived at Streaky Bay via Smoky Bay where we picked up a dozen freshly shucked oysters for $17. Staying at Foreshore Carsvan Pk which is really nice and right on the Bay.Went for a drive to Cape Bauer- nice coastline. Another couple of drives Pt Labatt where you see a Sea Lion colony and Murphy's Haystacks. Also did the Westall Way loop drive which has some nice bays. Tried to book swimming with sea lions and dolphins out of Baird Bay but fully booked a week in advance so no go. Went to the Streaky Bay Cup and whilst we didn't win overall still had a really good day. The best horse I backed won the race then dumped the rider jumped the outside fence and headed over the hills towards town.Read more
TravelerThey look absolutely amazing 🤤
3/22/23Reply
TravelerHappy Anniversary Kelly and Eva Hopefully your dinner tonight is a bit more up market than the bait I have to eat!! Enjoy your night
3/22/23Reply
TravelerCan we lick the shells?
4/14/23Reply
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Venus Bay
March 27, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Arrived in Venus Bay after a drizzly morning. Caravan Park is right on the waters edge. Nice walk around south Point on coastline. Picked up some really nice curries from Shell servo in Streaky Bay before we left. Nice drive out to Tahlia Cave about 20kms south. Saw the cave which was weathered limestone and "the tub"- no Lloydy they haven't named a place after you!. It would've been a cave but the roof had collapsed. Finished the arvo with another walk around South Point and then the scones and coffee deal at the kiosk where my newly acquired snap swivels fell out of my pocket and straight through the wooden floor boards. Toasting fork to the rescue and after a bit of mucking around the $2.40 swivels were saved. Phew!!Read more
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Walkers Rocks Campground
March 30, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Camp ground $20 per night- need to book. Designated sites
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Elliston Cliff Top Drive
March 30, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Great drive just north of Elliston
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Coffin Bay
April 3, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Busy few days in Coffin Bay- which by the way was named after a mate of Cap't Flinders. Went on the Whalers Way drive out of Port Lincoln. Great drive and coastline. Saw small colony of sea lions. Tonight we're eating at flash Oyster restaurant 1802. On Saturday we're catching up with GB Sue's sister Lee and hubby,Rob. Sunday we're doing an Oyster tour starting with a bloody Mary oyster shot. Why not finish our stay at Coffin Bay with a dozen oysters and half a kilo of prawns from a vending machine!!Read more
TravelerGeez, all those oysters over the last week.
3/31/23Reply
TravelerNever enough Lloydy
3/31/23Reply
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Tumby Bay
April 3, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
On the east coast of the Eyre Peninsular travelled via Cummins and a very good curry pie. Silo art and lots of murals in town. Jetty closed due to damage but apparently they have sea dragons around the piers. Drove into Port Neill north of Tumby Bay- caravan pk looks average and town likewise but good camping spots between Tumby and Port NeillRead more
TravelerPort Neill Caravan Park was quite nice in 1987
4/4/23Reply
TravelerI think that's when they did there last Renno's. Looking very tired now. Wouldn't rate Port Neill or even Arno Bay. Tumby Bay was great but pity the jetty is closed
4/5/23Reply
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Melrose
April 5, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Big day driving from Tumby Bay to Melrose adjacent to Mt Remarkable in the Flinders Ranges. Nice town-2 pubs and a brewery! Came via Horrocks Pass through the ranges. Took a drive back to Wilmington and a very hilly drive to Alligator Gorge. Gorge well worth doing- looks a lot like the NW gorges.Read more
TravelerThe drive up that way is quite stunning, and the gorges are very similar to ours, as you say.
4/6/23Reply
TravelerYes. The road to get through the Flinders Ranges via Horrocks Pass was very impressive. I don't know whether you have been to Alligator Gorge but we saw a cyclist walking up the first of the hills and there was a series of very steep hills much worse than the first - suffice to say we didn't see him at the gorge as he must have given up and turned around. Mind you your older sister Audrey probably would have made it on her electric bike!!!
4/6/23Reply
TravelerTough haul up through Horrocks Pass
4/6/23Reply
TravelerYes it was but we were following a couple of caravans so we were just hanging back. I really enjoyed the alignment through the ranges. No easier way
4/6/23Reply
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Minlaton
April 7, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Our "Easter" spot albeit I tried about 10 places first. Not too bad and town is well serviced. Will get down to Innes National Park whilst here. Went to the local " Watsacowie" brewery and finally some decent beer after the poop they serve at the pubs in SA. Two piece band Lily and the Drum were playing- very good and is on Spotify. Had a big drive through the Innes NP. Nice coast and liked the Stenhouse Bay camp site just out of Marion Bay.Read more
TravelerHappy Easter
4/8/23Reply
TravelerHappy Easter Lorna
4/8/23Reply
TravelerHappy Easter Gaz and Jules! Looks like a great trip so far. Enjoy the footy next weekend.
4/8/23Reply
TravelerThanks Karon and happy Easter. We've checked out a few more places but we definitely feel like we're moving too quickly as there's a lot of great places to stay. Camp grounds at Stenhouse Bay just inside the Innes NP is very good.
4/9/23Reply
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Port Hughes
April 10, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 17 °C
What a great little town. Caravan Pk overlooking the bay and the jetty with the tavern in between. Golf course designed by Greg Norman. Apparently it has been windy over the last few days but it was picture perfect today. Different story on Tuesday- windy and overcast. Caravan Park cleared out- the nude yoga worked again! Correction- gale force winds- footy teams are rubbish- thank goodness for Farmer Wants a WifeRead more
Travelerhaha that wouldve done it !
4/11/23Reply
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Adelaide
April 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Arrived in Adelaide for the Gather Round. The Marion Caravan Park is very flash_ gym to workout ( Hmmm maybe not!). Indoor/ outdoor pool, indoor tennis court, outdoor cinema, bar and restaurant. Caught up with Shane Power for lunch at Marino Rocks Social Cafe and then we got the Dockers over the line on a balmy night at Nowood Oval. Thankfully no footy on Saturday as very wet but took a drive to Hahndorf and had lunch and a couple of decent beers. Really nice drive with Autumn leaves. Footy double header on Sunday. Eagles first up and very good first 10 minutes and second half- unfortunately in between the Eagles second and third goals, Geelong got 12 goals. Second game between Pies and Saints much better and only a goal in it. Adelaide Oval is a very nice stadium.Read more
TravelerDockers Game is a sell out
4/13/23Reply
TravelerI wonder who bought the ticket- maybe Pavs mum
4/13/23Reply
TravelerPut your prison bars on and say after me ‘Carn Pies’
4/13/23Reply
Traveler🤣😝
4/13/23Reply
TravelerAre the Pies allowed to copy the Port Adelaide jumper?
4/13/23Reply
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