‘Pre retirement’ trial

We are taking 6 months leave from work to see more of this beautiful country we call home.
Will we return…….. Read more

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Trip start
October 10, 2025
‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 1 - Sea Lake VIC
Oct 10–11, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 24 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 1
419km Home to Sea Lake Vic
Home for the night- Sea Lake Caravan Park

The 40km/hr head winds and 85km gusts 💨 DID NOTHING to help our fuel economy 😳
We’ve made this journey and explored along the way many times so the aim today was to get to our destination as soon as possible with no unnecessary stops or detours. Job done ✔️

And as a bonus it was a barmy 25 degrees ☀️when we arrived so we enjoyed the last of the sun, with the Seagull giving his legs a much needed workout after being still for so long 🏃🏼😜

Popped into the Royal Hotel for what we were thinking would be a quiet drink, to be met by DJ KC Bishop and his banging Friday night tunes 🕺🏼

And we finished our first night on the road at the silo art video light showRead more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 2- Overland Corner SA
Oct 11–12, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 24 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 2
369km Sea Lake Vic to Overland Corner SA
Home for the night- Overland Corner Reserve

The aim today was to cross into SA with no issues and to arrive at our destination with plenty of time to relax before our dinner booking. Job done ✔️

Justine drove the first hour,
unfortunately taking out a lizard that had decided to stop for a nap whilst crossing the road 😢

Crossed the border at Pinnaroo with no issues, except the hitchhiking flies we picked up at the quarantine station 🪰
Headed into the beautiful SA Riverina country with its vineyards and orchards, stopping off at Loxton to restock on fruit/ veg

Arrived in great time at Overland Corner Hotel, our planned stopped for the night, to find it chockers with Redback Tourers Motorcycle Club set up for the Overland Corner Rally taking up the whole area 🏍️⛺️🏍️⛺️🏍️
Drove on through to the reserve and found a great spot next to the Murray River, peaceful and quiet and just 700m to the pub.

Walked back to the pub for dinner, and WOW the meals should come with warnings ⛔️- they are HUGE. We should have ordered one to share, but now have a wagu beef schnitzel that will feed us both for the next couple of days 😳

Left the live music playing and settled in to watch the sun settling on another wonderful day 🌅Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 3
Oct 12–13, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 3
365km Overland Corner SA to Craddock SA

Home for the night-Cradock Hotel SA

The aim today was to get more kms under the tyres ready for the Flinders Ranges tomorrow. Job done ✔️

Our day started with a spectacular sunrise 🌅
Early start to catch the sunrise then start our journey through Burra to Jamestown, birthplace of R M Williams. Stopped there for lunch and think we saw a painting of Shawaddywaddy at the art centre 😳
Then continued along the R M Willjams Way to Cradock SA, home of the BIG Akubra 🤠

We saw beautiful yellow canola fields and lots of wildflowers and wildlife along the way: goats, emus, a kangaroo that was a little reluctant to move out of the road and a pigeon playing chicken that was eventually taken out by a seagull, sorry 😢

We arrived at Craddock just after lunch, with a plan to stay behind the pub and pop in there for dinner. Unfortunately the pub closed a 3, just enough time for a couple of drinks to put some money behind the bar as a thank you for the stay.

Johnny headed out to run his legs for a quick 5km and we shared a shower, to save water and costs 🚿😜

As the pub was closed, dinner was yummy beef snitz rolls, curtesy of the Overland Hotel 😋

And our day ended with a spectacular sunset 🌄Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 4
Oct 13–16, 2025 ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 4
82km Cradock SA to Discovery Resorts- Wilpena Pound SA

Home for the night-Discovery Resorts- Wilpena Pound

The aim today was to make the short journey into the Flinders Ranges National Park to our base for the next few days. Job done✔️ but it was a little eventful 😳

Didn’t catch the sunrise as we chose a lazy start to the day with only a short drive ahead.

But the morning proved to be quite a stressful one 😥

Yesterday we made the mistake of keeping the van hooked up to the car for a few hrs and the fridge didn’t switch over to gas, instead it used the car battery 😳
This morning we noticed the charger1 for the Bluetti wasn’t working, and we thought we had an issue with that☹️

Following the short drive into Hawker, we left the van hooked up as we made a quick errand and on our return the car battery was dead
Zilch 🪫
Unable to unlock the doors.

Thankfully we had a Uniden portable jump starter kit and was able to get ourselves moving again

After much deliberation we decided the fridge was the culprit. But only as a result of our forgetfulness
Leaving the van hooked up had drained the battery and the short drive had done nothing to top it up.
Lesson learnt, hopefully 🙏🏻
On the ‘to do list’ - transfer fridge connection to ignition

Arrived at Discovery Resorts- Wilpena Pound to find it a little busier than when we were here previously, but the powered sites are spacious and set out to provide a feeling of privacy, so all good
There are so many places to stay in the ranges but we chose here as we could walk to the start of the trails we had planned, no need to drive anywhere for the next 3 days 😊
And we’re feeling a little more relaxed now that we’ve been able to fully charge the batteries 🔋

Johnny settled into the van to complete some outstanding work whilst Justine prepped for the next days hike 🥾🎒

Early to bed tonight for a very early start tomorrow 🛏️Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 5
October 14, 2025 ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 5

The aim today was to hike St Mary’s Peak, Wilpena Pound.
Our mad dash across Vic and into SA, the km covered and the one night stops were all for this. To get here and do the hike before it gets too hot and the trails close on the 30th Nov. Job done ✔️

The hike comes with excitement, but a whole lot of trepidation for Justine, especially after being so unwell this year with limited cardio fitness. But whatever, we are here and we are doing it. 🏃🏼🎒
After we much deliberation we decided to tackle the loop outside in, and set off at first light to reduce our time on the trail in the heat of the day. ☀️

NOTHING prepared us for what we encountered 😟
The outside section had us scrambling over boulders and literally rock climbing at times
We were so glad we decided to tackle the outside section first as we could not imaging trying to scramble down it with tired legs.
Justine stayed at the saddle whilst Johnny made the out and back to the peak. ⛰️
Then it was the long hike back down the inside to the middle of Wilpena Pound and out- 24 km in total in just over 7 hours (5 hrs moving time)
We wished we had a sash to show what we had done as we headed back into the resort hot, bedraggled and looking a little worse for wear as we got some very strange looks from those around 🥵

It will be a very quiet evening for us tonight I’m sure. Just hope the legs don’t cramp up 😳Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 6
October 15, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 22 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 6

The aim today was to rest and relax after yesterday’s adventure and prepare for the next few days being on dirt roads and off grid. Job done ✔️

Woke this morning feeling not too bad after yesterdays adventuring, no lasting aches or pains which we are very grateful for 😊

Johnny completed a lazy ‘15km’ trail run from home to the Wilcolo walk in camp ground, taking in the Heyson and Mawson trails 🏃🏼
Then settled in to complete his outstanding jobs for work 💻

We resembled Widow Twankey’s launderette 👚👖🧥🧦🩳 but have all the washing done and dried ✔️
Car and van checked over 🚙 🛞 all prepared for the rough roads ahead ✔️

Now the real adventuring begins, taking us to places we have not yet travelled 😍Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 7
Oct 16–17, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 7
295 km Wilpena Pound Resort to Farina SA

The aim today was to travel further north than we have been before and commence our journey into outback SA following the Old Ghan Railway Heritage Trail from Hawker to Farina 🚊. Job Done✔️

Leaving Wilpena we headed into Hawker for fuel and to top up the water 💦, then onto the Outback Highway to commence our journey along the old Ghan railway into outback SA, passing through Parachilna, Beltana, Copley and Lyndhurst.

The 1200km railway operated between Port Augusta and Alice Springs from 1878 to 1980🚊

We took a short detour off the highway to Beltana, a state heritage listed town. It’s the town were the RFDS first began, camels were first brought to Australia 🐫🐪 and the first Afghan settlement. A large number of the stone buildings remain and are currently being restored by locals.
We popped into the Royal Victoria Hotel which is being lovingly restored and learnt a lot about the town and the Hulls that had owned the pub for decades.

We had hoped make the turn onto the Stzelecki Track at Lyndhurst to Talc Alf, to meet the Dutch talc sculptor, but the heat ☀️☀️☀️(38 degrees) had us continuing on our way to Farina.

Our journey was mainly uneventful despite the heat, except for an alarm on the tyre monitor for raised temp 🛞. We didn’t identify any obvious issue and took short stops to allow the temp to settled back down.
Oh and the road from Lyndhurst to Farina, is the worse made road we have travelled so far with more potholes than Vic roads 😳

Arrived in Farina and made our way to the campsite. Too hot to explore until sunset and wow, it looked amazing 🌅
Farina started life as a government dug well in 1870, and is now abandoned except for 6 weeks of the year when the underground bakery opens and volunteers work at restoring the stone buildings. Unfortunately the bakery want open at this time 😥

The sky put on a fabulous show 🌌for us which we shared with a trillion flies, moths and bugs 🪰🦟🪳Time for bed 🛏️

Our home for the night is the Farina Campground, accessed via a dirt road.
$20 donation, with showers and flushing toilets. . Camp fires allowedRead more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 8
Oct 17–19, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 8
132 km Farina SA to Coward Springs

The aim today was to begin our Oodnadatta adventure. Job Done✔️

Expecting another hot day peaking at 36 degrees, we got up early to enjoy the sunrise over Farina then headed along the Outback Highway to Marree. Roadworks along the highway into town had the car and van caked in thick heavy clay before we had even left the sealed stuff 😳
Quick stop for breakfast, fuel (at a massive $2.90l 😳) and a look around the town before heading on to the Oodnadatta Track.

We have never done such a long stretch of unmade road or been so remote and doing it alone brings a level of trepidation.
But we are here, the van and car are as prepared as they can be and we were doing it…..

We had heard the stretch out of Maree was bad, but the graders, including sad Simon, were out making it much better just for us 😜

We made stops at Mutonia Sculpture Park and Lake Eyre Lookout ( Lake Eyre being the worlds largest deepest underground reservoir) before arriving at Coward Springs, an eco camp, heritage site and working date farm.

The journey in wasn’t as bad as we were expecting, with the exception of 2 small sections and perhaps lower psi might have made those better- we will reduce for the next stretch. Very impressed with how the car and van are going so far- the antenna was an unexpected casualty currently patched up and still working 😜 and the carafan seems to have done its job at keeping dust at bay, just need to gets some Velcro to keep the refurbished sofa in its place 😜

Our home for the night is coward springs campground. Various sites, ours is partial shade and secluded.
$36 pn showers and toilet
Natural spa, museum, wetlands walk, cafe and gift shop
Fires permitted, bring your own wood.Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 9
October 18, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 9

The aim today was to do nothing, to chill and relax. Job NOT done❌
Those that know the Seagull know he doesn’t do nothing well, that he’s not happy unless he’s fettling

Up early before the heat of the day kicked in to see a beautiful sunrise over the date plantation, check out the museum and do the short wetlands walk. Johnny then set off on a 9 km run along the old Ghan and Oodnadatta track 🏃🏼 and Justine the short walk to the Coward Springs cemetery 🪦

The Seagull then spent the rest of the day flitting from one small job that just had to be done to another. Checking over the car and van for the next leg of the Oodnadatta, reducing psi on all tyres, downloading data and footage to prep the first week’s video, charging the car batteries, tidying (the already tidy) canopy, repositioning the sensors in the car fridge……..

We did find time to relax in the spa and enjoy some of the fresh homemade produce, fig, date and ginger jam on our morning toast, date scones for lunch and as an afternoon treat date and vanilla ice cream (that tastes like real old fashioned cream) 🍦-yum 😋

Ended the day with another great mea from our ‘meals in a van’Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 10
Oct 19–20, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 10
74 km Coward Springs to William Creek

The aim today was to get to William Creek as early as possible. Job done ✔️

We had a flight booked from William Creek at 12 mid day, but they wanted to bring it forward as the temp was expected to hit 43 degrees, so we agreed to get on the road at day break to do it earlier.
Protein shake with a coffee shot made a yummy, creamy, cold latte that doubled as morning coffee and breakfast - winner 🏆

Leaving Coward Springs we had an impromptu stop just up the road to double check Justine had locked Hester’s doors- she had ✔️, then another stop to check the boot doors were locked - she hadn’t ❌, then again to put the carafan on, and lucky we did as today’s journey was extremely dusty.
EVENTUALLY we started Day 2 of the Oodnadatta Track
We arrived in William Creek finding a fracture to the water overflow pipe- sillily it had a needless plastic join in it that broke, now it is bushed fixed with a more workable solution - at least for now 😜

Alex, our pilot, flew us over Anna Creek Station (the worlds largest cattle station, covering the size of Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿) to Lake Eyre (which is not full but currently has water reaching all parts of the lake) over the Oodnadatta Track and the Dog Fence ( the worlds longest fence stretching 2110km) to land at the Painted Hills (only accessible by air) where we were able to walk amongst them, before heading back.
It was sooo hot, but such a fantastic experience (Johnny can count it as his birthday trip 😜)

Had drinks and dinner at the William Creek Hotel, purely to take advantage of the air conditioning ❄️

With the low of 26 not expected until 6am tomorrow we are taking full advantage of the power to have the air conditioning on all night- sorry neighbours

Home for the night William Creek campgroundRead more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 11
Oct 20–21, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 39 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 11
202 km William Creek to Oodnadatta

The aim today was to get on the road early as we wanted to get most of the km under the wheels before the heat of the day (a predicted 43 degrees 🥵). Job done ✔️

Woke to a barmy 26 degrees (the lowest temp overnight😳). The power had gone off and on a couple of times across the campsite overnight so we’d turned on the gas to ensure the fridge could switch over if needed. On closing down we noticed one of the back pop top clips had loosened- now fixed up with a zip tie 😜

Fuelled at William Creek, our highest yet at 2.99l 😳 then back to the Oodnadatta Track.
Today we had emus’s running along side us and cattle deliberately stopping us in our tracks 🐂

We stopped off a couple of times along the way including at the Warina Siding and Algebuckina Bridge (longest railway bridge is SA). Johnny discovered a rusted iron nail from the original Ghan line, a little piece of history

We eventually arrived at Oodnadatta, which rests on the historic overland telegraph route and the old Ghan railway trail. Despite an apparent population of approx 100, it was like a ghost town (they must have been hiding out of the heat) not even able to get a beer from the pub as the doors were firmly closed 🍻❌
The iconic Pink Roadhouse was however open and very welcoming, say hi to Nicole
Given the heat we changed our original plan to bush camp, instead choosing to stay at the caravan park behind the roadhouse to have access to power and much needed aircon ❄️
We also changed our dinner plans as it was just TOO hot to cook and we really couldn’t face it. We had spent some time in the roadhouse avoiding the heat, and decided to stay there for dinner.

Fuel, another whopping $2.99 😳

Home for the night Oodnadatta Caravan Park
$43 power
Desal water available
Shower and toilets, laundry, basic camp kitchen
Walking distance to roadhouse for groceries, food and drink.

#SOTR
#seagullsontherun
#letsbounce
#SOTRlife
#seagulllife
#loveforadventure
#hester2Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 12
Oct 21–22, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 12
254 km Oodnadatta to Marla SA

The aim today was detour off the Oodnadatta Track to continue our journey on the Painted Desert Road, through the Arckaringa Hills to walk at the Painted Desert on the Arckaringa Station. Job done✔️

⏰ Time messed with our heads this morning, our phones had diverted to NT time (1 hour behind) and we didn’t realise until we were on the road

OMG the Painted Desert is out of this world, if you said we were on Mars we wouldn’t have argued 🪐
We stopped at the Mt Batterbee lookout with its 360 views of the hills, and then to walk amongst them. The colours were spectacular everywhere you looked🌄. And it certainly made up for the journey through them 😳

The Painted Desert Road beats the Oodnadatta Track hands down and not in a good way🥇, and you won’t change our minds on that 😜
It’s 173km of the worst dirt road we have EVER experienced with corrugations, washouts, bull dust, dry rocky creek beds…….. it has it all.
Plus don’t rely on google maps as it would take you the wrong way, we used Maps.me so all good

We didn’t see a single sole on the entire journey, expect those mustering the cattle 🐂🐂🐂🐂

We had planned to stay at Arckaringa Station but rain was forecast and the skies were looking ominous, we wouldn’t have had the spectacular sunset, sunrise and starry skies we were hoping for, and we certainly didn’t want to add wet roads to the list of obstacles so we continued through to the Stuart Hwy.

Passing through Marla, the pull of a pool at the Travellers Rest was too much so we stopped there- and it was soooooo refreshing after being hot and dusty 🏊‍♂️🏊‍♀️
And 35 degrees now seems quite acceptable ☀️

After feeling quite stressed by today’s journey, we are now feeling much more relaxed

Home for the night Marla Travellers Rest
$45 for power, water available at some sites
Showers and toilets, pool, restaurant, bar, roadhouse with groceries and a mini Kings outletRead more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 13
Oct 22–27, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 13
500km Marla to Yulara NT

The aim today was to cross the border into NT, our 3rd state within 2 weeks. Job done✔️

An overnight storm brought rain, thunder and the most amazing lightning- it was great to watch and the rain helped to clean a little of the red dust from MancHester ⛈️ 🌧️⛈️
So glad we made the decision to high tale it off the dirt as we know it rained on the Track and we didn’t want to get stuck on there as we have places to go and things to see 😜

The morning started a refreshingly cool 16 degrees, and a lazy start with coffee in bed whilst we mulled over where to next

Back on the Stuart Hwy we checked out Agnes Creek Rest Area (where we had planned to stop the previous night) and found it a great free camp spot with plenty of shade, perfect for our return journey.

Saw plenty of dodgy looking cars joining our journey up the hwy, and discovered they were gathering to start the Shitbox Rally from Alice this weekend 🏁

Jumped back in time as we crossed the SA/NT border - 1 hour to be exact. Extra time to stop off at the Kulgara Roadhouse and Erldunda Roadhouse before turning off the highway at Ghan on the Lasseter Hwy.
Caught our first glimpse of Mount Conner, then Uluru and our first camels on this journey 🐪🐫

113km out of Yulara we stopped at a spot which would have been perfect for a free overnight camp had we not set our sights on hiking at Kara Tjuta (Mount Olga) the next morning
Instead we continued on to Yulara and booked an extra night in the Ayres Rock Campground
Our site seems perfect, wide, opposite the Naninga Lookout and close to the amenities

Again the skies put on a spectacular show for us, first at sunset then with lightening across the skies.

Home for the night Ayres Rock Campground
$63.75pn Power and Water ( we got 1 night free)
Full resort town access with free shuttle busRead more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 14
October 23, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 14
Yulara NT

We’ve only been away for 2 weeks but feels so much longer -loving it 🥰

The aim today was to drive into the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to see Kata Tjuṯa in its full glory 🌄. Job done✔️

The site consists of 36 massive rock domes (the Olga’s). Many of the areas are off-limits due to their sacred cultural and spiritual significance to the local Anangu people however you can explore some of the area by foot but photography is not permitted in many of the sensitive sites.

We headed out as the sun was rising over Uluru, casting the most amazing glow onto Kara Tjuta.

The Valley of the Winds was our first hike, a 8.4km grade 4 circuit, with photography of the rock not permitted 📷❌

Our second hike was the Waḻpa Gorge Walk, a 3km grade 3 out and back, which did allow photography📷✔️

The whole area was breathtaking with spectacular colours as the sun hit the rock face. Its sheer size up close made us feel so small and insignificant, but brings a feeling of calm and reflection.

Returned back to the resort and another thunderstorm ⚡️⛈️⚡️- is this normal for this area at this time of year?

Sunset wasn’t as spectacular tonight but at least it wasn’t rainingRead more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 15
October 24, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 15
Yulara NT

The aim today was to drive into the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park to experience Uluru in its full glory. Job done ✔️

It is a place of significance for the Aṉangu people, with their ancestral stories and rock art ‘it’s a big rock with old art’.
Standing 348m high, the sandstone rock’s spectacular colours change throughout the day but are most dazzling at sunrise and sunset 🌅.

If Justine had a specific goal from the trip it is being here (oh and finding that perfect opal , but that’s for later😜), experiencing the culture and spirituality at the heart of the red centre ♥️.

We headed out to be at Talinguru Nyakunytjaku for sunrise, but saw non of the spectacular colours this morning 😔

We did the Minymaku (women’s) and Watiku (men’s) walks at Talinguru Nyakunytjaku before heading to the other side of the rock to join the ranger guided Mala walk to Kantju Gorge. Jason was our guide today and explained the Tjukurpa (creation stories) of the many rock formations and the meaning of the rock art.

We then completed the Uluru base walk, including the Kuniya Walk to the Muṯitjulu Waterhole and the Lungkaṯa Walk which provides an opportunity to get close to touch the rock and feel its textures.

In total approx 15km covered this morning

Heading back out we stopped at the Cultural Centre to learn more about the Anangu culture.
And feeling a little peckish we shared a pie- the filling……. Emu, Lemon Myrtle emu curry to be exact and it was yummy. Was not expecting that 😜

ANOTHER storm with rain and high winds (we’d also had one overnight) 💨 ⛈️💨, but have now learnt summer here has a higher rainfall than winter 🌧️. We did see water starting to run down the sides of Uluru which would be spectacular in full flow, so I guess they would be happy with more rain
We were lucky it didn’t rain whilst we were walking this morning but we have had this evenings tour to the Field of Lights cancelled due to inclement weather 😢. And don’t think we will be seeing a fabulous sunset tonight 😔
Oh well what can you do 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼

With some extra time on our hands we cleaned our windows, now we can see through them and the red hue is actually coming from the sunset not the red dust 😜

And given it’s Friday, we thought we’d end the day with a little live music at the Outback Hotel at the resort.

Here’s hoping we have a few dry days ahead as we have things planned and running out of days 😜Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 16
October 25, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 24 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 16
The Seagulls birthday 🎉🥳🎉
Yulara NT

The aim today was for the Seagull to do whatever he wants. A build your own adventure day.
It’s his birthday and he can cry if he wants to……he doesn’t want to do that…… he wants to run 🏃🏼, well no surprise there 😜. Job done ✔️

Another massive early morning storm (and again overnight) with even more rain, thunder and lightning ⚡️⛈️⚡️

As the alarm rang we seriously considered switching it off and rolling over. But we didn’t. And we are so glad

We drove to the rock with lightening leading the way and starting our run/cycle we were privileged to see water cascading down the rock face. Our timing was perfect as on our return it had reduced to a trickle.
We also stopped off at the Mutitjulu Waterhole with its sandy beach from yesterday fully submerged in water

We run/walked the base walk in reverse today, and wow the ground was wet and sticky and we looked very damp and bedraggled on our return

Next on today’s BYO adventure was to release our creative streak, so we headed to the Gallery of Central Australia (GOCA) to get our hands dirty with some indigenous inspired painting.

Then to train our brains and learn a little about Australian and local bush tucker, the hunting, gathering and preparing of bush foods

Next lunch at Geckos Cafe, supporting the National Indigenous Training Academy, sharing a yummy pizza and pasta- well deserved after the last few days of activity

Today is the 40th Anniversary of Handback, marking the return of the title deeds for Uluru and Kata Tjuta to the Anangu Traditional Owners and an event has been arranged at Uluru to celebrate which we are fortunate to be able to attend.

Great end to a lovely birthday day 😍Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 17
October 26, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 25 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 17
Yulara NT

The aim today was to have a chilled out day at the resort 😎 Job done ✔️

Another massive overnight storm with even more rain, thunder and lightning ⚡️⛈️⚡️. They are so unpredictable and catch so many people out, awnings flapping, everything soaked and stuff flying around. Thankfully we are experts now at having everything ready to be undercover in minutes 😜
Fingers crossed our event tonight goes ahead, it’s already been cancelled once and this is our last opportunity 🤞🏻

We waved off the Shit Box Rally as it embarked on day 2 of its journey from Yulara to Oodnadatta

Visiting GOCA we fell in love with the contemporary style work of Janice Stanley, a Pitjantjatjara artist who’s paintings depict the salt lakes/Pantu near Mt Connor related to the Seven Sisters Creation story. We would have loved to have made a purchase but what was available was way too big for us, check out her work we are sure you will love it too 💗

We attended the didgeridoo workshop, learning how to play and listening to its enchanting sounds

And we so loved painting yesterday that we headed back to do more today.
We now have our journey so far, and our experience at Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, represented in our own aboriginal inspired art, plus a momento for the Christmas tree 🎄. It’s been such a special time here and we have been so lucky to have seen and experienced what we have, memories we will treasure 🥰

Our last evening was spent at the Field of Lights, finally a calm still evening with no rain.
A perfect end to our stay hereRead more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 18
Oct 27–30, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 21 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 18
304 km Yulara to Petermann NT

The aim today was to head to Watarrka National Park which includes the western end of the George Gill Range and incorporates Kings Canyon and Kathleen Springs. Job done ✔️

But before leaving Yulara we checked out the Camel Farm. They do Camel tours from here, but it’s free to look around the museum. And what we discovered was a possible Horrocks ancestral link. John Ainsworth Horrocks, from Lancashire UK, arrived in SA 1839 and established Penwortham Village.
He pioneered use of Camels in Australian exploration in an expedition to search for new agricultural lands near Lake Torrens. He had the first camel in Australia which he found to be temperamental, and unfortunately, became best known as the explorer who was shot by his own camel! He died 23rd September 1846 of his wounds 🐪🔫🪦
We will need to do a bit of research into him

Today’s journey took us back past Mount Connor, where we stopped at the lookout to walk over the sand dunes to the salt lake on the other side. The place we now know inspires the contemporary paintings of the Indigenous artist (Janice Stanley) we fell in love with at Yulara

The drive took us through changing landscapes from dry red dirt to rugged outcrops and we spotted our first wild horses.
short stop off at Kings Creek Station for fuel ($2.98l) before arriving at Kings Canyon Resort, our base for the next few days of adventuring.

Home for the night is Kings Canyon Resort
$70.80 (with gday discount) power and water, shower, toilets, laundry, pool, restaurant, bar with happy hour 4-5pmRead more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 19
October 28, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 22 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 19
Petermann NT

The aim today was to get up early to see the sunrise and get out to explore Watarrka National Park which lies within the
traditional lands of the Matutjara people. Job (partially) done ✔️

Didn’t make sunrise but we did explore the National Park and its scenic landscape of rugged ranges, rock-holes and gorges.

First the Kings Creek Walk a Grade 2 out and back walk into the gorge, it should be 2.6km but we incorporated it with the rim walk

Next the Kings Canyon Rim Walk a Grade 4, 6 km loop.
Initially a steep climb to top and the most amazing views along the rim, through the domes of the ‘Lost City’ down into the ‘Garden of Eden’, and a waterhole that you can’t swim in 😢

Then we drive a little further to complete the Kathleen Springs Walk, a Grade 1, 2.6 km out and back walk that leads past eminent if old stockyards to a
waterhole, which unfortunately you also can’t swim in 🏊‍♀️❌.

Thanks to happy hour we celebrated our adventuring with a well deserved drink in the Thirsty Dingo Bar 😜🍷🍺🥂Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 20
October 30, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 20
Petermann NT

The aim today was to chill at the resort, and do a little housekeeping. Job done ✔️

We planned a ‘no alarm’ with a ‘laze in bed’ start to the morning but that didn’t happen, of course it didn’t ❌
The sunrise over the Kings Canyon ridge was too good to miss 🌄

And of course the Seagull donned his runners for an early morning skiddadle, a quick 10km run on the Kings Canyon Resort Ridge walk 🏃🏼

We’ve spotted our first dingo whilst here and seen their tell tale prints in the sand 🐾

Unfortunately housework still needs to be done 🧹🧽🧺, it just gets done a little quicker living in such a compact space 😜

Having spent a few days in the dust we decided to inspect the awning and all the seals-window, door, boot, pop top….. they were filthy 😳
Hester has been engulfed in bull dust at times so they have done a stellar job at keeping it out, and with the build up of red dust and grime removed hopefully they will continue to do so 🙏🏻

With a barmy 36 degrees we parked ourselves in the air con at the bar to catch up on media work 💻📷and our finances 💲📉

And with chores done, it was time to cool down in the pool 🏊‍♂️🏊‍♀️Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 21
Oct 30–Nov 5, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 21
470 km Petermann to Alice Springs NT

The aim today was to get our furthest point north on this part of the trip. Job done ✔️

Woke to a beautiful sunrise with Miss Tilly in our thoughts 🤍🐶🤍 (4 years 🌈)

We had the option to take a short cut down dirt and dusty roads today, but due to the heat we made the decision to stick to the black top

We noticed the distance markers here are not to the next town (as it’s too far away) but to the next road or junction.

Our journey took us past changing landscapes and over dry sandy creek and river beds, including the Finke and Todd Rivers, with stops at roadhouses to break up the road trip.
Our first stop was the Mt Ebenzer Roadhouse, which has unfortunately lied derelict for some time. We spoke with a local Clint who, with his uncle, are trying to rebuild the place - they will need a lot of time and patience 😳

Next stop Erldunda Roadhouse at the Centre of the Centre

And lastly the Stuarts Well Roadhouse, where we had a hump 🐪and jump 🦘burger for lunch.

We made it to Alice Springs at a scorching 43 degrees, and was very very grateful for the aircon ❄️

We are both tired bunnies so popped across to the brewery for a pizza then an early night.
And NO alarm tomorrow 🔕

Home for the night is the Discovery Resort-Alice Springs
$34.50pn (current deal) for power and water, shower, toilets, laundry, dump point, pool ……..Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 22
October 31, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 28 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 22
💙3 weeks on the road completed 💙
👻 Happy Halloween 🎃

The aim today was to turn off the alarm ⏰ and wake up whenever. Job done ✔️
But it didn’t quite work out as we’d planned 🙅🏼‍♀️

At 4am the park had a power outage, and we woke to our fridge flashing furiously
Given an overnight low of 24 degrees we got up to turn it onto gas - no luck ❌
So out came the Bluetti to run the van until power was resumed ✔️
Then it was back to bed 🛌

In the morning after a few choice words 🤬, some ‘tapping’ on the solenoid and blowing on the gas jet, it eventually fired into life 🙏🏻

Next on the list was all those jobs that can only be done in ‘suburbia’.
Van latch fixed ✅
Antenna replaced ✅
Grocery shopping ✅
Bottle shop ✅

We know it’s really sad but we were so excited to get fresh salad/veg back into the fridge (that looked like it could last more than a day and didn’t cost the earth). And soooooo looking forward to salad for dinner tonight 🥗

Also we have never bought alcohol in the NT and what an experience that was 😳
Bottle shops are only open in Alice Wednesday-Friday 3-7pm and Saturday 11am-7pm.
They have armed police stationed at the door checking ID and enquiring where you plan to return to
Inside you have your ID scanned and are limited in the volume you can purchase, and are unable to buy from elsewhere on the same day- even if you don’t exceed your quota
We might need to ration ourselves to ensure we have enough to last us to next Wednesday 😜

We’ve added to our memory wall…… this time Katrina, Rod, Danni and Scott. We met them in William Creek and continued to bump into them along the way and almost literally on the kings canyon hike. Perhaps we will next bump into them whilst shopping at home as they are almost neighbours 😳

Ended the day with a spectacular sunset and that longed for salad 😜

Happy Friday 🥂Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 23
November 1, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 23

The aim today was to complete Alice Springs Parkrun, held at the Telegraph Station 🏃🏼. Job done ✔️

Although we would’ve missed it if someone hadn’t told us it starts at 7, not the usual 8 😳. Anyway, we got there and the Seagull ran it a coming in second with a time of 21.33 😊
And caught up with another pom, Phillip from Newcastle currently touring with his dad 💙

With an expected 41 degrees we headed into the Tjoritja/West MacConnell National Park in search of a waterhole to cool off.

The ridges of the MacDonnell Ranges are the focus of the Dreamtime creation stories for the local Arrernte people and are said to have been created by giant caterpillars (Yeperenye), and you can see that in the ridge lines as you drive through.

We found our way to Ellery Creek Big Hole, a permanent waterhole which cuts through a gorge in the ranges. Arriving here was a big WOW moment and swimming through the gorge was spectacular 🏊🏻‍♀️🏊🏻. That water was freezing but it definitely felt good at the time

On our way back we stopped off at Standley Chasm, known as Angkerle Atwatye (the place where water moves between), which is owned and run by the Western Arrernte people.
There is an entry fee of $12 and a short walk along the creek bed to the chasm (3m x 80m), which was another WOW moment (there have been ALOT of them this trip)
We arrived just after mid day with the sun positioned perfectly so that the sunlight bounced off the walls creating the most amazing deep rich red and orange colours. And it is so cool in the chasm that you can just sit and watch the colours change as the sun moves position 🌄.

Justine even got to walk a little of the larapinta trail from here 😜

There were walks we would have liked to do around Ellery Creek and Standley Chasm, but due to the heat we had to give them a miss.

On our way back we stopped at the John Flynn’s Historic Reserve 🪦, the memorial and resting place for the ashes of the Reverend John Flynn, founder of the Flying Doctor Service and the Australian Inland Mission. The stone marking the site was originally taken from the Devil’s Marbles but has since been returned and replaced with a similar stone from a local Caterpillar dreaming site.

Returning home for a quick dip in the pool to cool off, before the Seagull embarked on the 3rd stage of today’s triathlon - a 17km bike ride along the scenic trail that follows the Todd River to the MTB tracks at the telegraph station 🚴🏻.Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 24
November 2, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 24

The aim today was to explore more of the West MacDonnell ranges, its gorges and waterholes. Job kinda done✔️ but not as planned 😳

We had an unexpected thunderstorm last evening ⚡️⛈️⚡️ with high wind gusts💨💨 💨 and entertained our neighbours as we brought the awning in mid storm 😜

We had planned to explore more gorges and waterholes today but as we are expecting more thunderstorms, with rain and damaging winds, we would not be seeing them in their full glory.
So we moved to plan B
Which quickly became plan C
We are nothing if not flexible ……or undecided 🤷🏼‍♀️we’re not sure 😜

After a breakfast of pancakes, curtesy of the Caravan Park, we headed out to the National Park to Simpson Gap, which is beautiful even on an overcast windy day.

And this is where the Seagull was left……..
…….to find his way home on the Larapinta Trail🏃🏼
And he did, well almost 😩
He’d run the Larapinta Trail from Simpson Gap to Wallaby Gap, through boulders of granite, with views of Alice Springs and Mt Gillen and was just kms (2.5 to be exact) from the Telegraph Station when his head gave in, the heat of the day (32 degrees) just too much to make it to the end.
‘The trails were beautiful but challenging’
A DNF but an awesome experience and great effort in the heat. Next time…..

And whilst the Seagull was tackling that Justine headed to the Telegraph Station for the tour and to explore. The station, built in 1871 was pivotal in connecting Australia to the rest of the world, with the first telegraph from Australia taking 24 hrs to reach London via Indonesia, Singapore, India, Egypt, Malta and Gibraltar. The station was closed in 1932 when operations relocated to Stuart (later named Alice Springs) and was repurposed as an institution for Aboriginal children, then again in 1942 by the army during WW2.
Great 2 km walk from the site to Trig Hill and the cemetery.

Next on our tourist trail was Anzac Hill, a memorial to all those that have served in the defence of their country during all the wars in which Australia has participated and provides panoramic views of Alice Springs and the ranges.

The storm came through later than expected, so suddenly and severely, with thunder, lightening, rain, hail and with winds that tore through the sites (115 km/h gust was recorded at Alice
Springs Airport)
Soooooo glad we didn’t put the awning back out.

Sat in the van with a power outage hoping there’s no damage 😳

Update: woke up to a cool 14 degrees ( lowest it’s been here) and a total 22.4mm rain from the storm 😳Read more
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‘Pre retirement’ trial Traveler
Day 25
November 3, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Our pre retirement trial trip- day 25

The aim today was to was to explore more of the West MacDonnell ranges, its gorges and waterholes- take 2 🎬. Job done ✔️ 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

The positives of last nights horrendous storm with its 22.4mm rain is that we get to see water flowing in the Todd River and creek beds that were previously dry 🥰

We headed deeper into the West MacDonnell National Park, 133km to Glen Helen Gorge/Yapulpa, a dep permanent waterhole in the Finke River.

It’s a 800m walk over the dry river bed and through 2m high reeds to the waterhole, but it is so worth it 💗and as a bonus we had it all to ourselves 🏊🏻🏊🏻‍♀️

After our swim, MANC had a go and dipped its tyres in the river it flowed over the road on our way to the Mount Sonder Lookout. From here you can look down in the Finke River, one of the world's oldest watercourses, which flows south from here for 650km to be lost in the sands of the Simpson Desert.

Next stop was Ormiston Gorge, and its beautiful year round waterhole which we again had all to ourselves 🏊🏻‍♀️🏊🏻.
Got to love traveling out of season 💙

On our way back we detoured to the Ochre Pits, the amazing colours of the natural ochres in the cliff face are so beautiful in the sunlight. The local Arrernte people still mine and use the ochre from here which is regarded as one of the best quality in the country.

Returning to Alice we spotted the Ghan at the station, ready to continue on its journey to DarwinRead more
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