January 2020

Perth to Newcastle

We flew to Perth to visit our son, Matt and his wife, Chloe, and to pick up the campervan we had purchased. We had a week visiting and then headed to Bunbury to visit more family and then headed out south east on our adventure home Read more

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Trip start
January 6, 2020
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Day 2
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at 11:00 AM
☀️ 31 °C
Altitude: 284 m
Australia Kostera Oval -31.97518, 116.0594431°58’31” S 116°3’34” E
Perth
January 7, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Arrived in Perth to visit Matt and Chloe.
Finally got to see the campervan we purchased back in November! It's a Toyota Hi Ace with a Jackpot camper fitout. Very pleased with the van.
We had to make a few purchases for the campervan including a bullbar and got a safety check and service ready to take off on our adventure home.Read more
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Day 3
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 27 m
Australia Jasper Green Reserve -31.98671, 115.7600831°59’12” S 115°45’36” E
Cottlesloe Beach
January 8, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Got to visit the beautiful beaches. Cottesloe is our fav - esp now it is fully enclosed by a heavy duty shark net! Swam out to inspect it just to make sure. We love the surf club house and restaurant, but it was unfortunately closed for renovations.Read more
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Day 6
Saturday, January 11, 2020
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 32 m
Australia Wadjemup Hill -32.0074, 115.5031432°0’27” S 115°30’11” E
Rottnest Island
January 11, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Took a trip out to beautiful Rottnest Is off the coast of Perth. It's a lovely gem with lots of beautiful beaches. We were very spoilt and took a flight out with Matt and Chloe and Chloes mum, Janett. We hired bikes and went around the island, had a few swims and lunch at the new "Glamping" Resort. It's the home of the Quokka- a friendly little marsupial only found on the Island.Read more
Wow so beautiful xx
1/18/20Reply
Have fun and enjoy the trip God bless
1/18/20Reply
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Day 8
Monday, January 13, 2020 at 6:00 PM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 6 m
Australia Peppermint Grove Beach -33.52039, 115.5161733°31’13” S 115°30’58” E
Busselton
January 13, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Famous Busselton Jetty. We've been here before as Matt and Chloe got married down here at a beautiful old farm.
So we just had a quick stroll around before departing for Albany.
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Day 8
Monday, January 13, 2020
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Australia Peppermint Grove Beach -33.52167, 115.5133333°31’18” S 115°30’48” E
Peppermint Grove Beach-Bunbury/Busselton
January 13, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
This coast is really lovely. Wayne's youngest brother,Tony and his wife Moira live here and enjoy a great lifestyle. They have befriended some dolphins and can feed and pat them. Their dog, Walter, sees the dolphins first and lets them know where they are.Read more
TravelerThat’s amazing 🐬🐬🐬🐶
1/20/20Reply
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Day 9
Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at 8:57 AM
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 60 m
Australia Nannup -33.97667, 115.76533°58’36” S 115°45’54” E
Nannup
January 14, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Nice little town on the way down to Albany.
There was an Arboretum (Tree Garden) which had a selection of the local trees growing. They are massive. Saw some friendly emus wandering around town . It's an arty little town and has a thing about "Tassie Tigers" where you go on a trail to find the tiger sculptures.Read more
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Day 9
Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at 1:00 PM
🌙 14 °C
Altitude: 207 m
Australia Manjimup -34.43453, 116.5131334°26’4” S 116°30’47” E
Muir Lake
January 14, 2020 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 14 °C
Fabulous wetland area with a great boardwalk and picnic area. Had lunch here - our first meal prepared in the van!
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Day 9
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Australia Point Frederick -35.03429, 117.8783235°2’3” S 117°52’42” E
Albany
January 14, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Albany is a lovely coastal town known for its fishing industry and the now obsolete Whaling Station. It was a bit of a wild windy rainy day with a strong south wind blowing but we were kindly taken to the famous sights by the local Christadelphians, father and son, John and Lionel. We also saw Bro Fecky from Timor Leste who is on a working visa. Wayne met Fecky when he went there on mission work and the fish farm set up.
It's a rugged coast and rough but the water has that beautiful clear aqua colour. The path to be beach is a challenge but all the tourist spots are so well done and maintained. The Gap Lookout was splendid and a remarkable engineering job! Was a bit scarey!Read more
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Day 10
Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 157 m
Australia South Stirling -34.54667, 118.2166734°32’48” S 118°13’0” E
On the way to Esperanse
January 15, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
A bit of a trek to get to Esperanse but the landscape was quite interesting. We saw the Stirling Ranges and salt lakes . The trees are blown sideways due to the strong southerly winds. Big farming area.Read more
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Day 11
Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 10:00 AM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 9 m
Australia Esperance -33.84931, 121.8932433°50’58” S 121°53’36” E
Esperance
January 16, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Ahh, Esperanse - so magically beautiful!
A lovely town on a magnificent coast. It's a big fishing industry spot with a busy port, but with lots of arty shops and gorgeous beaches. Supposedly the whitest finest sand in Australia. It is squeaky scrunchy when you walk on it. Lots of islands close in off shore (including Cull Is) which would be great for diving and spearfishing, but is also home to big white pointers. Went swimming regardless but stayed close to shore! Water was surprisingly warm at about 21 which is the same as home. Thought it would be cooler.Read more
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Day 11
Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 11:00 AM
☁️ 28 °C
Altitude: 1 m
Australia Barney Hill -33.83438, 121.8954833°50’4” S 121°53’44” E
Plants around Esperance
January 16, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
We weren't here at the right time for the wildflower display but there were lots of lovely natives. The WA Flowering Red Gums were out in a riot of colour. Magnificent!
TravelerFlowers are beautiful Jo.
1/20/20Reply
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Day 12
Friday, January 17, 2020 at 1:00 AM
☁️ 28 °C
Altitude: 5 m
Australia Shire of Esperance -33.9638, 122.1224533°57’50” S 122°7’21” E
Lucky Bay
January 17, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
You are certainly lucky if you have been blessed with the opportunity to visit this beautiful place.
Turquoise waters and white sand - plus a kangaroo or two!
Drove down onto the sand and had lunch on the beach.Read more
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Day 12
Friday, January 17, 2020 at 1:30 AM
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: 66 m
Australia Hellfire Bay -33.9971, 122.1539833°59’50” S 122°9’14” E
Frenchmens Peak
January 17, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Amazing rock formation with a hole at the top. It's called Frenchmen Peak coz it looks like a man's beret, but the Aboriginal story is about an eagle and I think it looks like an eagle sitting on its best. It's huge. You can climb it but it takes a few hours so we opted for the beach.Read more
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Day 12
Friday, January 17, 2020 at 2:00 AM
☁️ 24 °C
Altitude: 2 m
Australia Shire of Esperance -33.95653, 122.117233°57’24” S 122°7’2” E
Cape Le Grand National Park
January 17, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
A few locals told us to go the extra 50km out to Cape Le Grand National Park and we are so glad we did!
A magnificent unspoilt place with pristine beaches. So beautiful. Made a footprint for each place so look at the next beaches for more pics!Read more
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Day 12
Friday, January 17, 2020 at 9:00 AM
☁️ 28 °C
Altitude: 39 m
Australia Mount Le Grand -33.9842, 122.1476833°59’3” S 122°8’52” E
Cape Le Grand Beach
January 17, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Beautiful pristine beach. We took our camper on the beach for a drive on the sand (it's not 4WD) but the sand was so hard it was OK
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Day 12
Friday, January 17, 2020 at 10:00 AM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Australia Hellfire Bay -34.00333, 122.1683334°0’12” S 122°10’6” E
Hellfire Bay
January 17, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Who wants to take a dip in Hellfire? Sure do - more like Heaven! This beach was divine!
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Day 12
Friday, January 17, 2020 at 7:00 PM
☁️ 23 °C
Altitude: 274 m
Australia Norseman -32.16328, 121.7875332°9’48” S 121°47’15” E
Norseman
January 17, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Left beautiful Esperance in late pm and drove up here ready for the trek across the Nullabor early in the morning.
Not much here but the caravan park was fine, and there was a Motel and restaurant as well if you wanted.
It was raining lightly, but the locals said there had been a thunderstorm with a lot of rain.Read more
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Day 13
Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 3:00 PM
☁️ 21 °C
Altitude: 24 m
Australia Eucla Pass -31.68135, 128.8731931°40’53” S 128°52’23” E
Eucla
January 18, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
You go along the plains and I was surprised that there is quite a bit of trees and shrubbery. There are quite a few places to stop for fuel and food along the way but they aren't very nice. You go along the escarpment and suddenly you dip down to the coast and you come to Eucla! There was a lovely stopping place here with a nice restaurant and pool area. We camped on the coastal escarpment overlooking the sea which was really nice. When we left in the morning it was raining and we didn't get a good view from the lookout but it didn't last long and the next bit of road along the cliffs was really nice.Read more
TravelerThese pictures look so great mum! Xxx
1/22/20Reply
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Day 13
Saturday, January 18, 2020
🌧 21 °C
Altitude: 170 m
Australia Afghan Rock -32.35481, 123.6763532°21’17” S 123°40’35” E
Balladonia
January 18, 2020 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 21 °C
200km past Norseman with nothing in between you come to Balladonia. There was evidence of bushfires and you could smell the smoke, buy I'm not sure if this is the area that caused the road to be closed or if there is more to come later along the route. These fires came close to the Roadhouse/Motel. It has an interesting museum which tells of the story of the Skylab crash landing in the are.
The road is famous as "The Longest Straight Stretch of Road in Australia" - 146kms or 90miles of straight road, no bends!
Lots of towers - not sure what they were but the phone coverage didn't improve. No phone coverage or internet out here.Read more
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Day 14
Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 11:00 AM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 45 m
Australia Maralinga Tjarutja -31.40496, 131.1524531°24’18” S 131°9’9” E
Head of the Bight
January 19, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
This place is definitely worth taking the trip out to!
It's a great Ranger run place with viewing platforms and cliff boardwalks where you can see the beautiful limestone cliffs and clear aqua waters of the Great Australian Bight. From May to August you can see Southern Right Whales frollicking around just below the boardwalk. It was a great spot to take a break from driving.Read more
TravelerBeautiful!
1/20/20Reply
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Day 14
Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 11:00 AM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 117 m
Australia Maralinga Tjarutja -30.87833, 130.4391630°52’42” S 130°26’21” E
Nullabor
January 19, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Famous Nullabor Roadhouse. Must have been a tough lot back when they crossed the plains exploring the country. Nothing here but the service centre, but it's a lot better than the original one!
We actually had an exceptional crossing. It was cool for this time of year, overcast so not sunny, not much wind, and not much traffic. Even had a bit of rain!Read more
TravelerThat's great mum! Glad you got good weather to cross
1/22/20Reply
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Day 14
Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 6:00 PM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 5 m
Australia Ceduna -32.12721, 133.6742532°7’38” S 133°40’27” E
Ceduna
January 19, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Got into Ceduna to stay the night. The time zone changed so it was later than expected. Checked into a park and had dinner that night at a nice waterfront club.
Not much here unless you like fishing from the wharf! Would be fantastic if you had a boat.
There were flocks of birds flying around getting ready to roost which put on a good show.Read more
TravelerThe sunset looks nice though
1/22/20Reply
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Day 15
Monday, January 20, 2020 at 10:00 AM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Australia Sceale Bay -32.99002, 134.2017832°59’24” S 134°12’6” E
Streaky Bay/Scerles Bay
January 20, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
As we had a few big days straight driving we decided to take the scenic coastal route to Port Augusta. Smokey Bay and Streaky Bay were little townships in the bay, famous for oyster farms. It was low tide so it was shallow.
Scearles Bay however faced the ocean and it was magnificent! Kms of pristine, beautiful beach and we had it all too ourselves!
On the way back to main road we passed this unusual lake inlet that was bright turquoise in colour and there were remains of an early settlement village.
There was a sea lion colony off on coast but it was 20km on a tough dirt road so we didn't go there.Read more
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Day 15
Monday, January 20, 2020 at 8:00 PM
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: 217 m
Australia Kimba -33.16615, 136.3944833°9’58” S 136°23’40” E
Kimba
January 20, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Kimba is a lovely little town half way between Perth and Sydney. Famous for its "silo art", and it's Big Galah. We free camped in the community recreation area. It was great, with showers, toilets and shade!
We were planning to go to Port Augusta for the night but decided to stop here and we were glad as when we passed through Port Augusta it wasn't much. Highly recommend you stay here!Read more
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Day 16
Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at 8:00 AM
☀️ 15 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Australia Holdsworth Triangle -32.49, 137.7616732°29’24” S 137°45’42” E
Port Augusta
January 21, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Big industrial town - if there was much for the tourist here we didn't find it! Ok for a stopover but Kimba is a better choice. They did have a nice old wharf that was getting a facelift (but there was no cafes along here!?). There is resident wharf cat and they had the BEST orange juice!Read more
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