20240718 - 20240803 - Ceduna - Home

 20240718 – 20240720 - Ceduna. After our trip across the Nullarbor, we spent a few days in Ceduna cleaning up and restocking after a trip across the Nullabor.  I just happened to pick a caravan park right next door to a club, which just so happen to have a couple of little pokies.  We had planned on going to the club but the weather was terrible – wind gusts over 80kph with rain.  We weren’t leaving the motorhome, which was rocking.  (The Big Fella got out and filled the water tank and grey tank to stop it blowing away.)  We did end up making it over to the club the next day, we had a feed then Dave had a few chores to do and left me at the club – very dangerous of him.  But I did behave and I didn’t lose, so we were both happy.

20240720 – 20240727 - Ceduna – Dubbo.  We spent several nights free camping as we meandered our way to Dubbo. One of the towns we stopped at was called Iron Knob (population approx 120). We thought that it was interesting that you could go to the golf club, which is opened for a meal on a Sunday from 5pm - 9pm.  

There has been some amazing paintings on the Silo's.  This was the nicest at a town called KIMBA.

We also drove through Broken Hill as I wanted to see the Palace Hotel - it was part of the movie Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.  We arrived a the Hotel around 11:30 - but it doesn't open until noon.

Many of the small towns are getting smaller as years go by.  Stations and Farms are getting bigger, mining towns having FIFO workers which results in less services required in the towns.  It is a downward spiral turning many into ghost towns.

Another one of the free camps was in a very small town named ‘Hermidale’– population around 150.  The free camp was right beside the Hermidale Pub, which opens at 3:00pm.  We went over around 5pm for a meal.  A couple who was also staying here invited us to sit with them – and it all went downhill from there (for me anyway).  This tiny Pub had one Poker machine.  So of course, the publican turned it on for me – so I just had to play it.  We had a great night meeting and drinking with the local farmers who seem to enjoy getting city folk perspective on life and travel.   I think I got home sometime after 11:30pm (Pub had a license till 10:00) – yes Dave had tried to get me home, but I thought I needed one more, it sounded good at the time.  Needless to say, I wasn’t feeling very well the next morning and it was probably our most expensive stay in any camp this whole trip - it certainly wasn't free.

20240727 -   Dubbo - We’ve stopped in Dubbo to go to the Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo, it has a great review.  Dave has been there before and thought that I would like it.  He wasn’t wrong.  We drove our little car around the Zoo and saw some magnificent animals. 

After reading and listening to the pace that some of these amazing animals can run - we were happy to see something more our speed - the Galapagos Turtle.

20240728 - 20240801 - Dubbo - Broken Head.  We spent a couple of nights travelling from Dubbo to Broken Head.  Staying in free camps along the way.  One of our stops we spent behind a hotel in Delungra.  Of course it had been raining and yes it was very cold yet again.  (Overnight temp was -3C). We were parked out the back on the grass lawn, it didn't appear to be too wet - Wrong. The ground under the grass moved as you walked on it needless to say the motorhome moved it a lot more.  

We didn't get too far trying to leave, before we realised just we weren't going anywhere.  So we start by unhooking our car and try getting them both out separately - our little car no problems, not so much the motorhome. (Now bogged to the axles.)  Okay next step get the MaxTraxs and shovel and get to work.  (Where is Pete's F250 when you need it.)  We managed to dig enough to get the MaxTraxs under the front wheels and after several dig and repeats we managed to get it out. (Obviously Lisa's skilful driving and nothing to do we Dave being knee deep in mud.)  Success - whilst this was a great little overnighter we didn't need to spend any longer here in downtown Delungra.  It was probably best to get out of town because their parking area needed a top dressing.  (We did try to reinstate it as best we could.)

All across the nation, as we travelled we came across these wide loads.  This little one was 8 meters wide.  Having the two way was really beneficial as it gave us plenty of warning of what was coming so we could get off the road safely.

Another little rest stop with its own waterfall and swimming hole. Way to cold to swim.

We are spending a couple of nights in Broken Head prior to going home.  We are both feeling different emotions, whilst we are both so excited to get home and see family and friends (and of course for Dave to play his golf), we realise our amazing trip is coming to an end.

We have both had an absolutely fantastic time discovering what stunning scenery Australia has to offer.  It was way above our expectations.  Swimming with the whale sharks was definitely our highlight,  Whilst we have had some great learnings on what we would do better next time, the main one, don't travel South in winter to our beautiful beaches. We really hadn't realised how cold, wet and windy the weather could be, we do now.  

Most importantly - after 3 months in our motorhome, we are still married.  Dave has done an amazing job looking after me, the motorhome and the car.  He has kept us all safe and secure.  We have had a lot of laughs along the way and made some fabulous memories. Big Fella, thanks for all the things you do. I've learnt a lot of things on this trip, who knew that I would become knowledgeable about tire pressures and fuel economy. The only thing that I'm disappointed about is - he has beaten me at Yahtzee.  (I taught him how to play and the student has become the master...)  As we only own half of this motorhome, our half has made it home in one piece. The Eames's half will keep Tony busy.

Now to go home and start planning our next trip.

20240705 - 20240713 - Albany - Esperance - Nullarbor.

20240705 – Albany to Esperance.  It’s the Big Fellas Birthday – 71 and looking good.  He had bought a new golf club before we left home so that was his birthday present.  I am taking him to nice, secluded and romantic spot for dinner, as you can see below.  He wasn’t that impressed when we got there – don’t know why.

20240707 – Esperance.  On our way into Esperance, we drove along the 40km Great Ocean Drive, yet again some spectacular beaches to be seen.  Esperance is another pretty town; the parks are so well looked after and I can actually understand the sculptures.

20240708 – Frenchman’s Peak.  We had heard about this incredible hike up this mountain and we had done a bit of research so we knew what we were getting into.  The hikes are rated from 1 – 5, with 1 being the easiest.  We have struggled through a couple of 4 rated hikes – which we have thoroughly enjoyed, so thought we would give it a go.  It is a 3km hike and a 5 rating.

It was tough going in some spots, you don’t zig zag your way up the mountain or go around and around, nope it is straight up and there are no stairs.  The only thing that is there to help you reach the top are a few markers.  I am so grateful the big fella had a couple of mishaps with his laces and we needed to stop for him to fix them – I sooo needed a rest, we did have quite a few little stops to catch our breath and to see if we were going in the right direction, though I think there is only one way and that is up.  I was on all fours a few times going up, and on my bottom coming down. The problem is if you overbalanced and fell back you are falling at least 100m before you hit a shelf that might stop you going the next 100. But wow once we got up to the top it was a magnificent view and well worth it – some people didn’t get very far and they were a lot younger than us.  If you are afraid of heights this one is not for you.

 

 

20240709 – 20240711 – Lucky Bay.  This morning, we left early (well early for the Elford’s 9:00am) because we were moving camp to the Cape Le Grand National Park – Lucky Bay.  According to one of the articles we had read about Lucky Bay it took out no. 1 spot in the top 50 best beaches in the world. And we can see why.

 

Not a bad camp spot either - view from the bed.

Unfortunately for me, just as Dave and I were walking back from a little walk on the beach, with our thongs on, a gentleman came up to us and said that perhaps we should rethink our footwear as he had just seen a Tiger Snake near the bottom toilet block – arghhh.  He then went on to tell us that he was a qualified snake catcher in Tasmania….  Guess I’m not going too far without the Big Fella in front of me.

On our first day we had a lovely hike around the bays and wow (I know I keeping saying it but) what beautiful scenery.  The best part for me was seeing the whales again, this time I got to watch a whale for about 15 minutes just constantly breaching not too far from us – I would have stayed there for hours – or at least until the whale had finished the show, but the Big Fella kept me moving.

The second day we went for a bit of a drive to look at other beaches and the national park, it was raining and windy much of the day so we didn’t venture too far from the car.

On the third morning (our last morning) I had one hike left on my To Do List.  It had been raining through the night but it was stopping and starting in the morning, so I thought I’d take my chances. Unfortunately, the Big Fella had a few things to do, so decided not to accompany me.  I’m a bit dubious and anxious about doing the hike by myself, especially with the thought of snakes. This hike was only a small hike but it was pretty much straight up a mountain.  The thought of being able to watch the whales from the top convinced me to give it a go. You could see this hike from our camping spot, so I bit the bullet and off I went.  I was so proud of myself, I navigated myself through the bush to get to the start of the hike up the hill.  I was making some very loud noises in the hope that if there was a snake anywhere near me it would go the other way, especially with my singing.  I managed to get to the top of the hill before it started raining.  Now I had to get down with the rain and the rocks all slippery.  I was the only one up there, so I’m thinking to myself it will be ok, Dave will be watching me.  After some very tentative and slow climbing down (some of it on my bum and sliding) I get back to the campsite and asked Dave if he had seen me.  He said no – he hadn’t even looked that way.

20240711 – 20240713 - Esperance.  We are spending a couple more days in Esperance to stock up on supplies and get ourselves ready before we cross the Nullarbor.  We have heard both good and bad reports about the  crossing.  Dave and I are both looking forward to the crossing, we have decided that it can’t be anywhere near as bad as the crossing up North. 

 20240713 – 20240718. The Nullarbor.  Dave and I both thoroughly enjoyed the crossing.  We had a fantastic 5 nights. A few of these we camped on the Bunda Cliffs and a couple were spent in the outback.  We must have driven over at least 5 allocated air strips for the RFDS, we had a few stops to let some oversized road trains go past – one of which was 8 meters wide.  There is over 100,000 camels on the Nullarbor Plains, but not sure if I believe this or not, we didn't see one and I was looking everywhere for them. Dave wasn't too keen on seeing any of them - close to the road that is.  We also passed through a small town called Nundroo - apparently the Wombat capital of the world - yet again we didn't see any.  We did see and hear a lot of whales. The best place (for me anyway) was the head of the Bight. 

The head of the Bight is a bay located in South Australia at the most northern end of the Great Australian Bight.  It is where the Southern Right Whales take up ‘residence’ for up to a period of 5 months between June and October.  They come here to give birth (the calves are born up to 5 meters in length - ouch), mate and socialise.  You are guaranteed to see whales if you come to visit at this time. They are called the Right Whale as it was the right whale to catch because of its meat and high oil content.  We were in for such a treat, we saw so many including a lot of Mums with their calves.  We were lucky enough to see a white calf, apparently only 2% are born white and they eventually change to a grey colour not black.  We saw a couple mating – it may have been a threesome (which is not unusual) they mate in threes for buoyancy issues.  There was a lot of tail and fins slapping going on.

  

Yet again I could have stayed here for hours, but the Big Fella dragged me away.  I must admit it was cold and windy.  See the motorhome temperature guide the next morning.  Thank goodness the heater is working – great job Big Fella.