Perth via Darwin Part 12

Day 50 September 6^th  

Bremer Bay. Leaving Peaceful Bay just after 7 AM with a temp of 17°C but yet it did not feel that cold. We had been awake since 4 AM and then by 5 we decided to get up and shower and sort things out and as we stepped outside our caravan we were greeted by the duck family and very friendly too. We did not unhitch the caravan which is a bonus when staying one night at a place so it

was an easy pack up. We drove through various National Parks the veered off to take an ocean road scenic drive on our way, Albany Port, Harding Beach, Black Head looing out to some Island and Frenchman’s Bay. Had tea at Discovery lookout then drove through Albany, a busy town and also a port with beautiful bays. The weather changed quite dramatically, with high winds and rain on our way to Bremer Bay causing the petrol consumption to increase but sadly did not clean the caravan as we hoped it would.

We arrived at Bremer Bay to a beautiful well groomed Caravan Park but still the weather has not

improved so I guess it’s time to put up the feet and relax for the rest of the afternoon and catch up with the laundry. This was a big mistake doing the laundry as the rains came and ended up having to put everything in the tumble dryer. During this time Dennis got itchy feet and wanted to explore the bay so off we trundled and the clouds sort of gave wave every now and then to a wee bit of sunshine allowing us to walk and explore on one of the viewpoints when two men said there are whales out there in the bay and was told we could take our car onto the beach to look. That gave Dennis a huge smile on his dial and off we went onto the  beach to find the whales.

For a while we could not see them and was filming our trek on the beach when we decided to stop and there they were in all their glory popping up and down and turning for us to see their tail then their flippers and just basking in the waters having a lovely time and showing off their beauty. We sat there for a wee while enjoying the show feeling quite elated having seen a whale in its natural habitat. Back at the camp and settled down for the evening.

--oOo--

Day 51 September 7^th  

We left Bremer Bay pretty early driving to Wave Rock today and looking forward to enjoying this part of the journey. We stopped at Lake Grace for a cuppa and back on our journey we passed many

salt lakes and most of them were pink in colour. The terrain was mostly farm lands with canola field and the flowers in full bloom giving a ray of sunshine yellow across the fields looking like a carpet on the ground. However we drove into high winds and the beginning of rain putting a damper on our arrival at the park but we made the most of it and set up camp and decided to go to the information centre were we had lunch and being father’s day a day of celebrating dad’s across Australia.

When we finished our lunch we browsed around

the shop which had a display of wild flowers beautifully arranged upon their ceiling, some arrangements were in the form of butterflies and others were hanging in bunches. We then paid our entrance fees to the following places to visit and that was the Lace shop. This shop has the largest collection in Australia which is handmade and machine made. There were all sorts of designs especiallycollars Christening gowns and various other laces. There were bobbins on display and also a “Try me” the intricate and delicate cottons and patterns and the patience to make lace is astounding. 

There were also wedding dresses from various eras’ and a special lace which was from Queen Victoria. This display is worth the visit. Just around the corner into the other rooms was the Toy soldier collection. They also had a wild life sanctuary with exquisite birds and other Australia wild life. Unfortunately the rains came and we were unable to finish our walk around that area. Back at the camp and the winds became a howling gust and the rains came down. So we spent most of the rest of the day in the caravan.

--oOo--

Day 52 September 8^th  

Wave Rock. My goodness me what a night, the wind was gusty and noisy with heavy rains on and off and I’m pretty sure it kept most of the camp awake but we all survived to tell the story the next day with our teeth chattering with the cold but that did not stop us from venturing to the rock to sightsee and climb the infamous rock.

After having our breakfast we left for our walk all rugged up with beanies on the head to keep warm. We walked across the park to the entrance of the rock and therein its beauty was the magnificent wave like rock, we just stood there absorbing its beauty. Then the cameras started clicking away getting all sorts of angles to get the colours which blended into each other causing it to look like a true wave about to  crash down

onto the shore. After spending a wee bit of time walking around we ventured to the rock climb with chains up to the steps which looked over the water dam that supplies Hyden with its drinking water. We carried onto to the top and admiring and taking in the sights around us. There were salt lakes and bushes and more rocks. This rock has a beauty all on its own, walking the whole length of this rock stepping over pools of water which had collected from the previous night’s rain.

We followed the track makers and clicking 

away at the camera trying to capture the surrounding beauty of Hyden. The winds were very strong on the top and at one stage took Dennis’s cap and of cause he went after the cap on this steep side of the rock and me standing down below watching this exercise but he did retrieve it much to his delight. At the bottom we found another sign to the Breaker Wave which we walked to see and that too was spectacular. We also came across a Sandalwood tree in bud. The surrounding flora was coming into flower and there are signs warning not to pick wild flowers, a $1000 fine if caught. We walked back to camp to fetch the car to go to the clear water salt lake at the Wave Rock resort one can swim here then off to see the Hippo’s yawn and true to its name it looked like a hippo with its mouth wide open.

We left there and decided to find the Hump and Mulka’s cave which is 18k’s from the rock. The wild flowers were also coming into bloom there. We walked around the cave which has an interesting Aboriginal story to it. We left there and went to the shops to stock up on fresh produce came back to the camp and cooked a roast chicken but the weather was quite nasty with very cold winds blowing and raining on and off.

We decided to go to the Kiosk to look at the museum taking one back in time to what we use to use in shops and homes dating back to the late 1800’s and bringing back many memories of our own childhood with our grand parents and parents what they used in their homes. Later that evening the weather truly became nasty and the heater was put on in the caravan to keep warm but with the day’s outing and fresh air made us quite tired and we retired.

--oOo--

Day 53 September 9^th 

Esperance. We left pretty early today 7:10 AM with the temp 6°C and feeling the cold. The sun was shining and not a cloud to be seen. The road was pretty quiet for a wee while and later on into the

morning a car would appear. We came to King Lake which is about 7k’m across a salt lake and some parts are dry but the view of this lake with the morning sun shining across it gave it an awesome glow glimmering across the waters and while on the cause way we encountered an eagle taking off realizing he was about to hit the car veered off to the right with its wings spread out to its full capacity looking so graceful which brought scripture to mind from Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings and eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Taking many photos of this area we left for our next leg of the journey to Esperance. We arrived at the coastal town and found our next place to bear our heads down for the evening.














We set up camp and then went for a sight see around the town finding cute photos to take of the foreshore.

We then took a coastal drive popping in and out of viewpoints taking photos of this beautiful coast line with islands and history written at each stop and the rock formation along the shore and various bays with waves hitting the beaches on some and others as smooth as glass due to the bay shape protecting the beaches. We came back to camp and settled for the night.

--oOo--

Day 54 September 10^th

Fraser Station. We decided this morning to have a breakfast at Mac Donald’s and I might just add it was delicious. Dennis discovered there was something wrong with our deep cycle battery so we had to first go and purchase a new one and thank goodness we were in a town that had all this sort of things and not just in the outback.

We drove to Norseman where we had morning tea this is the beginning of the Nullarbor stretch. Took photos of the famous horse that was famous for finding gold with the pawing of his hoof hence the name of this town.

 The drive to the station was most pleasant and arrived there to a true outback experience. It was

lovely here, setting up camp and enjoying the fellowship with other campers and later on that evening we decided to go for a walk along the sand road leading to who knows where. As Dennis says you never know what is just around the corner and so we walked but Dennis wanting to cut across the bush to the other side and me saying we need to see what is around that bend and of cause I won that battle and we walked to that bend to find a golf green. The famous longest golf course in the world which is from Ceduna to Kalgoorlie and this was a par 3. What delight it was finding this.

The sun was starting to go down and the darkens was starting to invade us so we decided to trundle back to the camp and on our way back the sweet wee kangaroos were coming out of their hiding to a feast in their backyards hopping all over the place and enjoying themselves. Time for dinner and then to catch up on our stories of the day but the eyelids were far too heavy to concentrate. So it was lights out and an early start for the next day’s journey.

--oOo--

Day 55 September 11^th

Border Village. Our next part of the journey is to go down the Nullarbor. We were going to stop in 

about 200k’s but decided to track straight through to border village which is the caravan park just on the other side of WA. We stopped for lunch at Madura and discovered another green and Dennis took photos. 

It was a long stretch travelling just on 600+ k’s so we decided to eat out at their restaurant which was a huge blessing for me. It was early bed tonight.

^--oOo--

Day 56 September 12^th

Up early again and leaving for Ceduna which is 478 k’s another long stretch. The road was misty and the sun shining brightly across the plains of the Nullarbor. We travelled alongside the sea for a wee while before venturing in land with the terrain changing a lot as well as a lot of road kills which I always find so sad but that is life. The wild flowers too were all coming into bloom varying in colours and of cause through this stretch all we wanted to see was a camel but no such luck.

Finally we went through the quarantine border of South Australia and 10k’s in to our caravan park where we will be putting our feet up for the next three nights and hopefully enjoying some sun and good weather.  The caravan park is on the foreshore with our door once again facing the sea front. After setting up camp we went into the town to purchase fresh produce as we could not bring any across the border.

Back to camp and by this time it was sundowners and dinner. How can I forget the most important highlight of this day was driving along the Nullarbor and there in its glory was a Petrol station and a bill board written across it DINGGO’S DEN. This is Dennis’ name for his 4x4 travels and his blog. We actually drove past it and had to turn back to get a shot of the board. It was so exciting to see that!

This is the station and below well, I don’t need to explain it.

 

--oOo--

Until next time..............................Think Positive

Our 2005 Trip tp Perth Part 2

Sunday 4/9

We woke to a freezing morning, the car windows covered in ice.
This is where you change your watches once again and put it backwards 2 hours, huge time change. To get one’s brain around this is another story.So it’s breakfast and on the road for this wonderful travel through the Nullarbor.We stopped for tea and ice cream at Madura and then again at Caiguna for petrol and now the long stretch.

There is a stretch here where it is one long straight road which is 90 miles (146.6k’s) One has to be very alert travelling on these roads, a constant watch out for camels kangaroo’s wombats and emus. It’s funny though while travelling you see this road going on and on and then all of a sudden your brain registers a curve in the road. Dennis and I had quite a good laugh at this.

Arriving in Norseman at 2 pm, at first we were going to sleep here but decided to carry on to Kalgoorlie and give us a rest for 3 sleeps there. Thank goodness we did this as travelling each day continuous takes it out of one. But we first sat and had tea at the park near an information centre. The lady there was so helpful and asked us if we had just crossed the Nullarbor. We said yes, and she gave us a certificate for it. I’m going to frame this one. I also bought a horse statue miniature one. The story goes like this. Norseman is a gold mining town and gateway to the Nullarbor. Legend has it that a guy who was a prospector name Laurie Sinclair tethered his horse to a tree overnight and this being in the 1890’s and in the morning the horse had unearthed a piece of gold bearing a quartz by pawing the ground.

Back on the road next stop Kalgoorlie arriving there at 5pm, feeling exhausted and just wanting to put our feet up and rest. We booked into the Towers Hotel. We had an apartment which was across the road from the actual hotel. It was a one bedroom on suit with lounge kitchen and dinning room, very modern place and most comfortable. It was Kentucky for tea and lights out very early.

Monday 5/9

Good sleep up and shower time. Dennis went onto the PC to check for his mail and so did I, which I sent some mail to family. Then it was breakfast. Temp today was 26 deg C so summer clothes it was. Mark arrives late this afternoon so Dennis and I decided to go and do a bit of sight seeing. Kalgoorlie has an amazing history to it. A wee bit of information and history of this place is:

Kalgoorlie is Australia’s largest outback city. The population is about 30,000. It has the most amazing heritage buildings with a grand town hall pubs and restaurants.

Kalgoorlie-boulder glory began in 1893 when 3 Irishmen, Paddy Hannan, Daniel Shea and Tom Flanagan stumbled across 100 ounces of alluvial nuggets. Hannan registered a reward claim which started the world’s last great gold rush.

Thousands of men arrived here living in shacks which were made of Hessian canvas. One thing was they were not prepared for the harsh living conditions , inadequate food and scarcity of water and minimal medical supplies Thousands died from drinking contaminated water starvation and it was a time when water was more precious than gold!

Water shortages were solved in 1903 thanks to an engineer C.Y. O’Connor. The construction of a world first 563km water pipeline from Mundaring Weir in Perth to Kalgoorlie was constructed. The sad part of this O’Connor shot himself just months before the first drops of water flowed reason for this is the stress and widespread criticism of this project he could not handle.

The golden mile.In the early 1900’s mine shafts and full scale underground mines was established. Eventually this mushroomed into an area which became know as the Golden Mile. 

The Golden Mile is now a massive Super Pit It is Australia’s largest open cut gold mine which today is one of the important gold and nickel mining areas in Australia


We visited a few of these places of interest which you will see in the photos below. One is of the Super pit and the other is Charlotte Reservoir and lookout. This is the site of the terminus of water which is piped 563km from Perth to the goldfields. This pipe line when travelling to Perth can be seen along side the road and there is a water trail which one can go on.

Tuesday 6/9

Having breakfast in the apartment, Dennis and Mark went to set up for the seminar. I walked around the town and sort of just relaxed and enjoyed the day catching up on the washing so we had clean clothes for the rest of the trip a most enjoyable day. Tea was just yummy and bed time it was.

Wednesday 7/9

Leaving for our last leg of the journey to Perth, Mark traveled with us.

The sun shinning and one very beautiful day for travelling as well as being refreshed from our 3 day stop here in Kalgoorlie.

Country side beautiful with lots of places of interest but unable to stop for sight seeing due to us having a time schedule to stick to. The Speed limits 110k per hour. Towing it changes which we soon found out by being stopped by a very friendly cop. Thank goodness. We have to travel at 100k’s because of us towing a trailer. Much to Dennis disgust but we obeyed the law and did just that!

We Stopped at Tannin for lunch a huge farming supply store and restaurant, a very homely and friendly place. There was a photo of the largest road train truck with 48 trailers hooked to it which traveled 12 k’s an hour and it drove for 8 k. We arrived at Acacia Hotel in Perth at 5 PM tired but enjoyed the trip. Dinner it was and bed early.

Thursday 8/9

It was down to breakfast, Dennis and Mark to set up for the seminar. And guess what!

I’m going sight seeing. The weather not that marvelous outside windy and looks like rain. I left about 10 and decided to walk into the city which was not that far. There is a bus service which rides around the city stopping off at different places of interest. The walk was most pleasant. First going into the city walking over the horseshoe bridge where the train and bus station is. The first place of interest was London court a beautiful street looking like the 18th century (it was built in 1937 for a wealthy gold miner and financier) as you can see 

from the photos. I then walked around the city ending up at one of the old Churches which today is know as the Uniting Church.  I then caught the free bus service which took me down to the pier where one catches the tourist ferry and also to the Swan bells. The history of the bells is intriguing. The Swan Bells include the twelve bells of St Martin-in-the-Fields which are recorded as being in existence from before the 14th Century. In the 16^th century, 1715 and 1770 the bells were recast. They are one of the few sets of royal bells and are the only ones known to have left England. By this time the weather had turned nasty and it was back to the hotel Down to dinner and an early night... 

Wednesday 9/9

We got up early, down to breakfast and then Den and myself off to town to show him the free bus Service, London Court and Swan bells etc. We walked around the city and back to the hotel. Den off to see customers and then take Mike to the Airport to fly back to Adelaide. The weather is not that good today very windy and raining on and off. It was good just relaxing at the hotel and waiting for Dennis to come back.

Dennis has arrived and has decided to take a trip down to Fremantle to see what it’s all about. Beautiful place Perth is with the water surrounding it. We arrived down at Queenscliff Market most interesting to see the goods and whare people have to sell. Then the trip back to the hotel, early dinner and lights out early. I almost forgot to tell you about our trip into the town, you all know Den has a nav man well the dear lady directed us correctly but the only thing is she does not know of the road works and we ended up going through a bus station (no cars allowed) rather embarrassing and of cause Dennis has that great cackle.

Saturday 10/9

THIS IS A LONG TRIP BACK HOME OF ALMOST NON STOP DRIVING

Up early and saying good-bye to Perth and a good time we had here.

We drove through Meckering Earth Quake site stopped for Petrol at Southern Cross then drove to Coolgardie for lunch and by this time had done 560K’s We drove to Norseman where we stayed the night at the Motel there. Very pleasant evening in the Dinning room a good home cooked meal. Yummy. / Bed early and very tired.

Sunday 11/9

Left Norseman at 6h30 Stopped for tea at Bellgonia then drove to Caiguna put petrol in at $1.70 per litre Shocking, bought ice creams then drove to Madura for lunch very pretty look out post over the terrain. Drove on to Eucla where we stayed the night .This is about 10k’s from the border between Western Australia and Southern Australia, a place of interest. We drove around with our 4x4 and of cause Dennis had to take me sand dooning we ended up at the Eucla ruins which is the Telegraph Station which opened in 1877 and helped link WA with the rest of Australia and the world, sending 11,000 messages annually. The first message sent to Perth was on the 8th December 1877. It also has the Travellers cross and a beautiful lookout to sea. Went for dinner and bed it was, a good day of travel.

Another 1989k’s to Melbourne

Monday 12/9

Overcast and cold, it’s now 6h45.

We stopped at the side of the road for tea and then drove to Ceduna where we had the most yummy hamburger, A real home made burger. The meaning of Ceduna which is a derivative of the Aboriginal word ‘Chedoona” meaning resting place” is also known for it’s Oyster farming. Put petrol in here and back on the road passing Wirrulla- town with a secret!, did not stop to find out the secret. We are now going into Granite country. We stopped at Kumba to sleep a quaint town. We drove around and stopped at the grocery store and outside the store was a truck loading off the groceries and all the people from the town were there to get the new stock cute to watch. Being in the outback like that one has to rely on the deliveries of food to survive. We take this fro granted, “just go to the super market and get” not that easy out there.

Tuesday 13/9

Out last stretch to Adelaide where we are staying the night there and also dropping off the trailer and instruments. Back on the road passing Nutt bush Retreat Then Iron Knob which is an early development of BHP (now One Steel) and the birth of the Australian steel industry it was here in 1894 that the first iron ore deposit was discovered. Drove to Port Augusta for breakfast, met some bikies there who had been on the road travelling for the past week none stop. I think the worst of the travel here is being with out com’s and yet it was good for Dennis too not having work phone him.
Back on the road and now to Adelaide passing some interesting places taking photos of the canola fields and lakes.

We arrived in Adelaide, staying at the Majestic Hotel near Rundle Mall.

Dennis had to go to work so he dropped me off at the Christian book shop where I stayed there almost 2 hours. One can browse there beautiful and restful place.

He picked me up and back to the hotel had tea then went to the Mall bought a few things then back to hotel. Dinner time it was and off to our favorite restaurant for Dinner then bed it was.

Wednesday 14/9 

Derek’s birthday today and it’s our last stretch of road for home.

We left Adelaide and just on the outskirts of the city we discovered the note book of mine missing the one with the notes of this trip and it was a 3 time stop to search for the jolly thing eventually finding it in the consol, Whew!

We had breakfast at our usual stop by the Murry River then it was off to Bordertown, the home of the white kangaroo’s where we put in petrol

At 2 pm we stopped at Ararat for lunch and finally the last stretch to 24 Langridge our Home sweet Home.

Next post will be the start of our new adventure

Until next time ...................................Complement someone

Part 1