Australia 2011 - Wrap up

We have now been home for a few days and back into a routine, not sure if this is good or not.  The van is unpacked and cleaned and the car is looking much better after a good clean and enjoying a well-deserved rest. 

The first to greet us was Russell  -
it been a long 5 months for him and he still hasn't left my side.

We had a total of 142 days away, and travelled a total of 24,184km, visiting every state and capital city in mainland Australia.  There is no doubt it is a long trip, 5 months sounds like a long time, and it is, but it is really the minimum time you need to do the lap allowing time to see a lot and rest a little. 

The trip certainly was a dream come true, we had the opportunity to visit many great places, swim in some spectacular waterholes and under many fantastic water falls, seen an array of wild flowers that are just out of this world, walk some rugged but brilliant trails, visiting many gorges, and saw some fantastic coastline with incredible marine reefs and sensational snorkelling. Apart from all the place we visited and things we did, we also made many new friends that will we have a special bond with for a long time.

Would we do it again – sure would.

Ken’s Top Ten Spots – in no real order

1.       Kununurra, Lake Argyle – just sensational a real oasis in the rugged north west

2.       Broome, The Kimberley – rustic dusty town with lots of character and style once you get to know it, right next door to the fascinating Kimberley Range icluding the Bungle Bungles,

3.       Darwin – a great town with character with a relaxed lifestyle

4.       Litchfield National Park – a fantastic place with lots of great waterfalls and swimming holes,

5.       Kalbarri –rugged national park, fantastic coastline and sensational wildflowers,

6.       Ningaloo Reef – Exmouth & Coral Bay, easy access reef with great snorkelling spots,

7.       Far North QLD – Airlie Beach, Cairns, Port Douglas and Daintree – great area, we would have liked to spend more time here,

8.       Nullarbor – driven it 3 times now and is still a real buzz, a scenic trip with lots to see,

9.       WA South West  corner, Albany, Esperance – great towns with plenty to see and do

10.   THE TRIP – the whole trip was a buzz, plenty to see and do, everywhere was great, there was not one spot that I would say we wasted our time going too. 

Marlene’s Top Ten Spots

1.       Esperance – magnificent coastline and beaches, pure white sand

2.       Darwin – sharing the NT experience with Ryan, Catherine and Tim, also attending the NT Music awards with Gavin

3.       Walpole – walking through the Giant Karri trees and experiencing the tree top walk

4.       Karumba – fishing in the gulf, the beautiful clear blue waters

5.       Lake Argyle – swimming in the infinity pool and drinking champagne at sunset while swimming in the lake

6.       Maroochydore – the first of many beautiful sunsets

7.       Mt Surprise – rugged part of Qld, with a sensational caravan park run by Jo & Joe as well as the fantastic Undara Lave Tubes

8.       Ningaloo Reef – snorkelling and swimming along the reef at Exmouth and Coral Bay

9.       Broome – sipping champagne with Jill and Stuart while watching a sunset over Cable Beach, and the starting point for our 9 day Kimberley Experience

10.   Margaret River – sampling some great wines of the region

Trip Statistics

Total trip distance: 24,184km – the van did approximately 18,500km

Total Fuel Used: 3690 litres – fuelled up 90times, cheapest $1.27, dearest $2.05, average price $1.57

Fuel Economy: 15.5l/100km, 6.7km/litre

Car drive time or number of hours in the car: 396.4hours – along time with no cabin fever.

Caravan Parks: 58 – free camps 3

We hope you have enjoyed our journey over the past 5 months - we have cetainly enjoyed keeping you up to date with stories and pictures from our trip.  This is a great big country to travel around with plenty to see and do - just get out there and Do It - we will again sometime in the future.  But until then it is lots of shorter trips and some fantastic memories.

The loop is complete - but still lots to see inland and Tasmania

Adelaide to Gordon (Home)

Adelaide to Murray Bridge – Tuesday 8 November 2011

On the move again today after a great 5 days in Adelaide, had a nice easy drive to Murray Bridge.  On the way we stopped off at Hahndorf, a great little German village in the Adelaide Hills for lunch and a look around.  Nice place but far from caravan friendly the streets are very narrow with little to no suitable parking for cars and vans.

Hahndorf main street - narrow with low trees not good for caravans

After lunch we went onto Murray Bridge to catch up and stay with Kevin and Wendy, had a very enjoyable afternoon and night with them.  They took us for a drive around Murray Bridge and checking out the town and the magic of the mighty Murray River.

Murray Bridge  with Kevin and Wendy

Murray Bridge to Mount Gambier – Wednesday 9 November 2011

Left Murray Bridge about 10:30am for the drive to Mount Gambier, stopped off at Keith for lunch and a look around what is a nice little town.  Arrived Mount Gambier and stayed at the Blue Lake Holiday Park, right opposite the very impressive Blue Lakes.  Caught up with lots of people we have met along the way, Leanne and Derrick, last saw them in Port Augusta and  John, Cate, Jed  and Lillie, who we caught up with in Adelaide, they are finally close to home, it was a great happy hour as we will leave them all now.

Beautiful Blue Lakes - Mount Gambier 

Mount Gambier to Apollo Bay - Thursday 10 November 2011

It was a cold and wet morning as we left Mount Gambier heading for the Great Ocean Road and Apollo Bay.  Arrived at Warrnambool for lunch and fuel, then headed off to Allansford the start of the Great Ocean Road, we have travelled this road 3 times over the past 20 years and each time it has been wet, cold and windy.  Today was just windy and cool, so it was a marked improvement on previous trips. 

Farewell to South Australia

We called into the ‘The Grotto’, London Bridge,’ ‘The Arch’, and the ’12 Apostles’ on our way to Apollo Bay.  Stayed at the Big 4 Pisces Holiday Park, a great park with views across the bay, took the time to catch up on the washing while the weather was fine.

Great Ocean road



The Grotto



London Bridge

A laundry with a view - what could be better

Apollo Bay to Bellbrae – Friday 11 November 2011

We woke to a bright and sunny day with no wind, a real pearler, we headed off along the second half of the Great Ocean Road towards Lorne.  Stopping at Lorne for a look around and a cuppa then finished of the trip arriving in Torquay for lunch.  It really is a great drive, we were lucky with the weather and also had very little traffic which makes it more pleasant.  Shopped at the big Surf Shops in Torquay before heading to Graeme and Jan’s for the evening.  We met Graeme and Jan on our Kimberley Trip, it was great to catch up with them, they showed us around the area, checking at Anglesea Golf club and of course a trip down to the famous Bell’s Beach.

18th Farway at Anglesea Golf Club

Bell's Beach on a calm day

Bellbrae to Rosebud – Saturday 12 November 2011

Left Bellbrae about 8:30am and headed to Queenscliff to catch the 10am Ferry across to Sorrento, much easier than driving up through Geelong and Melbourne then back down the Mornington Peninsula to Rosebud.  The ferry arrived Sorrento by 11am and we were in Rosebud soon after.  Set up the van then spent the afternoon with the rellies, David and Heather.  It was nice to catch up and have a chat for the afternoon. Also visited Peter and Nicole who we first met in Mt Barnett on the Gibb River Rd then Coral Bay a couple of months ago, they have been home for 6 weeks now. 

All tucked up on the Ferry

David, Heather and Marlene at Rosebud

Rosebud to Cowes – Sunday 13 November 2011

Cloudy but warm day today, had a coffee with Heather and David before we left Rosebud for the 2 hour drive to Philip Island, staying at Cowes.  Easy afternoon, writing the blog and watching the poor old Fords loose the races in Tasmania.  Went and visited the Little Penguins to watch them waddle up the beach after a hard day fishing, as usual they were great to watch.

Cowes to Lakes Entrance – Monday 14 November 2011

Second last day, today with a 300+km drive along the coast to Lakes Entrance, stopped for fuel at Wonthaggi and coffee at Traralgon, then onto Lakes Entrance by mid-afternoon.  The weather was sunny and warm so we had our last walk along the beach and our last happy hour sitting outside, local fish and chips for dinner, that’s it all over.

Last Beach for awhile

Friendly Locals

Last Happy Hour - its all but over

Lakes Entrance to Gordon – Tuesday 15 November 2011

Well it is day 142 and the last day of our trip, and what a trip it has been.  In one way it is good to be on our way home but, it would also be nice to heading off again.  A busy 400km along the coast to Cann River, then turn left and head north to Bombala, Nimmitabel, Cooma and home.  We plan on being home mid-afternoon, then that’s it until next time.

Another - things you see on the road

Getting closer to home

Last stop at Nimitabel

142 days ago we turned left and
headed up teh hill at this road about.

Streaky Bay to Adelaide

Streaky Bay to Port Lincoln – Monday 31 October 2011

Back on the road to Port Lincoln for a couple of days, a 320+km drive down the Eyre Peninsula.  Head wind most of the way, stopped off at Murphy’s Haystacks to check out the granite formations, Port Kenny (what a great place – the name says it all) and Elliston for a coffee and of course a cream bun. Arrived Port Lincoln early afternoon, the first people we met were from Jerrabomberra, who we knew through mutual friends and scouts, small world.

Murphy's Haystacks

Murphy's Haystacks

Finally found my Caravan Park

Port Lincoln

Had a drive around town during the afternoon and found a seafood market with fresh Coffin Bay oyster, local prawns and snapper, we were right for the next couple of days now.  Back for ‘happy hour’ and a great BBQ with friends.

Port Lincoln – Tuesday 1 November 2011

Melbourne Cup day and we were in the home of Makybe Diva, so what should one do but celebrate Melbourne cup.  Six of us, ( Marlene & I, Leanne & Derrick, Marguerite & Jim) all headed off to the Tasman Hotel for a Melbourne Cup luncheon and an afternoon of fun.  We won nothing, but had fun. 

Makybe Dive - not a fast as it used to be

Our Melbourne Cup team

After the  Cup - it was just to much

Port Lincoln to Port Augusta – Wednesday 2 November 2011

Back up the Eyre Peninsula today to Port Augusta, pleasant trip arriving there early afternoon.  Port Augusta is a stop off point for north, west and east travellers, the one good thing was the weather was 3 to 4 deg warmer than Port Lincoln, so we were able to sit outside for drinks without getting cold, much more pleasant. 

We visited the Wadlata Outback Centre, a great museum on early South Australia and the outback as such.  A quick look around town and that was Port Augusta, done and dusted.

Port Augusta to Adelaide – Thursday 3 November 2011

On the road again, getting closer to home each day now, we stopped off at Port Wakefield on the way for a coffee then arrived West Beach Adelaide early afternoon, staying at the Adelaide Shores Caravan Park, a very nice park.  Caught up with John, Cate and he kids, we met them in Kalgoorlie, they have been on the road for 12 months and are now very close to home. We had a great afternoon catching up with them, and also Nick and Pam, who we met in Mount Surprise in July, so long ago now. 

Adelaide - Friday 4 to Monday 7 November 2011

Up and into the washing before heading out for haircuts, have to look good when we arrive home in a week or so. We visited Pam and Nick for coffee, then into town to visit the local fresh food markets.  Lots of bargains and the best fresh vegies, really nice cheeses and a great butcher as well, it was a fun afternoon.  Back at the park we caught up with Graham and Helena who we met in Longreach, they live just around the corner, it was great to talk about our trip and also theirs. They did the centre and east coast.

Out to dinner with Pam & Nick to a local bar and Thai Restaurant, plenty drinks and fine food to finish off the day.

Dinner with Nick & Pam

Sunset over the Gulf St Vincent

Saturday saw us take a trip to down Victor Harbour and surrounds, what a great place. Unfortunately the horse-drawn tram that goes out to Granite Island was not running so we walked to the island and climbed the lookout, a really magic view out to sea and around the islands.  We then went along the coast to Port Elliot and Horseshoe Bay, a great place with a caravan park right on the beach, a place to remember. We had fish and chips at the Flying Fish Cafe, right on the beach, very yummy then drove home via Goolwa, where the Murray River meets the seas, and it still is a muddy colour.

Victor Harbour Jetty to Granite Island

Horsefield Bay, Port Elliot

The mighty Murray near the sea

Sunday is a rest day, a quick trip to the shops, and Glenelg for lunch then back home to get ready for visitors for dinner, and catch up on the blog, second last before we are home.  The day ended with a great baked dinner, this is fancy caravanning.

Glenelg Jetty

Glenelg City Centre -
Hindmarsh monument with HMS Buffalo on top

Monday started off washing the car and van, making then look good for the trip home and then off to the Adelaide zoo for the day.  What a great day, we were lucky enough to see the Pandas in and active playful mood, it was a real treat.  We had a nice wander around the zoo checking out all the animals, again we were lucky to see the chimps in and active playful mood flying through the trees.  That’s Adelaide in a few days, we are off to Murray Bridge tomorrow and then along the coast to Melbourne by next weekend.

The Pandas were jsut great

Tucker time

Playful Chimps

Just hanging around

Beautiful exotic Parrot

No Caption Required
I am sure many others can caption this - go for it Mark and Paul

Esperance to Streaky Bay

Esperance to Kalgoorlie – Monday 24 October 2011

We threw the itinerary out the window today and from here on as we decided to head to Kalgoorlie for a couple of days, weather is fairly ordinary, cool wet and windy, thankfully we had a tail wind most of the way.  Arrived Norseman about 200kn north of Esperance for lunch and fuel, very old gold mining town with little going for it today.  They have a great life size sculpture of camels in the main street.

Camels Sculpture - Norseman

Arrived Kalgoorlie mid-afternoon, went into town to look around and get some much needed groceries.  The Discovery Boulder Caravan Park is very ordinary for a 4 star, but I think most of the parks are similar here.

Kalgoorlie - Tuesday 25 October 2011

Met up with Derrick and Leanne and visited the WA Mining Museum and the Mining Hall of Fame, both very interesting places. Visited the city lookout and then out to the big KCGM Super Pit, wow what a pit, it measures 3.7km long, 1.55km wide and 460m deep.  They currently excavate 800,000 ounces of gold a year, and with an end of life timeframe of 2021 they estimate 720 tonne of gold excavated. A Big Boys toys extravaganza.

The Old Bank at the Museum

Our new home - welcome, just a fraction bigger than the van

Kalgoorlie

It should be able to tow the van -
 but not as good as the Falcon

Thankfully I don't have to buy these tyres

The KCGM Super Pit

It is massive

Kalgoorlie to Fraser Range Station – Wednesday 26 October 2011

Back on the road for the start of the 3 day trip across the Nullarbor, left Kalgoorlie about 10 am after a visit to The Super Pit Shop, once on the road the rain started and it poured for the next 2 hours to Norseman.  We stopped at the roadhouse for lunch and fuel then started the 1200km trip east and home. 

its a long way to anywhere

First nights stop was Fraser Range Station about 100km along the road, just as we arrived a massive storm hit and it rained nearly all night.  This is a working station and is a popular first night camp when crossing the Nullarbor, it is also one of the holes for the longest golf course in the world The Nullarbor Golf Links, an 18 hole course from Kalgoorlie to Ceduna, we played only the one hole.

One of the Nullarbor 18 Golf Holes

Easy Par?? - you'll never know

Happy Hour Fraser Station

Fraser Range Station to Eucla – Thursday 27 October 2011

On the road again, the weather had improved and we had a tail wind for most of the 600+km drive to Eucla.  First stop Balladonia for fuel, then onto The 90 Mile Straight, Australia’s longest straight road for 146.6km.  We arrived at our second fuel stop for the day at Cocklebiddy, all fuelled up and after lunch we headed for Eucla arriving at about 5pm and of course fuelled up again.  The Eucla caravan park was a fairly flash park for the middle of the Nullarbor.  Early night, just as a massive storm came in from the sea and it hit hard, luckily it was all fine by the next  



Emergency Airstrip

Ready for take-off -
the Falcon was flying with a tail wind

Damn Straight

This guy and his mate gave a scary second or two
as the walked across the road

Eucla to Ceduna – Friday 28 October 2011

A difficult start to the day as we lose 2.5 hours at the border 12km down the road, so it was 9am SA time, (6:30am WA time) when we left.  Stopped at the WA/SA border then onto a number of roadside stops to look out over the Great Australian Bight, very impressive, just something you have to stop for.  Arrived Nullarbor Roadhouse for lunch and fuel about 1pm, and were lucky enough to pay $2.05 per litre for fuel.  Finally the last 300km drive to the fruit quarantine stop and Ceduna arriving about 5;30pm.  Off to the Ceduna Hotel for dinner with Derrick and Leanne.

The distances are getting lower

Great Australian Bight

This is it

Here we are at the Bight

Just sensational

I see NO Ships

Planking at the Bight

The dearest on the trip & second dearest in Australia
- Kings Canyon wins the prize

Got to watch out for everything

Things you see on the road

Celebration Drinks - Derrick, Ken, Marlene & Leanne

We had made the Nullarbor Crossing, it is a long trip but very interesting, Marlene and I have now crossed it 3 times and enjoyed every trip.

Ceduna to Streaky Bay - Saturday 29 October 2011

Late start 10am and only 100km to Streaky Bay, a great little village down the Eyre Peninsula, we planned to stay here for a couple of days to catch up on all the domestics and rest.  The Streaky Bay Foreshore Caravan Park is right on the bay and just great as the weather was sunny but still windy, a nice change from the wet weather of the past few days.  Caught up on all the chores, washing, grocery shopping, and resting.

Streaky Bay – Sunday 20 October 2011

Easy day, up late, went for a drive out along the bay to the blowholes and whistling rocks, a spectacular piece of coastline and the ocean was beautiful.  Back to town for a coffee and an afternoon of admin and blogging. 

Streaky Bay coastline

Streaky Bay

We are off to Port Lincoln tomorrow for a couple of days then Adelaide by the weekend, only two weeks of our adventure left.