Saturday 27 December 2014

Stawell, Greens Lake


Spent 3 days near Stawell at a friends place. Had a great session on his electronic keyboard - and him playing the trombone. Also went to Carols by Candlelight at Halls Gap. Large crowd there for their inaugural one - just a pity Santa went on SO long half way through. Probably should have done his thing before the concert started as it really was aimed at very small children! Very nice dinner at the pub also.

So many Santa's around. In boats, on a woolshed roof, one on an old  harvester complete with reindeer.

On across to Greens lake. Trying to find water at St Araund - ended up a on dead end street and  I could not turn around  so had to back down a few 100m - that was interesting!

Maybe 20 lots of Grey Nomads from the forum here. Lovely to catch up with familiar faces and meet some new ones. An excellent Xmas lunch put on  by a group of them, complete with presents, crackers and lollies. Some German backpackers were invited to join us - a bit shocked/bemused at having to sit on Santa's knee and get a kiss, but all good fun. Had a bit of a sing with a young musicians as well - lovely guitar player.

More GNs arrived but we all have to be out of here by 29th as the lake is being shut due to bad behaviour last NW eve - what a shame. It is certainly a lot quieter than other times I have been here. Even the boaties have stayed away.
Heading south to Werrebee then off over to Tasmania......

Saturday 29 November 2014

East again


Heading east again - going to Tasmania in January.

Stopped at the rose garden in Meckering -  posted Xmas cards and bought a Lions Xmas cake - did the same thing last year. The shop there is still for sale. Also bought fuel but should have waited - much cheaper at Cunderdin just up the road.


First 2 nights had very loud short thunderstorms and some gentle rain once the wind died down. The caravan doesnt seem to be leaking now thank goodness. Woken at 4.30 the second morning with another storm and thunder that rolled for ages it seemed. 



Camped at Koorarawlyee again. A few here. Such a lovely big clean area.Off to Coolgardie. I see why there were so many dirty vehicles on Friday. Miles and miles and miles of roadworks. Luckily the road was pretty dry by the time I got there - dont want to get my clean caravan dirty just yetJ Was going to camp in the town but not very flat and don’t like town camps so got fuel at the new Caltex and off down to Mt Thirsty. Lots of trucks on the bypass road but a good drive all the way. Found a shady spot to camp – only one other here. A bit cooler thank goodness. Long drive today! 9-30 – 2pm!



Stopped in Norseman for a night. Was very hot and windy so pleased to have the aircon going.


Fuel again at Balladonia then decided to go another 50km to Woorlba Homestead camp where I stayed a few months ago. What a shocking sight. Broken trees everywhere. A lady pulled up in a camper van so we shifted some branches and got ourselves in well away from any trees left standing. She said there was a very bad storm went through last night further east. Glad I missed that one! Luckily the toilet here was miss by a very large tree that crashed. Hope there were no campers hurt. No sign of any broken vehicles. Got in to the same camp as last time though. Council workers came late in the afternoon and removed the tree from in front of the loo and cleared away a few others. it was such a small area of devastation. 100m up the road and across the road there was virtually no damage.
Managed to break another tooth off so now it is a dash to Port Augusta for a dentist! Well - doing 'big' drives for me - 250 km a day! So much for wandering along. Tooth fixed, stock up on fresh fruit and veg then to Burra Gorge for 2 very peaceful days. Decided to change direction as I didnt want to go through the fruit fly zone so headed for Mannum for 2 very noisy nights with young locals. UGH. Nice family next to me though - had a little uke session with them.

Next stop was Parilla then towards Pinnaroo and south on Ngartak Highway. Interesting drive. Gentle rolling land with lots of farms then into low scrub. Looks like a very sandy area. Very dry too. Called into Pertendi hut but decided not to stay. Only a couple of good caravan spots. Old shepherd’s hut has been done up as a shelter. Has been a fire through here also – maybe last year. Border track closed due to fire season. Conservation Reserve, and another camp a bit further south. Then towards Bordertown through immaculate farms. Not an untidy fence anywhere, and large homesteads. Obviously farmers as opposed to graziers! Grain and bright green circles of irrigated Lucerne. Did see a paddock full of old machinery that looked as though it had been laid out for auction. Acres of it! Maybe they used to sell stuff but didn’t see a sign. Has been a recent wind storm by the look of the broken trees along the road.  Bordertown is a very nice place also – bit of money around I suspect. Couldnt find the laundry easily so got fuel and on to Frances. Road ok – sealed but a bit narrow. Stopped at the Rec and found a spot beside the tennis courts but under big tree. Bols, AFL, kids playground and 3 lots of amenities. There are 3 permanent vans here – one bloke is doing 7 weeks grain harvest. Hostage situation in Sydney on the radio all day – ended up 3 dead and him!
Friend came Tuesday. Shifted from under the trees – talk of strong winds so moved right out into the open behind a shed. Wild wind all day so we parked beside a hedge then had to listen to yapping dogs ALL night.
Next day we headed off to Lake Bringalbert. Gorgeous, quiet! Lovely lazy day and a good night’s sleep.





Sunday 5 October 2014

Kwolyin, Mangowine, Marshall rocks, Yanchep

Stopped at Kwolyin again - was there this time last year. OH NO - it has been discovered and heaps of people there - and a group of school kids camping for a few days. Getting hotter now and the grain is getting riper.
Stopped at Kulyalling park for 2 nights as the forecast was not great and too windy still. Nice spot but no facilities. Happy hour with 2 other couples round their campfire.
So much for my trip planner - which does work well but not when I keep changing my mind. At least I have learned a lot more about how my Garmin works.
 Still some pink wild flowers in the more shady places but so often I am unable to get off the road to take a photo which is a shame.
 Called into Bruce Rock for a few groceries - but the baker and butcher are now closed. On to Merriden - should have bought everything there. Much better choice at the IGA.
A night at the Shire CP at Nungarin. Very busy newly refurbished  camp  but only about 8 sites. Full up as it is their Harvest Festival the first weekend in October.  Good facilities and cheap, but no washing machine.  Then spent 3 days at Mangowine Homestead. Annual concert Saturday night which was well attended. For $110 you can order a picnic hamper for 2 including wine - but I just bought a hamburger for dinner. Entertained by a Perth tribute band - Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis.
The caretaker here does such a lovely job of looking after the old Adams homestead and hotel and is most hospitable.


 Went out to Eaglestone Rock camp just for a look. Nice spot with plenty of camping areas, and I gather there are toilets there somewhere but I didnt see them.  A large salt lake runs along the edge of the rock. Good dirt roads around this area. So many dry shallow lake beds everywhere.



 Everything much drier north of the Kalgoorlie highway. Grain ready to harvest and the land looks very thirsty. Has been trying to rain but maybe too much wind.



Spent a few days at Marshall Rocks. Nice spot, new toilet, scattered trees and so peaceful. Large areas for camping and a few picnic tables. A large group of parents and children who belonged to a walking group were here one night - all in tents or sleeping in cars.

Friend who runs a caravan website here also so we have had some lovely long conversations. We went to see the Pergandes sheepyards made from granite slabs again. Much shorter grass this trip but so many flies everywhere now.

Went for a walk up on to the rock. Such great views from these amazing monoliths all over Aus.
An eclipse of the moon tonight - and early enough to see for a change. Stunning orange moon but photos not so good.
From Marshall to Trayning CP. Run by the shire, very new and tidy. Another stunning orange moon.
Called in to Lake Ninan but decided not to stay so on to New Norcia. Camped in their paddock then to Wannamel for a night before heading to Yanchep. Will be here for about 6 weeks so no more updates.







Saturday 27 September 2014

Lakes, Farm, Wagin

Spent a night in Albany CP catching up then drove up to Lake Nunijup. Old sealed area behind the small hall, and a small lake. Decided to chat to some people I thought were there fishing. Turns out they were on a wild flower hunt.
 BUT - small world. One  was a Kiwi whose grandfather came from my home town! Wow. They were all heading to Lake Poorarecup and took me with them. Had a lovely picnic lunch there then back to the camp with an offer to spend a few days on a local farm. Accepted with pleasure. Spent the next day in the van once I had shifted it well away from trees as it was a very windy day. No-one else here.
Monday I headed off to the farm about 30 km away. Excellent gravel roads around here. Parked near the house and was able to run the power over so that was nice. Spent 3 days there being spoilt with farm beef, and grand tours of the property which is bisected with well maintained shire roads. The property (14,000 acres!) is looking picture perfect at the moment but am told as soon as it warms up it will be long dry 'standing hay' as we would say at home. Grain crops for hay and plenty of trees left for shelter. Some of the ground water is becoming very salty but steps being taken to fix that.

So many wildflowers around including the spider orchids.

Next stop was going to be Lake Queerarrup but it pays to put the GPS co-ordinates in correctly to find places.  Luckily I found a farm drive to turn around in and ended up in Wagin. Checked out the show grounds but decided to go to the CP instead. Only $20 p/n. Stayed 3 days as the weather packed up AGAIN and it is far too hard trying to camp in the cold and wet! No way I want to drive in this wind either.

 Have been playing with the Gamin and the caravancaravan website and can now plan at trip and load it in to the GPS. Good in theory but I am not very good at making a plan and sticking to it! Well - who needs a plan anyway! Still - something else I have learned!





Tuesday 23 September 2014

Esperance, Lucky Bay, Albany


Spent a couple of days in Norseman at a CP - catch up on washing and have a luxury break - of sorts. So nice to get fresh fruit and veg again - a long time from the border. So much Cape Daisy in the pasture here although I am told the stock appreciate having it when other feed not available, and that it does die out in the summer.


 Drove on down to Esperance and out to Lucky Bay on Cape Le Grande - what a stunning place. National Park so $6.60 p/n - for me. Stayed a couple of nights. Very clean and tidy parking area. Saw a whale both days just wafting around in the bay. The second day was damp so drove up to a hill to get internet - and left my lights on so had to walk 200m back to the main road to flag down help. A coaster came and gave me a jump-start. DUH!


Such amazing lumps of rock sticking up everywhere and that pure white sand and clear blue sea. there are shrubs in flower everywhere. Lots of very stunted Christmas trees so that will make a very lovely sight in summer.

After being jump started I drove the 9 km around to Rossiter Bay - which just reinforced why I have very little desire to travel on gravel roads. Corrugations so bad the the GPS kept jumping out of its holder!


On towards Albany. Stopped at a village overnight opposite a roadhouse then to Fitzgerald camp which is in the old town on what I presume was the school ground. Was set to stay until I had a message from a nomad couple that they were only 120 km away so shot down to Pallinup River to spend time with them. Wild flowers in the scrub. Very pleasant couple of days chatting.




Saturday 13 September 2014

Nullarbor again


Topped up at Ceduna then off across to WA. Stopped at a camp past Penong. Forgot about playing golf in Ceduna then too hot at Penong. So much for my big plan! 


On to Head of Bight in time to see the Whales. They were very placid so not much spectacular action but 8 floating including a white one. So many people on the roads now - all the nomads heading home I think. Stayed the night there then on to Nullarbor for fuel. So much wind blowing grit all over the place so no golf again! On to a big camp at a gravel pit with lovely views over the ocean.  Trucks use this one also.


Saw a dingo eating a roo - just lifted its head as I drove past - usually they run. Couldn't stop as I had a truck behind me.

Through the border - pretty sullen inspectors there. The truckies must get so frustrated having to spend ages there every time they go across. Fuel expensive - should have waited for Eucla.

 Thought about stopping at Eucla but once again so many people there so off down the hill to a camp. Very windy so pleased to be off the road. Then I get  an email warning of the storm coming through! A friend turned up so nice to have someone to chat to. The wind did die down in the afternoon so we sat out and looked at the super moon.
The next day was also very windy but I went on a bit further. Bought fruit at Mundrabilla but decided not to stay as once again there was a dust storm everywhere. Kept going to Moondi Bluff - and could almost see the fuel gauge moving down. Found a spot out the back of the camp area - had to practice backing to get in to position! The toilet there is still gross! Fueled up at Mandura - have used almost 5 litres per 100 km more than normal - ouch! Jillbunya Rock hole was out among the wild flowers. Getting lots of practice on the Uke and the guitar - can park well away from others so I dont disturb them. Woke to a mist and dew everywhere - and no wind! This change of time zone is a pain - I really dont want to be awake at 6 am! Makes for a very long day if I am not driving very far. 
Next camp at Woorlba among the pretty grey bushes and the trees. These camps have lots of roads winding back well away from the road. Chatted to a nice boy - family on the road for a few months again.
Thought about stopping at Fraser Range again but only another 100 km to Norseman so kept going. Such good driving all the way across the Nullarbor. I have been using Wikicamps and am amazed at the comments from grumpy people. The cost of fuel, coffee, state of the camps etc. Maybe they should think about how far it is, what it costs these road houses to run a generator, desalinate their water etc. And the cost for councils to put in nice flush loos!!!! Imagine having to carry enough fuel to cross from Ceduna to Norseman!




Quorn, Kimba, Streaky Bay


Stopped at the caravan park in Quorn for a night. All very green = organic washing machines etc. Nice people. Then a lovely drive down to Port Augusta past so many old ruins. Beautiful stone work - seems a shame that the houses have not been re-roofed to protect them.
Stopped in Port Augusta long enough to get the new weight shackles and groceries then on to Kimba. Great free camp there at the recreation ground - donation box  hiding round the back of the showers. Also a dump point. Chatting to another solo lady towing a van.
Next stop at the camp behind the store at Kyancutta, then on down through Lock and across to Elliston. Crazy countryside - looks like it has been in a massive hail storm. The white stone is more obvious now with grass around.
It is very pretty around here at this time of year. Gorgeous green and gold with grain and canola crops. Would love to see it from the air.
Stopped at the camp at Walkers Rock. Nice spot. A couple fishing there had caught some beautiful fish. Would like to have gone up to the top camp area but was not game in case I got stuck trying to fit in! Pretty beach.
On up to Murphys Haystacks for a night. Crazy rocks sticking out of the hill. What a great credit this place is to the farm owners - toilets, picnic shelter etc. and just $2 donation.
 Streaky Bay - caravan park again. pay for 2 and get the 3rd free so took the deal. Had a sore shoulder so a good idea. Found an excellent masseuse - does sport and remedial and gave my back and shoulders a good treatment.
Did a quick tour around the Peninsular - all dirt roads and not somewhere I would camp with the caravan. Then down to Seale bay - the 30 km road is sealed except for the last 9 km which they are working on, but it looks as though the bush camp is closed. Had enough driving  so didnt get to the Sea lion colony.


Tuesday 26 August 2014

Yunta, Peterborough, Flinders Range


The road to the border is still a high dry saltbush plain and follows the railway. Across the border (no quarantine!)  then to Olary pub. Was going to stay but not very inspiring and used Wikicamps to check Yunta. Looks much nicer so stopped there instead.  Some healthy looking goats around and a few horses sheep and cattle. Much healthier looking emus around here. The o/n camps have no road signs which is annoying – just the truck stops. Yunta is a nice spot with a 24 hour BP stop as well. Went to the pub for a chat, drink and fish n chips for dinner.

The quarantine station is 20km out of Peterborough – and not manned when I went through but I am told it is sometimes so not worth the risk. More saltbush plains but the hills getting nearer now. Then in to GRASS finally. Got fruit and veg in town then back to the camp east of town. Nice spot but near the railway. Trains ok though. Tried to get TV but only sbs so listened to the game on radio – 51-20 win – yippee. Would loved to have seen it!

Very foggy in the mornings around Peterborough. I do like this part of the country.
Headed towards Flinders. The country has been lovely rolling green – grass and grain crops, and gentle rolling hills. Then towards Craddock it becomes quite brown. The hills turn into cones of polkadot saltbush – almost wonder if it has been planted. Much drier and brown - but not like drought stressed grass - more of an alpine brown grass.  Stopped at Hawker for fuel – thought about staying but Wipena is only another 40 km. The ranges tower over you on the west and rolling red rock range on the east. Gentle rising all the way.  Very pretty along the road – back into river gums along dry stony river beds.
Then the land changed and into gorgeous confers with bright green grass under them! Excellent road all the way from Peterborough – nice change. Wilpena $10 = 10 day park pass and $8 p/n to camp (consession rate) – more if you want power. Large area with many trees and plenty of facilities. Big group of kids turned up - much excitement but quiet by 10 pm - thank goodness.
Headed north and was going to Bunyeroo Gorge but after 4km decided the road was too rough so carried on up the main road. An excellent road too. Stopped at Dingly Dell - lovely camp, then took the dirt road to Brachina Gorge - 20km. Was ok but not somewhere to be after rain as the road follows the river beds in places and there are many streams that cross it. After talking to people who had come in from the south I decided to be brave and take the road back to Bunyeroo and then to Wilpena.
It was fine most of the way but had to go slow. Surprising the number of cars on the road also.