Perth

We seem to have come to a full stop. Staying with my brother, bathrooms, kitchens and tv are very comfortable. Going back on the road is going to be hard. Off to Tenterton in the SW on Friday morning then back to Perth next week for car servicing.

I feel a patchwork frenzy coming on.

Kalgoorlie

This is a place that we visited because you have to if you go to WA. If the Nullarbor is testament to natures magnificence then the Big Pit is all about how men, machines and the quest for a shiny piece of metal can create havoc. This space will stop operating in 2011, then what? The people in Kalgoorlie are asking the question, any suggestions to Kalgoorlie council.

I am now off my soap box.

The holes in the rock picture is to show how the open cast mining has uncovered the underground mining that first took place in Kalgoorlie.

Across the Nullarbor

Sorry to all those who have been following this travel journal, a few technical hitches along the way. No mobile coverage in many outback places with the company we use, something to change in Perth.

We are now in Perth so no excuses. It was a magical crossing of the most open, empty and awe inspiring landscape anywhere. I find the nothingness makes me feel happy, the shear scale of the nothing blows the mind. The age of the space brings home how little we have managed as humans to achieve, except maybe to to damage.

Photo's
The dog fence
The Bight
The Nullarbor SA
The WA/SA border
The Nullarbor WA

A warm day

35 degrees today so lots of swimming and kayaking and getting pink.

Drive this morning to Cape Bauer, for the blow holes and whistling rocks, the sea did not cooperate so no blowholes and the rocks definitely didn't whistle, lovely scenery though. Met a little chap on the road home, not in the least concerned that a large 4 WD nearly ran him over. He only moved fast when I approached to take his picture, draw your own conclusions.

Ellison - Streaky Bay

Ellison was a bit short on facilities like shops for food so moved on to Streaky Bay.

Detours to-
Talia caves
Venus Bay
Point Labatt Sea Lion Colony

Thought I might have a problem at the caves as the entry was down the cliff face, it turned out to be quiet a shallow descent so no problem. The rocks into the cave were covered in lose sand so I didn't get too far, Trevor managed to go further his shoes gripped better. Two caves, Woolshed and the Tub, could see the tub but not why the Woolshed.
Venus Bay was absolutely beautiful especially as the coffee shop did home made cakes.
Point Labatt and the sea lion colony was quiet a long way off the beaten track and very windy when we got there. Lots of notices about the cliff edges being very unstable, then we had to walk out onto a viewing platform on the cliff edge to see the sea lions, I was extremely brave and walked out onto the platform took my picture and as the wind shook the platform beat a hasty retreat, nobody said a had to be brave for a long time.
On the last stretch to Streaky Bay we came across traffic lights, road works and rain, on the dirt road.

Goanna

This guy came into the camp to have a look around. He showed no fear, he owned the place. Found something in the ground and dug for ages to get it out, never saw what it was he found though.

Coffin Bay - Elliston. Week 10

Not too far to drive so plenty of time for detours.

Drummond Point - huge cliff tops
Sheringa Beach - massive sand dunes

Coffin Bay National Park

Back out into the bush, much quieter out here for camping.

Photo's
One side of the peninsula
How the sand dunes move
The other side of the peninsula
Sunrise this morning

Lincoln National Park - Coffin Bay

A wonderful 3 days in the Lincoln National Park, kangaroo's, emu's, birds and on the last walk we spotted sea lions on an island just off the shore, what a wonderful place for wild life.

For humans it was a bit on the chilly side but I found a remedy, please remember that this is summer in SA.

In Coffin Bay to fill up with water, do the washing and have a long soak in the shower. Tomorrow we are into Coffin Bay National Park.

View of our campsite from across the bay.
Me and my remedy.

Week 9. Tumby Bay- Lincoln National Park, September Beach.

Our first National park camping, we have toilets and mobile phone coverage, everything else we provide, it's great. Been here 3 days overlooking the beach with a family of kangaroos for company, great to start with but they are getting braver and had our rubbish last night, brazen hussy just sat there when I went out to chase her away, but my foot stamps louder than hers so I won. Walked around the point yesterday, if weather improves rock pools today.

Saturday

Out on the kayaks this afternoon, not too windy and the sun started to shine. Went in again as soon as we got on the water.

Very different perspective, watching the racing from the water, tried to get the finish with spinickers flying but I couldn't keep still enough.

The pelicans were waiting to be fed, went from peaceful to chaotic in seconds.

Correction

It is not Port Phillip as in last post, it is Port Lincoln, writing the blog should be done when I am fully awake.

Week 8. Port Augusta -Whyalla- Tumby Bay.

Our first seaside stop since Wooli, crystal clear water but warning signs along the beach, Beware Razor Fish wear shoes. As the weather has been very windy and cool not much chance of going in the water but I have my hiking boots just in case.

Port Phillip yesterday, coffee, shopping, visitor centre. Quick drive around town and to see the Endeavour tied up along side the jetty, not open until today, so will see that on Monday when we move on. Then a drive inland to a museum at Koppio, population 3. The original smithy and cottage/post office and then lots of buildings donated from around the district plus machinery and carriages. Fascinating place could have spent lots more time but we had already overstayed the closing time by half and hour. Also a room dedicated to the bush fire in January 2005, very moving. The fire went around the museum but destroyed the property across the road.

Photos.
1. Remains of a tree on site after the fire
2. Inside the Smithy cottage
3. The wash area out back
4. The Endeavor, in Port Lincoln
5. school room, closed 1970
6. Front of the Smithy Cottage
7. Building brought in from nearby, logs and mud infill