November 2024 – great life – retired got nothing on

24. Great Life lapping Australia 2024

Esperance Area

The beaches and coves around the South West Australia coastline, present a scene worthy of an inviting collectors post card. Each bay presents a ‘wow – what beautiful colours’ feeling. Lucky Bay Beach is considered in the top ten sandy beaches of the world so it was well patronised with 4WDs on the shore, although I waited for them to move for my photos.

The bay with a whole in the rock (twilight bay) fascinated us and we returned to get photos when the sun cared to shine brightly.

The Nullarbor Crossing

Unconsciously, The Nullarbor crossing seemed to be a hurdle that we had thought would be a major venture. Now that we have completed the crossing, we are wishing we had taken it differently over a longer period of time.

My photo of the 4 road trains at Norseman BP service centre, are a sample of the many vehicles that keep West Australia supplied with appliances, equipment and processed food; we didn’t count them but would have been a good number indeed. The roadhouse stops are busy as motorists ‘top up’ with fuel and other requirements to their liking. Lyn has been collecting hat pins and patches along the way. Some roadhouses have a small museum of machinery to display the way things were done in the ‘olden days’.

Back in the 1950s, Lyn had crossed the Nullarbor with her dad and two sisters. She was looking forward to seeing the change since then so I managed to have her at the steering wheel for the full 90 miles with just the one break. She did well and felt that ‘accomplished’ feeling at the end. Long straight stretches are common in outback Australia, but to drive the longest straight is ‘different’.

The border crossing from West Australia to South Australia is interesting. Travelling into West Australia requires a horticultural inspection to safeguard little pests that travel in honey and some other products. The inspection point for travellers from West Australia to South Australia is just before Ceduna more to the east of the state border. Golfers can make the longest golf course in the world a pleasant stroll every now and then at each of the 18 holes. You can see a fairway beyond the kangaroo picture below.

Bunda Cliffs

Inspiring views of the cliffs of the Great Australian Bight are available at various, but not many, locations during the crossing.

At a location know as the ‘head of the bight’ is a sanctuary for the southern whales that come up from colder waters in the Antarctic for calving and mating. This year, there were 52 whales born in these waters. There are plenty of view areas to enjoy seeing the whales breaching and slapping their fins and tails.

Kimba

It seems that Kimba is the most easterly border of the Nullarbor desert. We rested at Ceduna on the foreshore for lunch and on to the interesting town of Kimba; home of the Big Galah. There’s is a very busy free camping zone at the recreation reserve. The “donations for use” have been put to very good use in the recreation area for the locals. Development for those who have travelled or about to travel the long crossing, is appreciated.

In Kimba, the local ladies have taken over a large tin roofed building and made small areas to sell their wares to tourists. Not the quality of a market, better.Take a visit when you get to Kimba

Here’s a summary of the fuel usage I kept of the crossing.

23. Great Life lapping Australia 2024

Little train on the Busselton jetty and underwater observatory.

This little train is always full of people not wanting to walk the 2 km to the underwater observatory. At 1,841 metres (6,040 ft), the jetty is said to be the longest wooden structure in the Southern Hemisphere. Of course, at each end of the pier is a souvenir shop.

Meetup with an “old” friend.

A benefit of grey nomading is the times we meet up with others along the way. We met Brontë last year where we stayed in Darwin. His wife had not long gone and he won the “best dressed Christmas in July” person with a simple tee shirt, “Merry Christmas” written on it; judged by the other campers. He became everyone’s favourite. Annually, he drives his caravan to Darwin for two months of the winter. The warmer weather encourages him, and to see his daughter there. We had a lovely lunch at Kyrs Restaurant.

Cape Leeuwin

The southern tip of West Australia is where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean. There sits a lighthouse which has often played a part in ensuring safety for “ships of the night” And you’ll notice a lazy cow is the kid’s favourite.

Elephant Rock

For obvious reasons, this rock is known as Elephant Rock. The waters around it show great ocean colours when the sun is shining.

Peaceful Bay

Like many of the places we have stayed on this lap, Peaceful Bay was never in our thoughts when planning the trip. However, the imagination found it an easy task to add it to the list of places to return to whenever we come over to “the West” again.

Tree Top Walk

The valley of the giants is certainly well created from a natural valley filled with giant Karri trees. Yes, commercially, the work done creating the suspended walk would be well paid for by now with a continuous steady flow of tourists. An enormous structure of steel sways with your walking motion – a little perplexing for those with balance problems, as I found out; but we both made it.

A free camp is always a welcome resting place. Peter’s brother lives on 100 acres with his very hospitable Russian wife. Des is an accountant and works from home for some Aborigine Community Services group. He has a great office lookout.

Albany Whaling Station

The whaling station used to provide work for many when it was heavily involved in capturing whales to provide whale oil, meat, and other resources which were eventually frowned upon when closure took place in the 70s. Jo, in the picture, is now a volunteer guide at the museum. At 19, he left his love of surfing in Perth to find “the wave” near Albany during a two week holiday. He’s still on that two week holiday 60 years later. He took up a job on a whaling ship and now is part of history.

Shell Collection

At the entrance to the whaling station museum is a private shell collection of a local, Hilda.

“After a lifetime amassing this spectacular collection of shells from around Australia we are delighted Hilda has trusted us to display her prized collection here at Discovery Bay.”

“60 years ago I found a really beautiful shell on Middleton Beach and that was the beginning of my collection.”

“My grandfather William Cooper worked as a whaler in Albany back in the late 1800s, so I feel very happy about all the shells finding a home at Discovery Bay.”

The display was well worth visiting to see the intricate shells lined up in their makes and sizes.

Albany Wind Farm

Albany has created a “wind farm” tourist spot. They explain the benefits of wind energy to maybe soften the sarcasm a little. However, after hearing the noise of the large fans, I wouldn’t want one in my backyard. They promote the fact that the wind farm provides 85% of the energy for Albany’s 40,000 residents. That’s not bad I suppose but longevity and recycling itself is a conundrum yet to be discovered. Any takers?

22. Great Life lapping Australia 2024

When you arrive in Perth by road, immediately you notice the freeways are wide and can cope with the traffic well. Many of them have train services running between the carriage ways; all tidy and well supplied.

Kings Park in the central area of the city, is always good to visit as much care is taken to make the grounds look a treat and even makes you feel good. The wildflowers are set in different garden beds for each region of the state.

Wildflowers

Lyn was taken with the work done on mannequins at the door to the visitors center. See how the clothes are made of many crocheted squares, circles and whatever and attached to the mannequins.

Visit to Hawkes Nest

We had a number of jobs to be done on the vehicles before heading for the south west of the state. Our first overnight stop had views out towards the ocean. We felt at ease and replenished with the hospitality from Ken and Kay.