The long road home.......

After leaving Pemberton we stopped in Manjimup to shop and then drove on to Mount Barker where we stayed overnight in their RV Park.  It was still very cold, wet and windy.

The next morning we continued on bypassing Albany and driving straight to Cheynes Beach where we were staying in the caravan park for two days.

Last time we were here Bill tried to photograph the very elusive Noisy Scrub Bird with no success so he was ready to try again.  I’m very sorry to say that once more he has no photos.  He did see two of them crossing the road but other than a blur on the camera he couldn’t capture them.  They certainly are a challenge.  He didn’t see either of the other two species known to be here.  He did get some lovely pics of the Western Spinebill which is something he had been hoping to see.

Driving along the beach the next day we saw movement in the water and right before our eyes were a couple of whales just lazing around.  We watched them for a while before heading home.  The sun was shining but the wind was still bitter.

We left the next day and made our way to Esperance stopping overnight at a rest stop just before Ravensthorpe.  We stopped in town and had a look the next morning and loved the Silo Art and the ceramic work in the park.

In Esperance we shopped, stocking up with just enough fresh fruit and veggies to get us to the SA quarantine checkpoint at Ceduna.  Known as one of the windiest places in the country it certainly lived up to it’s name as we were hard put to walk in a straight line along the street.

Once the shopping was put away we headed towards Norseman stopping overnight at another rest area along the way.  The next morning we stopped just long enough to get fuel and then it was time to start our next ‘epic journey’ across the country.  As you’ve all done this with me before I’ll make it a fast trip.

We stopped at each of the roadhouses along the way to stretch our legs.  Our overnight stops were at Ten Mile Rocks, Baxter Rest Area, Jilah Rock Holes and West Yalata rest area.   Lots of people were camped with us each night as many people were travelling both ways to and from the west.

We stopped at each of the three lookouts along the Great Australian Bight and though we have been here before the view is just breathtakingly beautiful.  To know you are standing on the edge of the mainland is pretty amazing.

Stopping at Penong we bought fuel and then walked down to have a look at their windmill park.  This wonderful open air museum is home to many different types of windmills,  all donated or on loan to Penong.  This magnificent 35 ft Comet windmill is said to be the largest one in Australia.

Our next stop was at Ceduna where we passed through the checkpoint with a big tick.  Handed over just one pear and the banana peels from lunch.  I’m getting this down to a fine art now.  We stopped and shopped for more fresh fruit and vegetables here in Ceduna before making our way just out of town and settling in for the night at Punjabi East rest area.

I have to say that all these rest areas both sides of the border have been fabulous places to stay. They have all had plenty of room, lots of bins and some have had toilets.  With so many people travelling these days it is great to have the choice of where to stay.  All were well attended each night.

The next day we drove on stopping for morning tea at Poochera.  We parked at Centennial Park and found Peter’s Humpy.  Once the home of Peter Sheridan, it was built by him in the 1920’s from flattened kerosene tins and pine poles from local pine trees.  The furniture inside was made from kerosene boxes.  So hard to imagine anyone living like this now.

We continued on stopping at Kimba.  Their fabulous camp at the showgrounds was almost full but we found a spot for the night.  Since we were last here the grain silos have been painted by Melbourne artist Cam Scale and they look amazing.  The beautiful artwork is 25 metres tall and stretches to 60 metres wide.

The next day we continued on to Port Augusta where we stayed for two days at their great little motor home park at the sports club.  Bill got up early the next morning and went chasing birds at the Arid Gardens.  This Spiny Cheeked Honey Eater seemed to be enjoying breakfast.

As we had travelled across the country the weather had been improving each day.  Here in Port Augusta it was warm and sunny and almost time for short sleeves.  Bill’s cough was starting to improve so hope this warmer climate helps.  While here I caught up on the washing and shopping again.  It seems like a never ending circle but I guess it’s no different to home.  At least it dries quickly in the warm days.  We also watched the two semi final football games over the weekend.  Not happy with either result but can’t change it so I guess we fence sit for the final.  I’ll barrack for the Pies but Bill may not!

Leaving Port Augusta the next morning we made our way to Burra Gorge where we stayed for one night on our way to Morgan.  We were going to spend a few days at Gluepot Reserve before we headed home so filled the van with water at the Morgan Shire offices and made our way to the reserve.

Located 54 km from Waikerie the road into Gluepot is legendary.  Last time I thought it was the worst road I had ever been on but now I may have a different opinion.  Well, perhaps not the worst road but it is still pretty bad!

Once in the reserve we made our way to Sitella campground and set up.  Bill went out each morning  to the bird hides and walks to see what he could find.  It is very dry out here, with low rainfall this season, so the birds were spread far and wide making them harder to find.  Lots of Honey Eaters as the plants are starting to flower and plenty of Mulga Parrots but not as much variety as last time we were here.   The beautiful Major Mitchell made the early mornings worthwhile.  

The weather has been wonderful, blue skies and warm days.  We have both been in short sleeves for the first time since arriving in Perth.  Our four days here were wonderfully relaxing but now it was time to go, face that road again and drive the last few km home.  

We made it out, crossed the river at Waikerie and while Bill was pumping up tyres his phone rang. It was Stuart, a man that he had met one day in Gluepot, who owns a propety in the Barossa.  He invited Bill to come and have a look at the birds there including a pair of Peregrine Falcons.  Of course Bill said yes so we made our way to Greenock and camped at a wonderful camp ground in the park.

The next day we spent on Stuart’s propety and Bill was in seventh heaven with all the birds.

We took some time to have a look around the little town of Tanunda after lunch at The Red Door.

Back in Greenock we had a walk around the little village before night fell.

The next day we set off again and began our journey home in earnest - only 776 km to go now.  We enjoyed the drive through the beautiful Barossa vineyards and after that the Murrayland area of SA.

We stopped for lunch at Coonalpyn and found a very busy carpark as everyone stops now to admire the Silo Art there.  Brisbane artist Guido van Helten has painted this silo using images of five local primary school children.

He said the children represented the future of the town, and he hoped the giant art work might inspire those children and others "to a path through creative industries".  We also loved the new bright mosiac wall in the park as well.

Moving on after lunch we camped that night at a lovely little spot at North Serviceton Reservoir.

The next morning we crossed the border back into Victoria and soon after stopped again at Rupanyup to see another silo.

This silo art is a monochrome mural created by Russian artist Julia Volchkova on the huge metal grain storage bins. It was inspired by the local Rupanyup Panthers Football and Netball Club and the two young people featured are quite stunning.

From here we made our way through Victoria and camped for our last night at Potters Lane, a lovely spot beside the Campaspe River at Elmore.

A quick look around the next morning before we pointed the car towards home.  We enjoyed a coffee in Rushworth and an hour later we had arrived back home.

And so our journey was complete and our biggest adventure to date was over.  It is a trip we will never forget.  We have travelled 23,000 km and we have seen some amazing places.  Crossing six borders we have passed through drought ridden country in NSW and QLD, Tropical Rainforest in FNQ and the Cape York Peninsula.  Once again we were mesmerised by the mystery and grandeur of Uluru and Kata Tjuta.  We loved the adventure of crossing the country on ‘The Longest Shortcut’ and we enjoyed exploring some incredible new places in WA.

For now though its time to enjoy our time at home again.  Lots of fun things happening in our little corner of the world so watch this space.

until next time .......