Our Australia Trip - The First 6 Weeks!

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Trip Start Mar 25, 2010 Trip End Feb 01, 2011 Next
Entry

  The Entrance, Western Australia, Australia
Wednesday, May 5, 2010

DAY 1 – 25/3/2010 - Thursday
Planned to depart from home about 10am but still had lots of packing to do with friends dropping in the previous day to say goodbye.  More family and friends called in to say goodbye on the morning of our departure so we had to finish packing and took off about 11.30.
 
A few tears for me and mum.  Mum said quick get in the car before I lost it and then took off and I sorted myself out!  Recovered and we were on the road, heading to Merridan approx 250kms from Perth on Great Eastern Highway.  Stopped for lunch in Midland and then up Greenmount Hill to Northam where we stopped for a toilet break and quick play for Zac at a playground on the banks of the Swan River.  Not much water flowing but it is the end of summer.
 
Made it to Merridan around 4pm.  Pretty basic caravan park but only for one night.  We got a few supplies from the local IGA and then Zac had a swim in a very cold pool.  BBQ and salad for dinner and an early night.
 
DAY 2 – 26/3/2010 - Friday
Woke early and headed off to Kalgoorlie about 8am.  About 400km to get there. Stopped at Southern Cross for a coffee and chocolate mid morning.  Arrived in Kal about 12.30pm.  Got into caravan park and set up and had lunch.  Went to local Pool to cool off but slides and wave pool closed till 4pm.  Had Chinese take away for dinner, bit average! 
 
DAY 3 – 27/3/2010 - Saturday
Michael got up early and went for a ride.  Zac and I walked to servo for papers.  Went to town for some food shopping and looked at the super pit....saw a blast at 1pm and Zac was a bugger so didn’t stay long!  Went to Kmart for Easter bunny supplies and planned out stops for the Nullarbor crossing and called for bookings.  Zac and Michael went swimming again while I did some washing!
 
DAY 4 – 28/3/2010 – Sunday
Woke up and packed up..departed from Kalgoorlie about 9am, stopping for a ‘One for the Road - Coffee to go’ coffee, which is my favourite coffee (there is one on Currambine).  Drove via Kambalda and Norseman to Frasers Range for the night. About 350kms and 4hours drive.  Stopped for lunch in Norseman and saw the camels made from corrugated tin and the sculpture of the horse the town is named after (he discovered gold in the area).  Frasers Range was fantastic.  It is an old style homestead which has been renovates from a sheep station and shearing shed to have a few villas and caravan/camping areas.  Lots of old bits and pieces lying around full of rust. 
Michael went for a ride through some of the surrounding hills but was back in about 20 minutes with two dead flats tyres – double gees everywhere!  Then I went for a little ride up to see the Nullarbor links golf hole that is one the property.  Stuck to the roads and thought I’d be ok but then after I got back both tyres were flat within 10 minutes.  Michaels spares are perished so no more riding till we get somewhere with a bike shop or some supplies! 
Had a bbq dinner and then took Zac to see the campfire that they have each night where some other families were toasting marshmallows and were kind enough to share!  Zac not impressed with the burnt bits on his favourite so made a mess picking off the burnt bits and eating the goo!
 
DAY 5 – 29/3/2010 – Monday
Woke early and set off from Frasers Station heading for Madura.  Had had some mixed info last night from other people coming from Adelaide across the Nullarbor.  Apparently, not much to look forward to until we get to Streaky Bay on Thursday.  Stopped for lunch at Caiguna but agree that generally there is not much at all going on  - excitement was seeing 2 goats grazing on side of the highway, two dead kangaroos and a few brave (stupid?!) cyclists and a few walkers.  Imagine walking across! Driving is hard enough.  Maybe some people like the mental challenge!
Arrived at Madura mid afternoon after travelling 427 kms for about 5 hours.  Quite a nice but very basic roadhouse with motel rooms, bar, restaurant, and camping ground.  Actually, nearly full.  Lots of people heading the Perth in hot rod restored cars for national titles in Busselton over Easter.  Made Shepards Pie for dinner! Quite a feat with limited stuff....hadn’t planned on it but was requested by Zac and Michael so chucked in bit sthat we had and it was nicer than my usual version!
DAY 6 – 30/3/2010 – Tuesday – MY BIRTHDAY!
Got an early start and set off about 8am, headed from Madura to Nullabor roadhouse.  Stopped in Eucla for ‘brunch’.  I had pancakes...not bad!  Headed onto Nullabor roadhouse.  Crossed the WA/SA border – no fanfair!  Arrived about 2pm but had been warned not to expect much.  Not much there...this is the real nullabor with NO tress just lots oflimestone and scrub.  Decided to fill up with diesel and keep going to Ceduna for some civilsation!  Took some photos of the lanscape and beaches but skipped the Head of Bite and other scenia stops as wanted to make sure we got to Ceduna before dark.
Arrived in Ceduna about 7pm but as htey have daylight savings was still light (we gained 21/2 houyrs from Perth time in crossing over)....got to caravan park but wrong one.  Tried again but the one we were booked into for tomorrow night was full so ended up at the Aitport Caravan park pretty much dirt section next to runway with power and basic show block.  Only one lane while we were there so not too noisy!
 
 
DAY 7 – 31/3/2010 – Wednesday
Called ahead to Streaky Bay to see if we could arrive a day early and stay for Easter.  No problems so set off for Streaky Bay SA, about 100kms from Ceduna.  Quite a nice little see side town in a bay that faces North and haspenninsulas on either side.  Very sheltered and prtoected from southerly winds.
 
Big tides with the bay half elptying each day, going out about 30 metres. Very shallow bay.
Bif fishing and oyster farm area. Surfing too in the out beaches but very sharky.  Rumours of sharks in th ebay too with fins occasionally spotted but not while we are here!  Will be staying here till Tuesday after Easter.
 
DAY 8 – 1/4/2010 – Thursday
Shopping, washing, beach, canoe, relaxing
 
DAY 9 – 2/4/2010 – GOOD Friday
Took adn drive to some local scenic attractions.  Point Labatt 50 from town on a dirt road to a lookout over Bite with Austalian Sea Lion colony.  Went past town of Sceale and Baird Inlet.
Went onto Murphys Haystacks, a series of granite rock formations.
Headed back to town and beach.
 
DAY 10 – 3/4/2010 – Saturday
I did some food shopping with Zac and Michael went for his first road bike ride. Zac refused to join in the kids easter egg hunt put on byt he caravan park so we were a bit annoyed.
DAY 11 – 4/4/2010 – Easter Sunday
Easter bunny had been so Zac was happy and we had pancakes for breakfast.
DAY 12 – 5/4/2010 – Monday
Had some light rain that developed into thunder storms and solid rain during the night. Got some supplies in town like local butcher and IGA. This caravan park had a bit of a mouse plague with dead mice popping up all over and I moves a witches hat that had fallen over and one ran out and into someones annex!
DAY 13 – 6/4/2010 - Tuesday
Woke up to rain and everything soaking...nice muddy site!  Had no power from the storms from about 11pm last night so had a very quiet night and Michael din’t sleep with NO FAN on!  A mouse has had a nibble on one of our chairs that was left outside under the awning.  Maybe there were some crumbs on it!  Yuck!
Packed up to head for Port Lincoln.  Set off about 9am and stopped in Coffin Bay for lunch.  Coffin Bay os known for its Oysters but not being fans we didn’t sample to local delicacy but could see th eoyster farms in the bay.
Went onto Port Lincoln (PL) an dsettled into the caravan park.  What a location, right on the bay on the side of a hill and with beautiful views.  Is quite cool and still a bit overcast with bad weather around.  Apparently Adelaide had severe storms and flooding so we got off lightly.  Looked around town to figure out the lay of the land and then made Spag Bol for dinner.
DAY 14 – 7/4/2010 – Wednesday
Michael went for a ride.  Zac and I went ot the shops for some bits and pieces, mainly a clock for Zac as he has been getting up at 6.30 and at home he knows that till 7 he has to stay in bed and wait quietly....we’ll see if it works.  The caravan parks are surprisingly quiet after sunset and till after about 7am.  


DAY 15 – 8/4/10 – Thursday
Port Lincoln
DAY 16 – 9/4/2010 – Friday
Whyalla
DAY 17 – 10/4/2010 – Saturday
Whyalla – went to the HMAS Whyalla – a naval ship on dry dock on display in Whyalla.  Very impressive ship tour  and maritime museum and model railway display.
DAY 18  - 11/4/2010 – Sunday
Left Whyalla for Port Auguasta...drove through and kept driving – very rough!  Decided to head to Melrose, which some people had told us had lots of trails for MTB...it was great. Nestled on the east side of Mt Remarkable it is set up as a mountain bike ‘mecca’ although there are only about 10 trails going in various directions across and up and down the mountain (more of a biggish hill really!).  It was a nice drive through the South Flinders Ranges with some windy skinny roads.  Nice clear days but freezing cold nights.  Broke out the heater for the first time.  Got down under 5 degrees c. Bbbrrrr.
DAY 19 – 12/4/2010 – Monday
Melrose
DAY 20 – 13/4/2010 – Tuesday
Drove back to the coast to Port Pirie in search of aTelstra shop to sort out my lack of internet access!!!  Found one and went through the saga only to be told as they are a Telstra dealer and not an actual Telstra shop, they could not replace the faulty usb plug in modem L...but I ended up buying a pre-paid just to get one that works and sent the faulty one back to Perth for mum to return to the Joondalup Telstra shop where I bought it.
DAY 21 – 14/4/2010 – Wednesday
Drove back into the hills to the start of the wine region and arrived in Clare.  Very beautiful and quite a big own with lots of facilities and amenities and shops.  Just starting to green up after a bit of rain but still mainly brown fields.  They have a riesling trail here that goes from Clare to Auburn and is 30km mtb or walking trail following through wineries and vineyards, with cellar doors etc along the way.
DAY 22 – 15/4/2010 – Thursday
WHAT A DAY!!!  I woke up with a migraine and went back to bed and Michael took Zac out for a while.  When they got back from town, they went to the oval here at the caravan park to kick the footy around and a few other kids joined in.  Somehow, Zac got tackled and jumped on by a 9 year old girls and pinned his arm and ouch !  He was not happy so they came back, got me up and when he hadn’t calmed down after 10 minutes of sobbing when it was touched or moved we thought better get to the hospital.  Is there one in Clare we thought? Luckily yes.
Rushed in – got him looked at but no doctor on duty so waited and waited to get sent to x-ray and finally after 4 hours sent to doctor in town medical centre and told yes it’s broken.  Upper arm (humerous) at the base in the elbow joint.  It looked a bit dodgy and the GP was concerned about the growth plate as if it heals wrong it can upset future growth so he called the Adelaide Womens and Childrens Hospital and they agreed we should head straight down to check it out and no food for Zac as surgery likely tonight.
Meantime I have been vomiting and struggling while waiting for Zac to be seen so got some pills myself to stop vomiting and allow the painkillers to stay down.
So we head back to caravan to get some essentials and off to Adelaide 1 ½ hour drive.  GP offered an ambulance transfer but was going to take longer to arrange and he indicated that it would be better for up to take him ourselves and top up his painstop medication.  Zac was brave but not happy most of the trip – partly because he hadn’t eaten since 9am and couldn’t have anything in case surgery was required!
Arrive at the hospital – relatively straight forward route with GPS – wait about an hour then taken through for specialist to review x-rays and no surgery required! They are happy to plaster it and check it in a week.  They arranged for us to stay in the overnight ER accommodation which was great but as only one parent could stay Michael went to a motel down the road (Comfort Inn) and got Dominoes Pizza.  Zac and I had toast and crashed out. 
Zac got checked hourly through the night, in case the break or swelling affected his nerves or blood flow to fingers as they were close to break but all fine and in the morning consultants came through and having reviewed Zac’s case and the fact we are travelling said they are happy for us to go as is and we can remove the cast ourselves in 3 weeks. YAY!!
DAY 23 – 16/4/2010 – Friday
Headed back to Clare from Adelaide Childrens Hospital and recovered!!!
DAY 24 – 17/4/2010 – Saturday
Clare – Quiet day
DAY 25 – 18/4/2010 – Sunday
I went for a ride!!! First one on the Riesling Trail in Clare.  Only 40 minutes but still sick, so happy for some fresh air.  Coughed all night so went to chemist for some cough medicine so Michael doesn’t smother me in my sleep tonight!
Zac has been very good with his arm.  Has a bath last night with a bag wrapped around it and changed his t-shirt for the first time since it was broken!  Pee wuu! He has only been having Panadol or Neurofen occasionally and not Pain Stop or Phenergen since the hospital but good to have it here in case of a bad night!
 
DAY 26 – 19/4/2010 – Monday
Left Clare for Renmark
Have decided (Dr Johnston ;-), that I have bronchitis again...really not happy with all the coughing!
DAY 27 – 20/4/2010 – Tuesday
Renmark – Beautiful place but plagues of locusts everywhere.  Got all in the car engine and covered the car and caravan with kamikazee locusts!
DAY 28 – 21/4/2010 – Wednesday
Renmark to Mildura. Went to car wash on the way out of town and got some mesh to cover front vents of car. Michael happy now!
DAY 29 – 22/4/2010 – Thursday
Mildura – grr more locusts – waste of time washing car!!!!!  Went on the Paddle Steamer Melbourne on the Murray River.  It goes through the lock that regulates the water levels at Mildura and saw the dam wall that holds the water level.  Stayed in Buronga on NSW side of Murray to be right on the river. Seems odd to go back and forth from NSW to Vic all the time.
DAY 30 – 23/4/2010 – Friday
Mildura to Echuca
DAY 31 – 24/4/2010 – Saturday
Echuca – is in Vic – Moama on NSW side of Murray – staying in Echuca.  Got the last powered site available as it is ANZAC day long weekend and we didn’t realise we were only about 2 hours north of Melbourne so lots of holiday makers drive up for the weekend.
DAY 32 – 25/4/2010 – Sunday
Echuca
DAY 33 – 26/4/2010 – Monday
Echuca – played tennis with Zac
DAY 34 – 27/4/2010 – Tuesday
Echuca  - went Ten pin Bowling – I lost dismally!!
DAY 35 – 28/4/2010 – Wednesday
Echuca to West Wylong – not much happening in West Wylong!
DAY 36 – 29/4/2010 – Thursday
West Wylong to Lithgow via Bathurst
Drove on the Bathurst Race circuit – very cool – steep hills and descents – I was freaking going at 60km/hr never mind 200+ like the V8’s do!!!! Kept going to Lithgow
DAY 37 – 30/4/2010 – Friday
Lithgow – quite hilly on the west side of the Blue Mountains.  Cold – min 5 max 13!!!!
DAY 38 – 1/5/2010 – Saturday
Lithgow to The Entrance – NSW Central Coast about an hour north of Sydney – absolutely beautiful – on the coast and a big lake and warm!!!

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