Scott's Australian adventures - The Nullarbor: 2010

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Home, NSW

Home, NSW - The journey

Well, we are finally on the last leg of our adventure from Parkes to Rooty Hill. Most of the drive was along the Bells line of road, which by its nature, was not the easiest of roads to travel as the photographs will bear testiment to.

For those you contemplating the same, or simalar trip - Do it!

The Bells Line of road

The Bells Line of road

The Bells Line of road

The Bells Line of road

The total trip, West to East

Parkes, NSW - Maps, photographs and video

Vistors are not allowed to take electronic equipment into the confines of the Radio Telescope

The journey between Goolgowi and parkes was 284 kilometres.

The Parkes Radio telescope entrance

The Parkes Radio telescope

The Parkes Radio telescope information plaque

The Parkes Radio telescop - Such a large dish on such a small building!

Parkes, NSW - Costs and comments

Park fee for 2 nights $44.00

Dinner in Italian restaurant $120.00

Petrol at the Wyalong roadhouse $150.28

Parkes, NSW - Round and about

We walked around the town on arrival (bought Buddy a warm winter coat to wear).

Parkes seems to be well established with all the major retail outlets available. We will dine out tonight at an Italian restaurant.

Tomorrow we will visit the famous radio telescope about 20 kilomtres out of town

The city of Parkes

A plaque to the founder father of Parkes, Sir Henry parkes

Statue of Sir Henry Parkes

Parkes, NSW - The caravan park

The caravan park was rated 3.5 stars and seemed very nice. We got a terriffic spot.

Spinners caravan park, Parkes, NSW (Our own 'cubby house!)

Parkes, NSW - The journey

Just a short journey of 280 kilomteres between Goolgowi and Parkes. The 'B' roads were bumpy and quite a lot of traffic was encountered. The weather was mostly kind although it did drizzle now and again.

A distinct change in roads and landscapes mostly serviced by the Mid Western Highway

Mid Western Highway, NSW

Goolgowi, NSW - Maps, Photographs and video

This journey was 403 kilometres

Goolgowi, NSW - Costs and comments

Caravan park $18.00 for 1 night

Petrol at the Balranald road house - $95.65 ($1.31/ltr)

Goolgowi, NSW - Round and about

Only stayed the night after arriving late afternoon so no photographs

Goolgowi, NSW - The caravan park

Essentially, this was not my best decision, but it was only for a night

Goolgowi council caravan park.

Apparently the council is building a new caravan park

Goolgowi, NSW - The journey

Last of the longer journeys (Mildura to Goolgowi was 440 Kilometres). Roads were good, mostly Highway. The weather was very good. Stopped at the roadside just out of Renmark for breakfast, the landscape looked worse than the Nullarbor.

Breakfast time

The landscape approaching Goolgowi

Mildura, Vic - Maps, Photograhs and video

455 kilometres from Burra to Mildura. We never saw the border marker!

Mildura, Vic - Costs and comments

Caravan park fee for 1 night $31.00 (included own 'on-suite')

Petrol at the Renmark roadhouse - 104.36 ($1.21/Ltr)

Mildura, Vic - Round and about

A quick shot of Mildura

Mildura, Vic - The caravan park

Great caravan park. We got a 'drive-through' with on-suite for $31.00 for the night. Adequate facilities in this fairly large caravan park.

Mildura caravan park entrance

The on-suite (just to the left of the caravan, had it's own towels, shower, toilet and hand basin with mirror

Mildura, Vic, The journey

360 Kilometres from Burra to Mildura made for an easy drive along the 'B' roads. There was a fair amount of traffic, mostly caravanners. The weather was much kinder than yesterday, sunny and relatively warm.

The Sturt Highway between Burra, SA and Mildura, Vic

Burra, SA - Maps, photographs and video

364 kilometres from Kimba to Burra on B roads. Very little traffic encountered on these winedy roads

The local duck pond

Burra town centre

Burra information plaque

Burra shopping centre

Burra, SA - Costs and comments

Burra caravan park site fee for 1 night $20.00

Petrol at the Gladstone roadhouse $105.05

Burra, SA - Round and about

We walked around Kimba to take a look at the surrounds. It appears Kimba was originally a lead mining location. The mine owners had cottages built for it's employees. We felt that Kimba reminded us of an English Hamlet.

An old Burra brewary from the mid 1800's

Miner's cottages (known as 'the square') Burra, SA

Burra town centre, SA

Burra, SA - The caravan park

The caravan park was failry large with all facilities. Staff were friendly and informative. The site fee was the lowest in the entire trip.

Burra, SA - The journey

Kimba to Burra was about 360 kilometres on almost vehicle free highways. The weather however was not kind, continous drizzle and oily windscreen (I think I might have cleaned it with bore wqter). On arrival at Burra the weather cleared up although still somewhat cold. We stopped off at the 'Iron man' roadhouse just outside Point Pirie for lunch.

Eyre Highway, SA

If there was one consistancy in this adventure it was straight, long roads. The Eyre Highway took us to Port Augusta then it was B roads to Burra.

Kimba, SA - Maps, photographs and video

It took 470 kilometres to get us from Nullarbor to Kimba.

Kimba, SA - Costs and comments

Petrol at Ceduna (Just past the Quarantine station) - $118.96 ($1.33/Ltr)

Petrol at the Kimba road house - $131.37

Site fee for 1 night $22.50

Kimba, SA - Round and about

Interested in fields?

Kimba, SA - The caravan park

Arrived at the Kimba caravan park after driving most of the day, around 5:30pm (adjusted time for SA).

The road house is essentially a petrol station with caravan park (field with electrical outlets, water, toilets and showers) as was the case with most places we stopped.

It was bitterly cold on our arival and its expected to stay cold during the night.

Kimba, SA - The journey

It was a drive of 600 kilometres from the Nullarbor road house to the road house at Kimba. The journey took us along the Eyre Highway from point to point.

No photos as the Eyre Highway has figured in a mass of previous photographs - "and it hasn't changed a bit"

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Nullarbor, WA - Maps, photographs and video

711 kilometres was by far the longest single day journey we had undertaken so far.

Whales - Mother and Calf

The Head of Bight coastline, Nullarbor, WA

Nullarbor, WA - Costs and comments

Caravan park fee for 2 nights - $50.00

Petrol at the Nullarbor road house - $126.40 ($1.68/ltr)

Entrance to the Head of Bight - $20.00 for two people (Pensioner discount)

Nullarbor, WA - Round and about

Entrance to the 'Head of Bight' Nullarbor, South Australia

Visited the 'Head of Bight' to see Whales looking after their young. The view of the coast line was spectacular.

Office and information centre at the 'Head of Bight' Nullarbor, South Australia

Mum and baby whale at play

65 tons of female whale

A group of Hump back Whales

Nullarbor, SA - The caravan park

This is the second caravan park encountered that does not supply water, however we have plenty in the caravan tanks. Toilets and showers (pay for use) are available.