4/8/12. Up early as young brother Neil was celebrating his birthday today. Drove on the Eyre Highway at a leisurely pace towards Port Augusta. Saw quite a few emus and goats. The country was pretty ordinary. The area around Iron Knob looks like an atom bomb has been dropped. Very reminiscent of Queenstown in Tasmania. Camped for the night at the Lincoln/Eyre Highway Junction rest area along with 4 caravans and one hippie wagon.  No toilet at this rest area so one can only wonder what the hippies did for a comfort stop. There was two barbed wire fences between them and a gully.

5/8/12 Drove into Port Augusta where we filled up with fuel and water. Passed through some good agricultural land. Went through Horrocks Pass on our way to Wilmington and then onto Peterborough.  As we headed east the land degraded and looked no better than the Nullabor. We stopped and photographed the 500 year old gum tree at Orroroo. We had trouble finding a hidey for the night as two rest area before Cockburn no longer existed or we couldn’t find them. We passed through Cockburn and some kilometres out of town we stumbled on the Thackaringa Hills Rest Area where we camped for the night along with 2 caravans, a mobile home and a car. Not a bad camp but close to the road and the trucks thundered down past us at a great rate of knots.

6/8/12 On to Broken Hill today. On our way in we detoured to Silverton and shouldn’t have bothered. The bitumen road was atrocious and there was little to see in Silverton. Back into Broken Hill where we visited Woolworths and filled up with fuel and water once again. Drove through through Wilcannia and camped for the night at the Bulla park Rest area. Crossed the Darling at Wilcannia.

7/8/12 Drove to Cobar this morning where we had morning tea and met a smartie who answered cheekily when I asked him what the road to Bourke was like. We had thought that we may have to go through Nyngan, but as it turned out the road was quite good. Bourke was another forgettable town. Was going to put a script into the chemist but found them closed for lunch. Moved on towards Brewarrina. Much cotton being grown and goats and emus in abundance. Can’t say I have ever seen so many emus. Brewarrina is also a place I am unlikely to visit again. Was going to camp at Brewarrina but mother said “NO, drive on”. No camp sites in the camp 6 between Brewarrina and Walgett, so we were hoping for a MRD camp as quite a bit of roadworks were being done. Found a large truck stop and decided to camp there halfway between the two towns. Marion was a little concerned that a truck might demolish her side of the van. I had no such worries and slept like a baby, more than can be said for my bride. Had about seven trucks visit us during the night but left us alone.

8/8/12 Pretty cold night and we headed off towards Walgett. We then moved onto towards Lightning Ridge where we decided to stop for the day. Visited a local Opal Store – luckily had left the wallet behind. Made me think out two msmall Winton boulder opals might be worth something, going on the prices being asked. The sales lady suggested we do a mine tour and suggested the Black Hand Mine. The tour was at 3pm so I headed to the local pharmacy to get my script filled. The sales lady had said that the service at the Pharmacy left a bit to be desired, but I didn’t expect to wait and hour and three quarters to get it done. Had lunch and motored out to the Mine site to wait for the tour. In the meantime we looked at the giant open cut mine site which was really quite small in comparison with the local open cut mines. Whilst there ( appropriately called Lunatics Hill) we purchased two uncut opals (well it looks like pale glass inside a big hunk of rock) to make our fortune. Back to the Black Hand where we went down  some 60 foot. The owner doesn’t mine it for opals but has a collection of 460 sculptures inside the mine – some painted. Superman and Spiderman were there along with Buddha and many others. It was a great tour which lasted about an hour and a half and we learned quite a bit about opals. After that we motored back to the Lightning Ridge Camp area some 10km south of the town where we camped with 3 other couples.

9/8/12 We motored into Lightning Ridge where we did our housekeeping and filled up with Lightning Ridge bore water. Then  off towards Hebel through cotton country. About 10 km north of the Lighting Ridge turnoff we took to the scrub to look at what the locals call Opal Lake. We trespassed but were told in town that that was OK. The lake is supposed to hold as much water as two Sydney harbours but it was hard to tell as it was surrounded by trees.  The lake runs along side the highway for a few kilometres. The water was a muddy grey colour and not very attractive. After morning teas at Hebel we drove onto Dirranbandi and then onto St George for lunch. We tossed a coin and decided to make a run for Goondiwindi where we camped for the night at the Monte Cristo Rest Area along with 5 big trucks. The road from Lightning Ridge to Goondiwindi left a lot to be desired.

10/8/12 A cold night last night. Up early and headed towards Moonie and then Dalby. Once again the road was awful. It’s hard to believe that bitumen could be so rough. Just before Dalby we called into Lake Broadwater where we morning tead. On then to Dalby for a refuel and onto Bell and Kingaroy where we lunched and replenished our peanut supplies.  Whilst buying out peanuts a few Rolls Royce and Bentley motorcars rolled in. They certainly are a snobby lot the RR and Bentley owners. Didn’t have the heart to tell them I had a couple under my house. On then to Wondai and Murgon before heading for the highway to Ban Ban Springs and Gayndah.  Purchased some oragnes in Gayndah and decided to motor on for another 19 kms for our stop for the night at the Binjour range Rest Area. Three caravans and another motorhome were there with us. Not a bad little park but not very level.

11/8/12 Home was in sight. We left and motored up the road. We stopped at the Coominglah Range Rest Area for smoke and then drove onto to Monto and then Thangool where we filled up with diesel. Drove through Biloela and stopped at Dululu for lunch. We then drove on to Westwood  and small towns on our way to Rocky. Filled up with diesel ( so I could check my fuel economy for the entire trip) while marion got some groceries so we could eat. We arrived home at around 2.30 pm some 10 weeks and 2 days after we left.

For the record we covered 19840 kilometres and averaged 7.95 kms per litre – just over 22 miles per gallon which is pretty good for a 2.4 litre turbo diesel powering a four tonne motorhome.

Where to next? That is the question.

26/7/12 Did some shopping before leaving Donnybrook. Decided we would head towards Mt Barker for the night as we needed a site with mobile transmission. Drove down to Manjimup before turning west towards Mt Barker. Had lunch at the delightful Lake Muir NP Observatory. After lunch checked out the Observatory but the water was almost out and no bird life was to be seen. A spot to visit agin when full of water. Drove onto Mt Barker and turned left onto the Perth Albany road where our camp site was some 17 km up the road. First time ever we had the camp to ourselves.

27/7/12 A bitterly cold night, and after brekky drove on to Porungarup where we hoped to spend the night. T'was not to be as the local CP closes down for July and August. Not to be deterred we drove onto the Balancing Rock and Castle Rock which is in the Porungarup NP. We climbed to the lookout which took an hour to reach. In in ews are quite spectacular. The lookouts had been helicoptered in in 2007. After the climb down we drove to Mt Barker and purchased some famous Mt Barker pies for lunch. After that we drove towards Albany and turned left and headed westwards towards our camp for the night.

28/7/12 Up early and on our way to Hopetoun to visit Fitzgerald National Park. Much money has been spend on the roads and facilities in the NP but the place we wanted to go to – Hamersley Inlet – was the only area not available. We drove around found a new campsite had been set up at Four Mile Beach so we decided to stay the night. We were informed that the Campsite had only been open for ¾ weeks and we were only the fourth camper. As luck would have it, a Wicked type camper rolled in just on dusk and left before we did. Can't be sure that they paid but we assume so, as the Ranger was onto us as soon as we had set up.

29/7/12 Off to Hopetoun early this morning looking for a waste dump that was advertised in the Camp 6. Can only assume that the disposal unit has been removed as we search high and low. Luckily it was not an urgent matter. Drove out of Hopetoun and turned onto the bitumen back road that we used last year. Much rain has been had in this area and there was water everywhere. One needed to be careful not to get onto the shoulder and get stuck. We drove onto Munglinup where we had decided to spend the night as once again we needed phone contact with the outside world. We had arrived early and picked the best park in the place. Two caravanners drove in around 5 pm and one drove so close to us he nearly took our back off and then proceeded to reverse even closer. He advised that he would be running a genny for a few hours. We were not impressed and moved away for a quiet night. I hope his chooks grow up to be roosters and kick his fowlhouse down.

30/7/12 Another cold night and plenty of water around so we filled up plus some spares. We drove into Esperence to a local shopping centre we had found last year. We decided to do some washing and found a friendly hairdresser who cut our hair and talked our ears off. Purchased some groceries and then motored off to Cape Le Grand National Park to spend the night. Looked like we might have it to ouselves until two other couples turned up. It is a beautiful spot – quiet and serene and the showers were warmer this year.

31/7/12 Up early and paid our dues to the Ranger who came calling around brekky time. Drove around the park and checked out all the beaches and coves and nearly collected a kangaroo for our trouble. And this almost in front of the Ranger who was fixing a pothole. The wind was blowing fiercely and it was too cold and blowy to climb Frenchman's Peak. Back to Esperence where we got some food and beer before heading off to Norseman The thing about the drive to Norseman that sticks in our mind is the amount of rubbish on the sides of the road. People really are grubs. We were surprised at how small Norseman is and after visiting the Information centre we headed west to the Nullabor. Some 80 km down the road we pulled up for the night and had a Winnebago Nullabor drive in on dark. Rained lightly all night.

1/8/12 Started raining and as we hit the bitumen there was aloud cracking sound and the driver's wiper blade started jumping around like a broken chicken wing. Stopped the van and hopped out to see what the damage was. The blade had separated from the wiper mechanism. Stood in the rain and slowly worked out what to do. The wipers worked again, but didn't sound too healthy. We used them sparingly and after and hour or two the rain lightened off. Will get them checked out when I get home. In the meantime hope we don't encounter any rain. Filled up at Balladonia and drove on to the Observatory Turnoff Rest Area for the night. We spend the first hour there picking up other people's rubbish and burning it. Dirty toilet paper, cigarette packets, beer bottles and cans. After dark a caravanner turned up and he had left before we arose. Another bitterly cold night.

2/8/12 Up reasonably early. The weather had cleared although there were some clouds to the south.

We filled up with fuel at Madura Pass and were surprised how high we were as we couldn't remember climbing and any stage. Fuel was dear but I expected that. The Nullabor wasn't as treeless as I expected it to be. Certainly there were more trees than on our train ride the previous year. Passed through all the Roadhouse stops and had thrown out or used all our food and vegies before we hit the border which was after Eucla. Much to our surprise when going East the Quarantine Station operates at Ceduna. We drove on and were driving parallel to the Great Australia Bight. We had stopped at te GAB lookout and took some photos. We had decided to spend the night camped on the Bight and half a dozen other entrepid campers shared our view although 4 groups turned up after 5pm.

3/8/12 A bitterly cold night last night and extremely blowy. We didn't see any whales even though they are said to swim by between June and October. Slept in for a change – mainly because of the time change – and got on the road just before 9 am. We have been waiting to see a Camel or Wombat and signs are up all over. However all we have seen are dead kangaroos and other small animals. Did see one Emu and 3 rabbits yesterday. The landscape changed as we motored further East and now we seem to be in broad acre farming land. We are at a roadside camp some 45 kms east of Ceduna on our way to Port Augusta.

19/7/12 Drove into Geraldton and booked the car into Twomeys. We had nothing better to do than sit in the waiting room and after and hour and a half got the report. No good news. Because the Ford is designed for European the camber is set up differently than it would be for Aussie roads and is not adjustable. Means we will need to rotate the front wheels every 10000 kms or so. Off to Beaurepaires to have two new tyres fitted. Some $800 poorer we left Geraldton and to the Murchison River Camp Site. A big site and we were licky enough to get a caravanner roll in and put his gennie on. Used it to cook tea. God only know what gas is for.

20//7/12 Off to Kalbarri today. Visited the National Park and other sights around Kalbarri before driving onto Northampton and thence to Geraldton before ending up at the Dongari East Rest Area with two other vehicles, Right beside a very busy road with plenty of traffic through the night. Still some Caravan Parks can be just as noisy.

21/7/12 We had decided to do the wildflower trail and drove out to Mingenew for a looksee and then onto Three Springs before heading to Carnamah and then turning coastwards to Eneabba. We passed the delightful Yarra Yarra Lakes during our travels and took snaps of wuite a number of wildflowers. We then drove back up towards Dongara, before getting onto the Indian Ocean Drive. We camped for the night at the delightful Cliff Head North Rest Area right on the sea. A beautiful spot spoiled only by me coughing all night and getting practically no sleep and ruining Marion's sleep into the bargain.

22/7/12 We set off south on the Indian Ocean Drive calling into every coastal hideaway and just before Jurien Bay turned inland and spend a couple of hours looking at Leseur National Park. We have more or less decided to return in September next year to check out the wildflowers once again. We now have many more places to visit than we had last time. After that we drove into Jurien Bay and checked into th caravan park for the night. Marion got some washing done and wefilled up with water.

23/7012 After leaving the CP we went shopping and I found a Chemist Shop to get some stuff to help with my cold. Once more we drove south checking all coastal nooks and crannies before ending up at the Pinnacles. This time we walked all around and saw much more than last time. Met a couple from Cairns who left on the same day as us and have to have their rental camper back in Cairns by 29/8/12. We drove on and stayed the night at the Moore River Bridge Rest Area. The first time ever we had more Motorhomes than Caravans – 4 to 2.

24/7/12 Drove cross to Gingin, Toodyay, Northam and York spending time in each. The suspension bridge in York is what the Mount Morgan one could have been. Had decided to stay at a Brookton Rest Area but the one we choose didn't look too appealing so we back tracked some 30 km to another which we had to ourselves until about 5pm when two caravans turned up. It looked lke being a bitterly cold night and before you could turn around the gennies were on. By 7.30, I had had a gutful so went for a walk. These two gooses and their wives needed the gennies to power their reverse cycle airconditioners and so warm things up, Many words were said particularly about his noisy generator ( he said it was silent ). I thought I had hearing problems. Anyway, the upshot was that about 15 miutes later both gennies were shut down so we had a peaceful night's sleep.I was always very pro generators but have changed my mind this trip

25/7/12 Woke this morning to see the temperature was 2.5 degrees in the van – heaven knows how cold outside. Found out my two .mates were Queenslanders. Somepeople give the state a bad name. To make matters worse thay parked in the road side by side and I was unable to get out except by reversing quite a distance. They probably hate my guts as much as I hate their's. Had intentions of staying the night at a dam outside Collie, but when ww got there found that from 1/7/12 thee was a charge of $7 per head. As all we were getting was a bit of dirt and no facilities, we opted out and moved further down the road to another dam site. The sites were so steep we would have been sleeping standing up, so decided to move onto Donnybrook where we knew that the local Municiapl Park was very good and reasonably priced. We get all amenities including and ensuite beside our van. All this for $27. Many Caravan Parks could take note. TV reception is lousy, so looks like reading and Soduku may be the order of the night.

16/7/12 Drove in to Carnarvon and filled up with diesel. Noticed that one front tyre was badly scrubbed. Visited the Information Centre and got addresses for dump site, fresh water and tyre dealers. Did some shopping at Woolies, emptied the waste, filled up with water and then headed to the tyre dealers, only to find they were closed. This on a Monday. Drove to Beaurepaires who said I needed a wheel alignment and that wasonly available in Geraldton. Said the tyre should last the distance.Set off and stayed the night at Edaggee Rest Area. Parked well away from everyone else, but an old codger parked beside us and told us he may have to use his generator. Oh joy. Set up the sat dish to watch football and cover his genny noise. As it transpired he didn't start his but someone else did to disturb the peace.

17/7/12 Drove off to the Overlander Roadhouse where we smokoed before setting off to Monkey Mia. We had phoned earlier to arrange to camp at Fowlers Camp. Drove into Monkey Mia and even though we had paid for NP entry fees, had to fork over more money or turn around. Paid our money under sufferance and went to the beach. No dolphins to be seen so retired to the van for lunch. Our pass lasted for two days and we had to decide whether to return the next morning. Drobe into Denham for a look on our wy back to our camp at Fowlers. There are 4 camp sites on the peninsula, each with 4 free sites. We were the first there but by nighttime another two groups had turned up. Camped almost on the water with grest views across the bay.

18/7/12 The tyre was almost worn down to the ply, so rather than travel 100 extra kms into and out of Monkey Mia, an executive decision was made to motor on towards Geraldton. We drove sedately not wanting to but undue pressure on the tyre and arrived in Geraldton at 2.30pm. Drove immediately to Twomeys who were to do the wheel alignment the next morning. I knew we would require two new tyres, but they asked me to keep the old tyres on till next morning. It would help with their diagnosis. Then drove up te road to Beaurepairs to book in for two new tyres the next morning. I had managed to break the handle in the sullage tap, so I went looking for a replacement. My old one has been glued together, but heaven knows how long it will last. No success with a replacement. Left there looking for a Caravan Park using the GPS. The GPS lady played up and weended up on a beach nowhere near the CP. No signs to say we couldn't camp there, so we bit the bullet and camped free beside the beach. Set the alarm for 6.30 so we could get to Twomeys and Beaurepairs early

11/7/12 Left on our way south for a long drive. Filled up with diesel and water at the Sandfire Roadhouse aand then drove onto the De Grey River camp site for the night. A large site and quite a few campers there mostly on the river. We stayed on the flat above the river close to the road. There had been 100 vans there on the weekend before.

12/7/12 Up earlyand drove into Port Hedland where we drove around town and filled up with diesel once again. We seem to be helping the WA economy in that regard. Took some photos and tried to go to the Rock Of shop which was closed and the sign said only open on appointment. We were tyre kickers so didn't bother. On our way south Marion saw some Sturt De on the side of the road so we stopped twice for a couple of photo shoots.sert PeasWe drove onto Roebourne where we visited the Information Centre and Museum before driving out to the historic town of Cossack. After a walk around Cossack and a drive to the lookout for more photos, we drove onto Point Samson for a look around before heading off to Karratha. Had intended to camp at the Shell Roadhoue on the south side of Karratha but it is now owned by Coles and doesn't allow campers. We had been going to spend a little time in Karratha but as our friend from Tassie who was wotking there had moved on to Perth and as we were on the southside of Karratha we decided to motor on. Luckily not too far down the road we found a Day Rest Area with a couple of vans so we called in and spent the night on the banks of the Maitland River. We went for a walk over the bridge and , sure enough, more Sturt Peas were to be seen growing on the side.

13/7/12 Another big day of riving and looking at the scenery which is very stark. Most of the country is god forsaken and lucky to run a rabbit to the acre.We stopped for the night at the Burkett Road Rest Area and for a while it looked like we might have it to ourselves. On dark another traveller pulled up and set up camp. The Camp was a bus meeting point and a sign stated that buses would be turning up at 2.00 am. However when we left at 8 the next morning no buses had arrived.

14/7/12 Decided to go to Exmouth today and take a cruise on te Yardie River and spend the night in the Cape Range National Park. However on arriving at the Information Centre there was a sign on the door saying all NP Accommodation was booked out - School Holidays. The boat cruise only runs Tuesday to Saturday and the Saturday cruise was booked out. To compound our woes all the Caravan Parks were booked out and the Council was charging $38 for an unpowered and $46 for a powered siteat the overflow park. $38 seemed a lot to pay for 15 square metres of land so an executive decision was made to move on, We drove down to Coral Bay for a look see and it too was booked out. A lovely spot, but that seemed to be everybodies' opinion. We drove to the Lyndron River West Camp for the night.

15/7/12 Drove into the Maniya Roadhouse and filled up with diesel. Decided we wanted to see the blowhole at Quabba. After that we drove down to the Quabba Camp site and the ranger gave us a great site on the beach beside a Camping Prohibited sign.  Great views, level site and all for $5.50. Tomorrow we are off to Carnarvon and points south.

7/7/12 Drove off towards Halls Creek this morning. The Caltex garage refused to sell diesel and sent me up the road to Shell where we waited 15 minutes to be served. Drove into the CBD and visited IGA to stock up the larder. Our aboriginal brothers everywhere. Had morning tea and then drove on to Ngumban Cliff Lookout where we camped for the night with a dozen or more other groups. Very hig position with good views in all directions. Watched some satellite TV and saw mt football team Storm go down in flames.

8/7/12 Another cold night, but up reasonably early and headed off towards Fitzroy Crossing. The Fitzroy river is quite large although not as large as our Fitzroy. Only a single lane bridge over the river though. Filled up with diesel and asked what was going, only to be told nothing but a Rodeo. Decided to move on and make our way towards the Boab Tree Rest Area. This is quite a large area surrounding a very old Boab tree. Some people said it was between 1000 and 1500 years in age. It is very large and hollow in the middle. They tell me snakes etc live there. About a dozen vehicles stayed the night but only 3 were motorhomes/campervans. We are certainly outnumbered by caravans.

9/7/12 Drove into Derby this morning. Stopped off and looked at the Boab Prison Tree before motoring into Derby. Visited the local Information Centre and then drove to the BP Fuel Depot where we filled up with diesel and water. Then out to the Jetty for a walk around and some morning tea. Into town to buy meat, groceries and beer and then a look at a couple of local trees before returning to the Prison Tree for lunch. Drove on to the Nillibubbica Rest Area where we stayed the night with 20 other groups. Free camping is very popular.

10/7/12 I had arranged yesterday by phone to have the van's oil changed today so we were up early and drove the 103 kms into Broome for our 8.30 appointment. The GPS decided to play up and we drove all over Broome before getting to our destination.The garage filled us with some reservations but, nevertheless, we decided to proceed even though they were unable to source an oil filter any where in Broome. Afterwards we drove over to Cable Beach and then found a laundromat to get our washing up to date. Neither of us are great fans of large towns so we decided to hightail it towards Port Hedland. As I write this we are at the Goldwire Rest Area some 121 km south of the Roebuck Plains Roadhouse.

4/7/12 Filled up with diesel and then visited the Zebra Rock Factory
in town where we purchased a couple of specimens. On then to the
Kelly's Knob Lookout for spectacular views of Kununurra and surrounds.
After that a drive out to the Sandalwood Factory and then onto Minora
NP for a couple of scenic mountain walks to lookouts. After that we
lunched on the banks of Lake Kununurra. Drove onto to the Dunham River
Free Camp for the night.

5/7/12 Drove off towards Halls Creek, still undecided whether we would
do the Bungle Bungles thing. We had been informed back in Narmanton
that there was a bush Caravan Park off the highway and that the Park
had day trips to the Bungle Bungles for $250 per head. Found the
turnoff after first msssing it and driving an extra 20 kms.  Drove in
and booked two nights accommodation and the tour which left at 7am the
next morning.

6/7/12 Up early and after breakfast were ready to catch our 19 seater
4wd bus. There were 23 passengers and they had arranged an extra bus
to carry us all. We drove for the next two hours over atrocious roads
to the Information Centre and then onto Picannini Gorge where we had
morning tea prior to walking to the Piccanini Gorge Lookout, Cathedral
Gorge and then the dome walk. Lunch was then provided pior to another
hour's drive to Echidna Chasm where we walked the chasm for another 50
minutes. After that we had a 2.5 hour drive back to the Caravan Park
reaching that at 5.30. Diner was provided that night at 6.30 so after
a couple of beers we strolled over to join the other passengers to a
tea of Pea and Ham soup followed by Stew and rice. Back to the van for
a shower before retiring for an early night.