31 December - Coffin Bay National Park

31 December 2016 – 203 259

Coffin Bay National Park

This morning we visited Coffin Bay National Park which has some spectacular coast line.  

https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/coffin-bay-national-park

At Almonta Beach we watched a sea lion surf the waves three times – amazing!  At Yangie Bay we were able to watch a sea lion scrub itself and frolic, roll and wave in the water.  We also took a walk to a lookout at Yangie Bay.  

https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/coffin-bay-national-park/booking/73093

https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/yangie-lookout-walk/

Although the day looked truly miserable this morning, the sun peaked out several times.  After a very late lunch, we had a sleep, as we may not get all that much tonight.  We then had a lazy afternoon and evening, reading books and enjoying nibblies, before the local fireworks at midnight (minimal).  Even Hayden and I made it to midnight, not just Drew.

Week 28 from Hayden

Week 28 from Hayden

24/12/16

Today we went on a 7km walk to a bay from Hellfire Bay and to Little Hellfire!  The “Santa” dropped by with lollies!

25/12/16

Today I got presents, five pairs of socks, five undies, one packet of dried orange peel (yum!), thirty rocket balloons (awesome!) and a pump for them, and some thinking putty (red).  When you pull fast it snaps, when you pull slow it stretches, you can mould it and best thing is it bounces really well.  Then we had junk all day, fun.  We got to pat a wild kangaroo and I fed it what it was eating.

26/12/16

Today we packed up and went to Kalgoorlie!  We are doing the Superpit tomorrow!

27/12/16

Today we packed down and did the Superpit Tour.  It is built on the Golden Mile (the richest mile on earth).  They have 4 DC8000 shovels, 40 793 haul trucks, 2 854 wheel dozers and 1 letourneau.  The trucks were huge and the diggers were massive!  Then we drove to Baxter Rest Area, half way along the straightest stretch of road in Australia (Nullarbor).

28/12/16

Today we set down and drove 775km along the Nullarbor.  It was a 21 and ½ hour day!

29/12/16

Today we packed down and drove to the quarantine station!  Then we stocked up on stuff. I got a gumball for free!  Then we did the Streaky Bay tourist drive, then we looked for a campsite!

30/12/16

Today we packed down and went to look at the sea lion colony, there were 30+! It was awesome, then we did some scenic drives.  We are staying at Coffin Bay.

30 December - West Coast of Eyre Peninsula

30 December 2016 – 202 882

West Coast of Eyre Peninsula

Our first destination of the day was Point Labatt, to watch the sea lion colony below the cliffs.  There is a large rock shelf below the cliff that they enjoy resting on.  There were approximately thirty sea lions there this morning, adults and calves.  

https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/point-labatt-conservation-park

Next up was Murphy’s Haystacks, these are large pink granite boulders that stick up out of the surrounding wheat country.  

https://southaustralia.com/products/eyre-peninsula/attraction/murphys-haystacks

We then drove south to Venus Bay, stopping at the Needle Eye Lookout and then doing South Head Walk.  Both of these again provided amazing views of the power of the Southern Ocean and the spectacular cliffs that form.  Talia Caves were also spectacular – The Tub is a huge collapsed cave that is connected by a tunnel to the ocean, The Woolshed is another spectacular cave that has a channel connecting it to the ocean.  These would both be amazing and terrifying to see when the ocean swell is high.  

https://southaustralia.com/products/eyre-peninsula/attraction/talia-caves

We drove further south to Elliston for a picnic lunch at the jetty, before doing a drive along the cliffs above the ocean.  

https://elliston.com.au/

We also stopped off at Lake Hamilton Eating House, built in the 1850’s and restored to original condition.  Last stop off for the day was the Cummings Monument Lookout, again providing awesome views of the Southern Ocean.  We have camped for the next few nights at Coffin Bay Caravan Park.

https://www.discoveryholidayparks.com.au/caravan-parks/south-australia/eyre-peninsula-coffin-bay

https://www.eyrepeninsula.com/destinations/west-coast

29 December - And on to the Eyre Peninsula!

29 December 2016 – 202 541

And on to the Eyre Peninsula!

Cooking was first on the agenda for this morning – all fresh fruit and vegetables need to be eaten or cooked prior to reaching Ceduna Quarantine Station for South Australia, so I made up a big batch of savoury mince with lots of vegetables.  

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj6u-3Y-LiDAxV_qFYBHU5zCMMQFnoECBEQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffruitfly.sa.gov.au%2Ftravelling-restrictions&usg=AOvVaw3ZStMeK0DgoakxKY8ZQ1So&opi=89978449

We then finished our drive across the Nullarbor, arriving in Ceduna about lunch time.  Next was the petrol station, we got from Norseman all the way across the Nullarbor to Ceduna on one tank of fuel thanks to the strong tail wind.  Then off to the supermarket to get fresh fruit and vegetables.  

https://cedunatourism.com.au/

We then drove south to Streaky Bay, exploring the area along the coast.  Hallys Beach was our first stop – another fine example of the sheer power of the Southern Ocean.  Then on to Whistling Rocks – these are narrow fissures that will eventually form blow holes, but now create an eerie whistling noise.  Next was High Cliff, aptly named.  We have camped for the night at Speed Point.

https://streakybay.com.au/

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g499731-d12970246-Reviews-Whistling_Rocks_and_the_Blowholes-Streaky_Bay_South_Australia.html

https://southaustralia.com/products/eyre-peninsula/accommodation/speed-point-campground

28 December - Across the Nullarbor!!

28 December 2016 – 201 776

Across the Nullarbor!!

This morning we were up and away early – and heading east!  Today we drove 775km, by far our biggest driving day so far, and we were still stopped and set up well before dark.  We stopped at every service station and lookout along the way, but there isn’t much to stop and see along the way.  The lookouts provided magnificent views over the coastal plains and the cliffs of the Great Australian Bight.  The Nullarbor Plain is very aptly named indeed, there is not a single tree visible to the horizon.   There are at least four RFDS Emergency Airstrip sections on the Eyre Highway, so best to keep watch for incoming planes.  We have stopped for the night at Nundroo East Rest Area, a beautiful spot.

https://www.australia.com/en/trips-and-itineraries/perth-and-surrounds/crossing-the-nullarbor.html

https://www.australiasgoldenoutback.com/business/attractions/nullarbor-plain#:~:text=The%20Nullarbor%20Plain%20stretches%20between,short%20detour%20from%20the%20highway.

https://parksaustralia.gov.au/marine/parks/south-west/great-australian-bight/

https://directory.fullrangecamping.com.au/item/nundroo-east-rest-area-fc/