Week 9

Day 57: Off to Coffin Bay, Housie had seen many pictures of this place in magazines and was hoping that the pics were not photo shopped. We stopped at Port Lincoln for lunch which seemed like a nice place, but Housie wanted to get to Coffin Bay so there was no time to look around. As we were arriving to the town of Coffin Bay Housie mentioned to Al that there would be some beach driving to get to the camp in the National Park. Al was feeling very uneasy due to our recent bogging at Beachport. Her fears were not helped at all when a guy turned up while we were letting the tyres down and told Housie he had been bogged a few times while driving his 4WD here and wished us luck getting through with the camper. Housie was more determined now to prove to Al and this guy that it would be no problem for him. After an hours drive through dunes and rocky sections we made it to the Black Springs camp ground without any problems. Once set up we walked a massive 15 metres to the waters edge. It looked like something out of a tropical holiday brochure with it's clear water and white sand. Housie now knew that the photos he had seen where not tampered with!

Day 58: Today we headed out further along the Coffin Bay Peninsula to Point Sir Isaac. Everyone enjoyed this hour long drive to get there as along the way we saw a family of emus which looked to be a mum, dad and 2 kids. Driving along Seven Mile Beach we saw massive pure white sand dunes on one side and on the other was crystal clear water, it was visually spectacular. Once we arrived at the point Declan and Housie did a little fishing off the rocks while Charli and Al ate lunch. Housie spotted a seal sunbaking on a nearby rock, once it went back into the water we watched it swim around the point looking for fish. We spent the afternoon sunbaking and swimming at The Pools, another spectacular beach. On the way back to camp Housie told Al that she had to drive so he could be a back seat passenger. Al was a bit nervous about driving on the beach but she did just fine, under Housie's expert tuition, and got us back to camp safe and sound. Al was especially chuffed when she drove past a group of people who were bogged without a worry what so ever.

Day 59: We spent the whole day relaxing on the beach!! All we did was swim, kayak, sunbake, read and eat.

Day 60: Packing up and moving onto the start of the Nullarbor. After getting supplies at Ceduna the kids were entertained when police were arresting a man for shoplifting (no wasn't Housie). Then we where on our way to Point Sinclair camping ground near Cactus Beach, which is arguably Australia's best surfing beach. We drove straight past the camping ground to look at the jetty and boat ramp and once again the water was crystal clear giving it a beautiful turquoise colour. We really wanted to camp here the night but there were signs saying no camping allowed. After Housie spoke to another guy who looked like he was going to camp there we decided that we would just do it!! Knowing we were only staying the night and heading off early the next morning we thought it would be fine. The view while having dinner was spectacular.

Day 61: After waking up and stepping out to a sensational view we reluctantly packed up and where on our way. Our first stop was at Nullarbor and the kids were excited to see a mangy looking dingo. After setting off from here it wasn't long until one of the first lookouts for the Great Australian Bite. What a view from the cliff tops! As we drove on a bit further we turned off onto a dirt track and headed north by about 10km's and in the bush came across a sinkhole. Nowhere near as spectacular as the Ulpherston sinkhole at Mt Gambier but pretty good. Then we drove through what looked like neglected paddocks and found Wombat warrens, the kids were flat out looking for the wombat in all the entrances that were there. We then thought we'd try out the Old Eyre Highway which is just a dirt road, but was a nice change from the monotonous Eyre Highway. We ended up camping the night in at the back of a rest stop. The highway was pretty quiet that night, which was good.

Sunrise at Point Sinclair

 

Sink hole

The old Eyre Highway

 

Day 62: This would be our biggest day of driving due to the time difference and extra hours we would get heading into WA. After 1hrs drive we were at the border of SA and WA, the quarantine Nazis went right through our stuff but we were right to go. All we really wanted that day was some showers, and read that we could get some at he Balladonia roadhouse. We arrived there at about 330pm but there were no showers available due to a drought. We decided to take on Balladonia Road and head south instead of going via Norseman. It would be just over 200km of dirt road, which was heavily signposted "not Suitable for caravans, 4X4 only". At 20-40km/hr this would take some time to get there. As we drove down this road/track we had to pass through some gates, these gates were covered in underwear, clothing, thongs and boots. Housie just had to stop and tie something to it as well. Off with his undies and he proudly tied them to the gate. At approx halfway we came across a historic homestead called Dalrinya and pulled over to have a look. This little house was awesome. The door was unlocked , as we went in there were beds , a lounge and fireplace. Out the back a stove and kitchen. A visitor book was there and the owner had written how he and a friend had restored the place and left it available to anyone who stumbles across it. The visitor book was filled with people from all states and overseas who were thankful they had been there. As it was about 6pm we set up the camper out the back and went in and ate dinner by the fire.

 

 

Day 63: We left Dalrinya and continued on this dirt road to Coddingup. After a shower, filling up on water and food we set off east towards Israelite bay (another spot Housie had seen in magazines) about 150km along sand, dirt and ruts. After a long drive we finally arrived and set up camp. After that we headed to the beach to check out what Housie was raving about. All we saw was a bay where the beach was just covered in sea weed! Housie was adamant that the beach was supposed to be covered in white sand and the water bright blue. Disappointed about the beaches, we made plans to try and find this so called magical spot the next day.

Not what Housie had pictured

Kids checking out the Banksia

 

 

Week 8

Day 50: After last night's action, we decided to set up camp at The Gums in Robe via the main road. It's a nice little town with a good feeling about it. Nice old buildings that are very well looked after. It was raining today so did some laundry and drove around the coast line. There is an Obelisk out on one point that was built in the 1800s to warn ships off the cliffs. A rock just off the coast that is called doorway rock was also an attraction.

Day 51: Today wasn't raining so we went out to look at the Granites. We weren't real sure of what the Granites were but we were told that driving on this beach would be ok as it was as hard as any road. The sand was very hard but we still couldn't work out what the granites were. There was three big rocks close to were we got on the beach that we thought could possibly be it, but we were expecting something more. We stopped at Kingston for lunch and found out that those rocks were in fact the Granites. They are the only rocks that are along this 180km stretch of beach.

Squint your eyes and you'll see the Granites

Day 52: Heading towards Mt Barker in the Adelaide Hills. Mt Barker was a lovely town. We parked our camper on our camping spot and headed to the local sports ground to watch The Scottish Highlander Games. This included the Caber Toss, bag pipe bands, dancing and a Strongman comp. It was all very interesting to watch. Then we went into Hahndorf which is the oldest German town in Australia and is a declared State Heritage area. We walked along the main street looking at what was on offer. We had an early dinner at the Hahndorf Inn. Housie had the 3 sausage special (he loves the sausage)- bratwurst, masswurst and dusslewurst. Al tried bratwurst but didn't particularly like it. Beer was pretty expensive, with the half litre at $13 and $9 for 300ml, so we were lucky to have only had one each!

Strong Man Comp

Hahndorf main street

 

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Day 53: We drove into Adelaide and parked the car so we could catch the tram to Glenelg. We ate our lunch on the foreshore enjoying the warm sun and then checked out the shops. When we arrived back in Adelaide we went and had a look at Rundle Mall. Housie wasn't very impressed as it was just more shops!

Day 54: Today we drove to Marion to catch a movie, as the kids had been given a voucher for xmas. We saw Frozen which we all enjoyed, although Housie thought it was a bit to girly. That night we packed up most of our things as the forecast for the next day was for rain.

Day 55: On to Whyalla for the next couple of nights. All things were going along fine, we stopped at a roadhouse for breakfast and a little town for lunch and making pretty good time, then just 10ks from Whyalla the car tells us that it's going into low power mode! The car starts to slow right down so Housie pulls over and decides to turn the car off to see if that helps. After a few attempts at restarting the car Housie thinks that maybe we have run out of fuel, as the fuel light came on about 30kms back. NRMA organised for a tow truck and another car so we could tow the camper into town. After waiting a couple of hrs on the side of the HWY the tow truck finally arrives. The young kid puts Colin up onto the ramp. When it's time to lift the ramp up nothing happens - Colin is to heavy for it!!! We then have to wait another hour for another guy to turn up with some diesel.

 

 

 

When we arrived into town and fuelled up, we found some cheap camp accommodation at the Weeroona Bay Tigers Football Club. Al was invited to join in the local Bingo that was going to be held there that night. So we all went over for some fun. As soon as we walked in all the old locals were staring at us, we didn't know if it was because they thought "I'm going to get their money" or "how dare they come and take our money". This game was serious! It didn't help that Housie held the whole thing up by going to the bar for a beer just as they were about to start. Thirty 80yr olds just staring Housie down, then the Bingo caller asking him if he was ok to get the game started. We were seated with a family who took this shit very serious, they helped us out with how the games are played and also told us numbers we had missed marking off. At the end we hadn't won anything, but realised this game should be in the Olympics. It was hardcore!

56: Today we went for a look around this town, seeing front yards of almost every home just red dirt, and the streets and buildings had a red tinge from dust that had blown onto them. We checked out Hummock Hill Lookout, this is the sight of the first settlement in this area at the turn of the century. This hill was used during WW11 as a gun battery with 4 guns and signal posts. We walked along the foreshore where the kids played on the playground and exercise equipment. We relaxed back at camp for the afternoon.

 

 

Week 7

 

Day 43: Back on the mainland!! We drove from Port Melbourne to Torquay where we would meet up with the in laws (Cue the shower scene music from Psycho). We were all happy to see each other. After a brief look at the map as to what we wanted to see that day and the free camp that we wanted to stay at for the night we headed off. We drove along via Bells Beach which wasn't pumping that day. We pulled in at Airies inlet for lunch in a 50's styled cafe which the kids loved as they had a chev that the kids could play in. Then after lunch we walked up to have a look at the nearby lighthouse. Declan was not happy that it was not open to look in. The rest of the day was driving along, Housie running over the ripple strip every time he looked at the views on offer. Housie lead the way to this free camp west of the town, keeping an eye out for this oasis that he sold it as to everyone. The road just kept going and getting narrower, there was nothing there where the GPS coordinates had told them were the camp was. A friendly local advised that there was no camp that she knew of in this area. It was about 6pm, Housie found another spot on an app that he had recently downloaded and headed off towards it hoping that it would work out ok and that he would still be the favourite son in law that he has strived so hard to be. The spot this time was perfect, lots of space and grass. Housie and Al started to set up while they waited for Ian and Kathy to turn up, approx 30mins went by, Al tried on the UHF to call them and the phone, to no avail. Housie got in the car and headed off towards the main road. Housie got hold of them on the UHF and could only make out that they had driven past the turn off and nearly ended up in Warnambool 250kms away. Once back in camp Ian and Kathy realised they didn't have enough gas for their shower and that the battery in their caravan was flat. No gas, not much water and low battery, Housie didn't dare ask how their underwear situation was.

Kids not impressed when Housie told them this was Uncle Light

Day 44: Today we headed north into the Otways National Park to look at numerous waterfalls, unfortunately the road into one was closed. On the way we travelled to Beech Forest and checked out the old railway line, an interesting drive past tiny railway stations. The railway line was used for logging and ran from Beech Forest to Gellibrand. After this we headed to the first waterfall, Beauchamp Falls. When we arrived at the car park/camping ground the start of the walking track to the falls was tapped up with orange netting. Al and Ian went over to ask a camper about the track just as a couple were walking back through the netting. The couple told us that the bridge was a little rough but ok and that it took them about 20 mins to walk there and 30 mins back. We all decided that we would do the walk. Well, after 40 mins of down hill walking and some steps at the end, we made it. The waterfall was great which made the walk worthwhile. Housie, Charli and Declan went for a swim in the pool at the bottom - the water was a bit to cold for the rest of us! Housie and Charli swam over to the rocks so they could stand under the waterfall, Charli was very chuffed with herself. After the long walk back uphill to the car we headed to Apollo Bay to get Ian's gas bottle filled. We stopped at Cape Otway to visit the Lighthouse, to our disappointment it was closed. To see the lighthouse you now need to come in business hours and pay for the experience! At least the drive there was rewarding with koalas to be spotted in the trees. Back to camp for dinner and bed.

 

 

Day 45: We headed west along the Great Ocean Rd and stopped in at all the major lookouts. Stopping first at The Gable, the wind was blowing a gale, so it was only a quick stop. Next up the 12 Apostles. This has changed a great deal since Housie and Al were here some 15yrs ago, with a walking tunnel under the road from the car park to the lookouts. It was also very windy and cold here but the view was awesome. Between us we counted 8 (definite) Apostles. From here we went to the Loch Ard Gorge and went down onto the beach. Now onto Port Campbell for some lunch before going to The Arch lookout. Once again spectacular views of rock formation that was moulded by ocean,wind and rain. Next along was the London Bridge lookout, but as we were all feeling a bit weary and for the fact that the bridge had collapsed years ago we decided to head back to camp.

 

Twelve Apostles

The Arch

Loch Ard Gorge

 

Day 46: Today we packed up camp and headed to the Grampians. Along the way Housie spotted an engineering company at Colac to have the kayak rack welded as it had started to crack. We arrived at Halls Gap, the heart of the Grampians, and got all the info we needed. There had been bushfires through the north end of the national park only a few weeks earlier so not all roads, lookouts and camping spots were open. We decided to camp at Jimmy's Creek camping ground which was recommended to us as it was suitable for camper trailers and caravans. The camping ground was all marked out with designated areas to camp which made it very difficult to manoeuvre our trailer into a spot. After driving around the camp a few times we both had to settle for a spot that wasn't our first pick as they were the only ones suitable for putting our camper and caravan on.

Day 47: Kathy wasn't feeling real crash hot today with a headache and sore throat so she spent the day at camp. The rest of us ventured out to tackle the Grand Canyon and The Pinnacles walk. The kids loved the Grand Canyon walk because, once again it was a " rock climbing adventure!". The rock formations were amazing. Leading off the Grand Canyon walk was the Pinnacles walk. This too was rocky and uneven at times. On the way up there was a 'Cool Chamber', cave like shelter, that was a great spot to get out of the heat and have a rest. The forcast for the day was 37 degrees and at 9 in the morning we were already feeling it. Towards the peak there was a narrow passage between to rocks and we were all glad we could fit through, although Housie did have to hold his gut and beard in. The view from the Pinnacles was spectacular with a perfect blue sky and no wind, it was the perfect place for morning tea. Once we arrived back at the car we couldn't get the air con on quick enough. We went back to camp checked on Kathy, who still had a headache, and had some lunch. We were all so hot we headed to Lake Bellfield for a swim. The water was refreshing, even Kathy started to feel better. It was just what the doctor ordered.

Grand Canyon

Top of Grand Canyon

The cool chamber

View from the Pinnacle

Day 48: We drove out to look at some Aboriginal Art on rocks while Ian took Kathy to the GP. The art was on a rock like shelter with figures of people and strokes that looked like tally marks as if they were counting something. Housie drove us through some tracks marked as only suitable for 4wd, that in Al's opinion were the best kind - flat dirt tracks! As we got closer to the north end, roads were closed due to the recent bush fires, but Housie decided that we'd go on them anyway. One in particular took us through the burnt area which was a bit eerie. We passed a ranger on this track and he just gave us a friendly wave. When we approached the end of the road there was a locked gate there. Luckily for us there was another ranger waiting to let us through! We went to Reid's lookout but the area was covered in a smokey haze from the Gippsland fires. The Beroka lookout had a lovely view over Halls Gap. This was the first of the Grampians that Kathy had seen so far. That arvo we went back to the lake for a relax.

Smoke haze from the Gippsland fires

Day 49: We went our separate ways today with Ian and Kathy heading north to investigate the Murray family history and with us heading to South Australia's Beachport via Mt Gambier. We stopped at Mt Gambier to look at the Ulpherston sink hole and Blue Lake. The kids thought the sinkhole was very cool with a garden in the middle and caves surrounding it all in a hole in the ground! It's easy to see how Blue lake got it's name, the water is a beautiful dark blue colour. We were lucky here because it's only blue in summer with it looking grey in the winter. Once at Beachport we went to our chosen campground, but we didn't like the campground near the lake so we lowered the tyre pressure to drive along the beach. This runs between Beachport and Robe and there are more spots to camp along here.

Sink Hole

Blue Lake

This is were a great day turned hectic. Driving through the dunes to the beach was fine, once at the beach, Housie tried to drive down to the waters edge to drive on firmer sand. All was going well until about 5 metres away from the wetter sand. Both car and trailer sunk. After a bit of a laugh, we got the maxtrax out. Housie then questioned Al as to whether she read the tide chart correctly as the water seemed to be coming closer. After approx 4 attempts the car and trailer were out. Housie was going to drive down the beach a bit and turn around and come back. Halfway turning around, both car and trailer were bogged again. This time pretty deep. Luckily Housie did the Uturn away from the water so it gave them more time. Al and the kids were running down the beach with the maxtraxs and shovel. Al looked like Pamela Anderson out of Baywatch as she ran down the beach with the maxtraxs in hers hands. After a fair bit of digging and this time about 8 attempts the car was free. Housie was heading back to get off this beach as it was about 730pm now. Going great until about 10 metres from the exit to harder stuff. Bogged again! This time we unhooked the trailer and the car pretty much got out no worries. Turned the car around so we could winch the trailer out. A big sigh of relief from Al and Housie. Charli and Declan were having an awesome time, thinking this was unreal fun. We finally made it of the dunes at approx 920pm, and in no mood for putting up the camper. We ended up booking in and staying at a local motel, luckily a pub was next door and Al and Housie had a few relaxing beers that night.