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