The Nullarbor

We got going reasonably early to start our first stint along the infamous Nullabor Plains.  We firstly drove to Coolgardie which had some amazing little town in which the WA gold rush began in.  It's buildings we beautiful but as we had lots of km's to do we just did a drive through and kept on going.

Large salt lake between Kalgoorlie and Norseman

Our first fuel stop was at Norseman (yes again but this time we went to the BP).  This will be the first of six stop overs in the next 3 days.  While I was washing the windows and Nigel paid for the petrol I found a $50 note blowing in the breeze.  What a bonus.  Now that made us all a little happy.  We also had a quick bite to  eat and then began out first official leg on the Nullarbor Plain.  The treeless plain was not that treeless to begin with.  We drove on for most of the afternoon then pulled up for more petrol in Balladonia and a coffee and muffin.  The kids had travelled well up until this time so we decided to continue a little longer.   We reach the start of the longest straight stretch of road in Australia and decided to travel half of it before stopping at Baxter Rest Area.  (67km west of Caiguna).  It was not a lonely night because at least 3 other vans, two tens and a school group were also camping out.

 The western end of the Nullarbor Plains

Yeah I was on the Nullarbor with them too!

The longest straight stretch of road in Australia.

Royal Flying Doctors airstrip.

 Our campsite the first night on the Nullarbor.

One of our dinner guests.

In the morning we got going a little later than we intended but it was a little different this time as I actually took the wheel.  This is the second time in the whole trip that I have towed the van.  In the end I have now towed a total of 300km's.  Pretty funny really when we have probable done more that 20,000km's with the van on.  It also meant that Nigel and I did approximately half of the straightest piece of road each.  I drove to Cocklebiddy where we fuel up again.  Nigel took the wheel back and I went back to my usual position.  Slumped down in the passenger seat with my feet on the dashboard and a book in hand.  And the camera at my feet ready for any quick photo opportunity.

The token driver!!!
Driving the treeless plain.

We drove most of the day again.  Stopping at several locations including the Madura Pass for photos, lunch was at one of the Mundrabilla Roadhouses and we made use of the skittle and camp stove and had potato fitters.  With the need to eat all the fruit and vegetables in our fridge we took any opportunity to do this.    After lunch we headed to Eucla to take photos of the shifting sands at the old telegraph station.  We finally crossed the SA/WA border.  Wow what a let down.  It was a few buildings.  A quarantine post into WA and a big kangaroos.

Madura Pass

Lunch break on the road.

Almost home.

Eucla sand dunes slowly covering the old telegraph buildings.

We finally crossed the border.

Finally we pulled up for our over night stop at Bunda Cliffs Scenic Lookout (75km east of Border Village).  Just the one van there this time.  But that was okay.  We didn't need much.  Just some where to put our head down.  We unfortunately found out that a mice plague was in the area when we walked outside to find them crawling over the sports bag and noodles.  We moved everything away from the van and left them to enjoy the rummaging.  As long as they stayed out of the van that was all we cared.  Austin was a little worried as he was sleeping on the floor and this made him a little nervous.

Bunda Cliff  late afternoon

Dinner time

Unwelcome guests.

Bunda Cliffs early morning

We got going a little later than we expected as the time change is still a little hard on us all.  We made it to the Head of Bight just before midday where we paid the token $5 entry fee Nigel and I so we could watch the water lapping at the base of the Bunda Cliffs.  It was a beautiful site but one we feel should not be charged to see when the southern right whales are not in season.  Next time we visit we need to time it with the whales June to October.

Don't you just love these signs.  The running camel is very funny!

Head of Bite.

Our lunch stop was a quick one done under durress as we ate our last tomatoes on jatz biscuits while the magpies feast on the mice that took a chance running for cover out in the open.  Gross, gross, gross!!!!  We made it into Ceduna in the late afternoon where we had our quarantine check done,a quick ice cream stop, a chat to Mike another travelling family and a drive around Ceduna.  Then our finally 100km into Streaky Bay.

Driving the Nullarbor was a very different experience and one we were all glad to have made.  3 days of 500+kms was a great effort for all of us and Nigel and I were happy with the way the kids travelled.  They were really fantastic the whole trip.  We enjoyed the changing scenery and the not so changing scenery but the treeless plain was a experience well worth it.  A must for everyone really.