Week 15: The South West

The trip this week: Esperance - Albany (Torbay Inlet) - Walpole/Tingledale - Busselton - Inglewood (Perth) - Freemantle

Following some hectic miles on the road, we found ourselves up tucked away next to a small inlet close to Albany called Torbay Inlet.  The weather took a turn for the worse so we took the opportunity to pitch the big tent and stay put for a few days.

Albany was close to our campsite so we got loads of swimming (and showers) in.  Kelly is like a fish in the water (especially given that she thinks she is more like a beached whale on dry land) so it is awesome to get some exercise in, especially in the warm pool waters while the wind and rain blow in from the Southern Ocean.

Old bridge at Torbay Inlet

The coastline around Albany is pretty rugged.  There are fantastic walking and 4WD trails which we made the most of while were there.  Driving amongst the wind farms and down to the remote capes was spectacular and loads of fun.

 Albany wind farms supply almost all of the city's power needs

Albany coast line

  

We then moved along the coast on our way up to Perth via Walpole and Busselton.  The vast deserts of WA give way to huge forests of Tindle Eucalyptus aptly named 'Giants'.  Being too tight for exorbitant tourist-trap fees (e.g. paying $15 each for the treetop walk) we enjoyed the views from the bottom. 

Not a bad sized tree near Walpole (Vally of the Giants)

 

Busselton was our last stop before hitting the big smoke where we will be laying low for a few weeks.  The jetty into Geographe Bay at Busselton is pretty damn long (1.8 km to be precise) and not a bad fishing spot by the looks of it.  We saw a local pull in a salmon the size of his leg when we went for a walk at dusk.  

Busselton Jetty Geographe Bay

There is loads more to see in the South West of WA (such as Margaret River etc) so we have planned to do a few weekenders down here over the coming months while we are based in Perth.

That's it for now.  See you next week!

Matt and Kelly

Week 14: Across the Nullarbor

The week so far:  Port Lincoln – Frenchmans Beach (Coffin Bay) – Davenport Creek – Balladonia (WA) – Israelite Bay – Esperance – Cape Le Grand.

Venus Bay Heads, SA

Well there has been a lot of time in the car this week.  WA and western SA offer stunning beauty but everything is a bloody long way to everywhere else.

We have also learnt that some roads are better than others in terms of covering miles.  We spent a couple of days in the car getting places, both long ten-hour days.  The first, we travelled across the Nullarbor a total of 1,000kms.  The next, a backbreaking 180kms (yes, in 10 hours) over some pretty gnarly roads (I use this term loosely) down through Cape Arid National Park.

 

 Venus Bay, SA

The little Navara has served us well despite the very rough treatment.   WA and SA have offered some great 4WDing.   The little trooper has not skipped a beat despite the corrugation being pretty severe.  Having said that, these roads might provide us with a useful strategy down the track if we need to induce Kelly.

The travels this week have also taken a toll on the budget (going over our fuel allowance by a factor of four).  Unlike my leftie mates who just seem to incessantly complain (and even attend protests) about Australia’s current budget situation, we have taken matters into our own hands and simply become more efficient. 

Our latest innovation to get the most out of our meagre budget (as unemployed people who are not accepting welfare), is found in aquatics and leisure centres.    These wonderful places not only provide us with exercise, and some time for Kelly to get the weight off her back, we also get to shower all for $5 each!  So long overpriced caravan parks!   

Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand

We are now off to Albany (pronounced ‘AL-bany’ not ALL-bany for those in the Eastern states) for a few days chilling around this beautiful coast line. 

See you next week.

Matt and Kel

Week 12/13 - Jaws III: for real this time...

Week 12 and 13: The gems of South Australia

The week so far...

Adelaide - Melrose - Flinders Ranges (Wilpena Pound) - Whyalla - Port Lincoln - Whalers Way

The stats:

Number of flat tyres: 1
Number of times we've worn a tea towel on our heads: 3
Number of sharks seen this week: 5!!!
Number times Kelly spewed: 3
Number of times Matt spewed: 0!


I know we've kept stringing you along with our promises of great white sharks, but this week I swear we will not disappoint. Yee haa! I know.

After two weeks of luxurious hot showers and beer in Adelaide, it was time to hit the road once again. We headed north for the magnificent Flinders Ranges and I can't recommend it enough (despite the wretched flies that necessitate the sexy headwear). You'll no doubt notice that I only included a picture of Matt with a tea towel on his head for the purposes of this blog. He complained of course. There are plenty of rippers of me too but hey, artistic license and all that.  After two nights of trespassing near Arkaba Station and the Hysen Ranges and a flat tyre later, we headed down to Port Lincoln for the adventure of a lifetime.

 Wilpena Pound, Flinders Ranges SA

We spent two days and a night in the spectacular Port Lincoln National Park where we went on a 4WD trip along the Sleaford Dunes at sunset. What a sight. Absolutely stunning and well worth the trip for anyone near enough to make the journey. We then decided to blow the budget and set out to dive with great whites off the Neptune Islands. This is something we have both wanted to do for such a long time and it was truly fantastic. These creatures really are something else, and HUGE! There were about five sharks hanging around the boat and we were so pumped about getting the chance to get in there with them... from the safety of a large, reinforced cage. Naturally. We were actually in the last group so we had to wait about 4 hours for our turn to go in and whilst we were worried they would have all gone on their merry way, we needn't' have worried. There was a bunch of kids on the trip who managed to force their way into the first group and to honest, I had to hold Burnsey back so he didn't snot the obnoxious little brats. Jokes! Well, kind of...

Whalers Way (South of Pt Lincoln) SA

Scuba diving Neptune Islands SA

I must take my hat off  to Burnsey who managed to hold his stomach in spite of the rough seas. The sailing boys would have been proud. I wish I could say the same for me.

I'll let the video do the rest and see you all next week!

Thanks again to all of our friends and family and Adelaide for your hospitality, it was so nice to catch up.

Burnsey and Kelly xx

Week 11: The great white returns

We have been enjoying some well earned rest and civilisation in and around SA this past week.  It has been great showering every day, sometime twice!  Regular trips to the pool for some (weightless) exercise has been essential to offset the much quieter lifestyle we have taken up this week.

A notable highlight for me was a short trip to Goose Island.  For those of you who are not familiar with Goose (as it's known), this is a truly magnificent gem located on the western side of the York Peninsula.  Scotch College (my old school and workplace) has been running camps and looking after this tiny spec in Spencer Gulf which also serves as a National Park and marine reserve.

At first glance, Goose is not much to look at but it holds a special place in my heart as I am sure it does for many of those who have been lucky enough to visit its shores.  Located approximately 8 miles offshore from Port Victoria and adjacent to the the larger island of Wardang, Goose offers a myriad of marine life with fantastic scenery.

Next week we are heading north, hopefully making it up to Arkaroola and the Northern Flinders Ranges.  Will keep you posted.

Matt and Kelly

Week 10: Rugby on horseback

The trip this week: Naracoorte - Waitpinga - Adelaide

What happens when you take one posh British game and combine it with a combative native North American sport?  You get the awesome combination that is polocrosse! We attended the tournament in Naracoorte to watch our nieces show us their skills.

The game starts with the ball being thrown in (not unlike super rugby).  This is Emily (aged 13) at the back in position 3.

The grades are based on ability, not gender or age.  This is Annabel (aged 11) against her direct #2 opponent (some bloke who is 40 something?)

Polocrosse has teams of three riders on the field, position 1 is offence with their direct opponent position 3 in defence.  Position 2 riders stay in the midfield 
 

After the polocrosse, we were lucky to head down to Waitpinga for some work with the cattle.  It took me about three days to recover. 

Cattle on Waitpilla Downs, Waitpinga SA

It was a bit sad to say good bye to our beloved kayaks.  We were fortunate to sell them both to a punter in Adelaide.  I suppose we will have to find another way to get our fish on the West Coast.  Looking forward to the next week up in the the Flinders Ranges for some 4WD adventuring.  See you next week.

Matt and Kelly

Week 9: From the booze to the views

The trip this week: Melbourne - Whouraly - Wangaratta - Harrietville - Mt Hotham - Anglers Rest - Mitta Mitta - Wadonga - Cobram - Poolajelo - Naracoorte

This week brought us back to civilisation thanks to Jon Jon and Em's wedding in the gorgeous area of Whouraly between Wang and Victoria's Alpine National Park.  Feeling slightly worse for wear following a cracking night on a beautifully converted tobacco farm, we headed back into the Alpine region for some beautiful views:

The views near the summit of Mt Hotham

We can thoroughly recommend driving and camping along the Omeo highway between Omeo and Mitta Mitta.  There are so many awesome campsites along the upper Mitta Mitta River and for those less adventurous (but equally romantic), you might choose to stay at the Blue Duck Inn at Anglers Rest which is about half way along the road.  

Anglers Rest, Victoria's Alpine National Park

 

The second half of our week was filled with wonderful family and frequent showers!  Easter brought the crowds to the river land so we made a quick stop on the Murray before heading down to My sister's place in Western Victoria for some polocrosse.  

Laura Michelmore aged 7 (my niece) on Debbie warming up for their polocrosse tournament

Next week we will have some more polocrosse excitement and then off to Adelaide!  See you then.

Matt and Kelly

Week 8: Deliverance

Lake King William - Queenstown - Strahan - Kelly Heads - Rosebery - Lake Macintosh - Sheffield - Legana - Paper Beach - Greens Beach - Devonport - StKilda

It was very sad to say goodbye to Tasmania this week.  We completed our adventures on the West coast and were once again blown away by the countryside.   This week however, we encountered a part of the Tasmanian culture is not often included in the tourist brochures.

The small mining towns dotted through the central and western regions conjured up thoughts of Deliverance as we were stared at shamelessly by packs of mouth breathing local teenagers. The jury is still out on whether they were ogling at Kelly fashioning her stylish fluorescent pink running shorts (and pregnant belly) or me with my stylish 70's mustache.

Next stop will be at the Victorian Alps via Whouroly for Jon Jon and Em's wedding... Woo hoo!

See you next week!
 
 

 Kelly Heads/Hells Gates (Macquarie Harbour)

 4WD trip along the beach outside of Macquarie Harbour

 Lake King William

 Montezuma Falls

  Montezuma Falls

Lake Macintosh

 Lake King William

1890's railway track outside of Rosebery

Latest addition to the family