Moving on to Port Augusta only 87 klms along the road, after checking out the visitor's centre we found the highest lookout and there was 380 deg view of P/A and The Flinders Ranges in the distance, it was great.
The other lookout was to see the apex of Spencer Gulf - once again surrounded by Flinders Ranges.
The next day was devoted to Woomera a mere 187 klm up the road, passing a couple of emu fossicking along the way, whirly whirlys and various other wild life.
As one would expect the township is quite spread out and contained lots of accommodation blocks and streets of houses and some streets which seemed to have been demolished, we assumed that happened in the downturn after a period of high activity.
We were told that there are many bookings by countries who wish to fire various rockets from Woomera enough to keep it busy for at least the next 10 years.
John excitedly toured the museum taking photos of the various rockets, pressing buttons and listening to the stories.
He was also interested to read of Len Beadell's activities exploring the area, building roads, laying out the site of Woomera Rocket Range and went to the local cemetery to see his memorial. The weather was very hot and humid, approx 39 deg, being the lower edge of the weather happening further north in Qld and NSW and eventually turning into a couple of thunder storms.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
WHYALLA
Once again we were in a mining town, with that familiar tang in the air and the dustiness, all surfaces are covered in red dust, a lot of the buildings in the town have been painted a dark red, in an effort to disguise this tinge.
Day one we drove to several lookouts to get a comprehensive idea of the layout of the town and see the view out into Spencer Gulf.
There is a huge steel smelting and manufacturing works producing a range of products.
Going to the visitor centre we found the actual HMAS Whyalla placed on a raised cradle, we joined a tour over her, she had been built at the now defunct Whyalla Shipyards and she did stirling work in the Second World War as a mine sweeper.
After she was decommissioned she was sold to a Victorian company, later the Whyalla Council delightedly bought her for $5,000 and at a cost of $500,000 set her up on dry land for all to see and enjoy.
On that trip we also saw a fantastic model railway containing 400 metres of track with multiple trains going around. The landscape reflects the countryside along the railways to and from Whyalla, Iron Knob, Port Augusta, Mambray Creek, Snowtown and Adelaide.
We did a tour of the One Steel Trak Lok Steel Rail manufacturing centre seeing a blast furnace. Coke making using 65,000 litres of recycled water to cool, and the heaps of slag being recycled to build barriers against dust from the mine blowing into the township.
Saw blocks of steel dropping out of casting then stacks of them being organised by a machine called a 'saddler'. It is then manufactured by huge rollers into 7 different shapes to suit the needs of their customers.
Then we drove the 50 klm to Iron Knob where mining began in the district in 1899 and it has been estimated an average of 1 million tons of iron ore per year was taken out of the open cut mine, totalling 150 million until ceasing operations in 1999.
Due to it being Australia Day the Visitors Centre and tours over the mine were closed, so we enjoyed a little drive around the township, now only partially occupied and so there were some quite derelict buildings.
Day one we drove to several lookouts to get a comprehensive idea of the layout of the town and see the view out into Spencer Gulf.
There is a huge steel smelting and manufacturing works producing a range of products.
Going to the visitor centre we found the actual HMAS Whyalla placed on a raised cradle, we joined a tour over her, she had been built at the now defunct Whyalla Shipyards and she did stirling work in the Second World War as a mine sweeper.
After she was decommissioned she was sold to a Victorian company, later the Whyalla Council delightedly bought her for $5,000 and at a cost of $500,000 set her up on dry land for all to see and enjoy.
On that trip we also saw a fantastic model railway containing 400 metres of track with multiple trains going around. The landscape reflects the countryside along the railways to and from Whyalla, Iron Knob, Port Augusta, Mambray Creek, Snowtown and Adelaide.
We did a tour of the One Steel Trak Lok Steel Rail manufacturing centre seeing a blast furnace. Coke making using 65,000 litres of recycled water to cool, and the heaps of slag being recycled to build barriers against dust from the mine blowing into the township.
Saw blocks of steel dropping out of casting then stacks of them being organised by a machine called a 'saddler'. It is then manufactured by huge rollers into 7 different shapes to suit the needs of their customers.
Then we drove the 50 klm to Iron Knob where mining began in the district in 1899 and it has been estimated an average of 1 million tons of iron ore per year was taken out of the open cut mine, totalling 150 million until ceasing operations in 1999.
Due to it being Australia Day the Visitors Centre and tours over the mine were closed, so we enjoyed a little drive around the township, now only partially occupied and so there were some quite derelict buildings.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
PORT GIBBON
Travelling 148 klms along the Lincoln Highway we decided to stop at Port Gibbon on the Eastern side of the Eyre Peninsular overlooking the Spencer Gulf. Once a bustling Port for grain and sheep & cattle handling and bringing in supplies, but now a sleepy weekend fishing village.
As well as great views it had a drop toilet, drinking water, toilet dump, but no power.
The temperature reached 37 one day and 34 on two others and I was very thankful for a sea breeze which blew in to cool us down. John used the generator for some things, but I did not want to risk overloading it for air conditioning.
There were some other people already in there and they had been catching Blue Swimmer Crabs and as there was a surplus I was given about 18, the big catch being that I had to learn to deshell them - sharp learning curve coming up.
Firstly I learned that after they were euthanased they were cooked for about 6 minutes.
After which they were cooled and I was then shown the best method to attack the shelling.
Well I gamely started on them and then John (bless him) came to help. The end result contained a lot of pieces of shell, as it was clear and blended in with the crab flesh. I got a lot more out, but eating it was not the best.
One day when the tide was going out Colin took John out with him to teach him how to catch crab, consequently we ended up with twice as much, as Colin said he had had enough.
Wow - double the shelling job, but I am enjoying eating them in several ways.
Three days we spent relaxing and exploring the area, then decided to go up to Whyalla for a while.
As well as great views it had a drop toilet, drinking water, toilet dump, but no power.
The temperature reached 37 one day and 34 on two others and I was very thankful for a sea breeze which blew in to cool us down. John used the generator for some things, but I did not want to risk overloading it for air conditioning.
There were some other people already in there and they had been catching Blue Swimmer Crabs and as there was a surplus I was given about 18, the big catch being that I had to learn to deshell them - sharp learning curve coming up.
Firstly I learned that after they were euthanased they were cooked for about 6 minutes.
After which they were cooled and I was then shown the best method to attack the shelling.
Well I gamely started on them and then John (bless him) came to help. The end result contained a lot of pieces of shell, as it was clear and blended in with the crab flesh. I got a lot more out, but eating it was not the best.
One day when the tide was going out Colin took John out with him to teach him how to catch crab, consequently we ended up with twice as much, as Colin said he had had enough.
Wow - double the shelling job, but I am enjoying eating them in several ways.
Three days we spent relaxing and exploring the area, then decided to go up to Whyalla for a while.
Monday, January 23, 2012
PORT LINCOLN
We did not need to use the air conditioner, our berth was at the top of the cara park overlooking the water and the afternoon breeze was in, just opened all the windows. In the evening the winds became more blustery, and from then on it blew and blew, we were told that it was always windy at this time of year, we were never able to put our awning out again.
Port Lincoln is a seaside/fishing town of about 4,000 souls, situated in a beautiful spot on the eastern side of Eyre Peninsular, quite sophisticated, with some older buildings individually
constructed with local limestone and some much newer buildings.
We drove to the local spots, particularly Coffin Bay, very beautiful, found a Noodle Bento eatery, $10 - $12, very nice asian cookery, we supped there several times. Bought a new kettle, the rust had finally eaten through our original.I had the best haircut that I'd had for years.
Celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary, at the Grand Tasman Hotel, not quite as grand as they would have you think.
As a point of interest Port Lincoln is the home of thrice Melbourne Cup Winner Makybe diva.
Found somewhere with tall enough walkways to wash the caravan, discovered there was a white caravan lurking under all that dust and accumulated grime.
Port Lincoln is a seaside/fishing town of about 4,000 souls, situated in a beautiful spot on the eastern side of Eyre Peninsular, quite sophisticated, with some older buildings individually
constructed with local limestone and some much newer buildings.
We drove to the local spots, particularly Coffin Bay, very beautiful, found a Noodle Bento eatery, $10 - $12, very nice asian cookery, we supped there several times. Bought a new kettle, the rust had finally eaten through our original.I had the best haircut that I'd had for years.
Celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary, at the Grand Tasman Hotel, not quite as grand as they would have you think.
As a point of interest Port Lincoln is the home of thrice Melbourne Cup Winner Makybe diva.
Found somewhere with tall enough walkways to wash the caravan, discovered there was a white caravan lurking under all that dust and accumulated grime.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Wonderful Point Drummond
Passing through Ceduna with no dramas we popped into the Visitor Information Centre to find out what we could about South Australia.... where to go, what to do, learned that they did not put as much effort into their tourism brochures as WA does, nevertheless it was helpful.
Continuing on the Flinders Highway down the Eyre Peninsular to a little place called Haslam -coastal, developed by locals, $5 per night, honesty system, toilets up at the waters edge, rubbish bins and drinking water.
As we settled down some other travellers arrived with whom we had spent time elsewhere, so we had a 5 o'clock session - spent 2 pleasant nights there.
On the next leg we called in to several overnighting spots in the Camp 6 book, none of them were up to scratch, yet asked for fees, till we discovered Point Drummond.
Oh my! situated at a the top of a cliff about 150 feet above sea level with a view to die for ! We felt very special as we ate our dozen oysters kilpatrick each, for entree that evening being entertained by the local plovers playing with the thermal updraughts.
We were heading for Coffin Bay, but decided to go the extra klms to Port Lincoln as very hot weather was forecast and there we would have power for the air conditioner if we needed.
Continuing on the Flinders Highway down the Eyre Peninsular to a little place called Haslam -coastal, developed by locals, $5 per night, honesty system, toilets up at the waters edge, rubbish bins and drinking water.
As we settled down some other travellers arrived with whom we had spent time elsewhere, so we had a 5 o'clock session - spent 2 pleasant nights there.
On the next leg we called in to several overnighting spots in the Camp 6 book, none of them were up to scratch, yet asked for fees, till we discovered Point Drummond.
Oh my! situated at a the top of a cliff about 150 feet above sea level with a view to die for ! We felt very special as we ate our dozen oysters kilpatrick each, for entree that evening being entertained by the local plovers playing with the thermal updraughts.
We were heading for Coffin Bay, but decided to go the extra klms to Port Lincoln as very hot weather was forecast and there we would have power for the air conditioner if we needed.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
ON THE ROAD TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Travelling via Norseman, and calling in for supplies before the long trek ahead - no bread left at the IGA - a lot of tourists had been in before us and the shelves were empty, what a cheek ! Luckily when we went to the Caltex to top up with fuel they had some white.
We overnighted first at Woorlba Homestead Rest Area, ahead of us the next day was the famous 90 miles of straight road. and thence Eucla Caravan Park, beautifully situated on a cliff overlookng the ruins of the old telegraph station and air strip. The cost fuel we topped up with was $1.88.
As you can imagine there were very few features, very low growing scrub and most of the very sparse trees were almost horizontal due to the fierce southerly winds which whip in from the
Antarctic, however on our journey the prevailing wind was from the east - head on to us - and our fuel consumption reflected this.
Some of this journey was beside the Great Australian Bight which provided magnificent scenery and photo ops.
Yalata West Rest Area was our next overnight campsite after which we discovered Fowlers Bay where we stayed for 2 nights attempting to eat all our remaining fruit and vegetables in readiness to cross the Quarantine border at Ceduna.
Whilst at that park we were adopted by Fowler - a cat who made himself at home in our van, constantly asking for food and sleeping on our chair outside and howling from 4 a.m. to come into the van. As we left for Ceduna he moved on to the van next door.
We overnighted first at Woorlba Homestead Rest Area, ahead of us the next day was the famous 90 miles of straight road. and thence Eucla Caravan Park, beautifully situated on a cliff overlookng the ruins of the old telegraph station and air strip. The cost fuel we topped up with was $1.88.
As you can imagine there were very few features, very low growing scrub and most of the very sparse trees were almost horizontal due to the fierce southerly winds which whip in from the
Antarctic, however on our journey the prevailing wind was from the east - head on to us - and our fuel consumption reflected this.
Some of this journey was beside the Great Australian Bight which provided magnificent scenery and photo ops.
Yalata West Rest Area was our next overnight campsite after which we discovered Fowlers Bay where we stayed for 2 nights attempting to eat all our remaining fruit and vegetables in readiness to cross the Quarantine border at Ceduna.
Whilst at that park we were adopted by Fowler - a cat who made himself at home in our van, constantly asking for food and sleeping on our chair outside and howling from 4 a.m. to come into the van. As we left for Ceduna he moved on to the van next door.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
'WIDENED HORIZONS'
For some time we have either been travelling, or if stayed a while somewhere, there was no signal or power other than our own gas or generator therefore I have not been able to bring you up to date and so, we ARE in South Australia - BUT - before I continue with that, I must tell you about our last foray in Kalgoorlie.
We went on a Brothel Tour mmm..... verry interesting - I mean it's a world of which I know nothing !
At a cost of $18 per head about 25 tourists were sat in a circle while the Madam talked about how she came to buy this brothel and she stressed she had not been a prostitute herself.
She gave us an idea of the costs and the history of the 'trade' in Kalgoorlie. It had been strictly supervised by the local police and so that the townspeople could have family friendly surroundings was restricted to Hay Street, also that the girls could only go into the town accompanied by the madam. Unfortunately for the girls the WA government repealed the restrictions about 6 years ago, therefore anyone could set up business anywhere and at whatever cost they wanted to charge; in the increased competition it became unviable so this clever lady began the brothel tours !
We were shown 3 different rooms and had some of the practices explained !
Just a little confronting to this person - I have had my horizons widened in more ways than one on this trip!
We went on a Brothel Tour mmm..... verry interesting - I mean it's a world of which I know nothing !
At a cost of $18 per head about 25 tourists were sat in a circle while the Madam talked about how she came to buy this brothel and she stressed she had not been a prostitute herself.
She gave us an idea of the costs and the history of the 'trade' in Kalgoorlie. It had been strictly supervised by the local police and so that the townspeople could have family friendly surroundings was restricted to Hay Street, also that the girls could only go into the town accompanied by the madam. Unfortunately for the girls the WA government repealed the restrictions about 6 years ago, therefore anyone could set up business anywhere and at whatever cost they wanted to charge; in the increased competition it became unviable so this clever lady began the brothel tours !
We were shown 3 different rooms and had some of the practices explained !
Just a little confronting to this person - I have had my horizons widened in more ways than one on this trip!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
EXPLORING KALGOORLIE
First we went to view the superpit, the site is so deep it creates ferocious winds, I had to hold my hat under my arm, it was a glorious sight and so deep, and multi coloured, from above the huge trucks transporting the ore from the bottom looked like little ants, by the time they reached the top they resumed their normal size.
Gold was first discovered in Coolgardie in 1892, then Paddy Hannan discovered it in Kalgoorlie in 1893, so we popped up to Coolgardie one day and inspected their wonderful examples of Goldrush architecture which was mirrored in Kalgoorlie, with plush and beautiful interiors built with the wonderful warm coloured Jarrah timber.
We spent several hours in the museum which brought the history alive with many displays and below was the vault containing A$7million worth of gold nuggets, gold bars and beautiful jewellery. My eyes shone with delight at the wondrousness.
We were told of other meritorious exhibits around town and disappointed not to be able to see them as they were closed.
Gold was first discovered in Coolgardie in 1892, then Paddy Hannan discovered it in Kalgoorlie in 1893, so we popped up to Coolgardie one day and inspected their wonderful examples of Goldrush architecture which was mirrored in Kalgoorlie, with plush and beautiful interiors built with the wonderful warm coloured Jarrah timber.
We spent several hours in the museum which brought the history alive with many displays and below was the vault containing A$7million worth of gold nuggets, gold bars and beautiful jewellery. My eyes shone with delight at the wondrousness.
We were told of other meritorious exhibits around town and disappointed not to be able to see them as they were closed.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
KALGOORLIE
So far so good, we are in Kalgoorlie ! The trip went as planned, except for the strong headwinds from the East, which John says has affected his fuel consumption according to the gauge, other travellers are saying the same. He had to struggle to keep the rig on an even keel as it was hammered by the wind.
Being Easterly at least means it is cooler air as I sit here next to an open window and the temperature in the van is a comfortable 28 deg.
We are mostly set up now, a little late for going off exploring, I have a couple of phone calls to make to today's birthday girls and then will cook a couple of chicken breasts for dinner.
Being Easterly at least means it is cooler air as I sit here next to an open window and the temperature in the van is a comfortable 28 deg.
We are mostly set up now, a little late for going off exploring, I have a couple of phone calls to make to today's birthday girls and then will cook a couple of chicken breasts for dinner.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
POST CHRISTMAS
Our ensuing days were spent a little quietly, mainly due to the heat which built up one day to 39.9 degrees. Whew survive it I did, I don't know how, we took the car to be serviced in the beautiful suburb of Rockingham. So while that was being done we travelled on Perth's fantastic public transport - which is air conditioned - on the free cat service around and around the city on 3 different routes, but we also went across the river and back on a ferry - had some lunch, more busing then train back to Rockingham and bus to Ultra Tune. Despite the precautions I still felt wrung out that night and the next day, then the hot desert winds stopped blowing and the weather reverted to the low 30s with more southerly breezes for relief.
New Year was a fairly quiet night - we made a favourite meal of garlic prawns and special fried rice, had a bottle of wine - waited till Sydney's firework show - and off to bed.
So we have stocked up, cleaned and packed up, said final goodbyes and are just waiting till tomorrow.
The plan is to travel via Highway about 300 klms to somewhere around Merredin, then another 300 or so to Kalgoorlie/Boulder. We have been assured there is lots to see there - you know the sort of thing "You should see ....."
After that we will be crossing the Nullarbor Plain - more about that later. I may be out of touch for a while as we will busy travelling a good bit.
New Year was a fairly quiet night - we made a favourite meal of garlic prawns and special fried rice, had a bottle of wine - waited till Sydney's firework show - and off to bed.
So we have stocked up, cleaned and packed up, said final goodbyes and are just waiting till tomorrow.
The plan is to travel via Highway about 300 klms to somewhere around Merredin, then another 300 or so to Kalgoorlie/Boulder. We have been assured there is lots to see there - you know the sort of thing "You should see ....."
After that we will be crossing the Nullarbor Plain - more about that later. I may be out of touch for a while as we will busy travelling a good bit.
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