Left Coonabarabran early this morning, stopped over at Narrabri for a quick look at the radio telescopes, drove on to Goondiwindi (back into Queensland after 9 weeks.) where we stopped for lunch and to stretch the legs, then drove home.
We had a fantastic trip and covered 18 000km and we are still friends!!!
There is a sign in SA's Eyre Peninsula "Where the journey is part of the experience" and that was certainly the case with us. We were quite intrigued to see Grant Denyer doing the "Nullarbor" experience on Channel 7 morning show. Caught it a few times on our way back.
Our last few days were spent deciding what worked and what didn't and what we will need to change for our trip in 2012.
Tuesday 8 November 2011
Monday 7 November 2011
Broken Hill – Coonabarabran 7 November
Today we drove around 800Km from Broken Hill through Cobar, Nyngan, Warren, Gilgandra to Coonabarabran. From Broken Hill to Cobar, it was quite dry and the saltbush plains stood out. We saw very little wildlife. As we came closer to Cobar, the vegetation changed and the feral goats were everywhere. I drove after Cobar and came across a male emu with between 10-12 chicks standing in the middle of the road. I stopped and they just stood. Finally, the adult led the chicks off the road. Had to avoid a number of lizards who were sunning themselves on the road.
As we drove today, we were trying to identify the place or places that we liked best on our trip. We both found it hard as we have been to see some amazing place. We have covered nearly 18000Km on our journey – an epic for two little old ladies!!!
As we drove today, we were trying to identify the place or places that we liked best on our trip. We both found it hard as we have been to see some amazing place. We have covered nearly 18000Km on our journey – an epic for two little old ladies!!!
Sunday 6 November 2011
Rawnsley Station – Broken Hill 6th November
This morning we drove from Rawnsley Station to Broken Hill where we arrived at 3PM. As we were covering ground that we had done on the way over, we did not have to stop to take too many photographs. There were a number of kites flying around and we saw two Letter-wing Kites but too high to photograph. The country has dried up considerably since we drove over two months ago. Storm clouds followed us all the way and storms are forecast for Broken Hill today too. Staying at the Broken Hill Caravan Park tonight and it is a very luxurious unit.
Flinders Ranges – 5th November
Today we did a drive around the Central & Northern Flinders Ranges with our first stop at Wilpena Pound. Von & I visited here in June last year. Compared with then, it is very dry and while we saw a few kangaroos and a number of emus with their chicks, the wildlife was quite sparse. We did see a number of dead snakes and one live one who was crossing the road in front of us.
We stopped at Hucks Lookout and then Stokes Hill Lookout. The latter gave us 360 degree views of the ranges. Stopped at Blinman for lunch and then drove through Parachilna Gorge towards Parachilna. The town was within sight when we realized we had a flat!!!! All Brett’s teaching went out the window as we surveyed the prospect of changing the tyre. Jo decided to get the RACQ and set off. She had only gone 100 metres when three cars pulled up and next thing we had four lifesavers changing the tyre. Mind you they were most impressed with Jo’s toys – electric wheel nut undoer and doer up. We were most grateful. The tyre was shredded. We drove to Hawker arriving at 4.45 PM and to our amazement, the garage mended tyres and had a new one that was the right model!!!!!
We were coming back to Rawnsley via Brachina Gorge and Bunyeroo Gorge but gave that idea a miss and came back to Rawnsley. We did now get here until 6.30 PM.
One of the guys who helped us, came down the Strzelecki about two weeks ago and he said it was just a terrible road. He broke down and no-one stopped to help so we were really glad that we made the decision not to go up the Strzelecki especially when we had the flat!!!
We stopped at Hucks Lookout and then Stokes Hill Lookout. The latter gave us 360 degree views of the ranges. Stopped at Blinman for lunch and then drove through Parachilna Gorge towards Parachilna. The town was within sight when we realized we had a flat!!!! All Brett’s teaching went out the window as we surveyed the prospect of changing the tyre. Jo decided to get the RACQ and set off. She had only gone 100 metres when three cars pulled up and next thing we had four lifesavers changing the tyre. Mind you they were most impressed with Jo’s toys – electric wheel nut undoer and doer up. We were most grateful. The tyre was shredded. We drove to Hawker arriving at 4.45 PM and to our amazement, the garage mended tyres and had a new one that was the right model!!!!!
We were coming back to Rawnsley via Brachina Gorge and Bunyeroo Gorge but gave that idea a miss and came back to Rawnsley. We did now get here until 6.30 PM.
One of the guys who helped us, came down the Strzelecki about two weeks ago and he said it was just a terrible road. He broke down and no-one stopped to help so we were really glad that we made the decision not to go up the Strzelecki especially when we had the flat!!!
Port Augusta – Rawnsley Station – 4th November
Had a great night with Barb & Terry at the local pub. Tried the local whiting and it was delicious. Went to the Information Place to check out the Strzelecki Track and the person informed us that the expected temperature was 41 degrees and 60% chance of rain so we made a last minute decision to abandon the track and have decided to return via Broken Hill and central NSW.
We visited the Arid Desert Botanic Garden again and then drove up to
Quorn and then on to Hawker. I have been there 3 times in the last 3 years but had not been to the Wilpena Panorama. It is by Jeff Morgan who took 4000 hours and 13 months to complete a 30 metre in circumference masterpiece of Wilpena Pound. It is so impressive. Similar to the ones in Alice and Broken Hill.
We have decided to stay at Rawnsley Station for a couple of days before heading home. Went to Station Lookout for the sunset. Sat and waited for an hour or two while having a few wines and nibbles. We were joined by two couples from SA so we had a most enjoyable evening.
We visited the Arid Desert Botanic Garden again and then drove up to
Quorn and then on to Hawker. I have been there 3 times in the last 3 years but had not been to the Wilpena Panorama. It is by Jeff Morgan who took 4000 hours and 13 months to complete a 30 metre in circumference masterpiece of Wilpena Pound. It is so impressive. Similar to the ones in Alice and Broken Hill.
We have decided to stay at Rawnsley Station for a couple of days before heading home. Went to Station Lookout for the sunset. Sat and waited for an hour or two while having a few wines and nibbles. We were joined by two couples from SA so we had a most enjoyable evening.
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