It's 4187 kms from our house to Perth!
Such a loooong way for us dragging our little home on wheels behind us.
We don't travel very fast.
For safety and fuel economy sake we usually travel at about 80kph....sometimes sneaking up to 100 on a good straight not-uphill stretch with the wind behind us!
Yes we are those slow old annoying travellers on the road.
When we went through Queensland and the Northern Territory 2 years ago we'd do, maybe, 400kms a day...
We're not early risers and we like to get to camp in time to set up properly (OK, it doesn't take that long!), have a look around, a cuppa or "happy hour" drink and relax a bit.
Nothing worse that rushing around every day!!
In our old camping days we'd often keep travelling after dinner and arrive at our campspot at 10 at night, set the tent up by the car headlights....haha! Those days are gone!
Anyway...on this BIG journey we put in some big days to cover a lot of distance in a short time so we'd have more time frolicking through the wildflowers.
We still always have a cup of tea in bed and breakfast, we stop to make a cuppa for morning tea and also stop for lunch - all very civilised.
Day 1: Kempsey to Dunedoo
Mr google told us to go towards Newcastle and up the Hunter Valley to get across the Great Dividing range. This is something we haven't done before but it sure beats going up and up and up through Wauchope to Walcha and Tamworth (not to diss those wonderful municipalities).
Yeah, it worked well and we were ensconced in the well-serviced little caravan park there.
Plugged in to the electricity in anticipation of a cold night and morning.
Day 2: to Emmdale Roadhouse
There are not too many choices along the Barrier Highway between Cobar and Broken Hill that have powered sites.
Not the best place we've ever stayed but they do have home-made cakes.
Day 3: to Broken Hill
It was a short day to Broken Hill so that we could do some shopping.
Importantly to replace the plastic step stool that someone ran over in the caravan at Dunedoo, that is temporarily standing in for the caravan's own inbuilt doorstep which got smashed at a tight turn in a petrol station a while back.
We have stayed at the racecourse at Broken Hill before but were a bit concerned this time that it wouldn't be open due to all the rain that was apparent.
Luckily for us it was and the lovely chatty caretaker Sam was there as well.
Day 4: to Kimba, South Australia
There are 3 camping options in Kimba, 2 free and the caravan park near the highway.
It was still cold so we opted for the caravan park.
The roadhouse adjacent is run by people who really know how to make the best curries!
Day 5: to Nullabor Roadhouse
I guess the Nullabor Roadhouse is a bit of a legend.
It's a good overnight stop.
It was my birthday and we had a pretty decent meal at the roadhouse.
No complaints from me when I don't have to cook!
Day 6: to Eucla
We left the van at the Nullabor Roadhouse and drove back a little and down to the Head of the Bight to see the whales which spend winter there and mate, give birth and loll around until it's time to head south again.
There were lots of whales - several mum and baby pairs and it's a beautiful spot on the cliffs.
So worthwhile.
Then we had a short hop to Eucla, just over the border into Western Australia, where there is a nice campsite with a view down to the ocean and a drive and walk to the old telegraph station and the old pier.
Day 7: to Newmans Waterhole somewhere along the Nullabor
Another long day but we reached a nice quiet free camp near a waterhole.
Yes it was a bit chilly in the morning but we toughed it out!
Day 8: we reach Kalgoorlie
OK we're still a fair way from the west coast, about 600kms actually but we feel that we have arrived!
This is where our explorations really begin.
Our longest drive was just over 600kms, but hey, there's no traffic!
We hit the road between 7.30 and 8 most mornings and got to camp around 4pm.
We swap driving every couple of hours.
This is a good easy day for us.
