This Blog entry covers our stay in the Heart of the Goldfields from the 14th to the 19th November. There are 53 photos with this blog and I cannot (for some insane reason get them in order!) so this entry is over three pages not two, Additionally, you can only enter the third page from the bottom of the first page, this page. So I hope you get to see all the pics and you understand what I am saying (questionable!) I hope I can fix it soon and remove this message. Where do we start !!! What a magnificent place this is. Full of history, lots to do and fantastic shopping, the likes of which could only be rivalled in a major capital city, and everything is so big! I guess a bit of history... ... read more

Leaving our secluded campsite after breakfast with the family of Magpies we made our way back to the Eyre Hwy and headed west towards Balladonia. After passing more of the magnificent semi arid shrublands dominated by Mulga (s) we arrived at Balladonia. This arid shrubland is one of the world's oldest landscapes, containing seashells millions of years old from when the area was ocean floor. The Balladonia roadhouse (eating & fuel again!) has a cultural heritage museum setting it apart from all the other roadhouses exhibiting Aboriginal dreaming, Pioneers, Afghan Cameleers and the crash landing of NASA's Skylab in 1979. Balladonia is also the end of the 80 mile straight. We enjoyed a morning coffee here served to us by a young lady from Mildura. Like us, she is struggling with the sunlight at 4.00AM. No ... read more

Leaving the beautiful Fowlers Bay we headed for our first stop, Nundroo. Heading out of Fowers Bay towards Coorabie we wondered if the road would be a 'track' like the one we came in on but were pleasantly surprised by a well graded road in reasonable condition. Nundroo is the first of the "Road Houses' that are strategically placed across the Nullarbor to ensure that no one has an excuse for a costly recovery when running out of fuel. Basically a fuel and eating facility ! This one also had a caravan park 'of sorts' and a bar as most of them do. We had prepared to free camp across the Nullarbor and as such never stayed in one of the road house facilities. We did however top up our Diesel here to allow us to ... read more

Trish wants to do a 'Fashion Report" for all you girls out there with hints and what not to do when camping, so I will type as she dictates... Trish has been both amazed and shocked at what some women wear whilst caravanning - ranging from the downright scruffy to the over the top disco night club attire! The good old 'trackies' (not our van !) are very popular in all shapes and sizes, easy wearing. The range of 'night attire' coming and going to the ablution blocks is 'out there' - from the slinky satin numbers to the fluffy slippers, flannelette (spelling?) pj's and huge fluffy dressing gowns. Then there are the women who have decided that being in the 'outback' one must dress like a female version of Crocodile Dundee or Steve Irwin ! ... read more

This Blog entry covers our stay in Streaky Bay from the 3rd Nov until leaving on the morning of the 8th. I had been looking forward to Streaky Bay for quite some time having heard many great stories about the town ....and we have not been let down !. Nestled on the coastline the picturesque town of Streaky Bay derived its name because of the streaks in the water across the bay caused by the reflection of light and seaweed. In 1839 Edward John Eyre made camp about 3 klms from Streaky bay where he found a permanent waterhole know as "Cooeyanna" and today this can still be seen and is now known as Eyre's Waterhole. Streaky Bay is the major service centre for the surrounding rural district. Sitting here typing watching the sun go down ... read more