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Inspired by Ewan McGregor’s “Long Way Round” road trip documentary, Jamie and Liam embarked on a journey around Australia in 28 days. They left Brisbane (east coast of Australia) on 25 November 2009 and drove all the way to Broome (west coast of Australia). Ryan and I flew to Broome a week later to join part of their road trip all the way down to Perth. Then Ryan and I caught the flight back home on the 18th of December with a day stopover in Sydney, while Jamie and Liam continued their journey around Australia en route home to Brisbane before Christmas.

We always talked about touring around Australia in an RV when we retire, which could take from 6 to 12 months. However, Jamie couldn't no longer wait. He wants to do it in just 28 days ! He couldn't have picked any worst time to travel as well, which is during the holiday (Christmas) season when road toll is at its peak. I've been very anxious from the very beginning. Anything could go wrong. Jamie’s chosen route is via inland Queensland crossing Northern Territory (NT), which is on the start of cyclone season. Roads in NT get flooded during wet season. Jamie and Liam can get stranded for days "if" they get caught in the cyclone (and not to mention if they ever break down on the road along the way), hence, miss spending Christmas with us for the very first time.


Fortunately, the cyclone didn't catch up with them. The trip went smoothly according to plan.

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Our Itinerary

Road Trip from Broome to Perth (WA)

Wednesday, 2 Dec. 2009 Broome

- meet up with Jamie and Liam in Broome
- stay at Blue Seas Resort
- relax and take a dip in the pool/spa at night


Thursday, 3 Dec. 2009 Broome

- explore the town in the morning and get some groceries
- visit Malcolm Douglas Crocodile and Wilderness Wildlife Park and Animal Refuge
- at night head down to Cable Beach for a picnic (early dinner) as the sun sets on the Indian Ocean


Friday - 4 Dec. 2009 Broome

- in the morning, visit pearling town (Willie Creek Pearl Farm) and take a boat cruise in the turquoise creek.
- hop on Camel ride at sunset on Cable Beach


Saturday, 5 Dec. 2009 Day trip to Roebuck Bay (Broome)

- visit Port Drive, Broome Bird Observatory in Roebuck Bay and Gantheaume Point - home to 130million yrs. Old dinosaur footprint


Sunday, 6 Dec. 2009 Broome to Port Headland

- 8 hrs. drive to Port Headland and stay overnight in self-contained chalet at Cook Point Holiday Park
- Have a look around town and take a dip in Pretty Pool (tidal inlet) during sunset


Monday, 7 Dec. Port Headland to Coral Bay

- 10 hrs drive to Coral Bay and stay for 2 nights in self-contained chalet at Bayview Coral Bay
- Take a scenic tour around the bay on ATVs (quad-bikes) during sunset

Tuesday, 8 Dec. Coral Bay

- Spend morning snorkelling the famous Ningaloo Reef accessible from Coral Bays white sandy beach.
- Take the Coral Viewing and Snorkelling tour on a Glass-Bottom boat

Wed, 9 Dec. 2009 Coral Bay to Denham (Shark Bay)

- 7 hrs. drive to Shark bay (Denham) and stopover to Carnarvon on the way
- Visit the stromatolites at Hamelin Pool about 20 minutes drive from the highway on the way to Denham. A short boardwalk out over the stromatolites gives great views of these ancient organisms once thought to be extinct on Earth. Grab a bite to eat, and visit the historic Hamelin Pool Telegraph Station.
- Check in at Blue Dolphin Caravan Park in a 2 BR self-contained chalet
- Go quad-biking around Shark Bay during sunset
- Visit the World Heritage Discovery Centre to gain a full appreciation of the reason for Shark Bay’s World Heritage listing.

Thursday, 10 Dec. 2009 Shark Bay

- Make an early start and head for Monkey Mia to see the world famous wild dolphins to greet you on the beach
- Have morning tea or lunch at Monkey Mia resort and in the afternoon take a boat cruise on a catamaran with Aristocat2 to try and spot some local marine life


Friday, 11 Dec. Denham ->(5hrs) to Kalbarri NP

- 5 hrs. drive to Kalbarri
- Check-in at Kalbarri Tudor Holiday Park in Ensuite Park Cabin
- Explore town and pick-up some food supplies
- Go snorkelling in “Blue Holes” in the afternoon

Saturday, 12 Dec. 2009 Kalbarri

- explore Hawks Head, one of the areas most spectacular red river gorges in the Kalbarri National Park
- Also drive to Murchison Gorge in Kalbarri National Park and take time to view Natures Window, the Loop and discover the wonders of the Z-Bend
- In the afternoon, take boat cruise around Murchison river

Sunday, 13 Dec. 2009 Kalbarri to Perth

- 7.30 hrs. drive to Perth
- On the way to Perth, explore Kalbarri’s Coastal Cliffs -Red Bluff, Mushroom Rock, Island Rock, Castle Cove and Natural Bridge. All formed by the power of wind and water. The Coast Cliffs are accessible by car and walking to see and explore any of the Costal Cliff's features.
- Stopover at Numbung NP to see the Pinnacles
- Stay at Novotel Swan Vine Valley Resort, located in the famous wine growing region of the Swan Valley
- Have dinner at a nice restaurant to celebrate our arrival in Perth, final leg of the road trip (for me and Ryan, that is)

Monday, 14 Dec. Perth

- Day trip to Rottnest Island just 19 km ferry ride from Freemantle (25min. from Perth)

Tuesday, 15 Dec.2009

- Explore city of Perth
- Visit the Bell Tower at Barrack Square, which looks like a swan
- Checkout cathedrals, parks and museum

Wednesday, 16 Dec. Perth

- visit to the wineries and pick up some red/white wine and champagne for Christmas and New Year.
- Visit the Botanical Garden and Kings Park for panoramic view of the city and Swan river.
- Checkout one of Perth’s well known beach, Cottesloe Beach.
- Go to Fremantle (Freo), in the south of the city to get some old time feeling and to checkout the old Jail.
- flight to Sydney at night (11pm)

Thursday, 17 Dec. 2009 Sydney

- arrive in Sydney in the morning (6am)
- check-in at Great Southern Hotel to catch some sleep
- catch the bus to Sydney Opera House
- catch ferry to Manly beach to spend the rest of the afternoon



Friday, 18 Dec. 2009 Sydney to Brisbane

- explore the city in the morning
- catch flight back to Brisbane in the afternoon


Every day is a long exhausting day trip to awesome places. It’s been a wonderful and amazing trip to Western Australia with

Shell Beach (Shark Bay)

my family. But at the end of the trip, I was looking forward to coming home...


To be continued on my next blog….

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