Blogs from Oceania - page 7879

May 18, Monday. Left Ayres Rock around 8:00 this morning, heading east back to the Sturt Highway. Most interesting countryside, especially if you take the time to stop and walk into the bush. You miss out on so much if you just keep driving. In the dunes there were tracks of the wildlife that visited the area during the night. It must have been like Bourke Street going by the many imprints to be seen. 244 kilometres later, I reached the intersection and turned north towards Alice Springs. Stopped at Henley Meteorite Craters. Well worth the 16-kilometre sidetrack needed to reach them. Some of the small ranges you had to pass along the way are worth photographing. Fuel gauge still not working, won’t bother to fix it; I know how many kilometres I can do, which ... read more

May 15, Friday: The trip to Desert Oaks Caravan Park was interesting. Especially when I stopped the car and went into the bush to do some photography. I’ve been passing the same type of landscape most of the day but only appreciated it when I stopped the car and took a walk over the red soil that is typical of Central Australia. The caravan park where I am tonight is a dump. I had to move the tent three times before I could get the pegs into solid ground. Finished up on top of a dirt mound. It’s like a junkyard all around me. Weather it getting better. The car is going great, now it has a new exhaust. May 16, Saturday: Drove 265 kilometres west to Ayers Rock today. Climbed the “Rock” it was fantastic ... read more

9 May, Saturday: This morning filmed around the settlement and went out to Burkes Monument, which is about 8 kilometres out of town on the banks of the Cooper Creek. I couldn’t help feel sad at the sight of this marker (his actual grave is in Melbourne). Burke’s exploits across this continent from south to north and back to this part of the country where he died was an epic journey, which helped open up the country for future development of the cattle industry. Because of the reported bad roads out to the Dig Tree I couldn’t reach his last depot. I spent more time with another mechanic repairing the exhaust. This time it cost me $90; at this rate my time away from Melbourne may have to be cut short because finances may become non-existent. ... read more

4 May, Monday: After a late night packing the gear I left this morning about 7:45. On the trip up through central Victoria I used the full tank and two of the three spare cans of fuel. This will give me a range around 780 kilometres, which is well within my longest distance between service stations. It was a long days driving to the border town of Wentworth, which was reached around 5:00 that evening. Did 356 kilometres today was advised by the police at Wentworth not to take the Menindee Road due to recent rains. I booked into a caravan park called Willow Bend, which rests on the banks of the Darling River. Car went well but the weather is overcast. 5 May, Tuesday: The Silver City Highway is great. At Broken Hill I stayed ... read more

I was only 6 weeks old when I embarked on my first trip with my mother. I don't remember it but she tells me it was to Sydney.... read more