Blogs from Australia, Oceania

Friday 17 th May, WoomeraWoomera Caravan ParkCost $25 per night Rated by us 6/10Mileage 22939 travelled 433kmWe set off slowly into town to pick up some basic supplies and visit one of the opal mines.The Umona Opal Mine, unfortunately the mine tours had been cancelled until 4pm, so we looked around what we could and headed to the opal shop to buy a few gifts for the girls. As we left the museum I spotted a Sturt Desert Pea growing in the car park, it was bellyful the more so as it had chosen such a barren place to grow, I cannot grow them at home and they are amazing, took some good shots. As we left heading south on the good old Stuart Highway again, the mines are everywhere and have created ... read more

Thursday 16 th May, Coober PedyBig4 Stuart Range Caravan ParkCost $41 per night with membership, drive throughRated by us 7/10Mileage 22506 travelled 419kmThe Stuart Highway has to be one of the most uninteresting roads we have driven I can see why people say “I survived the Stuart Highway”. The road is straight and stretches for ever, we drove past a number of strange large rocks which seemed to be standing sentry like on the road side. We stopped at the Kulgera Pub for coffee this is the first and last pub in the NT, as we approach the border with South Australia. There is a Hills Hoist from which people have hung trainers not sure what that is all about, just an Ozzie thing. The pub is interesting and actually had a huge ... read more

Sydney Harbour, a glittering jewel against the Australian coastline, beckons with promises of turquoise waters, iconic landmarks, and luxurious escapes. And what could be more opulent, more exclusive, than experiencing it all aboard a majestic superyacht? Whether you're celebrating a milestone occasion, indulging in a family adventure, or seeking the ultimate romantic getaway, unlocks a world of possibilities, transforming your trip into an unforgettable chapter. But before you set sail on this magnificent journey, navigating the world of superyacht charters may seem daunting. Don't worry, intrepid explorer! This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to chart your dream voyage on the breathtaking waters of Sydney and beyond. Why Choose a Superyacht? Beyond the undeniable allure of pure luxury, superyachts offer a unique blend of experiences ... read more

We awake to a flood of messages from extended family members back home. It seems someone thought it would be a good idea to set a car on fire and launch it into the front of a house back home in Melbourne. This wouldn’t normally generate too much family attention …. except the house was in our very own quiet middle-class residential suburban street. A panicked phone call to our son Scott, who’s house sitting for us while we’re away, confirms the house wasn’t ours, in fact he’s blissfully ignorant of the whole incident. That’s a relief. The residence involved is a fair way down the street, and we don’t know the occupants, which it seems is probably a very good thing. They were reportedly, and perhaps unsurprisingly, reluctant to talk to the press. One newspaper ... read more

Today we’ll be continuing the long slog south through outback South Australia, this time 375 kilometres to the small outback town of Woomera. We know they like opal mining out here, but it seems that's not the only thing worth digging up in this vast empty landscape. We pass a sign to the perhaps slightly quirkily named Peculiar Knob Mine, which we read is the source of some of the highest grade iron ore in the entire country. I thought Wimmera was just a regular town, but it looks like it’s actually an Air Force base, which I guess could be a sort of a town. It’s all very military looking - identical style houses and two storey apartment blocks straight out of the 1950s. We’ve booked ourselves into the Eldo Hotel which sounded like a ... read more