Leeroy

Yulara to Perth. Leaving the big rocks behind us we turn west for the final leg to Perth. This proves to have a few challenges of it's own. Somehow I managed to get yet another puncture and this time in the new tyre and on sand. I think I have developed a new special talent. At least now we are all very adept at tyre changes and we are soon back underway. The great central road is a fairly decent dirt road with a few remote roadhouses and basically nothing else apart from the occasional camel. Our first stop is Warakurna Roadhouse, deciding to stay after being discouraged to go on to Warburton by the roadhouse owner. All this stretch is an alcohol free zone to protect the natives... read more

G'day from sunny Alice Springs! We arrived here at lunchtime yesterday after an action packed few days along the Oodnadatta track. We set off from Leigh Creek fully stocked up and having caught up with the family having got some scarce mobile reception. Our first stop was Maree and a very relaxed set up then off to the pub for a meal on Craig after he had a nice little win on the pokies then back for more beers around the shed fire. The next morning we explored the train ruins at the old Maree station and brushed up on our Ghan Railway history which Tim was happy to help with. Then off to William Creek supposedly an easy 209kms. The first stop was to look at Lake Eyre which is totally dry at the moment ... read more

Hello Again, Last entry as we are nearly done! This last 6 weeks has felt like 6 months. Well here I sit in sunny Maroochydore except it's teaming down, not happy Jan! The last few days have been quite full as seems to be the way with most of our travels. We left our paradise at Hydeaway and stayed a night at a place called Carmila. The site was perfect on the beach with no wind and no other people next to us, unfortunately this stretch of coast is where the tide disappears for miles. We arrive at low tide and the lads spend the next hour walking out to the water across the mud flats while Tim and I battled zillions of cats eyes, the natural born enemy of the self inflating mattress. Nothing that ... read more

Hello Again, Time for an update as plenty has happened over the last few days. For a start we have covered over 1000kms and left the red dirt/mud behind us, and am now happily nestled at Mission Beach with ocean you can actually swim in(this time of year at least). We left Cape York a little unsatisfied as a lot of the things we wanted to do were all booked out for days in advance, including the ferry to Thursday Island, too windy to go boat fishing, and it was still raining so we decided to head south. Our drive back down was hampered by rain making the roads very, very dangerous, Bushy put the car and van into a slide but executed a perfect recovery to remain on the road. Some fellow travelers weren't ... read more

Hi All, Just a quick update before we disappear in the cape for the next few days. We fare welled our travel companions Julie and Craig at Mt Surprise as their inferior vehicle is not up to the testing conditions ahead. They have been great company and we will miss them as we travel north. The last few day has been very full. A visit to the Lava tubes in Undarra- impressive mostly for their sheer size and way they are formed. Then on to Chillagoe via a very pretty 4WD track and some bush camping by the Chillagoe creek. The cave at Chillagoe are amazing sort of like Jenolan. We also looked around the smelter site a photographers dream dilapidated buildings rusty machinery and red dirt hill and brick smoke stacks. The next day saw ... read more