Blog 26 - 18th to 26th November 2013

Monday 18th November - still in Kalgoorlie, and after some more washing, went into town to do some restocking of the pantry at Woolies. Back to camp to pack the food away in the camper, then some lunch, before having a bit more of a look around town. First up was the KCGM Super Pit lookout, which gave us a different view from the tour yesterday.

Then went to the Kalgoorlie museum, which had a great display of the WW2 Aussies who went into Timor to fight the Japanese - very interesting and not well known. They were each "adopted" by a local kid (usually only 13 yrs old or so) who would act as their eyes and ears to assist with the covert operation. But when the Aussies were evacuated, the local kids copped the full force of the Japanese and their retribution. Also lots of info about the gold mining operations, and some recreations of old buildings of the time when mining first started. From here we went to the water reservior on top of the hill - the water for Kalgoorlie and many surrounding towns is pumped along a massive pipeline from the coast, and was a world-first of its type. Back to camp and chat to our neighbours for a while before dinner of chicken soup in the cold weather.

Tuesday 19th - woke to a wet morning,and decided to go up the road to the Broken Hill Hotel for brekkie - a cheap fry-up of bacon, eggs, sausage, hash brown, toast and coffee - well Di had eggs on toast anyway. The sun didn't show today from behind the clouds, and the temp only got to 13 degrees, but we braved the weather anyway and walked around town looking at the shops. Started with the info centre, and then the town hall with the elegant auditorium built over 100 years ago. Up and down the main street, where Di had to buy a scarve as she was cold. Over to the art gallery for a quick look before they closed, and then back to camp where we sit around the camp kitchen chatting with our neighbours again. A really nice town, and somewhere we could possibly live for a few years - but then we haven't been here in the height of summer either so that could change things.

Wednesday 20th - after breakfast, we pack-up and say goodbye to our neighbours, only to find the battery in the Triton was flat. So after a jump start, and then a trip into town to find a new battery, we decide to visit the local Hammond Park for a stroll around - lots of birds in cages, and peacocks wandering around, all "presenting".

Left town and drove through Kambalda and onto Norseman, where we stayed the night after getting a discount at the caravan park for $20 for the night powered site (or we could have had an unpowered site for $33). A quick walk around town to look at the corrugated camels in the centre of the roundabout,

and also the sculpture of Norseman the horse, who found the first gold nugget leading to the gold rush.

Thursday 21st - left Norseman and followed the Dundas Heritage Trail south for 25kms. Lots of plaques explaining about the gold rush and how people used to live and work in the mines with very little comforts. From here, we turned onto the Norseman - King Lake road, and drove for 50kms before arriving at Peak Charles NP and set-up camp just below the massive rock.

Had some lunch, and then decided to go for a walk to climb the peak. The walk was divided into 3 parts - hard, damn hard, and crazy hard. Didn't make it to the summit, as it got too steep and cold, but the views we got were impressive, with salt lakes and surrounding bush.

Back to camp for dinner.

Friday 22nd - after some light rain whilst in bed waiting to get up, we decided to pack quickly and head off, having breakfast in the day use area after packing. Back on the dirt road and 170kms until we reach Lake King. Lots of beautiful wild flowers along the way. Decide to continue through town, and drive onto Varley, where there is a free rest area right in town - also had a rabbit cemetry with several graves and a mosaic path. Had a short walk around town, stopping at the store for a coffee (very small town remember) and then back to the rest area where we cooked inside the hut to stay out of the wind.

Saturday 23rd - left Varley and went to Hyden where we drove to Wave Rock.

 

Had a walk along the rock face, and then up and over the massive outcrop. The ingenuity of the oldies had created a dam from the run-off from the faces on the rock, and they had  created a dam to provide some water for the town - very creative. Then a short drive around to another rock outcrop, this time in the shape of a hippo yawning - use your imagination a bit to see it.

Quick look at the info centre / local store where we got lots of info on things to see and do. Then into town for lunch in the park, and then the "tin folks" display where recycled metal is used to create scenes of local history - very clever. From here we drive along dirt to the Berkeley Breakaways, but they were a bit disappointing, so continued on towards the Tin Horse Highway, which is a 13km stretch of road where the locals have created a public art display using tin drums etc to cleverly build hilarious horse and cow structures - very funny.

From here we arrived in Kulin, where we stopped at the caravan park for $12 for the night. Walked to the pub for a couple of beers, before back to camp for dinner.

Sunday 24th - after refuelling, we drive to Kondinin where we had a quick look around, and then back to Hyden for a coffee. Decided to make our way back east towards Coolgardie along the Hyden - Norseman road (well dirt track anyway). Stopped at The Breakaways, where the rock shelf has risen up from the surrounding plains, and reveals the rugged outcrops with pink and white bands in the rocks.

Also saw a cute little lizard who posed for a few pictures.

Kept heading east, driving to McDermid Rock where we climbed to the summit, and then drove a bit further to Lake Johnston which is a picturesque salt lake. But the wind had picked up, so we decided to return to McDermid Rock to camp for the night.

Lots of flies.

Monday 25th - after breakfast, went for the full walk around McDermid Rock, and then on the road to Coolgardie along Queen Victoria Rocks road - only about 150kms. Stopped in at Queen Vic rock for a walk around and up to the summit, but not as good as McDermid - just bigger around. Finally got to Coolgardie where we aired up, and found a cafe for lunch. Time now to head west towards Perth, stopping after 80kms at Boondi Rocks NP and camped by the dam. Had a walk around the dam and the rock catchment area, and then Di did a painting. Lots and lots of flies.

Tuesday 26th - left camp and continued west towards Northam, stopping at Southern Cross for some shopping and a quick look around. Next stop was Kellerberrin where the pies had warmed in the oven to the correct temperature. Then onto Northam, where we stopped at the info centre. A quick drive thru the main street, with lots of old buildings from the 1830's. Booked in at the caravan park and chatted to our neighbours - how do we continue to attract shit stirrers???? What a funny couple. Dinner in the camp kitchen, and the showers were worth it after a few days out in the bush.

From here, we will travel south towards Albany, and then turn around and head back to Perth to meet Di's brother. So 2 more weeks and we will finally arrive in a capital city after 8 and a bit months on the road.

More to come soon.

Di and Hammo