Spent the day at the Desert Park where learned about the desert fauna, flora and aboriginal ways. We were treated to a display of free flying raptors (barn owl, brown falcon and Australian Hobby).
Thursday, June 22, 2006
21 June 2006
21 June 2006
Spent the day at the Desert Park where learned about the desert fauna, flora and aboriginal ways. We were treated to a display of free flying raptors (barn owl, brown falcon and Australian Hobby).
Spent the day at the Desert Park where learned about the desert fauna, flora and aboriginal ways. We were treated to a display of free flying raptors (barn owl, brown falcon and Australian Hobby).
20 June 2006
20 June 2006
Spent the day and 300km exploring the West MacDonnell ranges and its many gorges, chasms and permanent water holes with rock wallabys. On leaving the Ellery Creek Big Hole we heard dingos howling and then a single dingo came trotting by to retrieve cached bones to eat. The MacDonnell ranges are older and were once higher than the Himalayas.
Spent the day and 300km exploring the West MacDonnell ranges and its many gorges, chasms and permanent water holes with rock wallabys. On leaving the Ellery Creek Big Hole we heard dingos howling and then a single dingo came trotting by to retrieve cached bones to eat. The MacDonnell ranges are older and were once higher than the Himalayas.
19 June 2006
19 June 2006
Visited the Reptile Centre to learn about the desert dragons and snakes. Held a pything, skinks and dragons. Loved the Thorny Devils who only eat small ants as they scamper by. 18 of the top 20 most venomous snakes are found in Australia. Visited the nearby operations centre of the Royal Flying Doctors Service.
Visited the Reptile Centre to learn about the desert dragons and snakes. Held a pything, skinks and dragons. Loved the Thorny Devils who only eat small ants as they scamper by. 18 of the top 20 most venomous snakes are found in Australia. Visited the nearby operations centre of the Royal Flying Doctors Service.
17 June 2006
17 June 2006
Travelled to Kings Canyon for an un-powered night. Our legs were too tired to do the rim walk but we spent some time in the canyon. The night sky was black with the moon still yet to rise. Mesmerised some kids using the green laser pointer to show off some delights of the desert night sky.
Travelled to Kings Canyon for an un-powered night. Our legs were too tired to do the rim walk but we spent some time in the canyon. The night sky was black with the moon still yet to rise. Mesmerised some kids using the green laser pointer to show off some delights of the desert night sky.
16 June 2006
16 June 2006
Spent Vlasta's birthday at Kata Tjuta, rounded granite domes near Uluru. Kata Tjuta has spectacular gorges and hidden valleys filled with abundant wildlife and gentle chirping of flocks of Zebra Finches. Celebrated with champagne and dinner in the evening.
Spent Vlasta's birthday at Kata Tjuta, rounded granite domes near Uluru. Kata Tjuta has spectacular gorges and hidden valleys filled with abundant wildlife and gentle chirping of flocks of Zebra Finches. Celebrated with champagne and dinner in the evening.
15 June 2006
15 June 2006
Up early to see the sun rise over Uluru in the freezing desert morning and then walked through some stunning gorges in and around Uluru. Climbed Uluru in the afternoon - the worlds largest monolith! Frightening but exhilarating. Made phone calls from the top!
Up early to see the sun rise over Uluru in the freezing desert morning and then walked through some stunning gorges in and around Uluru. Climbed Uluru in the afternoon - the worlds largest monolith! Frightening but exhilarating. Made phone calls from the top!
14 June 2006
14 June 2006
After a power failure in camp and -2 degrees we got up and left for Yulara (Uluru and Kata Tjuta). Saw wild camels on the way and fascinating desert landscapes. This desert area is not what you would expect of a desert as there is abundant wildlife and vegetation mixed in with the red sand.
After a power failure in camp and -2 degrees we got up and left for Yulara (Uluru and Kata Tjuta). Saw wild camels on the way and fascinating desert landscapes. This desert area is not what you would expect of a desert as there is abundant wildlife and vegetation mixed in with the red sand.
13 June 2006
13 June 2006
Left early for the Northern Territory and stayed at a roadhouse at Erldunda and hand fed the 'wild' Miner birds.
Left early for the Northern Territory and stayed at a roadhouse at Erldunda and hand fed the 'wild' Miner birds.
12 June 2006
12 June 2006
Visited the Breakaways in the morning. The Breakaways are low, coloured sandstone ourcrops that have broken away from the Stuart Range. The Breakaways and the nearby Moon Plain of the gibber desert have been backdrops for many movies including Mad Max Beyond Thnderdome. Nearby is the dog fence which is 5300 km long from the East coast to the Great Australian Bight and is maintained to prevent dingos from entering sheep country in the south. Had a tour of the Coober Pedy in the afternoon.
Visited the Breakaways in the morning. The Breakaways are low, coloured sandstone ourcrops that have broken away from the Stuart Range. The Breakaways and the nearby Moon Plain of the gibber desert have been backdrops for many movies including Mad Max Beyond Thnderdome. Nearby is the dog fence which is 5300 km long from the East coast to the Great Australian Bight and is maintained to prevent dingos from entering sheep country in the south. Had a tour of the Coober Pedy in the afternoon.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
11 June 2006
11 June 2006
Went to one of the local underground churches (Revival Fellowship) and also had a private tour of an underground motel - unbelievable environment!
Went to one of the local underground churches (Revival Fellowship) and also had a private tour of an underground motel - unbelievable environment!
9 June 2006
9 June 2006
Visited the Arid Lands Botanic Gardens (saw mistletoe) and finished looking at the Outback Centre. Spoke to neighbours and learned that one couple had done a three month drive of 67 000 km around Australia - could not believe it but he was Welsh!
Visited the Arid Lands Botanic Gardens (saw mistletoe) and finished looking at the Outback Centre. Spoke to neighbours and learned that one couple had done a three month drive of 67 000 km around Australia - could not believe it but he was Welsh!
10 June 2006
10 June 2006
Headed for Coober Pedy. Stopped at many great lookouts over salt lakes. Stopped at Woomera to look at the rocket and missile park and to visit a great little museum. The missile range is the largest in the world. Stopped at Lake Hart and walked to the edge of this salt lake and as we got there a huge freight train came past. The lake is used by the defence force as a live firing range so is off-limits. Arrived in Coober Pedy just after sunset and setup camp.
Headed for Coober Pedy. Stopped at many great lookouts over salt lakes. Stopped at Woomera to look at the rocket and missile park and to visit a great little museum. The missile range is the largest in the world. Stopped at Lake Hart and walked to the edge of this salt lake and as we got there a huge freight train came past. The lake is used by the defence force as a live firing range so is off-limits. Arrived in Coober Pedy just after sunset and setup camp.
8 June 2006
8 June 2006
Drove to Port Augusta and saw Iron Knob iron ore mine on the way. Visited Outback Centre.
Drove to Port Augusta and saw Iron Knob iron ore mine on the way. Visited Outback Centre.
7 June 2006
7 June 2006
Arrived in Ceduna and setup camp. We wrote our diary and selected photos for the web. Did washing and then went to the library to update the web. Walked around lookout point and to the end of the jetty. Had huge oysters and red wine while watching the sunset.
Arrived in Ceduna and setup camp. We wrote our diary and selected photos for the web. Did washing and then went to the library to update the web. Walked around lookout point and to the end of the jetty. Had huge oysters and red wine while watching the sunset.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
1 - 6 June 2006
6 June 2006
Headed out early and viewed the 90m cliffs from various lookout points. These Nullarbor Cliffs are the longest cliff face in the world. We saw numerous Southern Right whales. At the Head Of The Bight we stopped at a lovely lookout with viewing platforms and walkways. About 4 whales were seen wallowing in the water. Headed to Ceduna for two nights and to do some washing and relax after driving for 3 days to cross the Nullarbor.
5 June 2006
Left late and headed to Madura where we descended a pass over the old coastal cliffs to a plain and then followed the escarpment to Eucla. On the way, there are Royal Flying Doctors Service airstrips on the road. Ascended the escarpment to Eucla and crossed the border into South Australia. Met Peter & Loraine (Lonagan?) and free camped with them in the bush about 50km inside SA.
4 June 2006
Left Esperance and drove to Norseman then headed out to the Nullarbor. Stopped at Balledonia but the museum that has a piece of Skylab was closed. Fuel about $1.80!! Stopped to find a good place to camp and met 'Harvey', an imaginary person, being pushed in a wheelchair by Francis across Australia http://www.believinginharvey.com. Stayed the night at Cocklebiddy.
3 June 2006
Drove to Cape Le Grand National Park and visited Rossiter Bay with blue waters. Drove to Lucky Bay and drove about 500m along the beach to take photos.
2 June 2006
Drove the Great Ocean Drive and saw a pod of about 40 dolphins surfing the waves. They all then blew and we could hear them 'squeaking' and then they headed out to sea. Took a look at the wind farm which provides up to 23% of Esperance's power.
1 June 2006
Left Perth with 4 degrees in the hills at 8am. Visited Hyden and Wave Rock. Arrived in Esperance in rain but it stopped long enough for us to setup. Single lane road for both directions in parts!
The perils of travel in Australia - Road Trains!
Headed out early and viewed the 90m cliffs from various lookout points. These Nullarbor Cliffs are the longest cliff face in the world. We saw numerous Southern Right whales. At the Head Of The Bight we stopped at a lovely lookout with viewing platforms and walkways. About 4 whales were seen wallowing in the water. Headed to Ceduna for two nights and to do some washing and relax after driving for 3 days to cross the Nullarbor.
5 June 2006
Left late and headed to Madura where we descended a pass over the old coastal cliffs to a plain and then followed the escarpment to Eucla. On the way, there are Royal Flying Doctors Service airstrips on the road. Ascended the escarpment to Eucla and crossed the border into South Australia. Met Peter & Loraine (Lonagan?) and free camped with them in the bush about 50km inside SA.
4 June 2006
Left Esperance and drove to Norseman then headed out to the Nullarbor. Stopped at Balledonia but the museum that has a piece of Skylab was closed. Fuel about $1.80!! Stopped to find a good place to camp and met 'Harvey', an imaginary person, being pushed in a wheelchair by Francis across Australia http://www.believinginharvey.com. Stayed the night at Cocklebiddy.
3 June 2006
Drove to Cape Le Grand National Park and visited Rossiter Bay with blue waters. Drove to Lucky Bay and drove about 500m along the beach to take photos.
2 June 2006
Drove the Great Ocean Drive and saw a pod of about 40 dolphins surfing the waves. They all then blew and we could hear them 'squeaking' and then they headed out to sea. Took a look at the wind farm which provides up to 23% of Esperance's power.
1 June 2006
Left Perth with 4 degrees in the hills at 8am. Visited Hyden and Wave Rock. Arrived in Esperance in rain but it stopped long enough for us to setup. Single lane road for both directions in parts!
The perils of travel in Australia - Road Trains!
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