Grass Patch.WA To Balladonia, WA, 27th April, 2023

Today left Grass Patch at 7.30am. We had been having a few problems with the house batteries which was a worry going into the Nullarbor plains today. We headed up to Norseman last town before entering the Nullarbor. After a lot of sorting it out on the phone and having problems getting through to the company another two hours ticked by holding us up. Bit of a story but we got it sorted and on our way. All the dials and readings are looking good tonight so 🤞🤞 After Norseman, which was just over an hour from our camp this morning, we headed into the big trip crossing over the Nullarbor Plains. This was the main reason for this trip to do the crossing. Weather better than yesterday without those extremely strong winds which made driving very hard. The sun was out a little on and off. Two hours after Norseman we arrived at the Balladonia Roadhouse arriving about 1.30pm. It will be a different life on the crossing but all good fun. All the Roadhouses have caravan parks out the back of them. I was presently surprised how nice the setting was all laid out amongst the trees some sites with power connections some not. You pay at the Roadhouse then go and choice a site. The only problem crossing the Nullarbor we can’t top up our water tanks. Due to shortage of water in this area. So have to really ration ourselves. We do have lots of bottled water on board. Yesterday I was telling you about all the wheat that they grow in this huge area  of WA that we have been driving through called The Wheatbelt.  So thought that I would briefly explain the story behind it. In the early 20th century, settlers in the state of WA began clearing the natural vegetation from the land in order to plant oats, barley and Wheat. The wheat gave the the region its nick name The Wheat Belt. The problem was without deep roots to soak up rainfall, water was able to filter down to massive salt deposits below the surface. When the water table rose that salt came to the surface and began increasing the salinity of the Wheat Belts ground. That’s it very briefly but really interesting to go into google WA Salt Lakes and see all the images. We were passing areas where these salt lakes are but didn’t really have the time to go searching for them. But we did fly over a massive cluster of huge lakes on our way to Perth in a very large area really fascinating. Below just a few shots going along the start of the Nullarbor Plains but no points of interest along this stretch and tomorrow.  Not until we get down driving along the coastline with its high cliffs and rugged coastline. If lucky we might get a glimpse of some Whales but might be just too soon in this season which usually commences in May. 

Shortly after we left Grass Patch this morning we passed  this very small salt lake. 

A glimpse of another one. Not a lot of water in some of them and I believe they sometime dry right out. These are nothing to what I would have loved to have seen.

We have now started our trip along the Nullarbor Plains which was always going to be the highlight for PT. Something he has wanted to do for a long time. So far the roads are excellent better than what we have been going over.  Hope it lasts. As you can see not a lot of traffic. Good easy straight driving with a few little bends. We haven’t started yet what they call the longest straight in Australia. I think that will impress you Daniel after your interest in the big straights we did last year especially along the Kimberley’s.

 

Passed this big red area which really shone when the sun was out but by the time we stopped and I got to the spot a cloud went over and made it all dark. It possibly had chips of Granite in the soil which was catching the sun. The colour was amazing. Also a couple of lakes in the distance which I presume would cover all this area in the wet season.

Zoom in on these photos and you can see the long straights that go on and on.

I will let you know when we cross the longest straight in OZ 

The Nullarbor Plains is 1256km long. Nearest major Cities are Perth and Adelaide. Nullarbor means no trees in Latin but really it is covered in Bluebush and Mulga and we have seen Gum trees. People have also discovered space junk in this area 🤔 and you can play the worlds longest golf course , an unbelievable 1365kms long with a hole at each town or Roadhouse along the way. Think about that!!

Not sure which place we are stopping at tomorrow but will decide then if we are going to do the Nullarbor in three nights or four. Probably depends what the weather throws at us. It’s so changeable. One minute we having heavy rain then it quickly passes and the sun is out. 

Ravensthorpe WA to Grass Patch WA — 26th April, 2023

 Going back to yesterday at Ravensthorpe. After arriving there we went for a walk around town as per photos below. I had mentioned that I wouldn’t post the photos until tonight as I wasn’t going to be taking many photos today to post. Just a driving day. In the areas we have been driving through there was a lot of roadside art that people have done. Eg. Horseman’s highway where the farmers have lined the highway with tin horses in their fields.  We were going to see this but a change of plan. Another is all different types of spectacular letterboxes along another strip of road. Then there is The Farmers Gate Trail where they decorate their gates with metal artwork. I think they all try to out do one another. But it is fun as you are driving along stretches of roads having this art work to look at. So what I’m leading up to, back home I read up about the Australian Silo Art Trail which I discovered runs along  the route we will be driving. So for a bit of fun I am going to try and see as many Silos I can find. There should be at least 14 I have read up about along the way in different towns. It consists of a collection of painted artwork on Silos and Water Towers across Australia. They begin in Western Australia ending in Queensland. It’s encouraging people to get out and enjoy the journey along what is now considered Australia’s ultimate Road Trip. They are large structures usually cylindrical used for storing grain or winter food for farm animals. So watch this space.

My first Silo Art starting in Ravensthorpe in the Wheatbelt regions.  We have been driving through all the Wheatbelt towns,  flat land where they grow wheat. The farms just go on and on. Must be a huge industry in Australia.

Going back to yesterday afternoon we went for a walk around Ravensthorpe. Small quaint town. Some character shops as above.

The local Hotel 

More shops above and below.

Above looking down the road camping ground at the bottom on the left.  Great little spot, as my photos showed yesterday. You pick your own site on arrival pay later. 

Looking back up the road to the pub. So quiet no traffic. Very peaceful.

This morning we left Ravensthorpe at 8.30am. Just a driving day through to Grass Patch. After driving through all the wheatbelt area yesterday and this morning we suddenly came through all this scrub but then straight back to the wheat farms which had all been harvested by this time of year. 

We have now arrive at Grass Patch  a very small settlement of 133 residents.  Now we are about 567Km from Perth. To get here we were driving through some very strong wind blowing across the flat wheat farming areas. Luckily we were only driving for two and a half hours 229kms

We have seen a few of these wheat storage units

The very small settlement of Grass  Patch’s  Post Office and Store. Went along to buy milk but they closed at 3.00pm. Can’t do much business. Probably relying on passing traffic.

This is the Tavern. Don’t know if it was open or closed no sign of life anywhere. Apart from a metal soldering shop and school that’s about all we saw and of course the camp site.

This is the little camp site just two rows  opposite each other. Only eight sites. In these small settlements there are several of these small caravan parks owned by council but run by the residents. They are so neat and very modern immaculate facilities. Popular places to stay very quiet and peaceful.

The beast, a beautiful new van not sure if I have mentioned it  it has only done 5,361km we were so lucky to get such a new model. You never know what you are getting only that it will be anything up to four years old. We have had a few minor electrical problems and Letsgo have sorted this out this afternoon. Our last night before hitting the Nallarbor Plains tomorrow. PTs dream to do it.

Corrigin to Ravensthorpe — 25th April, 2023

ANZAC DAY

Today is Anzac Day. Above is a small area to remember the men from all the wars from WW1, WW2 and all the wars since, which lies in a small sleepy town where we are staying tonight called Ravensthorpe. Quaint area will post photos in tomorrows blog.

Left Corrigin this morning at 7.30am after a good nights sleep as we were so tired after unpacking everything last night. We were asleep by 9.00pm. Today we drove for just over an hour and stopped at the famous Wave Rock passing through the wheatbelt town of Hayden. The rock was just amazing. Spent about an hour at the rock then drove for another two hours to Ravensthorpe passing through the town of Lake King. Where there is a salt lake which can be crossed over on a 10km causeway but once on that road you can’t turn around. Would have loved to drive over it but just didn’t have the time. We arrived at Ravensthorpe about 1.00pm to have a relaxing afternoon. Lovely small town 48km inland from the southern coast. We have been driving through what they call the wheatbelt area. Flat land which goes forever where they grow wheat. Wheat farms everywhere. Enjoyable day which started at 6deg when we got up early but warmed up during the day with the sun.

Now to introduce our amazing motorhome. A Fiat which has  only done 5,361km. Not a mark or scratch on her. We are so lucky. Above you will notice a small slider that goes out for overnight to take the bed out to make more room inside. This photo was taken early this  morning in last nights camp. Corrigin, a very small town and good small camp that’s well cared for. 

Now we are setting up camp this arvo in Ravensthorpe town a little bigger with a camping ground set amongst the trees lovely relaxing quiet spot to have a quiet afternoon. Good break for PT from a three hour driving day.

It’s back end. Nice sight looking over the lawn to a little pond. Very peaceful. Some kangaroo poo around so might see some Roos come out at night,

Bed head which sits in the slide out area. Bed sits across the van hence the slide out so you can walk round the bed when parked up for the night as you will see in the photos below.

Boys stuff.

Dining

Standing behind the cab looking through to the bathroom far end. Nice having an island bed that you can walk around. We have a huge fridge for a motorhome. It’s black standing up behind the dining seat. Separate freezer at the top then fridge under that. More than enough space real luxury. Usually they are only the size of the one in the sleepout at Snells which we used to struggle with.

Showing the kitchen

Bathroom lies along the back of the van shower on the right.

Looking back from the bed. Using upstairs sleeping area for storage bags etc.

About an hour leaving camp this morning we have now arrived at Wave Rock, located near the wheatbelt town of Hayden. One of Australia’s recognisable landforms. Rising 15 metres from the ground and more than 100 metres long.  The rock looks like a giant surf wave of multicoloured granite about to crash onto the bush below. What an amazing sight. Someone’s trying to make out he is surfing the wave.  We were really looking forward to seeing this and weren’t disappointed. Fortunately the early morning sun was just right to shine on the granite rock. So worth coming this way to see.  It is 336km south east from Perth.

This is a great angle showing how small the people look.

This is the first shot we saw as we approached it.

This shows the land above Wave Rock which we climbed up over it and where the trees are is where the formation of Wave Rock starts to fall down to the ground like a big wave at the foot of the trees.

About 1.5km along a path we now arrived at this large granite rock which has been named the Hippo’s yawn. Some kids actually climbed into the cave and climbed up through a hole which took them up outside on top of the stone.

Hippo’s Yawn.

Interesting……

They have named this STUCK TRUCK

Perth to Corrigin — 24th April, 2023

 Last night we woke up to rain and very strong wind. Couldn’t believe it after the two beautiful hot days in Perth. We were on the top (10th) floor of our hotel and the roof was making some unusual noises. It lasted for over an hour then quieten down again but still raining. Still a little rain around when we woke up. The temperature had dropped  down and was quite cold. They had predicted that the temperatures would drop from today. Just our luck. We left the hotel at 8.15am and headed back to pick up the motorhome. Just as the taxi pulled up to Let’s Go motorhomes PT got a phone call to say that they had a few electrical problems in our van and it wouldn’t be ready until about mid day. We couldn’t believe what we were hearing as we had quite a big driving day to get to our first overnight stop. Nothing we could do about it so dumped our bags in their office and took off to do our big shop to stock up the van. In the middle of shopping we got the call an hour later to say that the van was ready. Hadn’t finished our shop so asked if we could leave our half full trolley in the supermarket and get a cab back to Let’s go picked up the van after a very big brief shot back to the supermarket, retrieved our trolly and continue shopping. At least we now had our van to throw everything on board and get on our way. It was well after mid day by the time we got on the road. Took us about  two and a half hours to reach Corrigin by about 4.00pm. Settled into the Corrigin Caravan park very nice large sites and new facilities. In these small town areas apparently they all have well run camp sites. In some places run by the communities. Huge day finishing unpacking all our bags into the van. Too tired to cook a full meal so cooked up sausages and wrapped them in bread. That was dinner but at lease we are now fairly organised for another big day tomorrow. No real chance for photo opportunities so just took some of the countryside we past through. All taken in the same area but loved all the contrast colours. The blue sky, white and dark clouds, and the different colours in the fields.  All taken through the front window no time to stop. Exhausted….

Perth — 23rd April , 2023

 Another beautiful day in Perth 25 degs at 4.00pm but a lot hotter at mid-day. Probably as hot as our mid summer or even hotter, but not high humidity more a dry heat. Went out this morning to pick up a few things for the van and set up our Oz SIM card. Later in the afternoon went for a walk down to a beautiful reserve on the banks of the Swan river looking over to the  city. It sure is  a well laid out city with lots of green areas which are all so well manicured. Didn’t do a lot today as we spent a week in Perth last year and saw so much then. We enjoy it here lovely city, this time stayed in Metro Hotel for two nights, very basic but we survived.

 We will leave the hotel at 8.30am tomorrow to pick up our motorhome. Then off to the supermarket to stock up to get us across the Nullarbor plains. Three nights on the road before we start the  Nullarbor and three nights crossing it. We are both really looking forward to it, love the expanse of desert and the continuous straight roads. 🤞 the weather will continue like we have been having.  

Taken from our balcony last night looking over the Swan river at the city lights

Early morning sun coming up which is bouncing off the back of the city buildings

Closer look still from our balcony

After shopping this morning at the Belmont Forum Shopping Centre came back to the hotel for a couple of hours before we walked down to McCullum Park a beautiful large reserve about 1km from our Hotel on the banks of the Swan River opposite the city.

A huge area with this great footpaths along the foreshore and winding through the park. The river is tidal and the water was right up to grass level even though it was 4.00pm and high tide was noon. Wish we had come down then to see how far it came over the grass.

Looking the other way up river.

Continuous pathways.

Photo of the city just before sunset tonight. Goodbye to this lovely city that we so love.

One last photo. PT looked out of the window and saw this photo opportunity with the moon under the star. Good spotting.

Auckland to Sydney to Perth — 22nd April,2023

 After spending  last night at  the Novotel Hotel at the airport we  left this morning at 5.45am Walked across the road to the terminal to book in for our 8.00am flight on Qantas. Very quiet hardly anyone around. Went up to the lounge to have breaky. We are travelling  business class as we are using up all our Qantas points which covers the whole trip. About three hours flying, and had another breakfast before we landed at Sydney. A couple of hours or so in the Sydney lounge we had lunch. As I am writing this we are winging our way to Perth. A four and an half hour journey and have just been given another lunch on the plane. So much food in one day and just sitting on our backsides.  As we are on the Starboard side of the plane PT  is getting a great view along the route we will be driving on back to Sydney. We are sitting up here saying to each other as we fly over thats that place and so on. We are seeing it all on a beautiful sunny day. Also following the flight sim so know exactly where we are. Seeing it all now we won’t need to drive it. Just kidding can’t wait to get amongst it all. Getting a really good view of it from the air. Now about half way between Sydney and Perth. Will have a break for now and finish off in the Hotel tonight. Back again. Got into Perth a little earlier just after three their time which would have been around  seven NZ time.  As I write it’s coming up to midnight NZ which is four hours ahead of Perth. We are trying hard to stay up as long as we can to try and adjust our body clocks.  I’m not feeling too bad but it’s been a long day but great to be here after planning it for a year. Shops don’t open until 11.00am on Sundays so will go in to sort out a few things tomorrow and get my Oz SIM card. Then come back to our hotel where we are staying for our second night before we pick up our van on Monday and get away on our trip. Very exciting.

We are on the 10th floor of our hotel over looking the Swan River to the beautiful city of Perth. Good to be back here after we spent a week in Perth before we did our Perth to Darwin trip last year.