Sadly we packed up at Quobba and started the long drive through Carnarvon and down the Great Northern Highway, at this time of year edged with lovely wildflowers. Towards evening we realized we would not make Geraldton so decided to stop over at Kalbarri. Although 60 kms off the Highway we knew it was an attractive seaside town from previous visits over the years. Set at the mouth of the great Murchison River it is surrounded by National Park as the river cuts an impressive gorge through the surrounding countryside. There are also spectacular cliffs plunging into the sea with wonderful view points, and whales and dolphins are often seen swimming by. We stayed 2 nights at Kalbarri doing some sightseeing and dodging the showers...and getting used to the lower temperatures! From then we drove inland and stopped the night at a little wheat belt town Moora en route to stop over with Michelle. The countryside was lush and green from all the rain they had had and we could not believe how far away we still were even though we were technically almost home!
Shelly and the children were thrilled to see us and vica versa..they had grown and so had the dogs, chickens, lamb and other members of her household. We had a lovely day catching up with them all, and went to school with both the grandchildren as part of their “show and tell” to the class. The classmates could not believe we had driven all the way round the country, or the stories of the huge crocs! Lots of fun and it was lovely to re connect with the family. Our arrival home was quiet and thoughtful..both of us were sorry that the adventure was over, yet looking forward to seeing how the new garden had grown and having our own bathroom and chairs. The next day we went and saw our new grandson and the girls and had a wonderful reunion with the family, and started the unpacking and rearranging of our home.
Would we do it again...DEFINATELY! In fact we can’t wait to see the stuff we missed this time. Both of us had a wonderful time and it was an adventure a day. Nine months was not long enough to see and do it all..but far too long to be away from family.
We did 29,135 kms and had almost no problems with our Commodore or Caravan. We ate mostly wonderful home cooked meals (fresh fish!) so our living expenses were low. Petrol was higher than we had hoped, and we did a few tours and rides which were an added enhancement to the area.
We came back fit and well, and Paul’s blood pressure is the lowest it’s ever been 113,68,61
All our planning and equipment worked perfectly and the route and weather planning also went according to plan with a few small surprises. Would we use the same rig again? Probably not, but we are not sure what changes we would make yet. A 4x4 would have been good in the northern reaches of WA where it was so remote and undeveloped, but we are not sure if it warranted the extra costs. We would like a small bathroom/loo in the next van, and are not even sure whether next time we would take a campervan because it’s so much easier to just stop somewhere..although there are disadvantages too. These are all plans we are going to make after a lot more homework.
Advice to those thinking of this trip? DO IT WHILE YOU STILL CAN. As we get older we will obviously be able to do less and camping becomes harder when knees and backs are not as supple. So many people we spoke to knew of someone who had planned a trip like this but their partner died or became incapacitated, or they had a heart attack or something. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. It really paid off that we did loads of research before we left, and preparation with the house/finances/equipment etc.
Best buys: Wireless Internet (kept us up to date with family and we could access it most places except most remote)
Sat Dish. Meant we could get clear TV anywhere and watch the news, cricket etc
Small 12V/140V freezer. Meant that we could have fresh bread/meat etc as well as store all the fish we caught.
GPS. The marriage saver. In urban areas was worth its weight in gold to have the little lady say...”take second exit at roundabout;!
Air con: we had some really hot days and it was really essential for my mood and well being that we could be cool.
Have your entire dental up to date before you leave because two appointments 2 weeks apart cost a month in a place that may not be the best place to spend a month.
These are just a few items that stand out, but there were many more little things that we have found useful over the many years we have caravanned.
Paul and I thank all of you who have read and commented on the blog. We hope you have enjoyed hearing about our journey and we would love to hear your comments.
Picture Kalbarri – Free like a bird oh! what a feeling!!!!!!!
Shelly and the children were thrilled to see us and vica versa..they had grown and so had the dogs, chickens, lamb and other members of her household. We had a lovely day catching up with them all, and went to school with both the grandchildren as part of their “show and tell” to the class. The classmates could not believe we had driven all the way round the country, or the stories of the huge crocs! Lots of fun and it was lovely to re connect with the family. Our arrival home was quiet and thoughtful..both of us were sorry that the adventure was over, yet looking forward to seeing how the new garden had grown and having our own bathroom and chairs. The next day we went and saw our new grandson and the girls and had a wonderful reunion with the family, and started the unpacking and rearranging of our home.
Would we do it again...DEFINATELY! In fact we can’t wait to see the stuff we missed this time. Both of us had a wonderful time and it was an adventure a day. Nine months was not long enough to see and do it all..but far too long to be away from family.
We did 29,135 kms and had almost no problems with our Commodore or Caravan. We ate mostly wonderful home cooked meals (fresh fish!) so our living expenses were low. Petrol was higher than we had hoped, and we did a few tours and rides which were an added enhancement to the area.
We came back fit and well, and Paul’s blood pressure is the lowest it’s ever been 113,68,61
All our planning and equipment worked perfectly and the route and weather planning also went according to plan with a few small surprises. Would we use the same rig again? Probably not, but we are not sure what changes we would make yet. A 4x4 would have been good in the northern reaches of WA where it was so remote and undeveloped, but we are not sure if it warranted the extra costs. We would like a small bathroom/loo in the next van, and are not even sure whether next time we would take a campervan because it’s so much easier to just stop somewhere..although there are disadvantages too. These are all plans we are going to make after a lot more homework.
Advice to those thinking of this trip? DO IT WHILE YOU STILL CAN. As we get older we will obviously be able to do less and camping becomes harder when knees and backs are not as supple. So many people we spoke to knew of someone who had planned a trip like this but their partner died or became incapacitated, or they had a heart attack or something. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. It really paid off that we did loads of research before we left, and preparation with the house/finances/equipment etc.
Best buys: Wireless Internet (kept us up to date with family and we could access it most places except most remote)
Sat Dish. Meant we could get clear TV anywhere and watch the news, cricket etc
Small 12V/140V freezer. Meant that we could have fresh bread/meat etc as well as store all the fish we caught.
GPS. The marriage saver. In urban areas was worth its weight in gold to have the little lady say...”take second exit at roundabout;!
Air con: we had some really hot days and it was really essential for my mood and well being that we could be cool.
Have your entire dental up to date before you leave because two appointments 2 weeks apart cost a month in a place that may not be the best place to spend a month.
These are just a few items that stand out, but there were many more little things that we have found useful over the many years we have caravanned.
Paul and I thank all of you who have read and commented on the blog. We hope you have enjoyed hearing about our journey and we would love to hear your comments.
Picture Kalbarri – Free like a bird oh! what a feeling!!!!!!!
