Todays Challenge - To spot the rare species of 'Nullarbor Tree' that sprouts multi coloured ornaments.
We depart at 7.45 today and refuel before heading to Norseman and then across the Nullarbor on our return voyage.
Rod decides to check the SuperPit lookout one last time which opens at 6
.00am. You guessed it............closed! Rod curses under his breath. It is a beautiful day today and the temperature warms as we approach Norseman. As we have plenty of fuel and water we decide to bypass Norseman and we hit the Nullarbor for the second time. This is the first time we have been on the same road twice and strangely enough we are looking forward to it.
Deb spots some Emus, but still no sign of a Camel only the sheds on the side of the road where they provide drinking water and some shade for them. We refuel at Balladonia, where we visit their museum. We don't know how we missed it last time as it is right in front of our eyes. Must have been Nullarbor madness.
We hit the start of Australia's longest straight road for the second time. On the map it's called the 90 Mile Highway, but I think that's because it was built before imperial measurement was decimalised. Besides, "144 Klick Road" doesn't have the same ring to it
. The trip did not seem as monotomous this time, perhaps the trees have grown. Next stop is Caiguna and we grab a roast beef and gravy roll to keep us going . We experience a time warp, jumping from 2.15pm to 3pm instantaneously. The sign says advance clock by 45 min so we make a note to buy one of their advanced clocks.
We spot many dead Kangaroos on the side of the road approaching Cocklebiddy, and contemplate driving further but we are both travel weary, so Rod decides to call it a day. As we pull up at the roadhouse and check into our accommodation we spot two cyclists also checking in for the night, their faces are sun burnt, their hair plastered to their heads with sweat and they look knackered. We don't understand why they would think riding across the Nullarbor would be fun.
Our room is the classic 70's style motel that has not been renovated since it was build. It is light green with red bedding and has a television not much bigger than Rod's 10 inch Netbook.
Rod decides to run up a movie on his laptop and we watch 'Moneyball' while sipping some wine. Its not long before the sun sets and we are greeted with an amazing orange sky across the dusty plains.
We head into the restaurant for a truckies sized dinner and order a West Australian Shiraz to wash down the grub.
We hit the sack early as there is nothing else to do. We have not spotted the rare 'Nullarbor Tree' so we decide to carry the challenge over to tomorrow.
Day 17 - Kalgoorlie to Cocklebiddy
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
Cocklebiddy, Western Australia, Australia
Other Entries
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1Day 1 - Depart Brisbane
Apr 2316 days priorGilgandra, Australiaphoto_camera4videocam 0comment 2 -
2Day 2 - Gilgandra to Broken Hill
Apr 2415 days priorBroken Hill, Australiaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
3Day 3 - Broken Hill to Port Augusta
Apr 2514 days priorPort Augusta, Australiaphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 0 -
4Day 4 - Port Augusta to Port Lincoln
Apr 2613 days priorPort Lincoln, Australiaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
5Day 5 - We discover Port Lincoln
Apr 2712 days priorPort Lincoln, Australiaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
6Day 6 - Port Lincoln to Ceduna
Apr 2811 days priorPort Lincoln, Australiaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
7Day 7 - Ceduna to Madura
Apr 2910 days priorCeduna, Australiaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
8Day 8 - Madura to Esperance
Apr 309 days priorEsperance, Australiaphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 0 -
9Day 9 - Esperance to Albany
May 018 days priorAlbany, Australiaphoto_camera6videocam 0comment 0 -
10Day 10 - We explore Albany
May 027 days priorAlbany, Australiaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
11Day 11 - Albany to Yallingup (Margaret River)
May 036 days priorYallingup, Australiaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 2 -
12Day 12 - We tour Margaret River
May 045 days priorYallingup, Australiaphoto_camera6videocam 0comment 0 -
13Day 13 - Yallingup to Perth
May 054 days priorPerth, Australiaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
14Day 14 - We tour Perth and Freemantle
May 063 days priorPerth, Australiaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
15Day 15 - Perth to Kalgoorlie
May 072 days priorKalgoorlie, Australiaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
16Day 16 - We discover Kalgoorlie
May 081 day priorKalgoorlie, Australiaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
17Day 17 - Kalgoorlie to Cocklebiddy
May 09Cocklebiddy, Australiaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
18Day 18 - Cocklebiddy to Ceduna
May 101 day laterCeduna, Australiaphoto_camera6videocam 0comment 0 -
19Day 19 - Ceduna to Kimba
May 112 days laterKimba, Australiaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
20Day 20 - Kimba to Wilpena
May 123 days laterWilpena, Australiaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
21Day 21 - We discover the Flinders Ranges
May 134 days laterWilpena, Australiaphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
22Day 22 - Wilpena to Broken Hill
May 145 days laterBroken Hill, Australiaphoto_camera6videocam 0comment 0 -
23Day 23 - Broken Hill to White Cliffs
May 156 days laterWhite Cliffs, Australiaphoto_camera6videocam 0comment 0 -
24Day 24 - White Cliffs to Bourke
May 167 days laterBourke, Australiaphoto_camera6videocam 0comment 0 -
25Day 25 - Bourke to Lightning Ridge
May 178 days laterLightning Ridge, Australiaphoto_camera6videocam 0comment 0 -
26Day 26 - Homeward Bound
May 189 days laterBrisbane, Australiaphoto_camera1videocam 0comment 0 -
27Reflections on the journey
May 1910 days laterBrisbane, Australiaphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 0
2025-05-22