To The Nullarbor.

Almost a year ago, I was wandering around Iceland and a Swiss mountain. This year I am a little closer to home but it still feels a world away, a different country. This time I am travelling with Sally, no flying involved. We began by lining up to board the ferry to the big north Island.

Sally had a cramped night on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry. I had a comfortable night in a cabin, and a smooth sailing.

Here is Sally settling down for her first night on the big North Island after driving 633kms from Geelong through Victoria (surprisingly green) into South Australia, also very green, until I entered the arid area near Port Augusta on day two.

Our first morning was freezing. I had to scrape ice from the windscreen at Murray Bridge. I watched pelicans fishing in the Murray River as the sun rose to a still, clear day. No cloud at all.

The country was surprisingly green. A message of hope as I pulled over on the hill to let a car pass. I do that a lot as Sally is rather laid back. She doesn't race, she likes to trundle.

You know you're in SA when you see multiple abandoned stone cottages nestled in wheat fields.

We drove all day on our third day and made it to Kimba, the home of the big galah where there is an excellent free camp at the footy club. 

There is also a lookout on the only hill nearby with a rusty statue celebrating the explorer, John Eyre, and his Aboriginal guide.

The next day we continued heading west. Australia is a very big country. Destination-Ceduna via Pildappa Rock, SA's attempt to rival WA's Wave Rock. I walked around the base.

And then I climbed up to the top. Interesting, but very remote, 15kms off the highway.

An afternoon drive via the coast brought us to the town of Ceduna. I assume the beaches get busier in summer. All rather sleepy now. This is Perlubie Beach. The only shade as there are no trees.

We got the last available site in a caravan park on the foreshore of Ceduna. I went for a walk on the town jetty and along the beach which was rather underwhelming, a bit grotty. But the caravan park was nice, clean and I had electricity and the shower was lovely. 

Day 5. Still in SA. A few light showers. First stop was in the tiny town of Penong to see the windmill museum. Sometimes blokes do come up with a good idea over a few drinks which is how this started. 

This one is a giant. 35 feet in diameter 

This one is weird.

More driving through wide open country, still in SA. We finally arrived at The Nullarbor to commence a 'bucket list' adventure. The name comes from the Latin for 'no trees' which is pretty accurate, most of the time.

Then I had a very special afternoon. More about that in the next blog.