4WD 4life

Sydney to Perth and back

After competing in Perth at Last year's surf lifesaving championships, a couple of the boys said 'we should drive over next year'.  Most of those present laughed and remined us it was over 8000kms return trip.  But it did sound like an adventure, so we did it!  Three of us packed up the 4wd, put a couple of racing skis on the roof and headed off.  We took eight days to drive over, stopping to paddle on the Murray at Mildura, at Port Pirie and at Elliston is South Australia, then Cape Le Grand National Park and Bremer Bay in WA.  We also managed to stop in at Fowlers Bay in SA.  Teh highlight was definitely Cape Le Grand National Park...spectacular.  After competing at Scarborough we pack up the 4Wd and headed East.  1st stop Kalgoorlie and a look at 'The Pit".  Next stop Eucla, where we drove down to teh bight, checked out the buried telegraph station and had a swim in The Bight.  The Telegraph station is teh original town, but was consumed by sand dunes.  From their we drove over to the surfers haven of Cactus in SA.  The drive into Cactus is an event on its own; passing between two salt lakes amonst the dunes before emerging to perfect surf waves.  From Cactus we headed around to teh beautiful Streaky Bay for a dusk paddle with the dolphins; thoroughly recommneded, although the locals did tell us that White Pointers also frequent where we paddled.  Next stop Broken Hill, where we took in the sunset from the top of the hill.  Next day saw me paddling solo on the lakes at Menindee; a long paddle in harsh, winy conditions, but given how rare water is in the lake it was a special expereince.  After that it was due east for home through lots of bull dust.  Was it a worthwhile trip...absolutely!!