Busselton to Apollo Bay
Busselton to Apollo Bay
Our last night in Busselton, Geoff and Ann arrived, a great surprise, so that evening was spent sampling some fine ales, some finer wines, good food and great conversation. Saturday morning we had breakfast with them and then said our good byes, really great catching up with them.
From Busselton we drove to Walpole, unfortunately the weather was against us, heavy rain and a bit of wind made conditions uncomfortable, so unfortunately we missed seeing some of the bigger trees of the south west.
We arrived at Walpole, coalmine beach caravan park, managed by Brian and Erica, he is ex army and we had a lot in common, good fun. Sunday saw us amongst the Tingle trees, huge, ginormas, humongerous, big even, it was great to see that they still existed. The conservation of these remarkable forests is a sight we should all see, they had even built a walk way high off the ground for us to marvel at these giants. Walpole is a lovely little town where one could spend some time, there is plenty of fishing spots and lots to see.
A hundred and seventeen kl’s east of Walpole is Albany, which was our next stop, Albany once being a major whaling station and was also the point at which our soldiers embarked for the wars overseas, a huge bay and plenty of memorabilia detailing these facts. The temperature in Albany was very brisk, and our caravan park was right on the beach, all was very nice.
Now I know a lot of you who read these stories think that we are traveling too fast, yes we are, but, we have had to draw a line somewhere, and we reckon, what we miss this time we will pick up next time, yes we are going to do it again.
Tuesday, I made my first big mistake. We had to fill up, and unfortunately diesels don’t like running on unleaded. When I had realized my indiscretion, I was so cranky, words escaped me, anyway, we rang the NRMA and they organized everything, the tow truck was there in about 20 minutes picked up the car, and took us to a garage, the whole lot was fixed up in about 4 hours, plus a few dollars. I’m now very cautious when I fill up, I read the sign about 30 times, look at the nozzle about 50 times and then do it all over again before pulling the trigger, what a bummer.
Anyway, this made it a bit hard to be at our next stop, so we pulled up at Jerramungup, an old Soldiers Settlement township, nice clean park. We met up with Julie and Gordon, a couple from Philip Island, we now text them and they us to what is going on.
From Jerramungup to Esperance, passing through Ravensthorpe, that place where there is a Zinc mine for sale!!, going cheap I understand. Lots of malley scrub, big farms, and wide open spaces.
Esperance has grown from the days I was there ( about 1974) and for some unknown reason I have always loved this place.
Our Park overlooked the bay, islands and shipping, looked great. We drove out to the wind farm and took heaps of photos of the coast line, white sands, blue ocean . Cape LeGrande National Park is the best kept secret of all. Beautiful beaches, camp sites that are clean, great walks, just lovely, next time we are going to stay there for a few weeks. Mathew Flinders did so can we.
Now for the crossing, we left Esperance 26th June for Balladonia, now if I had known that a certain couple was going to be there I might have driven on, what a crazy couple, Neil and Learne, boy can he drink, so can she. A camp fire, good wine, terrific banter, and good food, was fun.
Balladonia is the start of the Longest Straightest stretch of road in Australia, ( 146.6 kl) lashed the steering wheel and was in cruise control. We drove to Eucla , ( Neil and Learne) was waiting for us, tea was cooked and wine was dispensed, again.
The next day on to Ceduna, stopping just past the Nullarbor Roadhouse to Head of the Bight, and to see the whales, must have been at least 15 of them, most had calf’s in tow, what a sight, just wallowing around at the base of the viewing platform, as though they were waiting for crill to be tossed into the water, or were just showing off. We stayed in Ceduna for 2 nights,, on the second night, the wind blew up a gale, should have realized this, that evening I tried my hand at fishing, and could see all the top soil tainting the skyline. Anyway it was about 4 am that we started to feel the blow, luckily the awning was down and secured.
30th June saw us in Port Augusta, we had to bypass going to Streaky Bay, Coffin Bay, Port Lincoln, the wind was causing havoc, blowing semi trailers over, trees down all over the place. Just outside of Kimba, we were driving along, the wind on our right rear, when the van started to lean over to the left , some what more than what I was used to seeing, I thought, based on the wind, that the van was being blown over, not to be, it was in fact another flat tyre. As it had been raining a bit, the sides of the road were soft, and I had to get over the other side of the road to get the jack under, not a nice scenario, anyway all fixed
We stayed in Port Augusta for three nights, the wind subsiding, thank goodness. Met a couple from Melbourne, traveling with another couple, who had come to grief with the dust storms. George and Lorraine had to sit it out at Port Augusta , so we shared a bottle of red or two, very enjoyable
From Port Augusta to Willumba and Bob and Carol two great hosts. Bob and I were in the Navy together, and they now own a few acres at Willumba and grow some fine grapes for McLarenvale Wines, some beautiful pears and hazelnuts, plus they are also great chefs. It was good to catch up and talk over old times. Thanks Carol and Bob
Next was Kingston, Mt Gambia, Warnambull and Apollo Bay. Mt Gambia is a secret worth following up, beautiful gardens, lovely township. We drove out to Port McDonnell, on the water, a great place to retire, even found Adam Lindsey Gordon’s cottage, Darren would understand this!.
Warnambull is the entrance to the Great Ocean Road. The caravan park left a lot to be desired, never again, anyway, we did the show at Flagstaff Hill, very well presented , and along the Ocean Road, what we had seen at Warenambull was reinforced. It beggars belief that so many ships, and lives were lost along this coast line, so sad, so unnecessary
We are now in Apollo Bay, we were here about 18 years ago, and the town ship has blossomed, the locals are trying to retain the ‘coastal retreat’ feeling, and doing a fine job of it too.
