On the Way Home across the Nullarbor

Hannah and Louise with the camels at Norseman

At the start of the Longest Straight

Kids decided they wanted to have a go at packing up the trailer

Kids realised it was too hard so Strick and I had to step in to help pack it up

Telegraph Station at Eucla

Telegraph Station at Eucla

Telegraph Station at Eucla

Kids playing in the sand dunes at Telegraph Station at Eucla

Kids playing in the sand dunes at Telegraph Station at Eucla

The road coming into Eucla

Hannah with the Big Whale at Eucla (Another BIG AUSSIE ICON)

Having a play while also having breakfast at Eucla

Distance sign at Eucla

On the WA/SA Border

BIG KANGAROO at Border Village along the Nullarbor (Another BIG AUSSIE ICON)

BIG WHALE at the Nullarbor Roadhouse (Another BIG AUSSIE ICON)

Animal caution sign at Nullarbor Roadhouse

Here is the animal warning sign on the actual road

Part of the Nullarbor

BIG OYSTER at Ceduna (Another BIG AUSSIE ICON)

BIG GALAH at Kimba (Another BIG AUSSIE ICON)

Sign at Kimba telling us we are half way across Australia

Our last border crossing, back into our home state of Victoria

Border of Victoria (we thought this was a nicer sign than the one marking the border)

GIANT KOALA at Dadswell Bridge (Another BIG AUSSIE ICON)

All pooped after our HUGE TRIP!

Well our final Blog for our 2014 trip around NT and WA. We can't believe that the 3 months is almost over as we head for home across the Nullarbor from Kalgoorlie (3,044km to home).
After saying Goodbye at Kalgoorlie to Sarah, Aaron, Nathan and Matthew we headed off. Our first stop was Norseman to see the camels which are actually listed on one of the many different lists for the BIG AUSSIE ICONS, so Louise and Hannah had their photos taken, we fuelled up and the plan was to see where we got. We have travelled the Nullarbor a couple of times before so the plan was to see what the weather was like and see how the kids were travelling as to whether or not we stopped at many of the things to see along the way. This was though the first time we have travelled the Nullarbor with rain. The first day their wasn't alot to see and as it was starting to get dark we set up camp at Moondini Bluff (we travelled 756km this day) (a free camp along the Nullarbor). The next morning the plan was to be an early start as we probably didn't get as far as what we would have liked. The kids decided it was finally their turn to try and pack up the camper trailer. So Strick and I stood back and watched, encouraged and had a laugh at them attempting it. We eventually had to step in and help them as it is rather heavy, trying to fold it up. If not folded properly it can be a challenge to put the cover on properly and with the rain we were expecting it needed to be done properly.
We got on the road by about 7am with the first stop being Eucla where we would give the kids some breakfast and give them a good run around before sitting in the car for another BIG day. While at Eucla we took the kids down to the Telegraph Station which is in the sand dunes. The wind didn't allow us to spend too much time down there or to visit the old Jetty. The kids had a play around the station and climbing in and out of the different rooms. We ventured up to the town (caravan park and motel) to have breakfast and see the BIG WHALE (another BIG AUSSIE ICON). There was also a park which kept the kids amused and allowed them to use up some energy.
This day we also crossed the border from WA to SA where we also lost 1.5 hours, which can make a huge difference when you are trying to travel as far as you can before dark. There was also the BIG KANGAROO at the Border Village. We had a different BIG WHALE at the Nullarbor Roadhouse. Due to the weather we really didn't stop this trip along the Bite, but this is something we have done before and it is spectacular. We managed to get to Kimba (950km) where we set up camp in the free camp right next door to a train line. This wasn't too bad as the idea was to be up early and on the road again just after sunrise and there was only the one train which was as we were about to head off. The thing that kept us up all night was the Road Trains that came into the corner we were at so had to go down their gears, they went across the train tracks and then went up their gears as they came out of the corner. These were alot more frequent (about every 10 minutes) and were rather loud, so we had noted to ourselves that we would not stay here again. Before heading out of town the next morning the kids had photos taken with the BIG GALAH (another BIG AUSSIE ICON). We stopped at Port Augusta for breakfast and again the kids had a run around before being in the car again for another long day. Today we were again seeing where we got to and how we were feeling along the way as to where we would set up camp.
We crossed our final border back into Victoria (and lost another half hour) and eventually stopped at the BIG KOALA at Dadswell Bridge. We stopped at Horsham for fuel, toilet and stretch the legs. We decided we were travelling ok and would reassess once we got to Ballarat. (we were still travelling on WA time which was now 2 hours behind). We got to Ballarat and were only 257km from home so decided to push on. So in total we travelled 1334km today. So it was a big day but the kids did a fantastic job and it was nice to eventually get into our own beds at home.

So after finally arriving home we had been away for 89 nights and 90 days. We had travelled a total of 20,438km, across 4 states and territories of Australia.
We had set up and packed up our camper 32 times (plus another 2 to get out sleeping gear and put it back when staying at Geraldton and Kalgoorlie where we slept inside).
Our average fuel usage was 11.67 litres per 100km, with us using 2,385.24 litres of fuel. The most expensive fuel was at Kalumburu where we paid 247.0 a litre and our cheapest fuel was at Adelaide on our return where we paid 151.9 a litre.
We spent $4018.70 on accommodation with the average cost being $45.15 a night. Our accommodation was a mixture of caravan parks (42 nights), national parks (19 nights), free camps (7 nights), station stay (1 night), Private property in a NP for a night, 2 stays (13 nights) with family at Geraldton and Kalgoorlie (and one with mum to begin the trip) and we had 3 nights in motels or cabins. Our most expensive was Coober Pedy in the underground motel at $305 for the night and obviously our cheapest being the free camps, otherwise it was Devils Marble a National Park where we paid $11.70 for the night.
Jacob had taken an interest again this trip in the Road Trains and kept a tally from Port Augusta to Port Augusta. He only counted the ones that were on the road while we were on the road (so if we were parked or the road train was parked it wasn't counted). There was a total of 470 road trains, with SA having 69, NT having 127 and WA having 290.

On our trip home we asked the kids a few questions about what they enjoyed the most and where would they go back to. They kept adding to their list as they enjoyed alot more, so these are the standouts for them at that moment.
Jacob: Hovercraft ride in Broome, snorkelling at Ningaloo and riding around Rottnest Island.
Louise: Feeding the Dolphin at Monkey Mia, snorkelling at Ningaloo, going to school at Kalumburu and Rottnest Island.
Hannah: Seeing the BIG AUSSIE ICONS, Rottnest Island, snorkelling at Ningaloo, eating seafood along the way and riding the camels at Broome.
They all said they would like to go back to Ningaloo or anywhere they could swim.
There favourite camps were Cape Range (Ningaloo) and the girls was Geraldton with cousins while Jacob also really liked and would go back to Whalesong on Cape Levique.
Strick: Kakadu (especially Gunlom), Litchfield (Walker Creek) and Ningaloo.
Kylie: Ningaloo and Cape Levique. The time in Kalumburu and visiting the school is something that I will not forget due to the positive experience I had. I would like to visit Mitchell Falls as this was my only disappointment for the holiday not getting in here due to the shock absorber blowing on the way in.
They have all learnt alot, seen alot and experienced some amazing scenery and wildlife. It was a great experience and one that both Strick and I enjoyed taking the kids on and watching their reactions to various experiences. It is hard to pinpoint one favourite place or experience as they were all different in their own way. Although we had a few hiccups along the way, they were all part of the experience. We have met some fantastic people along the way, which is something that can make a difference with your journey. We have enjoyed watching the kids grow not only physically but also in their maturity and knowledge. We are now home and looking forward to sharing some of our stories. It will be hard to choose photos as there are so many that are a reminder to the different adventures and experiences we have had. Looking at them there is a story behind each one.

Kalgoorlie 17th to 23rd September

Having a milkshake in Kalgoorlie

Winning their tug-o-war at the Coolgardie Day

Exploring one of the big  tip trucks in the street on Coolgardie Day

Nathan, Hannah, Louise, Jacob and Matthew at Ora Banda

Louise hanging around at the park

Hannah playing at the park

Strick having a beer at Ora Banda

Kalgoorlie was all about catching up with my sister Sarah and her partner Aaron and their two boys Nathan and Matthew. This isn't the first time visiting Kalgoorlie so we had really done alot of the tourist attractions previously. This trip was spent looking after Matthew and taking Nathan to school while both Sarah and Aaron worked on the Thursday and Friday. We did take Matthew to Hannan Park and for milkshakes, while the kids caught up on blogs and diaries. Oh and Strick got to know another Chiropractor visiting them Thursday, Friday and Monday.
Saturday was the Kalgoorlie cup, so the town was rather busy. Sarah had organised a bbq with some of their friends and Aaron's family for the Saturday night so this was rather relaxing.
The Sunday was the anniversary of Dad's passing so Sarah, Matthew, Louise and myself went to church and then we all ventured out to Coolgardie for a celebration of Coolgardie Day. There were bands, rides, showbags and some stalls that lined the street of Coolgardie. The main street was blocked off and there were people everywhere. The kids enjoyed themselves all getting a showbag and having a go at a side show game.
Monday saw a trip to Ora Banda which is an old country tavern about 70km from Kalgoorlie. Strick was first introduced to this back in 2007 when we visited with one of his best mates (and one of our groomsman) and went on a pub crawl for the day. Punt (who was Strick's mate) past away the following year and it is somewhere Strick always likes to visit when we come to Kalgoorlie and have a beer for Punt. They do also serve up nice burgers. On our way back into Kalgoorlie we also visited another country pub (The Broad Arrow) where the boys had another drink. Unfortunately both these places have a great outdoor area that you can sit in and today we were unable to enjoy these surrounds as it was RAINING and had turned rather cold with the Broad Arrow even having their fire lit.
Once we returned to Kalgoorlie the rest of the afternoon/night was spent with me cooking some cakes for us to take with us (and some for Sarah's freezer) and the kids having some time outside the car. The next day we were making the Pilgrimage home across the Nullabor. Something that again we have done before and although it can be tedious at times it does have some nice scenery and one that seems to change frequently. Unfortunately it is hard to believe that we are now on the way home and have been away for almost 13 weeks and this blog is coming to a close with only a few more entries to go.

Hyden and Wave Rock 16th September

Inside the BIG ORANGE

The BIG ORANGE

Hannah with the BIG COW (that really isn't that big)

One of the many cow sculptures in Brunswick Junction

One of the many cow sculptures in Brunswick Junction

Hannah milking the cow sculpture in Brunswick Junction

Hannah with the BIG RAM in Wagin

Strick and kids on Wave Rock

Hannah and Louise surfing Wave Rock

Riding the waves on a boogie board they found

Jacob, Louise and Hannah surfing the wave

The view from the top of Wave Rock

Inside the Hippo's Yawn

The trip to Kalgoorlie was going to be via a little town called Hyden where there is a wave rock. To get there we left Fremantle planning to travel the tourist road (which was really the Freeway) south towards Harvey, Brunswick Junction and then across to Wagin. We had chosen this direction due to Hannah and her infatuation with the BIG AUSSIE ICONS. Harvey had the BIG ORANGE, Brunswick Junction had the BIG COW (that wasn't really BIG) and Wagin had the BIG RAM. So after visiting all these and probably adding on extra Km's and time to our trip we ended up staying at Hyden in a cabin due to Strick's back and his inability to be able to get up up onto and down from our bed without being in pain. Many of the other towns had little in the way of accommodation and we decided it was easier to make our way to Hyden.
It also meant Wednesday had fewer Km's to travel to get to Kalgoorlie. Before leaving Hyden we visited Wave Rock and the Hippo's yawn. Yes it meant more walking but was worth it in the end. The kids had a surf and we climbed to the top of the rock. It is fascinating how over time due to weather the rock had formed like a big wave.
A milkshake in Hyden and a quick look around along with fuelling with diesel it was time to make the trek to Kalgoorlie. The wildflowers along the side of the road were rather pretty and the gravel road was in good nick so the trip was pleasant.

Perth 11th to 16th September

Entry to Kings Park

Tree Hider in the Rio Tinto kids area

Rope walking and climbing in the Rio Tinto interactive section

More Rope walking

City Views from Kings Park

On the tree top walk in Kings Park

At Kings Park

Women's memorial lake and fountain (acknowledges all the leadership and women's achievement in WA)

Hannah with some of her favorite flowers

City Views from Kings Park

Sitting with some Wildflowers in Kings Park

Wild flowers

Wildflowers

City Views from Kings Park

War Memorial in Kings Park

The BIG DNA Tower

Hannah and Strick at the top of the DNA tower

Views from the top of the DNA tower

Top of the DNA tower

Boab trees in Kings Park

Ringing the Bells at the Bell Tower

With their Bell Ringing Certificates

The bells that they were ringing

The Bell Tower

At the entrance to Fremantle Prison

Inside Fremantle Prison

Stirring up some stew in the Kitchen within the Prison

Sitting in the Anglican chapel in the Prison

View from the watch house tower

Inside one of the Divisions within the Prison

On the Ferry ready to go to Rottnest Island

One of the Lighthouses on Rottnest Island (We rode to this one)

Jacob and a Quokka

Hannah and Quokka's

Louise and a Quokka

Strick and the Kids all riding on Rottnest Island

Hannah and Louise at the Lighthouse

Beach on Rottnest Island

Beach on Rottnest Island

View while riding around Rottnest Island

Kids having a swim in the Basin on Rottnest Island

Swimming at the Basin on Rottnest Island

With their bikes on Rottnest Island

Jacob and Strick made their way to Strickland Bay

Strickland Bay

We made our way into Fremantle via the coastal drive (so the back streets). We eventually arrived and set up camp with us then going for a drive to find the Visitor Centre and to see what was around so that we can complete a plan of attack for while we are in Fremantle/Perth.
Our first full day was spent going to Kings Park and finding the famous DNA tower that Hannah had been talking about since before our trip as it was on the BIG AUSSIE ICONS list. We found a car park and ventured again to the Visitor Centre in Kings Park to get a map. Kings Park is a rather large park with various components to it. Our first stop within the park was the Rio Tinto Interactive Education section. We found a tunnel, some tree toppers, Hut building, Rope walking and a small walk that had information about different flora and fauna you find in different parts of Australia. The kids enjoyed this component of the park and had some fun to begin our time in Kings Park.
After finishing the time in the Education section we went to the Botanical Gardens section to find boabs (one that had been transported from Northern WA), various flora from different parts of WA including the Pilbara, Kimberly's, South West and many others. We also walked along a tree top walk (thankfully it was a little more stable than the one at Walpole). There was a Women's garden that also acknowledged the achievements of women in various organisations in Western Australia. We saw some pretty spectacular wild flowers with Hannah finding a favorite flower in the Kangaroo Paw thinking it was pretty and has asked that we put some in our garden at home.
The BIG DNA tower was our next stop. We had one very excited girl who is now able to tick off another BIG AUSSIE ICON from her list. The kids had fun counting the number of steps to the top of the tower and seeing the views from the top.
The war memorial was the next stop to view the city and to point out different aspects of the city to the kids. It was time to find some lunch and head to the Bell Tower to have a look.
We took the kids for a walk around the city, had lunch and visited the Information Centre where we booked our trip to Rottnest for Monday. It definitely is a different city to Melbourne and the other cities that we have visited with the kids. They enjoyed having a look around. The Bell Tower was almost closed and we had missed a chance that day to have a go at ringing the bells, so we decided we would come back to this another day.
We had walked some distances this day and the kids slept very well. Our next day we decided to try out the free CAT buses around Fremantle after visiting the Bell Tower again. The Bell Tower is the only place there are Bell Ringers in Australia. They are Bells that have come from England and there are opportunities to ring them. We watched and listened to the bells and the team of people who rang the bells for 45 minutes straight. It was something that Louise was fascinated with and really enjoyed. We all go a chance to ring the bells and have a look around the bell tower. There is also a viewing platform and a platform where you can view the bells being rung and see them ringing. Some of bells were around 250kg with the largest bell being over 800kg.
After lunch back at camp we walked to meet the CAT bus where it took us into the centre of Fremantle. We walked up to the Fremantle Prison. There were two different tours that we could choose from with our kids wanting to do both, so it was decided we would do one today and the other the next day. We completed the Doing Time Tour where we were shown around the Prison with the admittance room, some different divisions, we saw the kitchen, some of the different yards, the cells, the Anglican Chapel, the flogging yard and the place where prisoners were hung. We were shown how they communicated with the outside world, the different jobs that they could do while doing their time. Fremantle Prison has World Heritage Status and was used both for convicts and Prisoners with it only being closed in 1991. The second tour that we completed the next day was Great Escapes where we learnt about some of the different escapes that had happened at the Prison both with Convicts and Prisoners. On this tour we visited the Women's Prison, the Watch house, the Catholic Chapel, some more of the cells, the cinema and entertainment hall. The kids really took in the different stories we were told and once again on both tours we had fantastic tour guides who made the whole experience a positive one. Both tours were about 1.5 hours and full of interesting facts and information. We really do believe that the tour guide can influence a tour and this was something that we had been lucky with on all our tours so far on our holiday.
After completing the first tour we then went and walked through the market to catch the bus back to camp. Sunday we drove the car to a free car park only minutes from the caravan park, where we then caught the CAT bus back into the centre of Fremantle. We completed the second tour at the Prison before coming back and walking down to the Wharf where we gave the kids fish and chips for lunch (Unfortunately this was the worst meal of our holiday). We walked back to the market after dropping Strick off at a pub (where he then slowly moved around sampling a couple of different pubs in the Fremantle area). The kids and I walked around the market with the girls buying some anklets and they found some pretty fancy cupcakes that they wanted to try. We also had a wonder around some of the streets of Fremantle and had a good look around. We eventually made our way back to the car and camp. The free buses run around Fremantle (and Perth) until 6.30pm each night and run every 10 or 15 minutes. It was a great service and one that Melbourne would learn from.
Monday was a trip to Rottnest Island to visit the Quokka's and to go for a bike ride. This was something that I had been unsure about with Strick's back and not with whether he could do it but more how would he pull up after completing the ride (unfortunately I was correct with Strick pulling up rather sore and stiff after riding around the Island).
We caught a Ferry across to Island and got our bikes and started to ride around the Island. It didn't take us too long before we saw some Quokka's but more importantly some spectacular views. The kids did well with Strick and Jacob riding close to 25km and the girls and I riding 15km. After we had lunch on a beach, Jacob and Strick went further to see Strickland Bay, while Hannah, Louise and I ventured to the lighthouse and we met further down the line. There were some hills to climb, but then as Hannah soon realised it then meant that you had something to roll down. Once we got back to the main village on Rottnest we then rode our bikes to the Basin where the kids had a swim before heading back to have an ice cream and a drink. After all riding around the Island we all had very sore bottoms and were exhausted and ready for bed. This resulted in some quick take away so that we could get to bed sooner.
This was our last day in Freo/Perth. We have had a very full and adventurous time while in Freo/Perth with there still being things that we could have done. It was time to move on and head towards Kalgoorlie via Hyden and some more BIG AUSSIE ICONS. It was also time for Strick to pay visit to another Chiropractor with the ride around Rottnest not helping his back at all!!