Betty & Katerina
 Perth to Darwin, that's how far we've bin! We`re back! Sorry it has been a while folks, not a lot of time for keeping up the blog whilst you`re in the outback. If we can remember that far back we will delight in telling you a little about our road trip between Perth and Darwin. So it was back on Saturday the 9th of September that we set off on our big trip North, a few sore headed bears on board after a $10 (4 quid) all the beer you can drink night out. We had to wait until the afternoon to depart (no bad thing) for our travelling companions to finish working. Another bonus was that Katie was leaving her job in a bakery complete with a mushroom pizza the size of the backseat and a tub of ice cream to match. Let us not forget to introduce her partner in crime Lynsey (the other cool irish chick who secured us our rather posh vehicle) and the only male in the crew Scottish erection specialist Leo (that`s tents we`re referring to you rude minded individuals). Our first overnight stop was at the town of Cervantes, a mere 300km up the road from Perth. After dodging a roo at sunset we reached our campsite in the dark and left Leo to put up the tents. It was when preparing our first eveing meal and having to trail back and forth from the car to the campers kitchen about half a dozen times that we realised what pro campers we were. Still we all enjoyed our gourmet beans on toast, "Leo did you not bring the milk for the tea?" Next morning we were up early to strike camp and head out to visit the pinnacles (crazy pillar like rock formations of differing sizes in the middle of some sand dunes). Enjoyed a spot of off roading here with Kaz even attempting to drive over a few pinnacles, ooops apparently that isn`t part of the deal on a `vehicle relocation`. With a lot of of distance to cover it wasn`t long before we were on our way once more passing through the town of Geraldton for a drive-thru maccas to keep the kids in the back quiet. Kaz and I thought it only right to introduce them to our policy of `sampling the local culture`. En route to Kalbarri (destination for our second night) we passed some beautiful lakes that turn pink in the afternoon light and stopped off at a couple of coastal gorges. As fairly often became the pattern we arrived late afternoon, had a quick look around the town (more time than generally needed anyway) and found a campsite for the night. With a mammoth day ahead of us (the longest of the entire trip) we rose early and headed for Monkey Mia. As with most places along the way, it was conveniently located off the main highway, in this case a 300km loop. We arrived around half 11 keen to catch a glimpse of the famous wild dolphins that come here daily and swim right up to the shore. Imagine our joy when we discovered that we had just missed the final feed of the day by a matter of minutes. After all we had just driven all that way and managed to talk the lady into selling us a family pass. Some how the pelicans just weren`t adequate compensation. Just as we were about to lose hope an eagle eyed Katie cried out "there`s a dolphin" and the rest as they say is history. We were definitely all pleased that our finned friends had come to say hello and enjoyed chasing up and down the beach jaws gaping as around a dozen of them played in the waves. As you can imagine the next 700km of empty highway leading to Coral Bay passed in a flash with just the two of us splitting the driving. At least we had the view of three snorers in the rearview to keep us going, mind you they had to put up with our `caraoke` escapades as we took our isolation in the desert as positive encouragement for those Kylie impressions. We must say guys though that the constant stream of crisps and sweets when you were actually awake were most welcome. Time for Liz now to demonstrate her driving prowess as she managed to get pulled over by the only police car we saw in almost 10 days of constant driving. Luckily being a pom seemed like too much trouble and proved for once a bonus as we were let off with a warning about some fictitious goats up ahead. A welcome leisurely start to the day in Coral Bay as we decided to have a morning on the beach before driving a little further up the road in the afternoon. Coral Bay is home to the famous Ningaloo Reef so although it wasn`t the warmest of weather we took the chance to rent some snorkelling gear and check it out. Spotted a turtle and a few fish but after about ten minutes the relative warmth of the shore beckoned us back to dry land. A mention should also go out here to the mad middle aged English couple we met at our campsite who had cycled from Sydney to Coral Bay (on the west coast) by a small place called the Outback. In the afternoon we drove another five hours on to the mining town of Karratha, spotted an emu running out in the bush. It was dark once we arrived, probably the most flattering light for this place and also handy when you want to convince the campsite owner you have four not five people! Surprise surprise the next day we hit the road once again but at least we were in love with our Toyota Landcruiser which allowed us to make the journey in comfort. As the kids in the back snoozed the day away we entertained ourselves up front with games like `invent a different wave for every passing vehicle` and `try to get the road trains to honk their big horns`. 850 km of striaght, empty road and barren landscape can leave the mind a little short of action. We were lucky enough to catch a bit more wildlife (a big factor in our growing passion for this country) this time with sightings of lizards of all shapes and sizes including our favourite the `thorny devil` - google it they`re awesome! Feeling worthy of a celebration after reaching the town of Broome and our half way point, we treated ourselves to a night in a cabin. This is a static caravan on a campsite equipped with kitchen and lounge area and even a T.V.! Next morning our plan of camping at the same campsite had to be reworked as we were evicted! Apparently thay don`t take to kindly to a little white lie about the number of people in your group, well five is such an awkward number we thought we were doing them a favour. So we paid the $10 `fine` and as luck would have it actually found a superior campsite at a cheaper price with a swimming pool down the road. Once Leo had put up the tents for a second time that morning we took a drive out to the beautiful Cable Beach (voted the best beach in Western Australia), had a little walk and bid g`day to all the jellyfish washed up on the sand. Spent the afternoon off the highway chilling by the pool and thoroughly enjoyed our only stop of more than a single night in one place. We also met the lovely Matt from Canada who put us in touch with the girls in the first place when we were trying to find a way to get North. Just so you don`t think we are all members of the criminal camping underworld we should tell you a little about his travelling companions. They spent the entire trip sneaking into shower blocks or arriving at campsites once their offices were shut and then sneaking out again the next morning before they opened without paying a cent. He also let us into a little secret regarding cotton buds and laundry machine coin slots (a small fee deposited into our bank accounts for an email containing further information regarding that one). Ooooh a spooky day next as we decided to see what all the fuss was about a place called `Wolfe Creek`, needless to say we haven`t seen the film which is why we agreed to go there. En route we saw a few bush fires and yet more of these crazed individuals who feel the need to cycle across Australia. 10km away from our planned destination for the night of `Hall`s Creek` we turned off the highway towards Wolfe Creek. A mere 4 hour detour on a dirt road (sorry again Trailmaster Camper Van rentals) to the world`s second largest meteorite crater, another factor in this place`s fame aside from being the location for a horror movie. As darkness approached and we made the return trip passing several burnt out vehicle shells, we felt it only right to tease our fellow passengers smug in the knowledge that if we`d seen the film, we`d be just as scared. We also had to keep our eyes peeled for those little kangaroos who like to come out and play in car headlights at this time of day. There isn`t really anything worth mentioning about Hall`s Creek so we won`t bother! Next morning we were up early too excited to sleep knowing that all that road lay out there undiscovered. Feeling a little guilty about our off roading exploits we chose to give the `Bungle Bungles` a miss as they lay down another 4x4 only track. Liz being an ardent rainbow fan was particularly upset. Day number 8 was spent in the town of Kununurra. With most of the journey now behind us we enjoyed the chance to stop off at a national park to picnic and visit the viewpoint amusing named `Kelly`s Knob`. How could we almost forget to mention the amusing place names which also kept us concentrating on the journey (Minga Creek, Willy Creek, Crab Creek etc...). Excited at the imminent end to our trip we thought it only right to chuck our first shrimp on the barbie! Well actually as the drivers we got the other three to cook us dinner and pretty darn good it was too. They also enjoyed sampling kangaroo steaks. This campsite also had a nice pool where we chatted to a few `grey nomads` as they`re known and hatched a plan to do this all again once we retire. Well we couldn`t bypass the opportunity to visit a town called `Katherine` so that is where we decided to head for our final night. Today we also crossed over into the Northern Territory and put our clocks forward by 90 minutes. The five hours flew by as we sang to entertain ourselves and enjoyed a roadside picnic. At last, after 9 days on the road, and much effort, we finally got our first honk from a road train and boy did that feel good!! Of course we had to have the obligatory photo shoot in Katherine with Kaz posing at various signs etc.. Found ourselves a cute little campsite which even conveniently had its own hot springs out the back as well as a swimming pool. These Aussies really know how to enjoy the outdoors with BBQ spots at every picnic area and fantastic campsite facilities. Lynsey had by now appointed herself as group chef and we certainly weren`t complaining as she knocked up some tasty pasta for everyone. The final leg to Darwin was only about 300km so we enjoyed a bit of a lie-in. Being the mature individuals that we are, our first priority on reaching Darwin was to visit `Fannie Bay` that was Leo`s idea by the way. As we still had a few hours to enjoy our motor we toured the city by car and went to woolies in order to purchase the ingredients for our celebratory fajita party in honour of reaching our destination safely and without and mishaps. Step up Leo who with half an hour remaining before the car was to be returned and only 5 minutes drive from the depot, decided it would be a good idea to lock the keys in the car boot. Ooops! Following the advice of the rental company we had to call a locksmith and enjoy an hour sat in a parking bay - Welcome to Darwin! It all got sorted in the end and we checked into a hostel looking forward to a few days in Darwin and in a proper bed after 5409km on the road in 10 days.
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Diary Photos
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Heebeegeebees @ Wolfe Creek arghhhh.... |
 Group shot with 'the beast' |
 Tina Turner and Rod Stewart emerge from the canvas. |
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