So finally we
reached Darwin, Australia!
In the wee hours of the morning we're picked up from the airport and
taken to our campsite for a short, but much needed snooze.
Then we head out to the first taste of the Australian wilderness,
Kakadu. Aboriginal art aplenty, along with billabongs, insects and the ever
looming threat of crocodiles we camp for our first night.
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| aboriginal artist ayers rock |
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| huntsman!!! |
Next on the itinerary is Katherine, a beautiful gorge with a swimming
pool for the less adventurous amongst us, to cool down from the mighty heat of
the day.
Further south we travel, on endless, straight roads that seem to
disappear to the horizon. A visit to the famous Daly Waters pub, and another
refreshing dip in the thermal pools of Mataranka are both welcome in the
searing heat and humidity.
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| outback camping |
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| outback campfire |
Slowly but surely we head ever southwards until we eventually reach
Alice Springs and ultimately the world famous and widely acknowledged spiritual
centre of this red land, Ayers Rock or Uluru as it's otherwise known. A
stunning sun rise, in true Rolf Harris style, followed by a hike around the
base of the monolith, then a trip out to The Olgas to marvel at their natural,
sentinel like presence in the middle of the red desert.
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| alice springs sign |
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daly waters pub
|
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| devils marbles |
Next was Coober Pedy, the opal mining capital of the world, and an
amazing bush camp amongst the bull dust and harsh environment. Fully fed and
watered we carry on still further south, taking in the open space and feeling
of freedom only a country of this magnitude can offer.
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| stuck trailer at coober pedy |
Port Augusta sees us heading East along the Barrier Highway, on to
Broken Hill and Dubbo, through the wine region for a spot of tasting and then
to Bathurst for a quick lap around the Panorama Raceway. No lap records set
that day, but a great experience nonetheless.
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| bathurst trailer lap |
Our last camp was at Lake Lyell where we prepared ourselves for the
emotional end of our epic trip across 23 countries. The Blue Mountains were our
final stop before heading into the suburbs of Sydney, over the ANZAC bridge and
finally to The Sydney Opera House, where our 28 week Odyssey ended.
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camp near sydney
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Tears of joy, celebrations, farewells and photo opportunities saw the
end of our adventure, as we all went our separate ways, some going home and
some continuing their travels to other parts of this huge and diverse country.
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| the end! sydney |
Good on ya mate!!!
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