Head of the Bight

Posted on by trekswalkabout

Star Date: 14/04/26.

Head of the Bight is a great place to see Southern Right Whales in the winter months from May to October. Outside that time the entry price is half price and is still a great place to visit.

Free camp area at the entry gate to the visitor centre.

A easy boardwalk leads you to the cliff edge with amazing views of the ocean and Bunda Cliffs.

Amazing views of the Bunda cliffs, our first glimpse.

A couple of small lizards heaving a fight.

The coloured one seemed to be loosing the battle.

Next was the sign for the Eastern End of the Treeless Plain. Nullarbor” is derived from the Latin words nullus (“nothing” or “no”) and arbor(“tree”), directly translating to “no trees” There was indeed no trees but small bushes. It is a really good road.

I was a little emotional at the sign, thinking of Chris and how much we both wanted to do this trip together.

The famous Nullarbor Roadhouse. We had lunch here and I bought a cute Emu with big eyes that will sit on my shelf at home reminding me of this trip. I’ve called in Nelly from the Nullarbor Roadhouse.

Photo of the original roadhouse.

Camels, Wombats, Kangaroos and dogs 😂 We have not actually seen any animals on the Nullarbor so far.

A few other signs at the Nullarbor Roadhouse.

Inside the roadhouse an amazing mural.

A sense of humour, love it.

Royal Flying Doctor Service R.F.D.S landing strip on the Eyre Highway.

The first scenic lookout of the Great Australian Bight showing the Bunda cliffs. Amazing, can see how the cliffs edges are falling away. A lot of the previous entry points to view the cliffs have been closed off deemed too dangerous.

We found a spot to camp for the night just off the road well hidden from sight.

Live Long and Prosper. 🖖🏿

To bodily go…

Posted on by trekswalkabout

Star Date: 13/4/26.

Time has come to finally cross the Nullarbor, as mentioned something we have tried to do many many times, that hasn’t happened for different reasons. With the current fuel situation it was once again up in the air but I felt it was now or never and something I had to do for both Chris and myself and a big step in my healing journey.

So the day has finally come, our idea is to take our time stopping as many things as we can. First stop was the Penong Windmill Museum. A great display of windmills of all shapes and sizes, including Australia’s largest windmill. We decided we would do Lake MacDonald – The Pink Lake on our way back.

Australia’s biggest windmill, called Bruce

Lots of windmills.

All shapes and sizes.

A brief detour to the Big Wombat.

Minions on the side of the road.

Bookabie School Ruins, the remains of a school that operated from 1892 until 1957.

We stopped for the first night at Kidnippy Rest Stop near Yalata. This was a big area, going a fair way from the Eyre Hwy. We were able to get a great spot along the back fence and had a really quiet night.

A few interesting signs along the way.

Live Long and Prosper. 🖖🏿

Granite Hill

Posted on by trekswalkabout

Star Date – 8/4/26

We left Peterborough and headed to Port Augusta for a few groceries and a stop at the local bakery.  Judy had taken us on a bit of a short cut that took us past wind farms and some picturesque scenery, road was narrow and bumpy.

It had rained the night before and was still a pretty gloomy day.

We stopped for the night at Iron Knob RV Park, a donation park, and $2 for hot showers. The best hot showers since I have left home.

Camping was on a gravel base which was great when the storm rolled in at 4.30am.

There was not a blade of grass around, plenty of spiky weeds and loads of flies.

The town of Iron Knob is situated at the foot of an iron ore mine on the North East of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia.

Iron Knob began as a housing settlement for miners somewhere between the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. It is often said to be the birthplace of Australia’s steel industry, and the mine is among the oldest still active in Australia.

Star Date – 9/4/26

We stopped for a break at Kimba and boy were we impressed. We weren’t staying the night but plan to spend a few days there on our way.

We pushed on at stopped at the Star Base Wudinna at the RV park. $10 unpowered, $20 powered. Drinking water, bins, table and chairs, toilets and one shower for $2.

Aboriginal meaning is Granite Hill (Woodina), has a population of approx 500 people and is the largest town in the council area.

Live Long and Prosper 🖖🏿

Peterborough

Posted on by trekswalkabout

Star Date, 6th day of the 5th month in the year 2026.

After my enjoyable stay at Nyngan I headed towards Broken Hill, stopping at base camp at Wilcannia. We have driven through it several times but due to not finding any suitable places off road to stop for the night I elected to stay safely at the Victory Caravan Park that is council run. There were 9 other travellers there as well as a large group of locals staying a few days. Families with lots of youth from town coming and going. We had no issues at all, a friendly bunch having a great time.

I’d was at Broken Hill in Oct 2024 with Chris, we stayed here for several day exploring the local attractions. You can look back over past Captain’s logs to read what we got up to.

I stayed at the Event Centre and Racecourse where we stayed last night. We had a grassed non powered section all to ourselves. It’s a few km’s out of the main town area but that makes it nice and quiet.

After a brief stop at the shops it was onward to Peterborough SA. My meeting place to meet up with Judy. I was arriving a day earlier to relax a bit after my long few days of travel.

There are strict restrictions of bringing in fruit and veg, check before you cross the border to avoid having to throw out any food. The quarantine station was at Oodla Wirra, friendly man who gave Jess’s carrot the thumbs up and we were on our way.

I was excited and a little emotional to reach Peterborough. I had driven 1865km’s on my own over 6 days. It was a big deal, I said to Chris I made it and knew he would be so proud.

I drove straight to the self contained RV park, setup camp and chilled for a few mins before lunch. It’s like a big oval, people camping mostly around the outside, a big green area in the middle, mostly weeds rather than grass. Nice and flat. There are bins but no other facilities which is why you must be self contained. In town is a dump point and potable water. There is also a dog park very close by.

We mostly chilled for the afternoon with a few short walks with Jess.

7th April, Jess and I did the walk into town. About a 1km to the dump point area and then a very long street. Peterborough is known for trains. Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre and visitor information centre was unfortunately closed, due to the Council’s current financial position. Sounds like they are working towards reopening sometime in 2026.

There are several old steam trains around town.

Y Class Steam locomotive, in the town square.

Town Carriage Museum, a 1916 first class sleeping car, which was used on the first train across the Nullarbor from Port Augusta to Kalgoorlie.

Bob the Railway Dog, located in front of the carriage museum. Bob was the engine drivers companion, died at 13 years of age in 1895. Jess makes friends where ever she goes.

Judy also arrived today, so no more travelling solo for a while.

Live Long and Prosper 🖖🏿

Nyngan, NSW

Posted on by trekswalkabout

I always go to say this name wrong. I can hear Chris correcting me when I think about how to say it. 😂

Nyngan was a pleasant surprise. A small country town with a lot of history, beautiful parks, free camping areas and one big, make that huge Bogan.

There are 3 free camping areas, one in town called the Flood Memorial Park, Nyngan Weir and the Nyngan Bowls Club. All 3 look great, the Weir seems to be a popular choice as it was obviously well used as it was very dusty with little to no grass, there were several campers there.

The one in town where I stayed is on bitumen, has shade, bins, table and chairs, dump point, potable water and well maintained toilets. It’s a very popular stop for people using the toilets. It’s in a very handy location to walk into the town area.

It was Good Friday when I was there so hardly anything was open and it was pretty quiet. It was also pretty hot so I did a drive around the area which allowed me to get further a field than if I had walked.

The Big Bogan is a site not to be missed with his fishing road and faithful friend Rusty. The Bogan Shire Council erected the structure in September 2015 as a tourist attraction, to promote Nyngan and the shire. The term Bogan originated from the Aussie larrikin and ocker. And where better to have a big Bogan than on the banks of the Bogan River. The Bogan represents the relaxed lifestyle on the river. So you have the Big Bogan on the Bogan River in the Bogan Shire.

In April 1990 the Bogan River flooded and completely inundated the town despite the efforts of the locals the leeve bank was breached. The flood broke all previous records. The town was cut off and under water, all services were cut. It was decided to airlift almost the entire population.

The Coach House in the same park as the Big Bogan.

In 1992 the Governor of NSW and the Nyngan Flood Recovery Coordinator, Rear Admiral Peter Sinclair presented a helicopter called Iroquois A2-1022 to the people of Nyngan on behalf of the Australian Government to commemorate the evacuation of Nyngan on the 24th October 1990.

The Iroquois A2-1022 had been used in the Vietnam War by the 9 squadron RAAF. The Iroquois remained in Nyngan for 19 years the town unaware of significance of the military history of the A2-1022 until in 2009 when a former member of the 9 squadron travelling through Nyngan spotted the aircraft.

Following talks between the Bogan Council and the Caloundra (QLD) RSL Sub Branch Recovery Team 2011, the A2-1022 was transported by road to Caloundra where it was restored and put on display outside the Caloundra RSP with a dedication ceremony in March 2012.

A Iroquois airframe was also restored to replace the A2-1022 in Nyngan which is on display in the main street.

I also came across a water tower beautifully painted, really outstanding. The people that paint these are incredible talented.

We drove down to the river where Jess insisted on a swim. Not that I blamed her it looked incredible inviting.

After a drive out to the weir it was decided we would stay back in town where it was less dusty.

There is also a Visitor Centre, Museum, Mid State Shearing Shed Museum, Nyngan Coach House, Golf Course, lovely parks with several public toilets around town. A main street that has plenty of shops and banks, but all closed.

I was impressed with Nyngan and it would nice to come back again when things are open.

A video of my time there.

Well done Nyngan, Live Long and Prosper 🖖🏿

State of Flux

Posted on by trekswalkabout

A “state of flux” describes a situation that is constantly changing, unstable, and uncertain. It signifies a transitional phase where the outcome is not yet determined or settled, sounds like the world at the moment. And also a title of an episode in Star Trek Voyager, so seemed a fitting title for this post.

On my trip, I need to be fluid, be able to change, adapt and be flexible. I’ve certainly felt like my plans were in a “state of flux”

My planned route had to remain flexible, it has changed several times due to different reasons including flooding.

I also factored in where more star-bases were to fuel up, keeping topped up along the way.

Houston we have a problem. Ready to head off and leave home port to find my Staria Trek would not start. It turned out to be the power cell and I had to get Battery World out for a replacement. Have to say they were excellent. The power cells in my particular star ship are rather unique in that, they are an AGM and the poles are the opposite to most star ships, according to the guy who came out they are the only star ship like that. That means they can charge a premium for the power cells. An extra cost I could have done without but also very thankful I was still at home base and they came out very quickly. Only 2 hrs delayed start.

First stop for the night was Goondiwindi show ground. It is rather dry and dusty.

Next stop was Hickey Falls, not far out of Coonabarabran. It was nice and green, gravel bitumen base carpark area that was relatively flat. A nice green grass area next to it. Shelter shed with tables and seats, several bins. A local council worker came and cleaned the tables and seats, saying they were cleaned 3 times a week.

The walk to the falls is less than a min walk from the carpark. It was not flowing when I was there but did have some water in the swimming hole, which Jess got to have a little paddle.

 

Live Long and Prosper 🖖🏿

Mini Electric Frypan

Posted on by trekswalkabout

I bought a Mini Electric Frypan from Kmart, $20. It’s 420w to 500w. Cooking area 15cm x 15cm. I gave it a good test while I was away and thought it was very good for the price.

It’s a little beauty, I was impressed.

It’s great for camping, caravanning and people on their own who don’t need a big frypan.

Here is a video on it.

Happy cooking. 🥘

Wrapping up

Posted on by trekswalkabout

Well it was a different kind of trip for me. This was a trip I wanted to do in Chris’s honour. Places he wanted to go to on our last trip that we didn’t have time to do. He loved the hot pools, we both did.

The van “Trek” went brilliantly, the setup we did was very easy to use, setup and packup. I found even in a small space with a Jess in wet weather we could manage. Not ideal in the wet, but we did it. The van setup made it easier for me but also sad for me, as Chris was not there to enjoy it.

Easy to setup or drive.

We had some fun times, laughs, adventures and met some really lovely people. Went to a few new destinations.

It was a challenge for me at times missing Chris, going to places we had been together and having the memories of that time.

Judy was hanging out for a cuppa and tried to take the Cunnamulla Fellow’s one. 😂

The weather had a big impact and changed our plans a lot. So weather wise not the best trip. It also shortened our trip; we were away a little over 3 weeks.

One of the main places Chris wanted to go was Charlotte Plains and it was supposed to be the highlight of the trip. Unfortunately, that did not quiet pan out and was a little disappointing for us both.

Cunnamulla Bushlands.

The highlights for me were Goodooga and Yowah. I think Judy would agree. Both places we said we would go back too. I had a bit of a toast to Chris at the Yowah hot pools. I know Chris would have loved both of these places.

I did learn a lot on this trip, great to have confidence in the van and my ability to deal with it all by myself.

Campfire at Bollon.

I took Chris with me in my heart, his hat and some photos of him. I told him every night, of the day I had, the things and places we did and saw. It’s not the same at all as having him physically with me and that was hard, real hard. The first trip I assume will be the hardest, so I’ve done that. I know he would be up in heaven cheering me on. Pleased I did the trip, thankful that Judy was with me and able to share this first trip with me.

Judy just about blending in with the watermelon. 😂

Until next time, Live Long and Prosper 🖖🏿

Neil Turner Weir

Posted on by trekswalkabout

I have stayed at Neil Turner Weir several times with my First Officer, Chris. This time it was with my ensign Judy, her first time here. The place full of lots of other starships and explorers docked for a few nights.

I guided Trek through the fleet, to an open space further along. We found a spot in the middle with green grass and open skies for the sun rays to power our ships.

Powering up our ships, with the sun rays.

I set up the ensuite tent. Being 100% full of the sun rays I put the hot water on and had a shower. Least this captain smells nice, not sure about the ensign 😛

Our plan is to stay in this part of space for a few days. We have heard another cosmic rain event was coming on the star day of Thursday. So we carefully planned our route through the stars over the coming week.

We went for a walk and explored this space finding that they have extended the area further east, nearly doubling this part of space. Could easily fit a large fleet of over 100 to 200 starships in here. Not that I would want to be here then.

It is a very large camping area.

Today we had visitors from another dimension, one in a mini shuttle that is a friend of Judy’s. Nice lady, solo traveller in her mini shuttle. People ask her why does she not upgrade to a bigger ship but she loves her mini shuttle works well for her.

Other friends of Judy’s, 2 man crew staying at the star base in Mitchell. Lovely to meet other travellers and share their voyagers, and the places they have explored.

We had noticed all these campers having lovely fires with what looked like milled wood they were getting from somewhere. We found out from a fellow traveller that just past the dump point in Mitchell is a wood mill and they put out their off cuts free for people to use. The same person, our neighbour took Judy for a drive to collect some of the wood and cut it to size for us. What a lovely kind person. There are also free showers near the dump point.

Keeping warm around the Campfire.

We had a campfire with our neighbour and another couple. Good fun conversation.

Heading East through Roma, we stopped for the night at Wallumbilla showgrounds. Spent 1 night in Miles, called into Chinchilla, went to the markets, info centre and the big watermelon. Chinchilla is famous for the Watermelon festival. There is also camping at Chinchilla Weir but it was very full and wet in places, so we went via Tara, for a couple of nights, dodging the rain.

Chinchilla Markets.

Slice of watermelon near the info centre.

Bowenville Reserve, this was supposed to be one of our first stops at the start of our trip. But due to rain, the road in was very flooded so we changed plans and headed to Tara.

The first shall be last and the last shall be first. Bowenville Reserve is now the last night of the trip.

It’s 4km off the main hwy, to a very large open area along Oakey Creek. Most vans seem to try and get as close to the creek as they can. There is also a big open grassed paddock. That is where we camped for the night right near the fence. Ground was solid and easy access back onto the gravel road that goes around the camping area. If it rained, we are ready to head straight for that gravel.

There are newish toilets, table and chairs, bins and a small playground for the kids. It would be a popular spot for the locals for a swim in summer.

Lots of campers here but all quiet.

There was rain overnight, we did move at one point early in the evening closer to the gravel road to make sure we would not get stuck.

Creek up a little bit.

In the morning, there were vans and other ships moving off the grass trying to get onto the gravel. Water was pooling in a few places; the creek had risen a bit.

We drove into Bowenville, checked out the old rail station and Judy had a cuppa. The plan was to go to Toowoomba (which Judy did, to catch up with a friend) but I made a run for home to get ahead of more rain coming.

Old Railway Station at Bowenville is like a museum.

Live long and Prosper. 🖖🏿

Quilpie

Posted on by trekswalkabout

We were on the road early, our plan was to stop at Toompine and stay behind the pub, free camping if you buy something from the pub, we planned to buy a meal. The roads were still wet and lots of water on the side of the road.

When we got to Toompine it was total chaos. A tar loop road in with vans and cars lined around the edge, some doubled up. Extremely muddy off the edges, no one was camping out the back. It looked as if some were camping in the front. People wandering all over the road in front of us complaining they cannot get out because people had parked them in. So, we got out of there quick fast heading towards Quilpie.

It was like this most of the way to Quilpie.

Most of the road from there was single lane bitumen. So you had to get a couple of wheels off the edge to pass anyone. Luckily for us we had a tow truck in front that people pulled right off the road for, so we did not have to get off ourselves. That is until several road trains came. One was a total cowboy. We hardly had time to get fully off the road on what we hoped was firm enough ground when he came flying through. I just made it off before he flew pass me, not slowing at all. Tell you one more foot over and he would have hit me. Another road train slowed down and was more considerate. We were glad to hit some wider road.

It is unbelievable how much water is sitting around. The plus is it is so green and the wildflowers were starting to come out.

A jump up.

At Quilpie we took the opportunity while we could and did some washing at the laundry mat. We also just caught the visitor centre open. She told us all the free camps had been closed due to being too wet and water on the roads. But the council had opened up the parking area at the racecourse for people to free camp. Suited us, wonderful bitumen, no mud or water. 

There are a few things like this in the main street.

Nice dry area for the night at Quilpie.

We started heading east now towards home. Breaky was at Foxtrap Roadhouse Cooladdi. An interesting little place. Camping is available at the back of the roadhouse. Cooladdi (meaning black duck) was once a thriving railway town with a population of 270 that supported a butcher, school, police station, post office and boarding house. Now the Foxtrap Roadhouse is an all-in-one store, motel, pub and post office. Now a population of 2, one of Australia’s smallest towns.

Love these old country towns, you see some unusual sights.

We spent a night at the Rock Pool at Charleville.

 Live long and Prosper. 🖖🏿