Home to Streaky Bay

Our 2014 travels commenced on 28 February with a 10am departure from Brisbane.  We had a stress-free run along the Gateway and Logan Motorways to Ipswich, then the Cunningham Highway to Warwick for a fuel and lunch stop. The Big 4 at Goondiwindi was our first overnight stop, where we both enjoyed a  hot mineral spa.        

Saturday - Travel on the Newell Highway to Moree then Narrabri for a lunch break  beside the Namoi River.  Then to Coonabarabran and on to the Oxley Highway.  After a refuel at Gilgandra we were caught behind an extra wide load, but were happy to keep its pace until we were able to pass at Warren.   The countryside was green, and it was just starting to rain.    The area had received 4 inches of rain recently, so roadside stopping areas were very boggy.   We were lucky to get a  spot at the Nyngan Riverside Caravan Park, with rain stopping overnight.

Sunday - Some k’s after leaving Nyngan, we again found ourselves behind the wide load, and were happy to follow it to Cobar.   It was a good run on the Barrier Highway to Wilcannia for fuel and lunch.   Traffic heading west was very light, but sadly we came across a car and caravan rollover after Wilcannia.    From chatter on the radio we don’t think anyone was seriously injured, but the car and van were a write-off.

After refuelling at Broken Hill, we stopped a few k’s out of town at the Thackeringa Rest Stop for the night.    Our first encounter of the trip with the little, annoying bush flies.   Someone had to wear a fly hat outside while setting up the sat dish.  

 

Sunset west of Broken Hill

Monday - It was a short drive to Cockburn, which is the border between NSW and SA, then on to Oddla Wirra where the quarantine inspector relieved us of some fruit and veg.   Peterborough, a railway town was next, then Orroroo for a quick stop at the butcher for local steak and lamb for tea.  Lunch and fuel stop was at Port Augusta.    Whilst passing Iron Knob (now on the Eyre H’way) we noticed the mine working again, and lots of road and building works.    It was like a ghost town when we were there in 2011.   Our overnight stop was at the Kimba Sports Reserve.

 

Glad we're not behind these

Daylight saving is not good for early starts!   The sun does not start to appear until after 7.30 am.

Tuesday – A short drive to Wudinna (gateway to the Gawler Ranges), Poochera and Streaky Bay for our 2 night stay.     As westerly traffic all the way has been very light, we did not book and certainly did not expect to see the park so full.    We were lucky to get a powered site, due to a cancellation while I was standing in the office.    It was around 35 degrees for most of the day, but luckily cooled off in the evening.

Streaky Bay

Wednesday -   A strong wind has come up, making today much more pleasant.   If the weather charts can be believed, we should be lucky enough to have a tail wind tomorrow when we start our trip across the Nullabor.