Posted on 09 October 2025
by
Mum Today we started our journey across the Nullarbor. We headed north from
Esperance, stopping in Salmon Gums for morning tea and a play in the playground.
After leaving Salmon Gums we passed several salt lakes some of which were a
bright green colour. We made it to Norseman for lunch, stopping at Phoenix Park.
While here we all had a bit of a wander through the park and town.
After filling up with petrol we turned east and officially started our crossing
of the Nullarbor. A few kilometers in we ticked over 20,000km since leaving
Hobart!
Our next stop was at Balladonia for more petrol, a play in the minions
playground, and a look through the museum (Balladonia is the site of the 1979
crash of SkyLab space research station). Soon after leaving Balladonia we
reached the start of the 90 Mile Straight - Australia's longest section of
straight road that measures 146.6km long. About half way along the very straight
road will pulled over at Baxter Rest Area to camp for the night.
Posted on 08 October 2025
by
Mum Today was another windy and overcast day with the sun poking through only every
once in awhile. We decided to go for a drive along the Great Ocean Drive. This
scenic drive leaves from Esperance heading west along the coastline. Along the
way we climbed the platform at Rotary Lookout, which gave us views both back
towards town and along the western coast. We then stopped at several lookouts -
West Beach, Salmon Beach, Twilight Beach, Observatory Point, Nine Mile Beach, 11
Mile Beach and Pink Lake - dodging the rain showers and gusts of wind the best
we could.
Posted on 07 October 2025
by
Mum Today we woke to blue skies and headed out to Cape Le Grande National Park to
the east of Esperance. Our first stop was the Frenchman Peak carpark. We had
intended to climb to the top but the winds were very strong and the signs
advised not to try in these conditions. Instead we went on a short walk from the
carpark to the base of the climb.
Our next stop was Lucky Bay. As we drove over the saddle and into the bay we all
exclaimed at the colours of the bay. The water was a very bright turquoise
colour and the beach was very white. It was a beautiful site. Once at the
carpark we had lunch and then all of us went for a dip in the water. We were
told to look out for kangaroos on this beach, but given the number of people
there on the day it was not surprising that we did not see any!
Our last stop in the park was at Hellfire Bay - another gorgeous white sand
beach with turquoise water. Here we went on a walk around its eastern point so
that we could look back into Little Hellfire Bay around the corner. Along the
way we spotted a few large lizards.
Back at camp we took advantage of the ice cream truck that rocked up to the park
- the kids were keen to cash in their reward from Dad for finding his lost
caravan keys. Afterwards the kids headed to the pool for a swim before dinner.
Meanwhile I headed to the esplanade to watch the harvest moon rise over Tanker
Jetty.
Posted on 06 October 2025
by
Mum Today we continued our drive towards Esperance. Along the way we stopped in
Raventhrope for a quick look around town, and a few rest stops to look at the
wildflowers. We rolled into the RAC Esperance Caravan Park a bit after midday,
which gave us the afternoon to have a look around town and stock up on
groceries. John and the kids finished their day with a swim at the pool.
