Crossing the Nullarbor – Port Germein and Tractor Beach
We have been across the Nullarbor twice before once after we traversed the Anne Beadell Highway from Coober Pedy and once after we covered the South West of WA. So this crossing was mostly about getting to Perth rater than sight seeing. We covered an average of 500+ kms per day and the kids were brilliant – they are seasoned overland travellers. We sing songs, play eye spy and enjoy talking about the prior day or the road ahead. On this crossing we visited a couple of locations that we had not previously visited. At night in Port Germein a historic little town with only one caravan park and a 1676m long pier which the older kids and I ran down to the end. We passed thru Kimba home of the Big Galah and the ‘Half way across Australia’ Roadhouse.
The BIG Galah
Light House at Port Germein
Pt Germein extra long Jetty
Next stop for ice cream was the BIG Ant – at Poochera this town is lucky to have the Dinosaur Ant (Nothomyrmecia Macrops) evolved form 100 million years ago these Dinosaur Ants are a local inhabitant of the neighboring desert bush lands. This ant is considered one of the oldest living insects in the world according to research. And so Poochera has a Big Ant in the very small town to let everyone know their claim to fame!
The BIG Ant
Our next stop we were planning stay at the Streaky Bay caravan park on the water but we decided to venture just a bit further to a little beach called Tractor Beach we stayed with picturesque views in a free camp.
Tractor Beach Camp
View from camp at Tractor Beach
Here we met a family of five Aussie/Dutch origin who have been travelling around Australia for two years and they had three daughters the same age as our children and three chihuahua dogs ! The kids all had fun together and it was a pity we had to move on. We wish them well on their continued journey and travels. Paths may cross again.
Aaron with one of their dogs.
The kids altogether
First toasted marsh mellows…and cosy camp fire.
This was a great little camp spot and we were able to have a fire and toast marsh mellows always a family favourite.
As we were heading out of Streaky Bay we stopped for coffee and visited the BIG great White Shark which amazingly was a replica of an actual Shark caught by a local man in 1990 which was 5 metres long and weighed 1520kgs – must have fed the whole town! Luckily for the Sharks they are now protected in these waters and the local community have a big business in shark cage diving – Andrew and Aaron are keen but the girls and I are pretty happy if we never see one of these in real life.
After a month of planning and packing to finally get on the road was very exciting. We had a challenging week not only packing the camper trailer in preparation for 6months on the road but also finishing work, school and packing up our house to enable it to be rented out.
Last Family Photo in Melbourne
Sunrise on the Rock as we pack up and hit the road.
We feel extremely lucky to be finally started on our family adventure. For the last two weeks many people have asked where is the first stop…it really depended on what day time we got out of Melbourne.
On the road we passed and stopped briefly for photos of the first BIG item – the Big Koala. Australia the world’s largest Island is also home to some of the big tourist Icons – often a point of interest to lure the tourists but much fun along the way. We expect to see many more BIG things on our journey around Australia.
We love the Grampians and have had some great camping and rock climbing visits to the Grampians over the years. It is a beautiful part of Victoria and we are camped in the ‘plantation’ a free camp ground – technically not in the National Park.
On the dirt in the Grampians
Holly: It has been fun! After a short stop in Ararat at the botanical gardens where we had a bit of a run around then we set off to the camp and we set up the camper trailer for our first night. Dad and Aaron and Bianca got some firewood. Mum made some dinner she made spaghetti bolognaise.
I’m very excited to see my cousins!
Our first dinner on the road
The first Camp of our safari
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