Nearly Home, our last night at Billy’s Farm in Lowden, Donnybrook

Our 1/2 lap of Oz is just about over, we’ve arrived at Dave & Jo’s place at Donnybrook and tomorrow we will be home. Driven around 10,500 klms at an average of 23LPH, the dearest diesel we encountered was $2.65 per litre at Willare WA. The weather ranged from HOT to FREEZING COLD & head wind and dust like you wouldn’t believe. But overall it was a fun trip and a good shake down for the new van. Though it didn’t travel on the rough corrugated roads our previous van had done, some of the blacktop roads would rate as being almost as bad. We’re pleased that very little requires attention and overall it’s proven to be very comfortable and we’re enjoying the luxury having the lithium batteries & inverter system.

Murphy’s Haystacks - Madura Pass

We stayed the night at Murphy’s Haystacks, these aren’t haystacks but Inselbergs, rock formations caused by the elements. Technically inselbergs meaning (a hill that looks like a rocky island rising sharply from the sea.)

It was a wet and windy night but we awoke to some blue sky and no rain so a quick walk around to see if anything had changed since our previous visits, No nothing … We paid our $10 camp fee and $2 donation and we’re on our way. 

A night along the Nullarbor prior to Yalata was another early to bed rain free night. Up early the next morning we continued our journey West. We came across a truck accident which already had the police in attendance, a few other trucks had also stopped and as we went past we could see a Truck and it’s trailer laying on its side well off the road. At the WA /SA border inspection we were told the driver and passenger had been flown to Hospital but as far as they knew would be ok. 

A few kilometres down the highway we drove into the Old Telegraph Station road at Eucla, it’s been many years since we visited and we had not ever been down to the beach, Dave & Jo had and wanted to se it again, We all checked out the Telegraoh ruins and Dave and I walked the 2.4 klms to the beach and back. It was a slog but glad we did it and interesting to see the wooden pier structure still standing, though partly demolished by the sea & weather. 

Our night tonight is at the Madura Pass lookout, A beautiful night for star gazing and Satellite spotting, Dave and I saw around 8 satellites and a falling star so that was our night finished.

Tumby Bay - Colton Bakery

We stayed a night at the Tumby Bay RV park opposite the cemetery and next to the Golf Club, well worth the $7.50 cost as they provided a drinking water tap to allow us to refill our caravan tanks. Thanks Tumby Bay !

With the weather becoming extremely windy, cold and at this stage threatening rain we took a detour into Louth Bay to see if it had changed … it hadn’t appeared to though the ‘Old Boy’ who used to sell smoked fish and had a great personal museum wasn’t around though it’s been a few years since our last visit, hopefully he’s still with us. 

We decided to stop in Port Lincoln, and not being fans of caravan parks because we are self contained, power, water etc, we found an excellent place at John’s Caravan Repairs, a huge block with ample parking and many caravans that appeared to be there in storage, I was amazed at the number of sheds and what the cost would have been, (I neglected to take a photo) but at $5 per van per night he wasn’t making a fortune from travellers. 

We thought about staying an extra night but the weather convinced us to leave as we would have just been van trapped. 

So today it’s just been a drive up the western coast of the Eyre Peninsular, stopping at Coffin Bay, Elliston and driving the coastal route which has spectacular views and some quirky artwork along the road. 

We drove on with the wind hitting us in gusty blows, at some times it was side on, other times head on. Not much traffic about so that was a good thing. We chose to stop at Colton Bakery, a small farm bakery that works on the Honour system for payment, we both bought some bread and sticky buns which are fresh and yummy. 

Stopped for the night with the wind and rain coming down at Murphys Haystacks, it’s a donation camp beside the very interesting Natural Large Stone formations named Murphys Haystacks, Been here before but if the weather eases in the morning we will take a walk up around them.

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Port Gibbon - Tumby Bay

Before we left Mills Steps camp we went for a walk to look at the old boat shed, reading the plaque we can only imagine how tough life was for those living in these conditions. 

Our next stop was Arno Bay, last time we visited years ago we had the famous Arno Burger, it was that big we had it cut into two. But not long since breakfast a burger was not going to happen this time, instead we walked the jetty, being Tuesday 🤷‍♂️ everything was closed .. so we moved on to Port Neil, Another Jetty walk and look around, the weather was sunny but windy and a definite chill to the air. The park area near the jetty is excellent with childrens play equipment, exercise equipment and lovely grass areas for picnics, plus the Green Shed which appears to be used for BBQ’s and town get together’s. 

Arriving at Tumby Bay, Dave and I walked the jetty and chatted with some guys fishing for squid

Gazalias, I’m told .. native South African ‘weed’ but still look pretty in mass 

, plenty of ink on the jetty and I know 1st hand how prolific the squid can be around all the Peninsular Jetties. 

Lunch at the Tumby Bakery and a drive out to the newer marina and housing area and it was then back to our RV park (payment by donation) and a wander around the Cemetery opposite, something we do often as it gives us some History of where we are, as sad as some of headstones were. 😢

Apparently the weather could be getting wet & windy in the next few days, we may stay around Port Lincoln until it eases off. 

Port Gibbon - Mills Steps Continued

A beautiful evening sitting around the camp fire until it got a bit chilly. Loving the comfort of the van and the Victron electronics and lithium batteries. With the convenience of a 3000w inverter we can use the coffee machine, toaster, were told we can even use the AC for a while, but we do have to be aware of the current use of the AC, something we haven’t bothered with so far. 

Sunrise over the ocean was simply stunning to see through our windows, a few clouds about so hopefully it stays fine as we move further around the Eyre Peninsular.

What a view ! 

To think we had this all to ourselves 👍

Port Gibbon, Mills Steps Camp

Laying on the bed and views from our caravan window.  👍👍👍 Mills Steps camp, Port Gibbon SA

What a view ! Looking out our caravan bedroom window. 

$Million dollar views for $10 per night ... Thanks Port Gibbon