Category Archives: PERTH…18th Jan – 25th March 2012

February 20, 2012 Ros Lewis 3 Comments

We are really intrigued by the history associated with Albany. Albany is a port city in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, some 418 km SE of Perth. As of 2009, Albany’s population was estimated at 33,600, making it the 6th-largest city in the state.The city centre is at the northern edge of Princess Royal Harbour, which is a part of King George Sound. The Central Business District is bounded by Mount Clarence to the east and Mount Melville to the west.

Albany was founded in January 1827 as a military outpost of New South Wales as part of a plan to forestall French ambitions in the region. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the town served as a gateway to the Eastern Goldfields and, for many years, it was the colony’s only deep-water port, having a place of eminence on shipping services between Britain and its Australian colonies.

The town has an important role in the Anzac legend, being the last port of call for troopships departing Australia in the First World War.

Albany is the oldest permanently settled town in Western Australia, predating Perth and Fremantle by some two years.

We are enjoying our time here and doing a great deal of exploring. There is so much to see.

Albany 002 — Pelicans all in a row on the waterfront

Albany 009 — Crossing the road...we stopped !

Albany 5- Middleton Beach — Middleton Beach

Albany 001 — Desert Mounted Corps Memorial - Albany

Esperance

February 16, 2012 Ros Lewis 8 Comments

What a beautiful spot Esperance is. We are spending a few days here, and besides this morning, the weather has been perfect. Actually, unlike the North Coast of NSW, we have been having great weather for all our trip so far. We have enjoyed plenty of sight seeing here in Esperance as well as bike riding and walking. Our camp site is on the beach next to the bike track, so very handy. Our neighbours are all Italian decent (3 italian groups…except 1 wife maggie) so have had a great time. The other night we all got together…lots of fun including italian nibblies (dried broad beans) and sweets (Taralli). We will be keeping in touch with Vince and Anna who live in Freemantle, when we arrive in Perth.

We enjoyed going to the movies with Vince and Anna the other day to see “The Iron Lady” starring Meryl Streep. Very good movie…In The Iron Lady the central figure is no fiction. Margaret Thatcher is one of the most famous, most controversial living Englishwoman, a reclusive widow now known to be in poor health and not entirely in command of her mental faculties, but who still hovers over all our lives. Virtually everything and everybody in the movie is shown through her distorted vision as her faulty memory calls up her past. Thatcher was a tough lady !!!

Esperance 005 — Esperance...one of the many coves

Esperance 3 — Esperance has very white sand and aqua blue water...beautiful

Esperance 001 — Antonio, Mal, Maurizio and Olga

Esperance 002 — Vince, Anna, Maggie and Lou

Esperance 008 — Our favourite Coffee Cart

Nullarbor

February 13, 2012 Ros Lewis 10 Comments

We set off across the Nullarbor. I have had many people say to me that this part of the trip will be boring…how wrong were they. Yes, there are stretches where we had to entertain ourselves…more good music and conversation, but there is so much to see. The ever changing landscape, the incredible views in many spots, the unique roadhouses every couple of hundred kms, watching Mals knuckles when the road trains pass us and trying not to look at all the road kill…kangaroos, emus, wombats etc. Sad. The animals don’t mix well with the road trains. We had a mission to find the most expensive fuel…$1.92 a diesel litre. A captured market !!!

The first night we slept by the side of the road again, but on a cliff overlooking an amazing view of the Great Australian Bight. See the photos below.

The second night we pulled into a sheep station that offered somewhere to park the van. It was called Fraser Range Sheep Station, and we both enjoyed the stay a great deal.

Hopefully you will enjoy my photos that show our trip far better than I can describe.

Nullarbor 023 — Don't go to close to the edge...they are high cliffs

Nullarbor 028 — Set up for the night on the edge of the cliff

Nullarbor 027 — Our view...pretty good !!!

Nullarbor 039 — It really was that straight and that long...we measured it !!!

Nullarbor 041 — Our second night...Fraser Range Sheep Station..the office/ store

Nullarbor 040 — Our sunset that night..we were kept company with emus, kangaroos and sheep

Streaky Bay

February 13, 2012 Ros Lewis 2 Comments

We left Port Lincoln and started heading across South Australia towards Western Australia. Tomorrow we hit the Nullarbor. I am so looking forward to that part of our trip. Mal has crossed it once before in 1976, but it is all new for me. Mid morning we arrived at Elliston….”The Australian Salmon Capital”….a tiny fishing village on a small bay overlooking the ocean. There was wilderness before and after Elliston, although we stopped at a roadside “help yourself” store selling beautiful wood fired oven baked bread. Of course we had to try some….it did not disappoint us!!!

Our next stop was Streaky Bay….a beautiful spot overlooking Streaky Bay and the Southern Ocean. I was intrigued by the fact that most of the town was owned by a “Beck”. I wonder if our daughter Rebecca (Beck) has won lotto and not told us ?????

That night we slept on the side of the road. Very relaxing. You will see a picture below of our amazing sunset. All good, except I can’t understand why some travelers have to throw rubbish. It was everywhere at this stop. So lazy !!!

Nullarbor 002 — The historic Elliston Jetty...yes, there are lots of jettys in South Australia

Nullarbor 003 — Our excellent bread roadside store in the middle of no where.

Nullarbor 006 — One of the many "Beck" owned stores

Nullarbor 007 — Beck, is there something you arn't telling us...is this what keeps you in WA?

Nullarbor 009 — I won't bore you with any more !!!We went to sleep with this

Port Lincoln

February 8, 2012 Ros Lewis 3 Comments

Well we are getting close to leaving here and to start our trek up to Streaky Bay and Ceduna and then crossing the Nullarbor. About 2000kms. A VERY long way.We hope to arrive by next Monday or Tuesday at the latest. Internet may be unreliable, so there probably won’t be any new posts until we arrive in Esperance. I am sure we should get some interesting photos on the way over, so keep posted!!!

Coffin Bay 024 — Some of the many fishing boats at Port Lincoln

Coffin Bay 023 — It's all about seafood here !!!

Port ZLincoln_delgiorno1 — Our dinner spot last night...Del Giorno's Italian...good

Coffin Bay

February 7, 2012 Ros Lewis 7 Comments

Had a great day today exploring the Coffin Bay area about 40kms from Port Lincoln. Famous for their oysters (Coffin Bay Oysters), they don’t let you down. We see them everywhere. We could even buy them in the butcher shop. Settled on “oyster” seafood curry for lunch. Delicious. We drove out through Coffin Bay National Park. You will see from the photos below how stunning it was.

Coffin Bay 001 — An oyster boat being pulled from the water, full of oyster nets.

Coffin Bay 002 — The entrance to the Coffin Bay National Park

Coffin Bay 010 — Golden Island Beach Coffin Bay National Park

Coffin Bay 016 — Red necked stint...these birds fly from Siberia and only weigh 30g

Coffin Bay 020 — Wild but stunning beaches...they are full of rips

Port Lincoln

February 6, 2012 Ros Lewis Leave a comment

Port Lincoln

We are here for a week….love it….

Fishing is one of their main industries. Port Lincoln is known as the “Seafood Capital of Australia”, so we are looking forward to many seafood meals….oysters, lobster etc. With it’s 14,000 population, Port Lincoln is a major commercial centre for the Eyre Peninsula.

Ok…today we had oysters (yes again Bec) for lunch and King George Whiting for dinner. It is great here. So many walking tracks, a camping site with huge water views and lots to do.

Port Lincoln Walking Trails — Walking Trail.....about 20kms

Port Lincoln 4 — Seals on the walking trail

Port Germein

February 5, 2012 Ros Lewis 4 Comments

We left Victor Harbor 3 days ago, heading up through Adelaide, Port Pirie, Port Augusta then down the coast to arrive in Port Lincoln this afternoon. We will be staying here a few days as it is a pretty spot with plenty to do.

On the way we found a perfect “gem” of a spot really just by accident. There was a small sign on the side of the highway pointing to “a heritage jetty”. Mal loves jettys so we headed off the road to another almost deserted town with what is apparently the “longest timber jetty in Australia”. 1.8kms. The town is called Port Germein and was stunning. Heaps of old stone buildings looking over the jetty and the Spencer Gulf. We could live there!!! I even found the house I loved…but not for sale! The main thing that keeps the locals busy is crab fishing (and farming). Port Germein is one of the reasons we bought a caravan. Just having the ability to find spots like this and pull up and stay, is the reason we are out here exploring.

Port Germein 001 — 1.8 kms long...we walked it twice

Port Germein 005 — A just caught Blue Swimmer Crab

Port Germein 011 — Crab cooking facilities

Port Germein 006 — Left click on the photo to enlarge...I could live in the home with the red roof on the right of the jetty. (probably an old stone hotel)

RESTAURANTS !!!!, Victor Harbor

Flying Fish Cafe ….Port Elliott

February 2, 2012 Ros Lewis Leave a comment

We had a great night last night sharing dinner with our neighbours, Karen and Jim from Adelaide.

Today we picked up the second bike we had ordered and enjoyed a ride along the coast bike track, before heading to the well known Cafe / Restaurant “Flying Fish” at Port Elliott. We had a delicious lunch and could see why they are so well known for their fish and chips. Not greasy at all.

Tomorrow we are heading back up through Adelaide towards our next stop, Port Lincoln. We will probably take about 3 days to get there and plan to stay a few days there.

Victor Harbor 002 — Mal on his new "fold up bike" with Karen and Jim

flying fish 5 — Flying Fish (pictures from their website www.flyingfishcafe.com.au

RECIPES, Victor Harbor

Beef in Beer

January 31, 2012 Ros Lewis 1 Comment

Beef in Beer

(Recipe requested by Karen and Jim @ Victor Harbor)

Ingredients:

1 kg gravy beef or chuck steak

1 pk french onion soup powder

half to one can beer

Cube meat, toss in onion soup powder to coat and place in casserole dish.Add beer (half can), cover and cook in a moderate slow oven for 3 hours. Stir once or twice adding more beer if necessary. Add a pinch of nutmeg and chilli (both optional).

Serve with potato mash and greens.

Blade or skirt steak can be used ….cook for 2 hours…but I believe it has less flavour.

A great tasting and easy recipe…if cooking in the caravan add at least an extra hour (depending on your precious caravan oven).

If cooking in the camp oven over glowing coals, cook for only 2 hours.

Victor Harbor

Victor Harbor, SA

January 30, 2012 Ros Lewis 1 Comment

30 January

We arrived in Victor Harbor yesterday and have decided to stay for 4 nights. It is a lovely spot, with what looks like plenty to do. We also have to catch up on a bit of work. (can’t be all holidaying and no work unfortunately).

This morning we took a long walk across the bridge over to Granite Island where all the penguins nest at night. It was a great walk, especially as we are getting a reprieve from the very hot temperatures. (around 40 degrees.) Beautiful views.

While we were working away in the van this morning we heard a huge groan and then an almighty crash. A gum tree came down on the van just near us. Bugger. Usually this sort of thing happens to us. Tomorrow we have been invited for coffee at the home of friends we met at McLaren Vale who live here in Victor Harbor. As Victor Harbor is a larger town, we will also be trying some of their many restaurants.

It is now the evening of the 30th. We have decided to stay in Victor Harbor until this Friday the 3rd February. We ordered new bikes which will arrive on Thursday. We love walking, but feel bikes will boost our exercise that bit more. We ended up catching up with our new found friends, Yvonne and Dave this afternoon, enjoying our visit very much. Nick, we went to a great Indian Restaurant tonight. You would have loved it.

………Forget the Indian Restaurant last night. It was delicious, but must have had food colouring, 621 or msg added as we were wide awake all night. A huge storm hit at 4am, so we did what most caravaners have to do, we pulled the shade screen and awning down in terribly strong winds in the dark. We were not the only ones doing this at 4am! We actually got a couple of hours sleep after that. Oh well….caravaning.

Victor_Harbor_Bluff — Victor Harbor Bluff

Victor Harbor Steam Train — Steam Train Victor Harbor

Star Of Greece 003 — Camels on Victor Harbor beach

Star Of Greece 007 — Horse drawn tram between Granite Island and Victor Harbor

McLaren Vale..Star of Greece, RESTAURANTS !!!!

Star of Greece Port Walunga …..McLaren Vale, South Australia

January 28, 2012 Ros Lewis Leave a comment

28th January….

Today we went to one of my long awaited restaurants that I drag Mal along too….”The Star of Greece” in Port Walunga, SA.

We were not disappointed… Amazing food, service and yes…wine. I forgot to mention the views. Did I mention the food !!!! We really enjoyed our meals. Too good to be true.

Star Of Greece 011 — Tables set up inside ready for a wedding

Star Of Greece 012 — Our table, we looked out to sea from my left....amazing. Before the food...I was too busy eating after this to take photos.!!!!

star 5 — Star of Greece...and it's interesting art

star10 — Experimenting at the "Star of Greece"

Barossa Valley, RESTAURANTS !!!!

Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop Restaurant….Barossa Valley

January 26, 2012 Ros Lewis Leave a comment

We have spent a lovely couple of days in the Barossa Valley. We leave tomorrow to travel via Hahndorf, to McLaren Vale.

Yesterday we explored the Barossa, finishing up at Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop Restaurant. A good way to end the day. Eating and stocking the larder with delicious food.

Today we explored again, visiting Tanunda Winery then ending up joining a group of people at the “Australia Day Whistler Wines Celebrations”. This included wine (!!!) , Aussie Lamb Burgers, Tug a War (bad when the rope broke on the first go….lucky they had a spare), Sack Races, water balloon games, the Barossa Thong Throwing Competion, horse carriage rides with two of the most beautifully looked after and behaved horses I have ever seen, (and I’ve seen a few) and a good band playing. Fun for all ages. We were proud to be Aussies amongst such a friendly group.

Barossa Valley 4 — The Barossa Valley in summer heat

Barossa Valley 10 — Maggie Beer's Farm Gate Restaurant

Barossa Valley 12 — Barossa Valley...very dry and arid at the moment......unlike the Nth Coast of NSW

Maggie Beer’s Farmshop
Whistler Winery Australia Day

Barossa 011 — One of the heats of Tug a War

Barossa 010 — The eagles fly at Whistler Winery

Broken Hill-Silverton

Broken Hill to Terowie South Australia

January 24, 2012 Ros Lewis 6 Comments

Tuesday 24th, January

We left Silverton this morning after Mal had the pleasure of actually showering in the rain. He took his soap and enjoyed washing under one of their rare rain storms. We visited Pro Hart’s Gallery in Broken Hill. What a great artist he was. We then drove from Broken Hill to a small “Ghost Town” called Terowie in South Australia.

In the early 1900’s it was a busy town as it was on the main train line. This train line closed in 1960, and the many incredible buildings shut up, as happened right throughout Australia, including Wilcannia as earlier mentioned. These buildings still stand in memory of these times. The only people we have met are a young Lebanese couple running the fuel stop. Tonight we are camped next to the old train station with the buildings still standing.

It is now evening, 9pm and still very light, and we have no water. We have run dry….thanks Mal….no cup of tea, no shower, no toilet (lucky we have a shovel), no clean the teeth (I will use his beer for that…??????). Lucky we have plenty of bottled water, but really???

Terowie SA 001 — A deserted train line on the way from Broken Hill to South Australia

Terowie SA 003 — Terowie SA...we camped next to these deserted railway buildings.

Terowie SA 008 — Our campsite at Terowie

Terowie SA 009 — Mal under the Peppercorn Tree

Terowie SA 011 — Inside one of the railway buildings...it reminded us of the trees at Brundah.

Broken Hill-Silverton

Broken Hill – Silverton

January 23, 2012 Ros Lewis Leave a comment

Monday 23rd January….

We arrived in Broken Hill yesterday to just under 40 degree temperatures, after spending 10 hours driving from Warren near Cobar. Silverton Hotel and a cold beer looked good.We traveled over 700kms so did well. Mal got very excited whenever we went around the very rare bend. We “rock and rolled” all the way to music from Mossy, Barnsey and INXS just to name a few. Mal looked like “cheap wine and a 3 day growth” by the time we got there. He just needed the wine. We had to stop to chase emus, goats and horses off the road a few times. We had slept in a paddock on the side of the road the night before and it was amazing. We went to sleep under the gums to the sound of the lambs bleating. Beautiful!!

Spent last night and tonight camping at the historic town of Silverton. We could stay longer but want to head down to Menindee Lake tomorrow night (about 120kms from Broken Hill.)

Silverton 007 — Wilcannia Court house and Police Station...about the only building still open

Silverton 010 — One of the many incredible building that are just closed up...Wilcannia

Silverton 013 — 2 of the many horses we chased off the road...I would have loved to take them home.

Silverton 026 — A dry river bank...but next month it could be raging water.

Silverton 018 — One of the many building in the Heritage Listed Historic Town of Silverton

silverton-hotel — The famous Silverton Hotel where movies such as A Town Like Alice, The Mad Max Series and Razorback were filmed

the-pinnacles-broken-hill — The Pinnacles Broken Hill

Tamworth

January 21, 2012 Ros Lewis Leave a comment

Saturday 21st January…

After leaving Tenterfield yesterday we headed to Tamworth. We stopped of at Guyra on the way and joined in on the “Lamb and Potato Festival”. Very unique! Guyra is 4330 feet above sea level. It was warmer this time than our last visit. Mal airconditioned the Westpac Bank a few years ago and while they were doing the job (and had the roof off the bank), it started snowing.

As it is Tamworth Country Music Week we were lucky enough to be staying at our really good long term friends place, Mike and Kim Ridley. Mike and Kim have an airconditioning company called MR Services and Mal occasionally works for Mike. Kim also has a company called The Spice Trading Company that producers and sells delicious seasoning mixes. Visit www.thespicetradingcompany.com.au for more details. We will be enjoying some of the huge range of spices on our trip thanks to Kim’s generosity. We enjoyed a relaxing night with Kim, Mike, Madison and Zac. (Hunter was away at the time)

Tamworth 005 — Mal giving Zac a hard time

Tamworth 008 — Missy the Husky..yes, her eyes are two different colours...one brown and one blue.

Tamworth 2 001 — Tamworth is full of Cowboys and Cowgirls

Tamworth 2 002 — They start young at Tamworth Country Music

Tamworth 2 003 — The Big Golden Guitar Tamworth

Tenterfield...The beginning of our second trip

Tenterfield

January 19, 2012 Ros Lewis Leave a comment

Wednesday 18th January….

We have started our next trip in our “baby” caravan. We are on our way to Perth via Tenterfield, Tamworth, Broken Hill, Barossa, Adelaide, Nullabor, Esperance, Albany, Margaret River and whatever we find in between. We have a bit under 7 weeks before Rebecca and Steve’s wedding at Freemantle in Perth on the 4th March, so will see heaps in that time.

The start……….

Tonight and tomorrow we are staying at Michael and Kathy’s place in Tenterfield (for those unsure…Michael and Kathy are one of our sons and daughter in law).

Our Travels

Category Archives: PERTH…18th Jan – 25th March 2012

Albany

Esperance

Nullarbor

Streaky Bay

Port Lincoln

Coffin Bay

Port Lincoln

Port Germein

Flying Fish Cafe ….Port Elliott

Beef in Beer

Victor Harbor, SA

Star of Greece Port Walunga …..McLaren Vale, South Australia

Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop Restaurant….Barossa Valley

Broken Hill to Terowie South Australia

Broken Hill – Silverton

Tamworth

Tenterfield

Mal & Ros's Travel Adventures