3rd July, 2014

This morning we awoke to yet another magnificent sunrise in very very cold conditions, -2 degrees at 0600 hrs and it still was when we pulled out at 0805 hrs. It was trying conditions to pack up in, the milk and the orange juice froze sitting on the kitchen bench as did the water pump, it simply couldn't force the water through and there was a drop of water frozen at the end of the tap. The iDevices all couldn't handle the cold and shut down as if they had no battery left.

We did see our first dingo of the trip wander past camp and then when Trent ran into the tent and zipped it up, the dingo appeared to become more inquisitive and came back for another look, perhaps smelling our frozen food and drinks.

After an hour or so of driving we stopped at Alice Springs and rewarded ourselves with a visit to McDonalds for a coffee or frappe depending on your persuasion. A bit of shopping at Coles followed before a visit to the dump point and a quick wash of the camper trailer at the car wash, to remove the excess dust, makes things cleaner when walking around it and getting things out.

From there we hit the road again bound for the Devils Marbles. We arrived at 4:30 pm and were lucky to find a camping spot crammed between two others. A quick set up and we went for a walk to view the sun setting over the marbles before coming back and firing up the Weber for some marinated chicken wraps.

There we are behind the gazebo.

2nd July, 2014

We started the day with a sleep in (6:40) which was not by design. Trent woke us up at 4:30 shivering and we had to warm him up before we could get back to sleep, then we overslept. Anyway we are on holidays.

Once on the road it was about an hour to the Northern Territory Border wether we stopped for the obligatory photos.

From there another hour or so had us at Erldunda, where we stopped and used the mobile reception to download the paper and catch up on the news of the day.young Nick Kyrios had beaten the all mighty Rafael Nadal overnight to reach the quarter finals, what an effort.

We decided to make it a half day today and get out of the car for a while and stay the night at the Rainbow Valley Conservation Area. We were not disappointed, it has well appointed camping areas, clean pit toilets, fire pits, gas bbqs and hot plates, all for the princely sum of $7.70 per family. The Vic government could learn a thing or two here.

After setting up camp and the solar (beautiful sunny day of 19 degrees) we had lunch and went for a walk to Mushroom Rock.

The we headed back to camp for dinner. Trent wouldn't leave our side worried at the thought of a Dingo attacking us. As the sun set we made our way to a viewing area to have a look at the changing colours of the rock face. It was no where near as busy as Ayers Rock.

Loving the panorama function of the iPhone, which is providing all of hone pictures for this blog until I get home and get some broadband again.

1st July, 2014

This morning we awoke to another beautiful sunrise at Lake Hart. We tried to photograph it while packing up camp and having breakfast, all at the same time. In the end we got away 10 minutes later than yesterday at 8:15. It was pitch black when I got up at 0600 hrs though.

Before we left I used the iPhones panorama function.

We drove to Coober Pedy where we fuelled up, before having lunch at the picnic area behind town, where the kids did a bit of fossicking for opals.

We then headed for Marla where the kids were rewarded with a ice cream for their excellent behaviour, before continuing on and pulling up stumps at Agnes Creek, another free camp. We set up camp while cooking some garlic bread on the weber and preparing the camp shower, while watching the sun set.

Plenty of dead cows on the side of the road today, no wedgies yet though. 

30th June, 2014

Left Renmark at around 8:05 this morning heading in the direction of Coober Pedy. First time was the historic town of Burra where we had a toilet stop and a bit of a walk around.

From Burra we called in at Port Augusta for lunch at a park before jumping back in the Prado and heading to Woomera where we had a look at the rocket and plane display.

From Woomera it was a short drive to Lake Hart which is full at the moment. We found a nice level spot and have set up camp, had dinner and scavenged some wood to sit by a fire and keep warm.

29th June, 2014

Today we started our big trip to the Top End and The Kimberley. We left Drouin at about 7:30 am and headed up the Calder Hwy, into a strong headwind and rain. Glad to be heading up to the heat.

When we stopped at Charlton to go to the toilet, Clare ran into this young girl she used to teach to swim at Ryan Road, small world.

We had lunch at a nice little rest area at Sea Lake.

Before we could drive into Mildura we had to deposit all our fruit into the Fruit Fly bin. We then headed for Renmark where we came across the Fruit and Veg inspection/quarantine area and had to give up some of our veggies. 

After a quick stop at Woolies we drove out to a free camp at Plushes Bend which is only five minutes from the middle of town and set up in the dark, arriving at about 5:30.

Quick dinner - Hot Dogs with bacon, onion and cheese, then watched the Collingwood v Carlton game on the iPad. 

Kids were in bed pretty early and Trent was fast asleep at about 8:15. We could hear plenty of noise on the water and grabbed out the spotlight. There was a flock of Pelicans on the water feeding as they swam along. 

We awoke to a beautiful morning, no wind and no rain and were under way by 8:05. Need to get more efficient at packing up.

Trent was amazed at a farmers hay bale - Teddy Bear.

Lake Eildon - Delatite Arm - Easter 2014

On the Wednesday before Easter we headed of to the Delatite Arm of Lake Eildon, inspired by a recent MySwag gathering.

We camped close to the water at 'Kirbys' which is about 10 k's in from the turn off. All up it took us 3.5 hrs to get there from home, using ySwag get together.
Eastlink as a big loop.

Friends of ours joined us during the day on Thursday and then another group 'WSBASS' joined us late Thursday night.

The kids had a ball fishing, playing together and exploring the surrounds. The adults relaxed and found sometime to exercise. We took the Hobie along and our other friends took along their kayak so we spent plenty of time on the water, fishing and pedaling. Not one fish for the entire time we were there.

We paddled over to the other side and completed a physical challenge, scaling this huge hill, the views were amazing. About 20 minutes straight up the hill.

You can just make out the hazy outline of some friends on top of the hill

We all packed up on Monday and headed home. Traffic was banked up just before the Alexandra turn off so we went home that way. Took us just under 4 hrs to get back including time spent banked up on the Maroondah Hwy and Healseville, a toilet stop and a chuck stop - young bloke got crook.

Kids ready to head home

Shallow Inlet

Last Thursday we made the decision to head down to Shallow Inlet Camping Area, not to be confused with the Caravan Park. This was in preference to the Murray River considering we were expecting four days in a row of 40+ degrees, in Melbourne. The turn off is just before Yanakie on the way to the Prom.

The camping area is open from November through until April each year. It is run by a 'Ranger' who basically handles the bookings, takes the money, cleans the toilets and maintains the park environs.

A lot of the occupants have a site for the entire 6 months at a cost of $450. There is a 7 year wait to get onto a permanent site. The ranger can be contacted on (03)56871365 and the cost of a site is $12 per night for two adults. Kids don't pay until they are 16 years old. Bookings were necessary.

The sites are all a very reasonable size and most are well separated from each other. Ours was basically dirt but there were a number of grassier sites. The drop dunnies (five or so singles) are porcelain and the cleanest I have found. There are fresh (drinking) water taps situated throughout the campsite for filling portable tanks, camp showers etc. They don't have threaded taps to connect a hose too. It is right on the waters edge and there are a number of walkways leading down to the water.

Our site

The water is as the name suggests. It is very tidal with the boating channel surrounded by tidal flats and bird life. The fishing is apparently very good, if you are in the know, we didn't do as well. There were heaps of sand flies and mossies and once the lights came on on the camper, truck loads of Christmas beetles. The kids saw a snake (unknown what sort), we saw a echidna and there are heaps of wombats.

The locals (permanents) don't really want this place to become common knowledge but from speaking to a few of them they are losing the battle.

We spent 5 nights there in total, went fishing each day in the Hobie. The young bloke caught our only keeper, a 38 cm King George Whiting. We went swimming at Waratah Bay and Tidal River (Norman Bay). This was our first trip with a friend of our daughters tagging along. It went well and she was no issue.