So my initial idea was to head to Darwin from Broome, then fly to Indonesia, but already before I left I thought this probably wouldn’t happen. The main thing was that we were taking my car to Broome, and that would mean Raf driving it back to Perth. Firstly she’d need someone to share the driving and the fuel costs with, and secondly…the car is mine, my responsibility. And I’d already done most of the driving too, partly because I enjoy it, partly because if anything happened to it, at least it’d be my fault.
While on the trip I also didn’t get anything done for enjoyperth.com.au, and I really needed to spend more time on it before heading overseas.
So…we drove back together. Over 5 days. We did try to find a third person to share fuel costs, but noone was interested in driving back without stopping at the main tourist spots.
The way back wasn’t too boring though, we made different stops to the way up, so it was still ok, though not nearly as epic as the way up.
Click on the photos to go to Flickr to see larger versions and descriptions.
Sunday 26 July – Broome to Yule River
- Left Broome after visiting Town Beach and having a nice breakfast.
- Stuff was blowing/sliding off the roofrack, so at Roebuck Roadhouse we adjusted it but another 10kms further it moved again so we realised it would all fit in the car now with Doug gone!
Drove into Bidyadanga (previously La Grange Mission. And that website last updated in 1996…!), my first time back in 18 years (my family lived there for 10 months in 1991, my dad was building team leader) but everything was closed as it was Sunday, including the office, whose permission you need to enter the town :( So we didn’t feel very comfortable looking around and/but did speak to one guy from the parish who also told us there’d been fighting with some people in the morning, so that didn’t help.
A disappointing visit, but it was good to seem some improvements in town (like bitumen roads, some new shops/buildings, new swimming pool and new power house), and I’m glad I heard from people in Broome that the school is doing well.
Bidyadanga is a dry (alcohol prohibitied) community, and I wonder how much that effects things there. Overall I’ve heard much more positive things about Bidyadanga versus Nullagine.
- Only in Bidyadanga for half an hour, before continuing to Port Hedland. Arrived late afternoon, checked internet (Raf had emailed couchsurfers in Hedland early this morning, but none responded), had noodles for dinner, and drove another 50kms south to camp at Yule River. Drove slowly as dark by this stage, and saw roos on the side of the road. Set up our tent next to Yule River (an unofficial roadside camping spot) and had a good nights sleep.
Monday 27 July – Yule River to Karratha/Dampier
- Raf emailed couchsurfers in Karratha while briefly in Port Hedland, for tonights accommodation, and luckily Damon had a responded quickly saying he could accomodate us, yay!
- Got up early, drove to Whim Creek where we had oats and banana for breakfast in the car, then drove on to Dampier
- Met Damon in Dampier, who showed us where the aboriginal rock art was on the Barrup Peninsula. He went back to work for a few hours, and we explored the area and lay in a park near the beach reading for a while
- Met up with Damon at his house late afternoon, went shopping for a bbq, and had a nice night having drinks with his friends, who got together for someone’s farewell
- Slept on Damon’s couch. Our first official experience as couchsurfers (instead of hosts), yay!
Tuesday 28 July – Karratha to Carnarvon
- Drove Karratha to Carnarvon arriving late afternoon at my friend Sarah’s place, and went out for dinner at the harbour and saw a beautiful sunset. And Miss 2 being very cute.
Wednesday 29 July – Carnarvon to Geraldton
- After buying lots of fruit and veggies we drove to Geraldton and stayed with Dave. Yay for Sarah and Dave having two houses right at this time, and being awesome! :D
- It was weird just driving straight on past Shark Bay and Kalbarri. But we did have a picnic on a hill with the view of Shark Bay in the distance
Thursday 30 July – Geraldton to Perth via New Norcia
- Back to Perth! Only a brief stop in New Norcia as we were just keen to get home before rush hour (I didn’t even take photos…but I have plenty previously)! We did buy some things like port there though, and pastries in Bindoon and some wine in the Swan Valley
