Week 1 · 28th March to 3rd April
Sydney to Adelaide
Day 1 – 28th March
Well, we have completed day 1 of the Big Trip! Sitting in our tent now in Wagga Wagga after a day on the road. Scenery very dry looking and deserty. Max is going very well but we need to stop the roof stuff from falling off. Just had a BBQ and about to turn in for the night – leaving early in the morning for Pink Lakes.
Possums joined us for our first BBQ of the trip last night and we met our first mad Aussie. Bed for 10pm with the intention of being on the road for 7am… … … 8:50am and we’re on our way
Day 2 – 29th March
Long day’s driving – approx 600kms (see stats page ;-) and Max is looking hard on diesel eeek! Got to Pink Lakes in Murray-Sunset National Park, Victoria and it was totally deserted! We set up camp, lit our first campfire and had a (Scotch) whiskey. Lots of stars and very peaceful.
Day 3 – 30th March
Went to bed at 9pm and slept for 10 hours – all the driving wore us out. Had lovely pancakes and a cuppa tea before sorting Max out this morning. We then headed off on the bikes to explore the salt lakes. Very barron and eerie. After an hour or so Dean’s bike got a puncture so we had to walk back. Saw 2 (big) red Kangaroo’s.
Took Max for his first off-road experience on Salt Bush Flat Track. Only 8km round trip but it gave him and us a taste of things to come. (Max) handled it no probs but he wouldn’t go back into 2WD drive afterwards! Until Dean (the non-mechanic) pushed the doofter, attached to the thingumy-bob to make the yoke engage with the what-do-you-call-it and it slipped back to 2WD – no worries! Later… we did an 11km run in just over 50 minutes. Then we had to have nudie showers (under Max’s water tank) in the bush.
Day 4 – 31st March
Rose early (7am) not bad to say we were in bed asleep for 9pm! Quick brekky before heading off at 8am for Deep Creek Conservation Park (because there’s a deep creek and they’re trying to conserve it) - ~150kms south of Adelaide. Lunch in Victor Harbour then a bit more off-road to Cobbler Hill Camp Ground in the Park. Went for a quick bush-walk before having dinner in the rain! and wind! and general cold! My beany hat made its first appearance.
Bed at 9pm!!!
Kangaroo Count: 12
Day 5 – April Fools Day
Up at 5:30am!! Orla has a cold (well a sniffle) so we went for a 6km walk to Blowhole beach. Back and had tea before 9:30. Was just chillin in the sun when we met a great bloke called Bill who gave us loads of advice for the journey ahead.
Took Max on a serious 4WD track and he managed beautifully – Dean was more stressed at me than anything! In McLaren Vale now and just purchase a few cheeky bottles of red for the trip! Off to Adelaide now - looking forward to a shower at Derek and Leanne’s.
What! Derek and Leanne are not home and Derek is not answering his mobile… who you gonna call?… Deirdre O’Meara. As usual she comes up trumps with a second number for Derek. Had a lovely evening with D&L – pizza and chats.
Day 6 – 2nd April
Chores, chores, chores in Adelaide. Sorting out Max and buying supplies for the next leg of the trip. Went for a swim then a meal and a few drinks with Derek, Leanne and Kerry.
Day 7 – 3rd April
Had a lovely day in the Barossa Valley with Derek and Leanne (that’s after we stunk out Max with Diesel, I got in a huff and Dean got stubborn!) All forgotten after our first few sips of Seppeltsfield vino. We then went on to Jacob’s Creek and two lovely boutique wineries (Charles Melton and Rockford) during this Leanne was videoing everything and Max took centre stage. Had a bite then said our goodbyes to D&L – it was lovely seeing them in newlywed bliss.
We then headed North through the Clare Valley and in the dark went in search of a campsite in Wilbarra forest – very spooky! We were nearly there when Max decide to spit off his trusty water tank on a dirt road. All dramas then as we had to drain the water out and shove it into Max. We’ll have to get it welded on again in Whyalla. Eventually got there, ate and went to bed.
