Kalgoorlie and across the Nullarbor

Friday 28^th March until Sunday 4^th May 2014

 We stayed in Kalgoorlie for three nights and had a lovely time touring the sights. Kalgoorlie is still one of the world’s biggest goldmining cities. It has some beautiful examples of architecture including the City Markets and the Exchange Hotel. Although we didn’t do a tour of the Super Pit, Australia’s largest gold mine, we drove up to the lookout and had some magnificent views over this huge pit. It is a manmade wonder and can be seen from space. It is known as the richest square mile of gold bearing earth in the world.

We took in a tour of the Questa Casa Bordello, just because we could and of course we were curious. It was really interesting and the Madame gave us an insight into the beginnings of the famous Hay Street red light district. The Questa Casa is the only original brothel left in Kalgoorlie. We drove out of town and had a look at the Two-Up school.  This shack in the middle of nowhere teaches people each Sunday how to play Two-Up; it is a very interesting site.

We drove about 38 kilometres out of town to have a look at the famous Broad Arrow Tavern. This was the location of the movie The Nickel Queen and is most famous for its burgers and having its walls covered with handwritten notes from past visitors. We put our names on a wall where we could find a space. I’ve never seen anything like it; names and notes on every wall including in the toilets, the bar, doors and the ceiling.

We then drove a further 30 kilometres to see the Ora Banda Historical Inn. Ora Banda is Spanish for Band of Gold. The sandstone and corrugated iron hotel was built in 1911, but was abandoned for many years due to a lack of trade. It was restored and reopened in 1981 with many visitors flocking to the hotel. In 2000 it was bombed after a shooting in the area, restored again and is still in operation. The historical building is lovely and we enjoyed a great pub meal here.

The Super Pit Kalgoorlie

The Super Pit Kalgoorlie

The Super Pit Kalgoorlie

The Two Up School

Broad Arrow Tavern

Broad Arrow Tavern

We added our names

Around Kalgoorlie

Ora Banda Historical Inn

Questa Casa Bordello

Questa Casa Bordello

Questa Casa Bordello

Around Kalgoorlie



Around Kalgoorlie

Around Kalgoorlie

 

After leaving Kalgoorlie we drove to Coolgardie and stopped to have a look at its historical buildings. Coolgardie means Mother of the Goldfields and was the first settlement of the Western Australia Eastern Goldfields. We then drove onto Norseman on our way to cross the Nullarbor. Norseman is the start of the Eyre Highway and is a popular stop for fuel and food either coming off the Eyre highway or heading East across the Nullarbor. It is the only town named after a horse. In 1894, the horse uncovered a nugget of gold when pawing at the ground; the horses name was of course, Norseman.  A statue of the horse is in the town.

Coolgardie

 

Norseman

 

Me and Norseman

We headed further east and after traversing the longest stretch of straight road in Australia (146.6 kms), stayed overnight at a rest stop near Cocklebiddy. Next day we headed to the border and stopped at Eucla to have a look at the old telegraph station and then crossed the border into South Australia and camped at the scenic Bunda Cliffs lookout on the Great Australian Bight. These cliffs are truly an amazing sight. Next day we headed further east and stopped at the Head of the Bight lookout. What an amazingly rugged and beautiful landscape on the edge of Australia. We then had one more overnight stop before heading further east on the Eyre Highway to stay one night at Kimba, which is the geographical centre point of Australia. We had stopped at Ceduna to wash the car and the caravan which were in dire need of a clean. It took us 4 days to cross the Nullarbor and it was an enjoyable journey that I would highly recommend. The scenery was ever-changing, from desert to scrub to treeless plains.

Crossing the Nullarbor

One of many trucks on the Nullarbor

At the Telegraph Station Eucla

The Old Telegraph station Eucla

The Telegraph Station Eucla

being passed yet again by a road train

Bunda Cliffs Lookout

Bunda Cliffs

Head of the Bight

Head of the Bight

On the Eyre Highway

The start of the longest straight stretch

 

Our next stop was at a pretty town just south of Port Pirie called Crystal Brook to catch up on some shopping and washing. The caravan park; although small, was beautifully maintained and pristinely clean. We stayed here for three nights and really enjoyed the beautiful surrounds.

At the Caravan Park Crystal Brook

Crystal Brook

Crystal Brook

 

 Then we headed to Renmark and stayed on the Murray River for one night before heading to our next destination, one we visited last year in January, Psyche Bend near Mildura. We really loved this spot last time we were here and were not disappointed the second time. It was especially exciting for us because we were meeting up with the Rollason family, who we met last year on the Eyre Peninsula. We are going to be travelling up to Cape York with them this year and we were really looking forward to seeing them again. My brother Peter and his wife Lynette are also meeting us here to travel with us for a few weeks. Apart from two days of consistent rain at the start we had two glorious weeks at this spot including the Easter break and really enjoyed it. The Mildura 100 ski race was held on the Easter weekend and we were entertained for three days watching the amazingly fast and powerful boats zip by. Wewere visited for a delightful afternoon by an ex work colleague of mine, Jenny Neumann and her husband Sam and their granddaughter Eleni. They were travelling back from White Cliffs and Silverton and called in for a visit. It was great to see them and hear about their holiday which they loved very much. Last year if you remember we met the owners of the paddleboat, The Shiralee and were invited on board for dinner. We were delighted on our last afternoon on the Murray when the owners Max and Marj came out to say hello. It was lovely to see them again and very nice of them to take the time to visit us.

Digging a fire pit in the wet

Sunset on the Murray

Pink moon rising on the Murray

Guitar practice beside the Murray

The beginnings of the can tree

Power boats on the Murray

Powerboat on the Murray

Skiing action in the Mildura 100

 Peter and Lynette joined us after Easter and then we all travelled together to Broken Hill for a week’s stay. Greg and I were at Broken Hill last year but missed out on seeing a few things due to having Mister with us, so we still had plenty to see, particularly the drive out to Silverton for a better look around. Silverton is an old mining town that maintains its rich heritage which is evidenced by the beautiful old buildings. The Mad Max Museum is also here and it was fascinating to have a look at. I wrote a bit about Broken Hill and Silverton in my blog last year so will only include a few photos this time.

Silverton

Silverton

Silverton

Silverton Pub

Around Silverton

Mad Max Museum Silverton

Silverton Hotel

Silverton Hotel

Greg at Pro Harts Gallery

Some Pro Hart Art

Around Broken Hill

Vietnam Memorial Broken Hill

 

Our next destination is another one Greg and I visited last year, but wanted to show Lynette and Peter and the Rollasons around. We again stayed at the Menindee Lakes Caravan Park and were reunited with our hosts Sammie and Tim and their kids. Again I wrote a bit about the area last time so won’t go into too much detail; suffice to say we enjoyed ourselves once again. Tim built a huge fire for us each night and even built a windbreak around it to protect us from the cold wind. On Saturday night he cooked a beautiful pork roast; we all pitched in with the vegies and gravy and it was a fantastic meal. I would highly recommend a stay at the Menindee Lakes Caravan Park; you will be well looked after by Tim and Sammie. They like having us here as well, because we bring the Menindee Rains. Last year there was a huge storm while we were here and this year the day after we arrived the Menindee rains came down again. But apart from it being unseasonably cold, we didn’t let it affect our stay.

Around the campfire at Menindee

Menindee sunset after the rain

Maidens Hotel Menindee

The Dunny tree at Sunset Strip near Menindee

Menindee Sunset

Menindee Sunset

 

We are all heading to White Cliffs tomorrow (Monday) and this will then begin a new journey for us, seeing places again that we have not visited. We are looking forward to our new adventure.

 

Cheers til next time.