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Exploring Australia - Where the hell am I?
Exploring Australia - Where the hell am I?
Hey everybody My Name is Dominik, I am from Germany and right now I am on my first big trip. The country to visit: Australia. I have one year to explore the shit out of OZ :) My plan so far: arrive in Perth and go around Australia anticlockwise. This will be my first ride report ever so please excuse any mistakes especially my grammar as I am not a native speaker. Lets start with the last preparations in Germany. The last few weeks before leaving to Australia turned out to be a bit hectic. On my list were the following things to be done: • A motorcycle maintenance with oil changes, tire and wheel baring replacement, replacement of the chain set • As Australia has very strict quarantine regulations there had to be an extensive cleaning of the machine * http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cDIFiXfgTs...919_155126.jpg Without the front panel • The bike had to be packed for shipment, luckily I had some help from friends and neighbors http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yc_fURIH4w...928_151850.jpg Construction of the transport crate http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ljx8diX6d8...0/IMG_6059.JPG Ready to go http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5b0L92mdyY...930_101549.jpg Help from neighbour • Obtain all necessary travel documents, including among other things a Carnet de Passage, International vehicle papers and drivers license, a health insurance • 80th birthday from Grandpa http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GrqAGMSR_P...0/IMG_6035.JPG • My sister's wedding in Hamburg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_2FfCCuzqC...005_114454.jpg • A visit to the doctor for vaccination and to renew my diving medical examination, after which I also had an ultrasound of my heart but everything is alright Greetings from Down Under! Dominik |
Departing and Arriving
Departing and Arriving
The 9th of October was the official beginning of my journey. My bike had already gone onto the journey without me 10 day upfront. The bike had gone by truck to Hamburg and the by plane via Dubai to Perth. The transport of the motorcycle was*settled by*the company*InTime from Hamburg. On my starting day I went by train to Hamburg. On the ride a little chat with New Zealand couple came up because they needed help with the S-Bahn trains in Hamburg. Resulting from the chat I got handed a business card of their son and i was told to call him as soon as I had arrived on Australia's east coast because he might have a job for me or know somebody - great! Arriving in Hamburg, I was first taken to delicious kebab by my sister Steffi and her husband Markus and later they drove me to the airport. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FBzeGYkOM1...0/IMG_6122.JPG Hamburg airport just before* departure The first flight I mainly spent eating and watching movies. Arrived in Dubai I had 3 hours to explore Terminal 3, which was pretty boring. Luckily there was a free WiFi so I could surf the net a little. The second flight consisted of more food, more movies and a small night's sleep. When I finally arrived in Perth I got all my bags pretty quickly although now due to a small duty free shopping in Dubai my luggage consisted*of three checked baggage. Despite an extra questioning by customs and quarantine inspection of my luggage through a Beagle I had already left the airport 30 minutes after landing. In the arrivals area, John and Gael lovely welcomed me. John(Advriders Inmate JayBo1) had offered me that I could stay at their house for the first days. What a great offer, right? After a light dinner, i could go to bed without any jet lag in normal times and I slept through the whole night. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYwHQsudnv...0/IMG_6125.JPG Just before boarding On Friday my daily plan was to free my bike out of the Emirates warehouse. I was*feared this could take several days to complete because the bike has to be released by customs first, then you have to book an appointment with the AQIS quarantine authorities and in the end you finally get the motorcycle examined at warehouse by an inspector. So Gael drove me back to the airport with a short stop at the ATM. Since I slept late and the streets were quite full we arrived at 10:40 am at the Emirates warehouse. In there I was handed the documents needed just after a few minutes and I given directions to the customs building. Fortunately, the customs is in sight and only about 300 meters away. My stamped carnet was handed back to me within minutes and I got the*instruction I*should now go to the AQIS.I had*already*spotted the AQIS building on my way to customs because it was just halfway. At the AQIS it took me longer to wait for a free agent than the actual recording of my request. After paying a processing fee I was told to take a seat next to a phone so another agent could call me for an appointment .The phone rang and I was asked if I wanted an appointment immediately - not bad. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KEwHpHsCkV...0/DSCI0059.JPG AQIS office So I went quickly back to warehouse and just waited on the inspection lady. When my box was then moved to us by forklift it was just a big relief my D.I.Y. crate had not*collapse*nor has it been damaged in any way. The quarantine inspection itself was just to easy. I cut the foil at the top of box so that* http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0y3LWTsVh_...011_120618.jpg Looks good :) the inspection lady *could have an unobstructed view on my bike. She checked the VIN with the papers and felt under the fender if there was any dirt, that was it.* The time everything took until I got the crate delivered to the yard of the warehouse was less then two hours.* http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JIvEYWrUtZ...0/DSCI0060.JPG My workplace The forklift driver I still got me the hint when I wanted to dispose my garbage in their container, it would cost money, so I should just do it when no one was watching me :) http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--t_glhzns3...0/DSCI0061.JPG Without foil So I quickly cut the whole foil off to stuff it into the container, but then another warehouse worker came by to help me. To get it done quicker and no one can see you doing it, he said. It then took a really long time to unscrew the frame of crate apart because otherwise it did not fit into the container. The removed front wheel could quite easily be reinstalled with the help of a forklift. It raised the whole motorcycle so I could just put the wheel into the right*position. By the time I finished the front wheel, it started to rain: ( http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IVZBKfzLdR...0/DSCI0062.JPG Work goes on So first I*sought*shelter to wait until the rain stops. Unfortunately, the rain did not like me, so I had to get the bike under the roof as well. When I had everything loaded onto the bike I remembered my friends told me I should always take pictures with my mascot - so here's one. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGBeDEact9...0/DSCI0063.JPG First motorcycle wash from above Meanwhile, it was almost 4 pm and my first Australian roads led me to a gas station to fill up the tank and buy an Australian SIM card. Actually, I would now want to go directly to a*licensing center*but unfortunately it was already too late. So I rode my bike illegally without insurance or a license back to Gael and John. The*licensing*of the motorcycle had to wait until Monday. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-94vP-bVsfg...0/DSCI0065.JPG Mascot At the weekend I took it easy all the time. Saturday, there was first a few tweaks to the bike, I visited a settlement with model homes with Gael and in the afternoon I tried driving a tractor for the first time - is not that hard :) Sunday continued like that, I went*grocery shopping*with Gael. The rest of the day I spend time with John in his garage or chasing the dog in the garden. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6X7ESvcYo9...0/IMG_1433.jpg My first ride Greetings from Down Under Dominik |
G'day Dominik my name is Noel ,i'm in Emerald Queensland ,sing out if you come through town happy to give you some accommodation if i am here at the time.Regards Noel:D
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First Kilometers
First Kilometers
After a relaxing weekend, my goal for Monday morning was to get my motorcycle officially licensed. First I had to phone the Department of Transportation to get 48 hours insurance to drive my bike to a safety inspection. There it was to pass the Roadworthy Inspection, which was no problem. Unfortunately, the result still had to be confirmed by the central and since pretty much all the staff was sick I had to wait for four hours. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Uv2JaY1Vg...014_104541.jpg When I finally had the necessary paperwork I was able to drive to the Licensing Center in Rockingham. There I had to wait one more time because apparently I have been the first one who wanted to register a foreign vehicle that is temporarily imported under a carnet at this Licensing Center. But after one and a half hours the last doubts were removed and I was allowed to ride my bike for a year on Australia roads. On Tuesday, I went to a motorcycle tire dealer John suggested to go to since my front tire felt weird. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YbvW0natsg...0/IMG_6135.JPG After the problem was sorted out I went to visit the City of Perth to buy some last camping gear. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lIqoXAXKDd...015_140903.jpg I left Gael and John on Wednesday to go camping for the first night. I am so glad I got all their help and I will miss Gaels super cooking skills! http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Hup1_clbO...0/IMG_6158.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TcGNI9kywK...0/PA150008.jpg Thanks to the app Wikicamps a free campground was quickly found just north of Perth. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8lPuyUpIeU...0/IMG_6169.JPG The following day I went a bit further north and settled down at a campground in Cervantes. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-heuxAHUndz...0/IMG_6171.JPG He got a name: Outback Otto http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EillSzeSTU...0/IMG_6175.JPG Take these signs serious http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ckeH4NPu6...0/IMG_6178.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bEtDz7dHO7...0/IMG_6206.JPG Since I've somehow taken too much clothing my first trip in Cervantes was to visit the local post office to send a parcel with my things to Adelaide. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9N7KxEDFiA...017_160655.jpg Since I wanted to go to the Horizons Unlimited Travelers Meeting in Yanchep National Park near Perth I had to go back South on Friday. On the way back I visited the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YTokqHBhgV...0/IMG_6181.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7wOLTInxb...0/IMG_6184.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hNW9dSKlta...0/IMG_6191.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g92vT-9FMY...0/IMG_6201.JPG The weekend at the HU meeting was great, I met so many nice people, got advice for my trip and even got invited to see some them again on my travel route. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8IpSH9Z99...0/IMG_6265.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0A4skdpL__...0/IMG_6303.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i7BpLGpuRC...0/IMG_6356.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TokP_GEUt0...0/IMG_6364.JPG At the end I got an official send off to start my journey. Thx Ewen Macgregor (not the Charley Boorman one) for the Video It was already quite late at the end of the meeting so I accepted the offer by Nathan to stay the night in their shared flat in Fremantle. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nMQrp3Yi3Z...0/IMG_6368.JPG Me, Nathan and Duncan http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zam3uq37_Z...0/IMG_6373.JPG Since I wanted to buy a lock for my bike, among some other things one night become a second. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H7uAUq7p4P...0/IMG_6378.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9jEgFo6NLn...0/IMG_6387.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ep34tEw1oo...0/IMG_6389.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vfj6j0MaWc...0/IMG_6390.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bZCP6xys-i...0/IMG_6401.JPG I was super catered and we had a few nice beers - thanks Nathan and Duncan. I was back to camping and found a nice spot for a night near Dwellingup. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qgqQvvKzRU...0/IMG_6409.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEwiZfiihU...0/IMG_6414.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9r0eZHSnoe...0/IMG_6420.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QO8YknJ8P4...0/IMG_6428.JPG |
Back and forth
Back and forth
The next day, it should once again go back to John and Gael, as John had asked me if I wanted to see the movie "Dream Racer", about an Australian Guy taking part in the Dakar Rally. As the movie should only start in the evening I had time to explore the surroundings of my tent spot in Dellingup the whole first half of the day. According to a sign there should be a waterfall and a POW camp. [IMG][/IMG] http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2zL4yFnR3N...0/IMG_6409.JPG First a walk to the waterfalls. It took me longer than I expected but I was back at the campsite after approximately 3 hours. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJuF3C8mDD...0/IMG_6432.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u9_fmYoyXV...0/IMG_6438.JPG After this I preferred to drive to the POW camp by my motorcycle. I packed up all my stuff and off I went. After 4 minutes, I was already in the camp. Hmm - Somehow I could have done it the other way around. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fQ8sCXxEiS...0/IMG_6443.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zLHN6aBkwe...0/IMG_6444.JPG Out of the forest I choose the longest possible detour along more or less well-developed gravel roads, good they are all located on my GPS maps. In the evening the movie was really well done and entertaining. After the movie John and I went to have something to eat with a few of his friends. If you ever have the chance to use a washing machine while you are travelling, you should do it. So when we came back this was what I did :) The next morning I set off to go camping in the Yalgorup National Park. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_vufxs5D-...0/IMG_6447.JPG I stayed there for three nights, although mosquitoes almost ate me. On the first afternoon I got a text message from Gael telling me I had forgotten some of my washings - oh no! So my further planning for the next days was a third visit at John and Gaels house :) I although visited the nearby Preston Beach and it was time for me to test the sea if it suitable for swimming. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FmGne1qlIY...0/IMG_6452.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-01Q_YAbjyO...0/IMG_6508.JPG Moreover, there was also a circular bird watch trail and since I was awake at 6 o’clock the second morning I wanted to give it a try before breakfast. Reported way should be 6 km long and you should need 2 hours. Sounded unrealistic to me. After 2 hours I had no finished the trail, so it dawned on me that I probably had a wrong turn somewhere. Of course I neither had a map nor my GPS with my and my cell phone battery was empty. So there was nothing left to go all the way back again. By 10 clock I was back at the campsite. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LjGwPDtdUw...0/IMG_6462.JPG The next morning I decamped to go back and collect my laundry. I did a small detour to the "main attraction" of the national park - the living stones. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HMr8u1atWP...0/IMG_6605.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_N2_T2Ew4...0/IMG_6612.JPG Arrived at Gael and John, I collected my laundry and asked them for advise on the best mosquito repellent. And then I went shopping. I bought the two most powerful versions of what they had recommended to me. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-onzvDt06tK...5127801947.jpg On my next campground the chemistry was sorely needed since there where Ross River Virus warnings signs everywhere - a disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes. John told me about this virus just the same day. There is no cure and the progress of disease can last over 3 years in extreme cases even over 10 years. Due to the new repellent, I did not get a single stitch. After I crawled into my tent I heard steps around the tent all the time but it was the wallabies I had previously seen. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UwPKnupt5B...027-WA0008.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3rLyMPYdW9...0/IMG_6616.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yzSnvug3ZF...0/IMG_6620.JPG The next day led me to Bunbury the largest city in Western Australia outside the metropolitan region of Perth. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--MH-hmcdln...0/IMG_6625.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rolX-okDfh...0/IMG_6635.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UvZBHxrUwg...0/IMG_6638.JPG For the next day I had an invitation from the HUBB by Helgo to go to Busselton about 50km away from Bunbury. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdE8kr774C...0/IMG_6646.JPG |
He lives there with his wife Helga and they enjoy their retirement. On a little motorcycle ride Helgo showed me some nice routes and places that I would otherwise have certainly not seen.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_OGUKXfjd-...0/IMG_6651.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CsyhtUdv6t...norama-001.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1X0zqzKiU5...0/IMG_6662.JPG The next morning I tried to clean the coarsest dirt off the motorcycle. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E9rMjTgzho...0/IMG_6666.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PFz_WmZdsx...0/IMG_6668.JPG After that it I still had enough time for exploring the area of Busselton. Among other things, I was at Cape Naturalist, at Bunker Bay Beach and again at Meelup Beach wich Helgo had shown me the day before. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3vjxNyRxX1...0/DSCI0074.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sgri3snUxI...0/DSCI0082.JPG On Meelup Beach I was wondering why so many people were sitting there with binoculars until I noticed that you could see whales with the naked eye from the beach - great experience, I've never seen them before. I the evening we had, like the day before, a great BBQ and I could listen to some exciting stories from Helga & Helgos travel past - among other things, they drove a VW bus in 70s from Germany to Australia. I said goodbye to Helga the next morning and went off with Helgo to another motorcycle tour. We went to Augusta the most southwestern city of Australia. For our way back north we chose the Caves Road, one of the most beautifully roads of Australia I have seen so far. When we got to the Jewel Cave it was time for me to say goodbye to Helgo as well, because he had to go back home and I wanted visit the cave. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NMKc9OPqJH...0/IMG_6708.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nmdIkwYcIi...0/IMG_6712.JPG Along the Caves Road there are so many limestone caves, but I was told the Jewel Cave should be the most beautiful one. What’s for sure it is the biggest Cave in Western Australia. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y-umrfWX7q...0/IMG_6732.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWarBJxCN5...0/IMG_6741.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9wrP6fg6qU...0/IMG_6744.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mur4ETDugs...0/IMG_6746.JPG For my night rest I found a really nice arrange campground in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3O5ZE4cPbM...0/IMG_6754.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JXltXMuGO0...0/IMG_6755.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhoeqWBZVW...0/IMG_6757.JPG The next day took me back further north one the Caves Road to the town of Dunsborough, I went there because next days attraction would be wrack diving. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QtuutNe6Nn...0/DSCI0086.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xIdJDxLgko...0/DSCI0088.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TMSS6dLpAF...0/DSCI0090.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QFTv-1m0Kt...0/DSCI0093.JPG [IMG][http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6QqrhQQcU...I0108.JPG/IMG] The target was the HMAS Swan a 110-meter former ship of the Australian navy. After its exemption from military services the ship was sunken near Dunsborough as a diving spot. The dive was sensational. We went through the wrack on its full length. There were so many fishes and corals it was amazing. As a little add-on there even was whales that came as close as 5 meters to our diving boat. Even when we were in the water the whales came closely to us. The next day brought the next attraction: Australians giant trees the Karris http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uXxdp-Xz2c...0/IMG_6759.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mw-46oCgzB...103_132354.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ognqDb9aGw...0/IMG_6762.JPG Some of these trees have been modified to be used as lookouts to spot forest fires in the past. Now they can be climbed and I had to get up the highest one :) You have to climb up on steal bars that are pushed into the wood around the tree. The gape between two bars is round about 30 cm and there is no safety so even I could fall through :) http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ScCCPKaLY6...orama1-001.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EkV5llYud7...0/IMG_6774.JPG I planed to spend some time at the nice beach of really quietly village of Peaceful Bay, but the weather had different plans it got rainy and cold. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NQD_4kp03g...105_092227.jpg Greetings Dominik |
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04/11/2013 – 13/11/2013
What can you do in a little and quiet village like Peaceful Bay if the weather is not that good? Not much except: writing a new Blog post, read a book, have a chat with other campers or inspect the bike for lose bolts. But than I had an idea I could try to give myself a new haircut. I have never done it before by myself, but I think the Australian barbers will be too expensive for a whole year. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TiUWBXUO6x...104_160415.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BaPAI_i2B-...105_113637.jpg 11mm Not too bad and now the hair won’t get that sticky by the mosquito repellant because there is a lot less hair :) At some stage I got bored of Peaceful Bay and so I decided to have my first day of ride in the rain in Australia so far. As a destination I had chosen the town of Albany. I had rain the whole ride and for the rest of the day. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IaRxeX5dm6...106_163234.jpg Because of the rain I had time to look for a new rain jacket and a new wallet. But I did not like the offered rain jackets they were all way too long and to expensive so I decided my old one would be good enough because it was only leaking a little bit. I was more successful with the wallet because loosening coins all the times really sucks. The weather was getting better so I went out to have a look at the surroundings of my campground at Emu Point. <iframe src="http://iancooper.name/ps/#https://plus.google.com/photos/116625272430497058040/albums/5864903890275438049/5946300279416451842?pid=5946300279416451842&oid=11 6625272430497058040" width="640" height="480" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0"></iframe> Later I visited the biggest museum in town. Luckily there was no art at all :) It is the old Princess Royal Fortress a military base located on the summit of Mount Adelaide. The fortress was established to protect the harbour of Albany and you get good view from up there. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-79_ZxckC6m...0/IMG_6783.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K3HlLyuxsT...0/IMG_6787.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_V5pImyb24...0/IMG_6795.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2mtwgpOvT9...0/IMG_6798.jpg Two days in Albany have been enough for me so was to go to a nice beach and camp there. I had the choice between Norman’s Beach and Betty’s Beach so I obviously choose Betty’s Bay :) http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iUkYJfuqOS...0/IMG_6801.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RzTU_fzOCX...0/IMG_6803.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wKY8ZPwKLK...0/IMG_6816.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Wb5-Ko24w...0/IMG_6825.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aksZ5DVVzc...0/IMG_6830.jpg Beautiful spot but really windy so it gets a little bit cold. That’s why I left the next day to go into the hinterlands. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XQUvMTYrhY...0/IMG_6832.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-utV2tf3bb8...0/IMG_6835.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hNc6d0BfSk...0/IMG_6840.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2ZCnI8MHT...0/IMG_6844.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AAv4Nes-bk...0/IMG_6846.jpg I nearly spend to whole day crossing the Wheatbelt, Western Australia’s breadbasket. Except of gigantic wheat fields you can see sheep breeding in this region as well. With a short night stop in Lake Grace the destination of my ride was the town Hyden. Most tourists only go there to see the famous Wave Rock. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q89Q5-ub6m...0/IMG_6858.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HTvCvnCpzJ...0/IMG_6860.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LXv-ZFeyui...0/IMG_6867.jpg I did it as well as I already was in town but the main reason I went to Hyden is the Granite and Woodlands Discovery Trail, a 300 km long mainly gravel road from Hyden to Norseman. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-FIMJCTF6...0/IMG_6869.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnrPbfFCQw...0/IMG_6871.jpg I wanted to have driving enjoyment and I definitely got it. <iframe allowfullscreen="" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ni4KS7Qab5E?rel=0" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640"></iframe> |
Along the dirt road there a several free campgrounds so I used the chance to stay at one of them in complete loneliness. You hear nothing but the wind and some animals.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m7VZV737aZ...0/IMG_6873.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MoDI1P7nZe...0/IMG_6874.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-43Y81KLVxM...0/IMG_6875.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZwcR9PPhy...0/IMG_6920.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAYGLZyQNq...0/IMG_6937.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cHyHjkI10W...0/IMG_6938.jpg After a short sightseeing in Norseman at the next morning I decided to go back to the cost. But why should I use a big road when there is a small dashed line, the Lake King Norseman Road, in my map? So again 200 km of 4wd track to get to Lake King. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uu7jg89l8E...0/IMG_6939.jpg This time the dirt track was not in a good condition and I had to gear down. That’s why it took me 4 hours to finish the 200 km. But I came through the Frank Hann National Park and saw a lot of wild flowers. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nbTe0rk0qI...0/IMG_6943.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ehqbTaT_B3...0/IMG_6941.jpg The town Lake King turned out to be a little bit cheerless so I went on further south to Ravenshorpe. Because of my slow riding on the dirt road the bike just used 11.5 liters of gasoline for the ~340 km from Norseman to Ravenshhorpe – not bad. The next day first took me to the little coastal town Hopetoun and from there to a nice beach camp spot. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xsrwY7GSa7...0/IMG_6947.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q_bW1J6r2J...0/IMG_6954.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hprxVWPQe-...0/IMG_6956.jpg |
Esperance 13/11/2013 - 23/11/2013
After a refreshing cool night I was woken up by the sound of the ocean in the morning. I left the beach camp to go to Esperance. John, who I have meet at the Horizons Meeting in Perth, had offered me to visit him and his wife Stephanie. John had written me just two days before as soon as there would be no wild fire he would only be on standby. What did I see on my way to Esperance? A wild fire! http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nLgvSwSVwE...0/IMG_6961.JPG As I arrived in Esperance I went into Johns office and he gave me the key to his house. With the key I got a description how to find his house and the “order” to make myself comfy, the fried would be filed with cold drinks. But first I went on to a shopping tour to buy a new Camelbak. I lost my last one on the Hyden – Norseman track, but realised it only 500 KMs later. So I went into the first sports store I could find in town but they had only 2 L ones. But this time I wanted a 3L Camelbak because most of the time 2L haven’t been enough for me. No problem is what the salesman told me, there is a motorcycle store in town that might be selling them, but he wanted to give them a call first and ask them if the 3L were in stock. They had them in stock. So a bought a new Camelbak and as there was the chance a CO2 tyre pump, because the plug of my 12V tyre pump had failed the day before. I also went to McDonalds to get one of their 30-cent ice cream cones – that a real good price. At Johns house I arranged myself in one of the guestrooms, grabbed a cold drink and went into the garden. I have to admit I was a little bit surprised as John’s wife Stephanie arrived and she had a small kangaroo with her. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hpoQdO-C0C...0/IMG_6963.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gscq1J7hna...0/IMG_6968.JPG She told me it had lost its mother in a car accident and now she was nursing it until it was big enough to be released in one of the national parks. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sJInWSqq1Z...0/IMG_6971.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OYRlQ3jRD5...0/IMG_6987.JPG Because of the fire John came back home late in the evening, but he took his time to mark interesting points to go to in map, gave me a lot of literature and told me some facts about Esperance. The next morning I went into town to get a new plug for my tyre pump and fixed it. Around midday I herded of to one of Johns points of interest – the 22 KM beach from Wylie Beach to Cape Le Grand. My first kilometres ever on a beach have been a little bit unstable but later it went really good. I only had to dig out the bike two times :) http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-21MyqhZymJ...114_131629.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hmxL_Ja3_d...0/IMG_6988.JPG At the car park of Cape Le Grand I saw a young couple arriving on a R 1200 GS and they hat the same intension than me: go hiking. So we went together and had some interesting talks for the next hours. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AtSpMquGPD...0/IMG_7001.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2RYqzXLLdQ...0/IMG_6996.JPG The next day I went to Mount Ridley. You can see Aboriginal rock paintings and another wave rock at Mount Ridley. But it is a big difference to the wave rock in Hyden. The road to get to Mount Ridley could be called a little bit tougher and you have to climb the mountain to see the interesting parts, ergo no busses with tourists :) http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYPb-DD9if...0/IMG_7022.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9RdbhkV1DJ...0/IMG_7026.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VYpSkinely...0/IMG_7030.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jqtrjfbp33...0/IMG_7039.JPG As I went up early on Saturday morning to get two phone call to Germany done, I used the day to get to Cape Le Grand for a second time. Surely I used the beach ride again :) In the park I hiked to the summit of Frenchman’s Peak. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MQZDt6VWXm...0/IMG_7049.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D15iq4qwi7...0/IMG_7060.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oQIKAB7c5Z...0/IMG_7063.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jelrdM-8it...0/IMG_7084.JPG And I visited all the nice beaches. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VKoI0U-huy...0/IMG_7093.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ox_yPL8XfR...0/IMG_7105.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_DoEb9Wk-...0/IMG_7109.JPG Sunday started relaxing for me in kayak on the ocean, but two times in the ocean next to the kayak ;) http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NZ89Wl1j2w...117_082547.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--FM3bZ3Lla...0/DSCI0114.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U1Y0JPc9VG...0/DSCI0118.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BnYOna9Eyu...0/DSCI0121.JPG |
In the afternoon it got really hot (for me as a German) and the temperatures got up to 37°C so I decided to visit the museum of Esperance.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2SYXxwayaC...117_141824.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7Sz8GbiXs...117_145056.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MOZcf6Phwa...117_145925.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pUYi38yawc...0/IMG_7111.JPG How to cook a roo John had not had enough fire fighting them the hole weekend so we had a nice BBQ in the evening. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-adHqYWXrr0...0/IMG_7118.JPG Mondays there was an massively temperature drop to only 16°C so I had a day of loafing around with John in his shed, doing a little bit of bike maintenance and planning to build something like a tool tube for my tripod. Because the weather hadn’t gotten any better the next morning I started building my tube. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqDtGbvrUA...119_085916.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xqudxqDIet...119_091445.JPG But I thought you have to give it a test first before you use it. So I put in a water bottle and went onto a 300 KM test ride to Cape Arid National Park. There was another beach that John had marked on my map so it had to be tested as well. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vE05n1FTCN...0/IMG_7129.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ce7p-0O9c_...0/IMG_7135.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4qgE3R6TuI...0/IMG_7143.JPG My water pipe did the ride really well. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T0snWcoqyl...0/IMG_7144.JPG The next day I got up early to accompany John at his work. We did bird counting on several spots of a lake. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5PTuz-vLuU...0/DSCI0126.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nfb6g0s-tU...0/DSCI0128.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LfRfFqJQV7...0/DSCI0129.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-boFrLbDN4q...0/DSCI0133.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVvTxEZBKC...0/DSCI0145.JPG And took water samples form all the different lakes in town. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ub9RLY363o...0/DSCI0137.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tDbQtkjqG5...0/DSCI0138.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BXT-H2kwHv...120_112700.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qb1Z7Th58H...120_112003.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFie7P9W_D...0/DSCI0149.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J1jO6Hxt0W...0/DSCI0153.JPG Thursday morning I said goodbye to Stephanie and the little Joey and appointed a meeting place with John for the next day because he wanted to show me some of the really good places. I went back to the Cape Le Grand National Park to camp a night at Lucky Bay. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hZv1T1G5L8...0/IMG_7180.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWcR8LrWdt...0/IMG_7204.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcvRltFfzl...0/IMG_7151.JPG Because I did not want to go back to Norseman to start crossing the Nullarbor Plains I choose a gravel road that would work as a little short cut. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SFoxiaAJIv...0/IMG_7213.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xr-MPP_1wG...0/IMG_7214.JPG |
On the half of the road I wanted to meet John at the old Deralinya homestead.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVlxTdrrIt...0/IMG_7216.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5W9ejzHbmk...0/IMG_7218.JPG Its owners restore the homestead and you can use it as a free campground. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NNrugbQuRG...0/IMG_7220.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UWeUAm7JI9...0/IMG_7221.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XxU7XVTyRD...0/IMG_7222.JPG I was surprised to find Roger one of the owners behind the building working on a roof. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sEOrWG0QRE...0/IMG_7230.JPG He told me they had a 20-year reunion the next day at the homestead but we were cordially invited to join them. Because it was only early afternoon Roger took me on to a 4WD ride to show me the surrounding area of Deralinya. When John arrived Roger was just ready to serve the food he had prepared for all of us. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dMWdUbMiTi...0/IMG_7238.JPG Roger gave us a room for the night what was quite good because it was raining the whole evening. The next morning John and I went off and start to explore Mount Coobaninya near Deralinya. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s3bLDJ8uTe...0/IMG_7247.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scwxH4dA1y...0/IMG_7251.JPG Then we went north to the direction of Belladonia Roadhouse to hit the Eyre highway. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qlelpuyJ0G...0/IMG_7663.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1LRwD8nvAl...Large%2529.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_VI4I6fCKb...Large%2529.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYHKxT_4L4...Large%2529.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aoIMLmT_Ke...0/IMG_7668.JPG Only 12 KMs away from the destination John knew a little detour on the Old Telegraph Track. It went into the wrong direction but John said I might see wild camels along the track at one of the salt lakes. Unfortunately there were none :( http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n8DG_c7MZG...Large%2529.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCgZnsRMsR...Large%2529.JPG But I had to get off my bike involuntary one time :) http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hndJOAamPp...0/IMG_7678.JPG Our way to the Eyre Highway we choose by one criterion – the track has to go north. Short after we got onto the Eyre Highway we got off again because John wanted to take me to lookout over the Fraser Ranges. On the track going there I nearly hit an eagle that was scared of the ground by Johns bike. Arriving at the lookout I had to fuel up my bike because otherwise I wouldn’t have made it to the Belladonia Roadhouse. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qEqsGt6GDh...Large%2529.JPG Filling up the tanks at Belladonia isn’t cheap, we had to pay 2.10$ per litre. But John and I could leave the Roadhouse after we had fuel up the bikes and had an ice cream, not so two backpacker 4WDs they were stranded. It is a must do to take a photo at the “90 Miles Straight” sign even if you leave them after a few kilometres to go on in the shrubs. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4kpQfzF_R...0/IMG_7682.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OtXYKt90yo...0/IMG_7684.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h9kBesay6t...0/IMG_7679.JPG John took me to of his discoveries an old car wrack in the middle of nowhere. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_SpYFtk4q9...0/IMG_7686.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zWNX3QM7Iq...0/IMG_7694.JPG Just a few kilometres further on the same plain we setup our tents or in Johns case his swag for the night. A great spot to camp. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLlMtzsWSI...0/IMG_7702.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WIk1oL5sng...Large%2529.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJ5qRB-jGw...0/IMG_7712.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3MVb5dMzub...0/IMG_7713.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf-XeTnwCW...0/IMG_7716.JPG Greetings Dominik |
Rest of the Nullarbor
After a night of camping under the amazing star-spattered sky of the Nullarbor Plains, we had a little bit of raindrops in the morning. John told me before the Nullarbor Plains should be an area lacking in rain :) We packed our belongings and rode together a little further to the camels tanks, a rain water catchment facility build nearly a 100 years ago to supply the camel coaches they used in the Nullarbor for the transportation of goods. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qe1GuuIuIK...0/IMG_7722.JPG We said goodbye to each other and promised to see us again at the Flinders Ranges Classic in April. John gave me his little cooling bag as leaving present, because I mentioned I should get one as well when I saw his the day before. Johns ride report about the trip ADVrider - View Single Post - Any Esperance WA rides this weekend? Since John had provided me a lot of GPS tracks for the whole Nullarbor I took a little detour to visit the coastline. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CJnm_CX78_...0/IMG_7735.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eY5gd6IsBc...0/IMG_7737.JPG I needed nearly 7 hours to finish the 160 km of the detour and get to the Caiguna Roadhouse. I filled the tank, again for cheap 2.10$ per litre, had an ice cream and went on to the bitumen to get kilometres done. But I did a little detour to visit the Cocklebiddy Cave. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mdjh0WZNZq...0/IMG_7738.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XISQ1ANaUN...0/IMG_7743.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-he3f7G7B6S...0/IMG_7744.JPG At the Cocklebiddy Roadhouse I had a shower and the motorcycle 4 L of premium gas for only 2.14$ the litre. Near the roadhouse I tried to visit three other caves but I couldn't find the entrance of two and the third looked to steep. For the night I camped at one of the many free rest areas along the Eyre Highway. The next day I stayed on the bitumen for a little bit longer. From Madura Roadhouse (2.12$) I went to Mundrabilla Roadhouse (only 91 octan fuel available) for another ice cream stop. At Mundrabilla I used on of Johns tracks to get to the next roadhouse. I thought I could go all the way to the coast but I ended up in an (I think) Aboriginal community. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QXjVZLqC7x...0/IMG_7748.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RxSuCqC0qM...0/IMG_7752.JPG So turned around and used the 4WD track to get through the Roe Plain to the ruins of an old telegraph station. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jqpwgsCmTC...0/GOPR7774.JPG Round about one kilometre before I arrived the track was going through sand dunes. I hat crossing sand dunes because I still feel uncomfortable doing it. But I didn't wont to go back and take a 3-kilometre detour ;) So I had to go. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5xTEE9O0HR...0/GOPR8472.JPG After 2/3 of the way through the sand dunes I started to smell burning plastic. I turned around and couldn't see may plastic fuel can anymore. One of the belts had loosened itself and now the jerrycan hanging on the side of my bike toughing the hot exhaust pipe. Luckily there was only a very small amount of fuel left in the can. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mR5rHToHSj...0/GOPR8544.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M8AmZlXp1Q...0/IMG_7754.JPG Anyway, I managed to get to the ruins ;) http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pr1kqJc5tY...0/IMG_7756.JPG After a short break in the air-conditioned Eucla Roadhouse I went on to cross the border between Western Australia and South Australia. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nL07N9pcvb...0/IMG_7763.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z6cGKIocl7...0/IMG_7765.JPG Arriving in SA a left the Eyre Highway again to use the Old Eyre Highway. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IHZweK9XcE...0/IMG_7766.JPG |
I stayed on the Old Eyre Highway until the abandoned Koonalda Roadhouse.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sd1zzzqA3a...0/IMG_7771.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KCyNzqFnmH...0/IMG_7775.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V0GlRdL07P...0/IMG_7779.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f5cOaN18B_...0/IMG_7783.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WpwCTV3VTY...0/IMG_7785.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ou-gycJXPF...0/IMG_7788.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVlGbzQTAK...0/IMG_7791.JPG But then I wanted to see the coast one more time. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GUffHU3taN...0/IMG_7801.JPG For the night I stayed again at one of the free rest areas. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZhLMz1GzA...0/IMG_7806.JPG The next morning I didn't leave the bitumen anymore to get some distance done and so I arrived in Ceduna the first real city in SA. The first thing I did was going into a tourist information centre to get new free maps of the area, than buying some groceries and I was gone. I ended up at the local campground in Smoky Bay a little fishing village. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JgnR6_JtM6...0/IMG_7816.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CjwxFuV0JR...0/IMG_7820.JPG They have nothing special in Smoky Bay but ousters. I bought 25 ousters for 14$ the best price I have seen so far. After opening the first one I realised I was too lazy to do it the same way with the other 24. I put them on the BBQ and ate them with bacon and BBQ-sauce. Really good! http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z1IMCd7w9W...126_190943.JPG The next day took me to Streaky Bay where I went onto a tourist drive following the coastline and back into the town. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OwXu3qChrN...0/IMG_7830.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-knwj9kyajR...127_135850.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4LGtiN_lp...127_143951.JPG http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4CL6YgjooX...127_144022.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7NxLyBkyIC...0/IMG_7835.JPG I bought some more foodstuffs and went on to get to Walters Rock. I camped there for two nights because of bad weather and bad stomach :( |
Port Lincoln
Right at the first evening at Walters Rock I received a message from Matty and Naz ( Sailing Adventures on Circe | Circe is a 40ft yacht based in Port Lincoln, SA ) inviting me to visit them in Port Lincoln. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1mKDu3R3Gt...0/IMG_7836.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UoqN9ZlGYm...0/IMG_7840.JPG My meeting point with Matty was the lookout on top of the highest hill around the city. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T2h8feAu9B...0/IMG_7844.JPG Arriving at Matty's house I first meet his dog Ani and than Naz. I only managed to take one photo the first evening. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJyERjNmc_...129_145453.JPG But I showed Matty and Naz a video that John had reminded me of when I was in Esperance. The video was the running gag the whole time I have been in Port Lincoln :) On Saturday morning I went on to a little scouting expedition into nearby Lincoln National Park. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YsgFiMsB1O...130_133747.JPG We had planed to start a little sailing trip on Saturday afternoon but the weather forecast expected a bad storm for the night. And there actually was a big thunderstorm at night. On late Sunday forenoon we left the towns marina and set sail to the town jetty. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_rVACUkKUZ...201_124558.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gd1K6aEe1F...0/DSCI0158.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2b9nr5Eqi8...0/DSCI0159.JPG http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Vm8tw3sWy...0/DSCI0162.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IwXTvbmYS2...0/IMG_4951.JPG Matty had some appointments at Monday morning and this was the best spot to reach them by foot. In the afternoon we got company by George, a friend of Matty, and his dog Jimmy. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2cdcSUKwHs...201_195636.JPG The evening developed itself into a nice event with some or even more beer and a BBQ on the boat. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvPaB5hJGC...0/IMG_4953.JPG Around midnight Naz offered to show me how to fish because I had never done it before. After a few minutes Matty and George joined us as well. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YJ5HKurG76...0/IMG_4954.JPG I was lucky and caught my first fish that night. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D4lNk3PTYV...202_002853.JPG But it did not get the chance to experience the taste of the fish because we used it as bait. |
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