On the road

Monday, January 16, 2023

Epilogue - Sydney to Perth and back

It took a long time to get this trip happening but finally, I was done. The trip from Sydney to Perth across the Nullarbor had been a distant dream and I have been preparing for it. My trip from Sydney to Alice Springs around was 6,000 kms. So I had dropped my plans for a one way trip to Perth and putting the car on a truck for the trip back. I was going to drive back and forth, twice across the Nullarbor. And so I did. What's more, I took an occasional detour to push it over 10,000 kms.

Day 14 - Dubbo to St Ives

Dubbo, NSW to St Ives, NSW - 390 kms 5:00 hours.

I am now in Dubbo, just under 400 kms from home. Limping home on a spare tyre, I take it easy for a while.

Day 13 - Wilcannia to Dubbo

Wilcannia, NSW to Dubbo, NSW - 557 kms 5:45 hours.

With the space saver tyre on, I slowly limped back home to Sydney. The 1 day trip from Wilcannia to Sydney now became a two day trip with a stopover at Dubbo. This was to allow for travelling at the space saver tyre's limit of 80 kmph plus frequent stops to avoid it from overheating.

I did lose some time last night and got up late in the morning. I would be reaching Dubbo late in the night. Besides having to drive at dusk, yet again, I would reach my hotel late.

Day 12 - Trip hits a road bump - literally!

It was late in the night and I was barrelling down the highway at 100 kmph when I heard and felt a massive bump.

I soon heard a nasty grinding noise that could mean only one thing - I had a flat tire.

Day 12 - Port Lincoln to Wilcannia

Port Lincoln, Victoria to Wilcannia, NSW - 951 kms 10:13 hours.

I set out in the morning from Pt Lincoln up the coast of the Spencer Gulf towards Pt Augusta. I went through Whylla and 4 hours later and passed through Pt Augusta for the second time.

Once past Pt Augusta, I come across Lake Bird. This is yet another "lake" that is basically a dried up version that turns wet when it rains. The main water discharge from a power plant stopped after it was shut down. What remains is this dry, smelly salt pan.

Day 11 - Border Village to Port Lincoln

Border Village, South Australia to Port Lincoln, Victoria - 882 kms 9:10 hours.

Having driven half way across the Nullarbor, it was time for the second half. As it was the start of the day's drive, I took a few detours into viewing platforms giving me a view of the Great Australian Bight.