Log One Hundred and Six – Are We There Yet?

17 August 2024

The last four days have been spent crossing the Nullarbor. About 500kms each day and with a tail wind the fuel consumption is pretty good. Not to mention a whole lot less buffeting when travelling east. Everyone says a West – East crossing is easier and our experience confirms that advice.

We camped above the Great Australian Bight and encountered ‘those’ campers. You know the ones that regardless of how deserted the place is and how much space there is they have to camp beside you. To make things worse our neighbours decided the remote ambience would benefit from the background noise of their generator. Ahhhhhhh!

I am probably repeating myself when I say, in this country you need a UHF radio. It’s so valuable to talk to the driver of the roadtrain that is coming up behind you or to hear from the escort vehicle as you pull off to the side of the road. Without these conversations you are somewhat blind in this country.

The theme of ‘big’ has come up a few times on this trip and yes there are more big ‘things’. We were in awe of the big galah. We also visited a windmill museum and yes there is one. That museum has the biggest windmill ever built in Australia. Of course being so big it had a name. That windmill is named Bruce. You would have to admit that’s a pretty appropriate name for a windmill.

Fuel prices are a subject of conversation out here. Being so remote the fuel is transported a long way and hence prices can get interesting. Of course when roadhouses are over 100 kms apart there is little competition. It’s not like there is another one around the next corner. That said a quick check online of fuel prices and a drive to the next roadhouse, about 80kms up the road, and I would have saved $30. It is worth checking those fuel apps.

We have arrived at Whyalla, the land of high quality hematite or iron ore. This is the place where the majority of Australia’s rail track is made. It’s also where cuttlefish gather every year to mate and die. Who knew!

After all this driving we have had our first glitch. We were close to the middle of nowhere, somewhere west of the back of beyond. We were happily driving along when without warning we lost power. The car kept going but it was just going slowly. We were in limp mode with about 120 kms to get to our destination for that day. It was not a good place to break down. Going downhill we had some speed but the slightest incline and we were real slow. Not a happy place when there are roadtrains travelling at 110 kph coming up behind you. There were no towns or friendly mechanics out here.

Without going into all the details we did get to our destination that night but with some stress. The next day the problem was diagnosed as a failed sensor which we hope will be replaced on Tuesday. And so we are enjoying the sites of Whyalla for an extra few days.

I mentioned earlier our worst cup of coffee ever. Yesterday we experienced our best breakfast accompanied by excellent coffee. If you are ever in Port Augusta try breakfast at Archers’ Table.

Next week we leave Whyalla and continue east across South Australia and into Victoria.