Back drop to question..... My Dad worked and lived in the outback of South Australia from the time I was born until I was 16, he came home rarely, but always did with stories of his time in the outback His wish, when he died, was to have his ashes given to the guard on the Ghan and scattered at Oldear *Spelling and I can't find it on a map* he loved it that much. Now I am retired and hubby and I have purchased a small caravan and are getting ready to travel.
This winter we were looking at (pracis) going up the centre then over to Kunanurra and down the WA coast ... back over the Nullabour see the wild flowers and home. However, because there is always a however, we watched some videos last night of a caravanner doing something similar and, to be honest, the countryside looked dry, drab and uninteresting. I am not sure if we are ready to travel hundreds of miles/ kilometers and see red dirt and scrub.
Have I been out there? Yes I did a road trip, after flying into Alice Springs, to Ayers Rock* Uluru* then up to Darwin so I do know that there are trees and termite mounds, enjoyed the Hot Springs at Mataranka but that holiday was tainted with wrecking the hire car, my Dad, who was with us, dying and being forced to pay an exhorbitant about of money to airline staff, over and above the ticket, to fly back to Adelaide.
Am I affected by the bad expirience I had, no I do not think so because, until I watched these videos I was ready and raring to go, but sitting in a car travelling all that distance to get to a few gems now has me questioning my thinking and my spending also.
All of this doubt from the girl who has refused to travel overseas until she has seen and knows her own country. So question is, to those of you who have done this trip is it worth it?
bgt said
12:50 PM Feb 29, 2020
I haven't done that trip. But a comment re Australia or overseas. I always promoted seeing Australia first. But business required me to travel overseas. The bug bit. Wife and I spent many years travelling overseas. 8 years in total in North America in a motor home. Then I got seriously ill while in the USA. They almost put me out to pasture. That illness has ended my overseas travel. Now we have a motor home in Australia. Travelling in familiar territory with the support of Australia's medical system.
Moral of the story is to travel overseas while you can. Australia will always be a safe haven.
bobsa said
01:01 PM Feb 29, 2020
Ooldea was a tiny settlement in South Australia. It is on the eastern edge of the Nullarbor Plain, 863 km west of Port Augusta on the TransAustralian Railway , I have traveled that road many times for work there is nothing there now getting someone from the railways might be hard . The guys from Telstra would still do maintenance out there, they are based at Woomera you could ask there I still have some contact I could ask for you, I live in Adelaide
Wa wild flower are to die for , the changes in the country as you travel is fantastic To look at the coast line across the Nullarbor is breath taking yes there is dry desert on the way but it is not the destination that gets you it is the journey that is fantastic take your time and smell the rose a good start is 3 months more if you got time pick your time of year to travel carefully
if you want green go to Ireland very green there hahaha
bob
-- Edited by bobsa on Saturday 29th of February 2020 01:57:52 PM
Simply_Susan said
02:31 PM Feb 29, 2020
Thank you for your input it is appreciated
We are thinking of leaving NE Victoria middle to end of May and are/ were so looking forward to this trip of 4- 5 months. So what was/am I asking or looking for, reassurance that it is not as I saw on the videos and you probably just answered it BobSA. All I have known from people is it gets into your being. It happened to my Dad and 2 sisters who both owned pubs along the road to Darwin and an old lady who lived opposite me who loved to paint using water colours and lived in the red centre for many years only returning to the greener parts of Australia when she retired and needed to be closer to family.
Thanks again
Susan
-- Edited by Simply_Susan on Saturday 29th of February 2020 02:42:15 PM
Mike Harding said
03:09 PM Feb 29, 2020
Susan: I expect your question, valid as it is, may well attract a large and diverse response.
>So question is, to those of you who have done this trip is it worth it?
No - but with provisions.
If you have never seen deserts, wildernesses, been seriously alone in the bush/forest or properly experienced the "veldt" from which human life on this planet arose then yes you should. I would *love* for some of the inner city greenies to experience such country.
However if you have seen such country and unless you are a botanist or similar then it ain't that different either across Oz or the other deserts of the planet.
Visit the Top End, FNQ, Alice Springs, the capitals, the Vic High Country and you will have experienced much of Oz.
Australia is a wonderful country and they will surely bury me here but if you are not a real "outback" type then its charms dwindle against, say, Rome, Greece, Thailand, Egypt, parts of south America, parts of the USA etc. The world does not begin and end in Australia.
Please let us know what you decide and how that decision/travel works for you.
Peter_n_Margaret said
06:00 PM Feb 29, 2020
Ooldea is on the Indian Pacific rail line. It is near where the rails from the east and from the west were joined 100 years ago on the 17th October 1917. There is a newly refurbished memorial there to that event. Ooldea is also where Daisy Bates had her camp, taking care of the local Aboriginals. Ooldea is about 150km north of the Eyre Highway. About 100km of that is a good bitumen road servicing a mineral sands mine in the area. You should drive out there and have a look and spread you father's ashes yourself.
For us that trip is never boring, even though we have done most parts of it many times now, we always find something new to see, and I'm happy spending the day driving. But my sister in law described a drive from Perth to Exmouth in a hire car as the most boring thing she had ever done and pure torture and looks aghast when I say I love it out there. Have you done some travelling through closer parts like inland NSW or Queensland to see how you like it? Maybe don't plan too much, go up the centre and see how it goes, you can always head back home if you decide its not for you.
Whenarewethere said
06:55 PM Feb 29, 2020
We have done many trips to Europe, last big one was 4 months mostly Italy & France. Other half went to Germany last year to see family, I went to Tassie to see my family.
2 years ago we drove from Sydney to Kakadu, down to Perth & back to Sydney. We cut things short in Perth due to the rain & living out of a car only, it gets unpleasant.
Last year I picked up other half from Perth airport & we did south west corner. Then up to Kalgoorlie, Great Central Road to Uluru, down the Oodnadatta Track, Flinders Ranges & back to Sydney.
It is worth doing the centre to see the red dirt..... & green trees! Slow down, pace yourself, take your time & enjoy the scenery. There is plenty to look at along the Eyre Highway as well, it's not boring!
2 free camping areas on Great Central Road.
Dolphin Bay whale mother & calf (underwater right) & government signage at Poison Creek south coast!
We have walked up the escarpment west of Eucla a few times.
Yep, have to agree with last post. Have travelled the nullabor many times, been stationed at Warburton for a couple of years in the desert and travelled the length of the great central road and never get bored of the sounds of the wilderness. It maybe never ending scrub and spinefex but it is still magical. Stop and camp along a few places, have a campfire and fall in love with our great country.
The problem is Susan, only you know the answer for you!
There are many like Kathy and myself who do love the Outback, the long open roads, and the big sky with little else. We enjoy our quiet company together, and travel with the credo of its not the destination, but the glory of the ride!
There are also many like you who see the videos, travel the roads, and dont like the experience. And that is fine, but dont expect to get the answer to your question until you experience it yourself, which while a harrowing experience, you did on your last trip. Since you went, nothing new has popped up, so the road is just as long, the termite mounds still there, and it is still a long way between special places in a lot of cases. We believe the distances are worth the places we find.
There have been roads I didnt enjoy as much, 80 Mile Beach to Port Hedland being one, but in general terms it has been a great experience. But as I said, only you know if you enjoy that sort of thing. I do know you need to enjoy driving! Short of a full lap, the trip you are looking at is the longest one you can do from your home base. We did it 4 years ago from Adelaide, and didnt do the SW of WA as we had been the year before, and did 20000 kms.
I suggest Meredith is right. Try some short runs in Outback NSW first, even into the Flinders Ranges area in SA, and then see what you think. If its ok, head off on your trip, and just go with the flow, heading home when you get bored. If you dont enjoy that, you may find the longer distance and time a trip to far. But guess what? That doesnt matter. Just try it!
Hope you enjoy your time whatever the outcome.
-- Edited by TheHeaths on Sunday 1st of March 2020 09:03:49 AM
Simply_Susan said
09:12 AM Mar 1, 2020
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Ooldea is on the Indian Pacific rail line. It is near where the rails from the east and from the west were joined 100 years ago on the 17th October 1917. There is a newly refurbished memorial there to that event. Ooldea is also where Daisy Bates had her camp, taking care of the local Aboriginals. Ooldea is about 150km north of the Eyre Highway. About 100km of that is a good bitumen road servicing a mineral sands mine in the area. You should drive out there and have a look and spread you father's ashes yourself.
Cheers,
Peter
Sorry, it seems people have the impression I have dad's ashes. It was his wish, a wish my Mother never gave into at the time of dad's passing many years ago. At this time and for many years now, I have wanted to go to se what made that particular part of Australia so important to my Dad, who would have been 118 if still alive. But your answers, yours and Stretch60 has me confused and it seems the maps I have are not complete enough to give me the answers. I was positive dad said guard on the Ghan and I know he travelled those, lines both the Transconinent and the Ghan, often enough to know the difference between the track so I guess I need to go to fathum out the query in my head.
In saying all of that, thank you for the pics Peter n Margaret, WhenareweThere and Stretch60 :)
-- Edited by Simply_Susan on Sunday 1st of March 2020 09:29:06 AM
Warren-Pat_01 said
11:33 PM Mar 6, 2020
Hey Peter_n_Margaret!
Are you trying to make a bloke homesick by producing that map?
We lived at Ceduna for 15 years & I did just a few kms on both Eyre Highways while working for the PMG/Telecom/Telstra travelling to Eucla, Port Pirie. Pat was working at Yalata when I met her & weekends, long weekends were spent exploring.
Susan,
Without knowing what hobbies you have, there are some that ensure what looks like normally boring country can in fact show some gems out there. One WA Telstra tech was into lichens & he was over the moon with some near Eucla (our cross over station). We're bird watchers & it's amazing what one can find in dull, boring country.
And in WA you will find wild flowers. Some may die but you'll find others come to life in the following period, season. We found this especially in the southern part of the state.
While we were at Ceduna, we did a trip with the local 4WD club across the Great Victoria Desert on some of Len Beadell's "Highways" - the vegetation in that area called "desert" had to be seen to be believed it was there. With every change of soil, there was a change in grass, bush, shrubs, trees (& BIG trees). My initial thoughts were that we'd see a few birds - perhaps crows, emus, eagles but we actually saw 65 species!! This was before I became a bid watcher, but Pat was just getting into it.
Ian's (TheHeaths) advice is good, as are most of the other posts. Take things easy at first, be comfortable about the smaller trips & gradually build up the confidence for the bigger trips. You might be able to find a guided trip into the areas your dad enjoyed so much. However I would not advise you to travel in these remote areas alone.
All the best.
Simply_Susan said
02:30 AM Mar 7, 2020
Warren-Pat_01,
your reply and the others have again stirred in me the reasons I wanted to do this in the first place. You wrote of the PMG and Lenny Beadell makes me remember Dad, his words, his stories. He knew Lenny and would speak of him before he became a celebrity, the photo's the others have shared are showing places Dad had been. Your mention Ceduna and the Eyre Peninsular, after he retired is where he went with his caravan and tinny. Dad was never home when I grew up, well it seemed that way, seemed as if he would be home about once a year for such a short time and then he was gone again on PMG business and back to where he loved. I feel I want to go to really expirience what it was which took him away from home so willingly and to see what it was he spoke about with such tenderness. The last time I ventured into the Northern Territory it was with him and it was then he passed away in the country he loved. *sigh*. Ruined a perfectly good holiday too mind you.
Will we go, yes we are doing the planning now for take off in May. Off to explore the interior.
Thanks all, you made my mind up for me and reset my lifes journey back on track.
Just asking!
Back drop to question..... My Dad worked and lived in the outback of South Australia from the time I was born until I was 16, he came home rarely, but always did with stories of his time in the outback His wish, when he died, was to have his ashes given to the guard on the Ghan and scattered at Oldear *Spelling and I can't find it on a map* he loved it that much. Now I am retired and hubby and I have purchased a small caravan and are getting ready to travel.
This winter we were looking at (pracis) going up the centre then over to Kunanurra and down the WA coast ... back over the Nullabour see the wild flowers and home. However, because there is always a however, we watched some videos last night of a caravanner doing something similar and, to be honest, the countryside looked dry, drab and uninteresting. I am not sure if we are ready to travel hundreds of miles/ kilometers and see red dirt and scrub.
Have I been out there? Yes I did a road trip, after flying into Alice Springs, to Ayers Rock* Uluru* then up to Darwin so I do know that there are trees and termite mounds, enjoyed the Hot Springs at Mataranka but that holiday was tainted with wrecking the hire car, my Dad, who was with us, dying and being forced to pay an exhorbitant about of money to airline staff, over and above the ticket, to fly back to Adelaide.
Am I affected by the bad expirience I had, no I do not think so because, until I watched these videos I was ready and raring to go, but sitting in a car travelling all that distance to get to a few gems now has me questioning my thinking and my spending also.
All of this doubt from the girl who has refused to travel overseas until she has seen and knows her own country. So question is, to those of you who have done this trip is it worth it?
Ooldea was a tiny settlement in South Australia. It is on the eastern edge of the Nullarbor Plain,
863 km west of Port Augusta on the TransAustralian Railway ,
I have traveled that road many times for work
there is nothing there now getting someone from the railways might be hard . The guys from Telstra would still do maintenance
out there, they are based at Woomera you could ask there I still have some contact I could ask for you, I live in Adelaide
Wa wild flower are to die for , the changes in the country as you travel is fantastic
To look at the coast line across the Nullarbor is breath taking
yes there is dry desert on the way but it is not the destination that gets you it
is the journey that is fantastic take your time and smell the rose
a good start is 3 months more if you got time pick your time of year to travel carefully
if you want green go to Ireland very green there hahaha
bob
-- Edited by bobsa on Saturday 29th of February 2020 01:57:52 PM
Thank you for your input it is appreciated
We are thinking of leaving NE Victoria middle to end of May and are/ were so looking forward to this trip of 4- 5 months. So what was/am I asking or looking for, reassurance that it is not as I saw on the videos and you probably just answered it BobSA. All I have known from people is it gets into your being. It happened to my Dad and 2 sisters who both owned pubs along the road to Darwin and an old lady who lived opposite me who loved to paint using water colours and lived in the red centre for many years only returning to the greener parts of Australia when she retired and needed to be closer to family.
Thanks again
Susan
-- Edited by Simply_Susan on Saturday 29th of February 2020 02:42:15 PM
Susan: I expect your question, valid as it is, may well attract a
large and diverse response.
>So question is, to those of you who have done this trip is it worth it?
No - but with provisions.
If you have never seen deserts, wildernesses, been seriously alone in
the bush/forest or properly experienced the "veldt" from which human
life on this planet arose then yes you should. I would *love* for
some of the inner city greenies to experience such country.
However if you have seen such country and unless you are a botanist
or similar then it ain't that different either across Oz or the other
deserts of the planet.
Visit the Top End, FNQ, Alice Springs, the capitals, the Vic High
Country and you will have experienced much of Oz.
Australia is a wonderful country and they will surely bury me here
but if you are not a real "outback" type then its charms dwindle
against, say, Rome, Greece, Thailand, Egypt, parts of south America,
parts of the USA etc. The world does not begin and end in Australia.
Please let us know what you decide and how that decision/travel works
for you.
Ooldea is on the Indian Pacific rail line.
It is near where the rails from the east and from the west were joined 100 years ago on the 17th October 1917. There is a newly refurbished memorial there to that event.
Ooldea is also where Daisy Bates had her camp, taking care of the local Aboriginals.
Ooldea is about 150km north of the Eyre Highway. About 100km of that is a good bitumen road servicing a mineral sands mine in the area.
You should drive out there and have a look and spread you father's ashes yourself.
Cheers,
Peter
We have done many trips to Europe, last big one was 4 months mostly Italy & France. Other half went to Germany last year to see family, I went to Tassie to see my family.
2 years ago we drove from Sydney to Kakadu, down to Perth & back to Sydney. We cut things short in Perth due to the rain & living out of a car only, it gets unpleasant.
Last year I picked up other half from Perth airport & we did south west corner. Then up to Kalgoorlie, Great Central Road to Uluru, down the Oodnadatta Track, Flinders Ranges & back to Sydney.
It is worth doing the centre to see the red dirt..... & green trees! Slow down, pace yourself, take your time & enjoy the scenery. There is plenty to look at along the Eyre Highway as well, it's not boring!
2 free camping areas on Great Central Road.
Dolphin Bay whale mother & calf (underwater right) & government signage at Poison Creek south coast!
We have walked up the escarpment west of Eucla a few times.
Nullarbor Caves.
Bluff Knoll.
Lambert's Centre.
Yep, have to agree with last post. Have travelled the nullabor many times, been stationed at Warburton for a couple of years in the desert and travelled the length of the great central road and never get bored of the sounds of the wilderness. It maybe never ending scrub and spinefex but it is still magical. Stop and camp along a few places, have a campfire and fall in love with our great country.
The problem is Susan, only you know the answer for you!
There are many like Kathy and myself who do love the Outback, the long open roads, and the big sky with little else. We enjoy our quiet company together, and travel with the credo of its not the destination, but the glory of the ride!
There are also many like you who see the videos, travel the roads, and dont like the experience. And that is fine, but dont expect to get the answer to your question until you experience it yourself, which while a harrowing experience, you did on your last trip. Since you went, nothing new has popped up, so the road is just as long, the termite mounds still there, and it is still a long way between special places in a lot of cases. We believe the distances are worth the places we find.
There have been roads I didnt enjoy as much, 80 Mile Beach to Port Hedland being one, but in general terms it has been a great experience. But as I said, only you know if you enjoy that sort of thing. I do know you need to enjoy driving! Short of a full lap, the trip you are looking at is the longest one you can do from your home base. We did it 4 years ago from Adelaide, and didnt do the SW of WA as we had been the year before, and did 20000 kms.
I suggest Meredith is right. Try some short runs in Outback NSW first, even into the Flinders Ranges area in SA, and then see what you think. If its ok, head off on your trip, and just go with the flow, heading home when you get bored. If you dont enjoy that, you may find the longer distance and time a trip to far. But guess what? That doesnt matter. Just try it!
Hope you enjoy your time whatever the outcome.
-- Edited by TheHeaths on Sunday 1st of March 2020 09:03:49 AM
Sorry, it seems people have the impression I have dad's ashes. It was his wish, a wish my Mother never gave into at the time of dad's passing many years ago. At this time and for many years now, I have wanted to go to se what made that particular part of Australia so important to my Dad, who would have been 118 if still alive. But your answers, yours and Stretch60 has me confused and it seems the maps I have are not complete enough to give me the answers. I was positive dad said guard on the Ghan and I know he travelled those, lines both the Transconinent and the Ghan, often enough to know the difference between the track so I guess I need to go to fathum out the query in my head.
In saying all of that, thank you for the pics Peter n Margaret, WhenareweThere and Stretch60 :)
-- Edited by Simply_Susan on Sunday 1st of March 2020 09:29:06 AM
Are you trying to make a bloke homesick by producing that map?
We lived at Ceduna for 15 years & I did just a few kms on both Eyre Highways while working for the PMG/Telecom/Telstra travelling to Eucla, Port Pirie. Pat was working at Yalata when I met her & weekends, long weekends were spent exploring.
Susan,
Without knowing what hobbies you have, there are some that ensure what looks like normally boring country can in fact show some gems out there. One WA Telstra tech was into lichens & he was over the moon with some near Eucla (our cross over station). We're bird watchers & it's amazing what one can find in dull, boring country.
And in WA you will find wild flowers. Some may die but you'll find others come to life in the following period, season. We found this especially in the southern part of the state.
While we were at Ceduna, we did a trip with the local 4WD club across the Great Victoria Desert on some of Len Beadell's "Highways" - the vegetation in that area called "desert" had to be seen to be believed it was there. With every change of soil, there was a change in grass, bush, shrubs, trees (& BIG trees). My initial thoughts were that we'd see a few birds - perhaps crows, emus, eagles but we actually saw 65 species!! This was before I became a bid watcher, but Pat was just getting into it.
Ian's (TheHeaths) advice is good, as are most of the other posts. Take things easy at first, be comfortable about the smaller trips & gradually build up the confidence for the bigger trips. You might be able to find a guided trip into the areas your dad enjoyed so much. However I would not advise you to travel in these remote areas alone.
All the best.
Warren-Pat_01,
your reply and the others have again stirred in me the reasons I wanted to do this in the first place. You wrote of the PMG and Lenny Beadell makes me remember Dad, his words, his stories. He knew Lenny and would speak of him before he became a celebrity, the photo's the others have shared are showing places Dad had been. Your mention Ceduna and the Eyre Peninsular, after he retired is where he went with his caravan and tinny. Dad was never home when I grew up, well it seemed that way, seemed as if he would be home about once a year for such a short time and then he was gone again on PMG business and back to where he loved. I feel I want to go to really expirience what it was which took him away from home so willingly and to see what it was he spoke about with such tenderness. The last time I ventured into the Northern Territory it was with him and it was then he passed away in the country he loved. *sigh*. Ruined a perfectly good holiday too mind you.
Will we go, yes we are doing the planning now for take off in May. Off to explore the interior.
Thanks all, you made my mind up for me and reset my lifes journey back on track.
Susan