More pictures

Leg 8 - Eyre Peninsula

 Day 26 now and we head for the Eyre Peninsula before making our way back to Perth through Norseman and Hyden. We set of from Tanunda up through the Clare Valley, Kapunda (a Cornish mining settlement), Port Pirie, Port Augusta and down the east side of the Eyre Peninsula.  We decided it was time for some free camping and managed to find a lovely spot at Fitzgerald Bay, just north of Whyala. Didn't think much of Whyala - a steelworks town coated in red dust from all the steel works in the surrounding are.  Explored the area surrounding the camp site and Point Bonython area..  There were 2 or 3 free camping spots along the bay but we had definitely chosen the best one. 

After 2 nights sleeping on the waters edge we moved on to Port Lincoln.  We stopped at a few towns on the way including Tumby Bay where we bumped into the Annual Bikers Toy Run, collecting toys for Xmas which are then given to various orphanages etc. Stayed at the Port Lincoln Caravan Park which was right on the water. Good base from which to explore the southern

Day 37 and we leave the Peninsula to head back to Perth.  Our first overnight stop was Fowlers Bay, another area known for it's 4x4 tracks.  We did some exploring and found a lot of whalebones and also a seal colony which we managed to get very close to.  Some of the pups were actually playing and interacting with us.  We spent ages just watching them.

The following day we set off across the state border to Madura, then to Norseman.  From Norseman we decided to take the shortcut through the centre to Hyden and then straight through to Perth so that last day was a long one.  The road was rougher than we remembered.  There are a lot of mines that have opened up and road trains use the road now and it is quite rough in parts.

The end has come.  We have had 40 days on the road and loved every minute of it.  We can't wait to get started on our next trip which, all going well, will be mid June.  WATCH THIS SPACE!

 

 end of the Peninsula.  We went down Whalers Way and spent a lot of time watching a family of Ospreys that were nesting on rocks just offshore. We also did on Sleaford-Wanna 4x4 track in the National Park.

Coffin Bay National Park was out next stop, on the lower west coast of the peninsular.  Some lovely scenery and the only way to explore most of this national park is with a 4x4 vehicle only. Spent the afternoon and the next porning doing some offroad tracks then moved on up the coast to Venus Bay.

Day 33 and we were stuck in Venus Bay with gale force winds. Glad the Caravan Park was sheltered.  A lovely little bay with sea lions and dolphins in the harbour.

Day 34 we moved up to Streaky Bay Caravan Park.  Our site was on the waterfront.  Sitting outside overlooking the water with a glass of red wine in the evening was lovely. There is some lovely coastline round this area.  Sea lions and dolphins are all along the coast.  We did the Westwall Drive scenic drive and round to Cape Labatt Sea lion colony.