Tours and Excursions

This is a journey my wife, Gina and I made during July 2004 for our 25th Wedding Anniversary as part as our long awaited trip around the world.

The trip was organised by Nullarbor Traveller and was excellent in all areas and they can be contacted at:

info@the-traveller.com.au

The coach picked up it's passengers early Sunday morning and on this particular trip there were only 5 passengers which gave excellent room and of course ease of getting to know people.  Set off arriving in the town of York for breakfast.

YORK - Pleasant town, great breakfast in the York Village Bakehouse & Tearoom with Town Hall worth a visit - it has a full display of the towns history - Fantastic Victorian restored buildings and the old ballroom had a great atmosphere even while empty, just use your imagination.

CORRIGAN - Check out the Dog Graveyard! yes just outside the town, also famous for it's Dog In a Ute record - next attempt 9th April 2005

HYDEN - The Wave Rock is one of Australia's most famous landforms, situated four kilometres east of the town of Hyden and is a must.

HOPETOUN - Nice tranquil town, accommodation in the local caravan park – basic. Early morning the coast was beautiful and standing on the beach with the waves crashing in – a sight to behold. There are a lot of benefits to travelling during July/August: You see the landscape in a different light and of course you have it mainly to yourself – no summer crowds. Fitzgerald NP was worth the visit where we climbed East Mt Barren, relatively easy climb for the amateur. Although if it rains you are obliged to turn back, plant disease can be carried by foot and boot cleaning is advised.

ESPERANCE - Not too impressed with this town but 06.00 next morning we visited Cape LeGrande NP - fantastic. Climb 'Frenchman's Peak or walk/hike from Lucky Bay through Thistle Bay to Hellfire Bay. White sand and wildlife to be enjoyed. This hike is marked by white tipped wooden poles but be careful as some fall over - always locate next pole before moving on as straying of the track can be dangerous.

NORSEMAN - Call in to the Tourist Office and the staff will give you all the history of the area, make sure you have plenty of time. Leave Norseman and at the roundabout take the EYRE HIGHWAY and let the journey begin. We made an early stop at Fraser Range Station, which is mainly a sheep station but now turning its hand to tourism. Sleeping arrangements are basic and good in the style of farm-hand quarters. A big dining area with cooking facilities was lit up with a fantastic log fire and you could wander the farm at will. Next morning we took a short drive to Newman's Rocks for breakfast in the ‘Bush’. The red colour of the earth was fascinating and here we met one of the characters of the area.  Kevin Gorman is a man worth tracking down.  He is the Nullabor Binman and he checks out all the lay-bys and removes unfortunate animals dead at the side of the road.  Ask for him at any of the roadhouses and you may be lucky.

CAIGUNA – When you reach here you will have travelled the famous 90 mile straight.  This may not be everyone’s ‘cup of tea’ but in this modern, busy age just stop along this road, get out and look around, bliss!!

COCKLEBIDDY CAVES – Just before the Cocklebiddy Roadhouse take a turn off to the caves.  You will need good walking boots and a torch.  The climb down to the cave is across fallen rubble but is quite easy to negotiate.  Best to go with a group and the water below is crystal clear and very inviting to swim in.

MADURA PASS – We stayed at the Madura Pass Hotel, shared accommodation (5 of us) and take some time to sit at the Bar and talk to other people, travellers and locals.  Guess who turned up, yes Kevin Gorman.  I read an article in the Independent Newspaper (UK) travel section about this Hotel which gave a poor review – not what we experienced.  Fantastic meal, friendly and welcoming and ideal for our needs.  If you want 5* service all the way don’t take this road.

EUCLA – Old telegraph station now swallowed up by the sands.  Plenty of sand dunes for walking, sand boarding etc.

YALATA ROADHOUSE – We are now in Aboriginal Lands and nearby is the Yalata Mission.  This stop was a big disappointment.  The usual tourist shop with artefacts for sale and a ‘high pressure’ salesman let us feeling very ‘cold’  We questioned why an ‘Aussie’ was running the place instead of local people and the answer we got highlighted a poor attitude and one unexpected in this day and age.  Make your own conclusions if you stop here!

CEDUNA – Officially you have now completed the Eyre Highway and make sure you call in to the Tourist Office to get you certificate.  The local bakery opposite was ideal for tea, coffee and cakes - Poynton Street.

The Eyre Highway is well worth the effort, we went during August which was ideal and comfortable for travelling.  However, remember it gets dark close to 6 o’clock in the evening and it can be unsafe driving because of kangaroo’s etc crossing the road.  Usually if you hit a kangaroo you come of worse.