Eldonita: 06.11.2018
From the Outback to the Coast
When we happily return from dinner yesterday, the Outback strikes again. Gisela notices another flat tire on the front right - now the fourth one. We've had enough! In the dark, the men can't do anything anymore and tomorrow we have a long drive of 700 km ahead of us. The last evening in Karijini is thoroughly spoiled for us. It's enough adventure for the first part of our trip.
Today, the two men get up at 5:30 a.m., remove the heavy damaged wheel again, and replace it with the newly purchased one. They search for the leak in the damaged tire and patch it up, so we at least have a spare tire again. Luckily, Günther has everything necessary for it in his luggage: compressor, repair kit, folding spade! We also got thick wooden boards and a steel plate as a jack base right at the beginning of the trip. The Outback doesn't forgive any negligence! However, we learn from other car travelers in our accommodations that we are not the only ones with this mishap, the gravel roads demand their toll...
At 7:00 a.m. we have breakfast and then we're off. We're finally leaving the Outback and heading to the coast. Our destination for two nights is the small town of Coral Bay with its white sandy beach, azure blue water, and a fantastic underwater world. We can wash off the dust from the Outback there.
We still have to drive a stretch of gravel road and hopefully not again! We can only pray that we'll make it without any damage! Done, we're on asphalt!
We stop at the Nanutarra Roadhouse for lunch and driver change after 400 km. Of course, we also refuel immediately. We take every opportunity for that. Günther also finds the motto of our trip here.
We are already familiar with the landscape. It only changes after our break. Now there is flat grassland with countless termite mounds - similar to our molehills, but much larger.
During our drive, the outside temperature on our car thermometer keeps dropping. We experience a temperature drop of 14°C - almost a "winter arrival". At 3:45 p.m., after 8 hours of driving, we arrive at the "Bay View Resort" in Coral Bay. When we get out of the car, the strong wind almost blows us away.
We are staying in a "garden villa with 2 bedrooms", with a living area including a kitchenette, bathroom, and terrace. Everything is in modern Australian prefab construction style.
and the town. Coral Bay consists of several holiday resorts, there are 3 restaurants and a supermarket - that's it. So the exploration is quickly done. We get "sandblasted" at the beach. It stings quite a bit on the legs. We test the water temperature only with our feet and find it quite cold. And we want to snorkel here?! Since it's not very comfortable here at the beach, we soon retreat.
In the evening, we even dig out our long-sleeved clothes.