The Outback is calling

10/29/2018

Today we finally have WIFI again, so there will be several daily reports:

Heading North

10/27/2018

The adventure begins. Günther is very happy and immediately takes the wheel. Today we are driving 500 km north from Perth to Mullewa on the "Route of Wildflowers". The entire route is still paved with good roads and it takes us 6 ½ hours.

Right after Perth we drive through the vineyard region of Swan River. Then we pass through a lovely green hilly landscape. This is followed by endless farmland with huge yellow fields of grain. Somewhere in the middle of nowhere, there is a road to a farm or a small village. We are almost alone on the road. The closer we get to Mullewa, the more desolate the landscape becomes.

Whenever we leave our car, we are immediately surrounded by a swarm of flies. This is a real plague here in Western Australia and will continue to accompany us. They are annoying, but luckily we have fly nets for our heads.

Unfortunately, there is not much left to see of the wildflower bloom. We are a bit late in this area. But occasionally there are still colorful flowers along the roadside.

Our accommodation today at the Railway Hotel Mullewa is very rustic. This is the only house here and it has the "flair" of a saloon with a bar and it is a different kind of experience. The term hotel is probably a bit exaggerated.

 

Here in the village there is a "Wildflower Walk" that we want to take after sitting for so long. Unfortunately, it's not worth it and we shorten it. Nothing but flies!

During dinner, we are entertained with karaoke performances by the locals.

On the Road in the Outback

10/28/2018

Today's driving distance is only about 200 km. So we can sleep in a bit. Our sleep schedule hasn't fully adjusted yet. We already have our highlight of the day in the early morning - breakfast! In the breakfast room, there is only toast and instant coffee available. At least there is already water in the kettle. In the refrigerator, I find a cup of margarine and a small amount of jam. Everything else is not enjoyable. This is a great Sunday breakfast, but we take it with humor.

Afterwards, we head towards Murchison. Right at the beginning, Gerhard almost runs over an emu that suddenly ran across the road. But that's the only excitement, because we are all alone on the road. Open red earth with dry bushes accompanies us from now on, on both sides of the road. There are still wildflowers blooming, creating colorful carpets of flowers in some places.

The Carnarvon Mullewa Road is initially asphalted, later it becomes a well-maintained trail. Agriculture here is limited to cattle farming - we are in Cattle Country. Dark brown cattle roam freely in the bush. We encounter them at the Ballinyoo Bridge. The road crosses the riverbed of the Murchison River. We take a break here.

The Roadhaus closes at 4:00 pm on Sundays, but the manager still prepares dinner for us. She brings it to our terrace and we can enjoy a cozy meal. We brought wine and beer, because there is no alcohol sale here. The stars shine in the sky and the full moon shines brightly. What more could we ask for?

The temperature is steadily rising - today it is 35 degrees.

Further into the Wilderness

10/29/2018

Once again, we have time in the morning, as our destination for today is not too far away (about 300 km). We continue further north into the Outback. The road has finally parted ways with asphalt and we leave a trail of red dust behind us. The good condition of this gravel road allows us to maintain a speed of around 100 km/h. At this pace, we feel the bumps the least.

The landscape remains the same as yesterday. Red, chalk-white, and stony soil alternate. Sparse dry bushes grow on it. Some bushes have sprouted fresh green leaves. The road crosses several dry riverbeds, but occasionally we also see wet patches from past rain. Throughout the day, the temperature climbs to 40 degrees. Fortunately, we are comfortably cooled inside the car.

There is "busy" traffic the entire way. During the five-hour drive, we only encounter one car and two kangaroos.

We reach the Gascoyne Junction Tourist Park at around 3:00 pm. We stay in a "2 Bedroom Cabin" made of container-like prefabricated elements, fully equipped and modern.