This is the last entry in our blog. It is with a heavy heart I
write this last entry. We are in fact home…..Due to a great deal of craziness
since getting home this is the first chance I have had to finish the last leg
of our journey.
It is hard to write as every time I do I feel extremely
emotional reflecting on what was an amazing adventure with my beautiful family.
It is time that can never be repeated as our kids grow up but it is time I will
treasure for ever.
If you look back over past entries of our blog you will know
it has not been without its dramas but that’s what adventure and the unknown
are all about…..over coming obstacles makes people stronger and more
appreciative of what is important in life.
We truly live in a beautiful country of extreme landscapes
and weather which have to be seen in person to be appreciated. I would also like to say a big hello and thanks
for all the memories to all the great people we met on the road. You know who
you are and “cheers” to you all for making this experience even richer.
So peoples if you have enjoyed the blog thanks for reading
and I hope you enjoyed the images and if you’re thinking about that big trip………stop
thinking ……..just DO! Cheers Hoppo
Crossing the
Nullarbor…….
The crossing of the Nullarbor unofficially starts at Norsman
where it was time for a quick shower with all the truckies and off. The Nullarbor really is another Australian
iconic road trip that has to be experienced. Unfortunately we were running out
of time quickly and did not have the time to do it justice. It really is the
trucking route to the West along the South of the continent.
 |
| The Nullarbor |
 |
| Nullarbor camping |
Cactus….A surfer’s
destination…….
A must visit destination towards the end of the Nullarbor is
Cactus. Cactus is another must visit surf destination for any self-respecting surfer.
I have visited Cactus three times now and every time has never disappointed.
Due to the number of local, interstate and overseas surfers visiting it is now
a recognised surfing reserve. The place looks better than I have seen it over
the past three visits where Ronny (who has owned Cactus since 1986) has spent a
great deal of time and effort planting natives and putting in infrastructure to
improve the camping experience and protect the fragile desert environment. We
arrived to a thumping southerly wind swell but were treated to some lumpy
sometimes quite large surf.
 |
| Southerly buster |
 |
| The beauty that is Cactus |
Ceduna & catching
up with the Gregor family
We spent three busy, fun packed days with Janet and Aiden at
Ceduna which included eating plenty of Ceduna’s beautiful oysters (Coffin Bay
Oysters as they are marketed). We ate them in every guise possible with some wine
to help proceedings along. Aiden was
kind enough to show us around an oyster farm operation which was an education
and get Jodee and I onto a tug boat involved in the departure of a Chinese
vessel from Ceduna’s bulk port. We also managed to squeeze in some bush cooking
one night for tea. Thanks for the fun you guys and let’s do it again before 11
years slips by!
 |
| That's an ENGINE |
A quick zip through
stunning SA……..
It was with great dismay we had to fly through SA due to
various dramas on our trip we lost about 6-7 weeks which should have been spent
through SA. However we did have a few memorable camps spots before we hit the
Vic Boarder.
We caught up with Shaun & Susie for the last time at
Mary’s Beach a secret spot just past Smokey Bay. We had a fun night and thanks
for letting me have a squirt on the bike Shauny. We then headed down to Streaky
Bay and some bush camping just south of the township. Great times with some
fishing and exploring before we headed off to re visit a favourite spot from
the start of our trip at Morgan, on the mighty Murray River. We had an
incredible, visually stunning night revisiting a camp spot which looks over the
Gulf, South of Port Augusta…….Stunning sunset.
 |
| Shuany & Susie...continue to live the dream |
 |
| A bit scarey |
 |
| Streaky Bay Jetty |
We had a couple fun days with lots of swimming and playing
on rope swings. Jodes and I got to enjoy some rather nice Riesling which was
purchased after a fun afternoon visiting some wineries in the Clare Valley.
 |
| I will miss our morning coffes |
Across the border
into Victoria and HOME
We had our last night as a family camped together about 40 k’s
North of Port Fairy where we were to catch up with our good friends the Currels
before heading to their house in Camperdown on the way home. We camped in the middle
of a timber plantation which was actually really pretty and FREE.
 |
| Victorian caves |
 |
| Simple living....our home |
Thanks to Ian, Sue, Oscar, Lilly and Mick for easing us back
into normal living with a couple of nice days in Camperdown……….from here it was
a mere 3 hours to drive home 36,000 km’s after leaving.
That’s about it other than to say this has been such a
special adventure for us as a family, one which we will treasure for years to come. I
know my kids have a new appreciation for the remoter parts of this great
country and hopefully seeds have been planted and valuable experience gained.
Maybe the Hopkins will be let loose for another year soon……..see
you out there
Hoppo
