Busselton to Ceduna via Albany, Esperance and The Nullarbor - 9th December ~ 19th December 2010

As we approached the bottom of WA we knew our time in this most beautiful state was sadly coming to an end.... over 4 months exploring WA from top to bottom and there is still so much we haven't seen. Zali has asked if we could please come back next year to see more.... mmm, perhaps not with a 5 week trip to Europe planned and booked for May/June.

Our last 9 days in WA saw us visit:

Albany - home of the Australian whaling industry. So glad this industry has ceased in Australia, but great to see an original whaling boat and the harbour where the whales were brought once captured and killed in the Southern Ocean. Beautiful coastline off the bottom of Australia, with towering red cliffs and extremely rough ocean below. Albany is where Mara, our friend from Kalgoorlie, grew up and following some hints of where to see we spent our days cruising around the coastline. Visiting The Gap - much smaller than our Sydney version, but just as ferocious and well known for suicide - and Nature's Bridge made us realise how silly some people are to capture the 'perfect' photo. Poor Zali and Balunn were so petrified they clung to us for dear life. Thankfully, there was a railing on a viewing platform so we could all enjoy listening to the waves crash on the rocks. A highlight for the kids at the caravan park was the hot tub and the pool. Balunn, like Ella, is a real fish. Although the weather was a cool 21 - 22 each day, he was in the pool and then in the tub as much as he could. Zali, being much more like me, needs the temperature to be a bit warmer before braving the cooler water, spent her time relaxing in the hot tub. An afternoon at the Games Room of the park was lots of fun, followed by a walk and scooter ride to the park for a play on the equipment. Both so brave with how high they like to go on the swings. I really couldn't watch in fear that we would need to make a trip to the local emergency for a broken bone!!

Esperance - another pretty seaside town close to the Cape Le Grand NP. Again, the weather was a little too cool and nowhere near hot enough for the water for me. We stayed at a little caravan park in the town where our luck for the trip changed..... not that we are superstitious, but the number 13 really lived up to expectation - we were set up in Site 13, it was the 13th December, our petrol bill on the way into town was $87.87 and our run of very good luck came to an end!!! An early morning wake up call had our neighbour informing us our car had been broken into during the night and our back passenger window had been smashed. Glass everywhere and the kids' DSis nowhere to be seen!! Plans for a day of relaxing along the bays of Cape Le Grand were now gone as it took most of the day to sort out insurance, wait for the police, organise (with Windscreen O'Briens) to have a window brought in from Sydney and then clean up the mess. No, we were not happy. Once all this was done, off we set for the beach. Balunn hops in the car and notices straight away that the DVD remote has also been taken. Of course, the DVD does not work without the remote. Subaru were fantastic and we had one in the next morning. With a taped up window for 2 days, we explored as much as we could. The road noise was deafening and hard to take, but the kids were brilliant. Twilight Bay was absolutely magnificent and Hellfire Bay in Cape Le Grand was also pretty special. Friday saw a morning of fixing up the window (took much longer than anticipated, which delayed our trip to the start of the Nullarbor), but by 1.30pm we were on the road and saddened that our last few nights in WA had been ruined by someone else's greed. Only material items, but items that belonged to our kids.....

The Nullarbor - after a late start, we didn't think our planned trip would be possible, but we made it through to our free camp at Balladonia by 6.00pm the Friday evening. This was Balunn's first experience of free camping and he was a little amazed that I could do it!! Questions such as.... "Angie, how do the lights work?, Where do we shower?" were answered with Zali informing Bay that this is no caravan park!! He coped, if not a little bored that it is bed time at 7.30pm as it is dark!! We did 2 nights of free camping as we crossed The Nullarbor. We had planned more, but the road is so long, straight and boring that we did the 1500km in two and a half days and not 3-4 as we had planned. Our second night on The Nullarbor saw us free camp right above the start of the Great Australian Bight. A little windy, but so close to the cliffs and views which make this part of the Australian coastline so unique. The winds across The Nullarbor were not too bad at all, but some roadhouses really know how to charge for petrol. In the one day we paid $1.90 per litre at one stop and then $1.40 at the next. Not sure how they can justify such a difference in price!!

Ceduna - we were across the Nullarbor and back into the luxury of a caravan park. Swings for the kids to play on and more importantly for some.... toilets and showers!! Not much to do or see in Ceduna, which was disappointing, and once again the weather was a little cool. This stop was more about relaxing after being in the car so much over the past few days. So little to do that we didn't even take a photo during our stay......

And now we are in Streaky Bay for Christmas. A truly beautiful and relaxing part of the world (thanks to the Davidson family for the tip).... we are all set up with tinsel and lights on the van, presents wrapped and Santa sacks out ready for the big red fella to visit in a few days.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe New Year. We, especially Zali (who has had a few meltdowns that being away from Nanny for this long is far too hard xxx) are looking forward to meeting up with Jen, mum and dad in Adelaide!!!!!

Four weeks today til we drive back into Jamberoo and our big adventure has come to an end..... a sad, sad thought at how quickly it has all gone, but happiness and excitement at the amazing time we have had and shared as a family!!

Hope Santa is good and see you all soon,

Ange, Pete, Zali and Balunn

xxxxx