Early start. We actually got on the road at 7.30. The landscape soon changes to flat and barren, much more how I envisioned the Nullarbor to look. Quick stop at Woomera where the British used to test their missiles and now it is the top secret Aussie airbase. Didn’t see any alien craft. Then on to Coober Pedy, still 3.5 hours away. Thank heavens for DVD players. Hardly heard the kids.

Coober Pedy is a weird place. A dusty, barren rock patch where people live just to try and find opals. Because of this there are small hills of tailings from many, many small digs and a fair sized town with many houses in old mines and underground . Seems a few films made out here…. Mad Max beyond Thunderdome, Priscilla, Queen of the desert and Pitch Black. Is just how I remember Mad Max.

We went out to old mine where you go underground and see the opal. Kids then enjoyed fossicking for opal scraps. Again didn’t make our fortune, but good fun.

Went to see underground church and then a kangaroo rescue centre, before relaxing for a few hours.

Evening went on a tour to the Breakaway ranges. Lovely sunset, although fly nets compulsory. I do not understand what all the flys are doing in the middle of absolutely nowhere. They seem to be waiting just for me!

Not sure I am going to move to Coober Pedy anytime soon.

Decided to go all the way to Whyalla from Ceduna and just as well. What a great site. The back of the van is about 10m from the water and great weather. The camp site even has a jumping pillow, which has made the kids happy.

Whyalla is a really great place. Had great walk down the beach and then tried out the kayak. Great as the water is about 6 inches deep for about 50m and then shelves really gradually for about 200m. Seriously the water is only up to your waist.

Tour round the steel mill with Robbie and Estella was alright. A really dirty business making steel. We also all got to go round the Maritime museum. Really good. Afternoon chilling out and packing up. Up early to get to Coober Pedy. Great sunrise .

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We were late leaving Kalgoorlie as we went on the super pit tour. Got to all wear hi-vis and safety glasses. Even the kids. Went round the top of the mine and saw lots of big trucks and learnt lots of facts.

From there to Fraser Range with a stop at Norseman (named after a horse!). Fraser Range well worth the stop. Pretty location and they can even cook for you. Next morning kids fed goats and camels before we got on our way.

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Long drive, not as unattractive as I was expecting. Found a space in the bush out the back of a parking bay for the night. The kids gathered firewood as we cooked butterflied lamb with cages washed down with a very nice bottle of Leeuwin can save and then a fire under the stars. This is the life!!!

Long drive again, stopping for lunch at Eucla telegraph station, before crossing the border to SA. Here the Nullarbor is all flat scrub and windy . Camped near the cliffs. Pretty windy and cold.

Onwards to Ceduna via the most expensive diesel since the UK ($2.05). The SA border police cleared us of all our fruit and veg supplies! Ceduna nice town but very busy. Fishing season and alot of the caravan park are full, but no kids. Nice dinner in the pub.

Lie in this am as everyone trying to get used to 90min time difference. Pretty hot and all went for cycle. A nice lady gave us 7 crabs for dinner which we topped up with 2doz oysters. Perhaps mum and dad more keen on this than the kids. Tomorrow we move on again.

Kalgoorlie is quiet on a Sunday morning, but the Herrons are up early and off to pan for gold. Robbie in particular is struck with “Gold fever”: especially in the gift shop. The Herrons it turns out do not seem to be born gold panners, win not a speck between us. So off to watch the gold pour which was great.

Went to the lookout for the super pit. Was worth the trip. A Big hole. The sign says the get a golf ball of gold for every 7 haul packs. Doesn’t seem enough to warrant such an enormous hole, but guess it must be.

Up early at 05.00 and finally away at 07.00 on our trip round Oz. Got as far as City beach before realising we didn’t have a leaving photo, so stopped and took a few of the clean car and van.

Then off again. Managed an hour till we had to have first DVD; Estellas choice, so Moana again. Silence till Kellerberrin. Quick morning break with snack and a play for the kids in awesome playground. Onwards again with lunch at a closed up Southern Cross. Final leg to Kalgoorlie with another DVD; Robbie’s choice so Home Alone 2…. predictable!

Kalgoorlie by 16.15 after 615 kilometres. One of our longest legs. Set up and quick sausage bbq and bed as everyone exhausted.

Thanks for joining me!

One day to go and busy buying and packing everything you could think of.