Explore the world

Like Flinders and Freycinet, I have explored some of Australia now.

I hope you are able to do the same and venture beyond our shores to understand and enjoy our amazing diversity of landscape, life and culture that exists on this planet.....and beyond. Safe travels. 

Home

Our last day of our holiday has been spent at the mining town of Cobar in western NSW. It is a friendly outback town that provides a strong sense of community.  

As we leave the outback and travel towards more western and central locations in NSW, the earth is changing from red to brown. Earlier we had enjoyed the visual contrast of the red earth and the grey salt bush of the Nullarbor Plain. Now we marvel at the contrast of red earth and green crops and grasses of northern South Australia and western NSW. Nature provides the most wonderful examples of  combinations and contrasts of colour. None more familiar than the golden yellow wattles.

As we passed through Narromine we noticed the dry irrigation channels. Previously there were vegetables growing in the paddocks but now it is better known for it's crops of wheat and canola. 

At last we were beginning to see stock in the paddocks. There had been so few to see across the western areas because it is too dry to support large numbers per hectare and often cannot support any animals other than native kangaroos, lizards, wombats, birds and emus. Often, introduced animals such as camels, wild dogs, rabbits, foxes, goats and wild pigs were the only species to be seen. However, their damage to our natural environments and native animal habitats is, sadly, obvious. Closer to Orange, the pastures were rich and were stocked well with cattle (often black Angus) and  sheep.

Before we started our ascent to our familiar mountains,  we recharged our energy at a McDonalds. (Not our first choice, but parking a caravan in the city centre is difficult.) My iPad was very useful in planning our trip and daily activities. It was also handy when I needed the location of petrol, food etc. in towns that we weren't familiar with. It is such a versatile research and communication tool.

The last few kilometres from home were spent in quiet reflection. We had enjoyed our trip but we were glad to be heading home to the comforts of our house and the hugs of our family. We can now say we have travelled across the iconic Nullarbor and have traversed east to west across our vast country. I have now seen whales for the first time, travelled around the Great Australian Bight and visited Perth and Kalgoorlie. I have gathered memories and experiences that will enrich my life. 

We wonder where we should go on our next trip and what new adventures might lay ahead next time.