Perth to Canberra Roadtrip thread!

~42hrs
~4050km

Let’s do this!
Day 1: Perth to Wagin (~260km)

Stopped in at Dryandra for one last Wandoo fix (no numbats) and now I’m in Wagin, staying in a haunted pub. It’s super fancy and I’m the only person here...
Day 1: Perth to Wagin (~260km)Stopped in at Dryandra for one last Wandoo fix (no numbats) and now I’m in Wagin, staying in a haunted pub. It’s super fancy and I’m the only person here...
Day 1: Perth to Wagin (~260km)Stopped in at Dryandra for one last Wandoo fix (no numbats) and now I’m in Wagin, staying in a haunted pub. It’s super fancy and I’m the only person here...
Day 1: Perth to Wagin (~260km)Stopped in at Dryandra for one last Wandoo fix (no numbats) and now I’m in Wagin, staying in a haunted pub. It’s super fancy and I’m the only person here...
Day 1: Perth to Wagin (~260km)Stopped in at Dryandra for one last Wandoo fix (no numbats) and now I’m in Wagin, staying in a haunted pub. It’s super fancy and I’m the only person here...
While I didn’t see any numbats at Dryandra I did see some wildflowers! The whole place was covered in orange peas and there were a few orchids out too.

I really need a field guide 😬
While I didn’t see any numbats at Dryandra I did see some wildflowers! The whole place was covered in orange peas and there were a few orchids out too.I really need a field guide
While I didn’t see any numbats at Dryandra I did see some wildflowers! The whole place was covered in orange peas and there were a few orchids out too.I really need a field guide
While I didn’t see any numbats at Dryandra I did see some wildflowers! The whole place was covered in orange peas and there were a few orchids out too.I really need a field guide
Day 2: Wagin to Bremer Bay, via Stirling Range National Park (~320km).

Said goodbye to the strange Mitchell Hill Hotel in Wagin at 630 and headed off to the Stirling Ranges.

Wagin on a Sunday morning is a ghost town.
I went on a wildflower walk at Stirling Ranges Retreat and saw eleventy-billion orchids.

I’ll share the photos properly later.
I went on a wildflower walk at Stirling Ranges Retreat and saw eleventy-billion orchids.I’ll share the photos properly later.
I went on a wildflower walk at Stirling Ranges Retreat and saw eleventy-billion orchids.I’ll share the photos properly later.
Over 40,000 hectares of Stirling Range NP was burned in a huge bushfire in Dec/Jan. There is some regrowth and tonnes of wildflowers have popped up, but many, many trees showed no signs of recovery.
I stopped in at Bluff Knoll on the way out. Bluff Knoll is the highest peak in the Stirling Ranges, and it *very* occasionally gets a few flakes of snow at the top in winter.
As I was driving towards Bremer Bay I could see the whole of Stirling Ranges in the rear view mirror, so I had to stop for a photo.

They call these mountains in WA 😹

The yellow is canola, as the National Park is surrounded by cleared farmland.
And now I’m in Bremer Bay, staying in a dodgy (but cheap!) caravan that is reminiscent of some of my fieldwork accommodation.
Swag on a bed frame. Surprisingly comfy!

Tomorrow I plan to look for Rock Parrots before heading to Point Ann to spy on whales. Then it’s onwards east!
And now I’m in Bremer Bay, staying in a dodgy (but cheap!) caravan that is reminiscent of some of my fieldwork accommodation.Swag on a bed frame. Surprisingly comfy!Tomorrow I plan to look for Rock Parrots before heading to Point Ann to spy on whales. Then it’s onwards east!
And now I’m in Bremer Bay, staying in a dodgy (but cheap!) caravan that is reminiscent of some of my fieldwork accommodation.Swag on a bed frame. Surprisingly comfy!Tomorrow I plan to look for Rock Parrots before heading to Point Ann to spy on whales. Then it’s onwards east!
Day 3: Bremer Bay to Ravensthorpe, via western Fitzgerald National Park (~250km).

Firstly, can we all pause to admire my car tetris?
First up, I went on a fruitless search for some Rock Parrots. Rockies are a nemesis bird of mine and I’m yet to see them despite many searches. I still have another chance to see them in Esperance. Fingers crossed!
Did see some nice white sand and old seaweed though!
First up, I went on a fruitless search for some Rock Parrots. Rockies are a nemesis bird of mine and I’m yet to see them despite many searches. I still have another chance to see them in Esperance. Fingers crossed!Did see some nice white sand and old seaweed though!
First up, I went on a fruitless search for some Rock Parrots. Rockies are a nemesis bird of mine and I’m yet to see them despite many searches. I still have another chance to see them in Esperance. Fingers crossed!Did see some nice white sand and old seaweed though!
First up, I went on a fruitless search for some Rock Parrots. Rockies are a nemesis bird of mine and I’m yet to see them despite many searches. I still have another chance to see them in Esperance. Fingers crossed!Did see some nice white sand and old seaweed though!
Then it was time to head into the western side of Fitzgerald River National Park.
Along the way I shifted several Bobtails (Shinglebacks, Tiliqua rugosa) off the road, including these two! I’ve never seen two crossing the road together. They were *not* impressed.
Then it was time to head into the western side of Fitzgerald River National Park.Along the way I shifted several Bobtails (Shinglebacks, Tiliqua rugosa) off the road, including these two! I’ve never seen two crossing the road together. They were *not* impressed.
Then it was time to head into the western side of Fitzgerald River National Park.Along the way I shifted several Bobtails (Shinglebacks, Tiliqua rugosa) off the road, including these two! I’ve never seen two crossing the road together. They were *not* impressed.
Then it was time to head into the western side of Fitzgerald River National Park.Along the way I shifted several Bobtails (Shinglebacks, Tiliqua rugosa) off the road, including these two! I’ve never seen two crossing the road together. They were *not* impressed.
Then it was time to head into the western side of Fitzgerald River National Park.Along the way I shifted several Bobtails (Shinglebacks, Tiliqua rugosa) off the road, including these two! I’ve never seen two crossing the road together. They were *not* impressed.
~Angry mlem~
Here’s a taste of what it’s like in western Fitzgerald River NP. Low vegetation, lots of mallee plants, very flat, and very straight roads.
Next stop was Point Ann, after a long and bumpy drive down some *very* corrugated roads. I’m surprised my car didn’t rattle apart.

Point Ann was amazing because there were WHALES IN THE BAY! The mums and calves stop in as they migrate south, and there were some splashing about.
Next stop was Point Ann, after a long and bumpy drive down some *very* corrugated roads. I’m surprised my car didn’t rattle apart.Point Ann was amazing because there were WHALES IN THE BAY! The mums and calves stop in as they migrate south, and there were some splashing about.
Next stop was Point Ann, after a long and bumpy drive down some *very* corrugated roads. I’m surprised my car didn’t rattle apart.Point Ann was amazing because there were WHALES IN THE BAY! The mums and calves stop in as they migrate south, and there were some splashing about.
Next stop was Point Ann, after a long and bumpy drive down some *very* corrugated roads. I’m surprised my car didn’t rattle apart.Point Ann was amazing because there were WHALES IN THE BAY! The mums and calves stop in as they migrate south, and there were some splashing about.
Next stop was Point Ann, after a long and bumpy drive down some *very* corrugated roads. I’m surprised my car didn’t rattle apart.Point Ann was amazing because there were WHALES IN THE BAY! The mums and calves stop in as they migrate south, and there were some splashing about.
Point Ann was also rather windy, so I almost got blown off the lookout platform.

THAR’S WHALES OUT THERE! 🐋
Alas, it was time to move on and leave the whales to their frolicking. As I made my way out of the park I couldn't help stopping to take some more wildflower photos.
Alas, it was time to move on and leave the whales to their frolicking. As I made my way out of the park I couldn't help stopping to take some more wildflower photos.
Alas, it was time to move on and leave the whales to their frolicking. As I made my way out of the park I couldn't help stopping to take some more wildflower photos.
Alas, it was time to move on and leave the whales to their frolicking. As I made my way out of the park I couldn't help stopping to take some more wildflower photos.
Alas, it was time to move on and leave the whales to their frolicking. As I made my way out of the park I couldn't help stopping to take some more wildflower photos.
Just outside Ravensthorpe lies the Kukenarup Memorial. It was both sobering and peaceful to walk through the memorial, thinking about the Noongar People who were needlessly killed, the impacts of European colonisation that persist to this day, and the steps towards reconciliation
Just outside Ravensthorpe lies the Kukenarup Memorial. It was both sobering and peaceful to walk through the memorial, thinking about the Noongar People who were needlessly killed, the impacts of European colonisation that persist to this day, and the steps towards reconciliation
Just outside Ravensthorpe lies the Kukenarup Memorial. It was both sobering and peaceful to walk through the memorial, thinking about the Noongar People who were needlessly killed, the impacts of European colonisation that persist to this day, and the steps towards reconciliation
Just outside Ravensthorpe lies the Kukenarup Memorial. It was both sobering and peaceful to walk through the memorial, thinking about the Noongar People who were needlessly killed, the impacts of European colonisation that persist to this day, and the steps towards reconciliation
Just outside Ravensthorpe lies the Kukenarup Memorial. It was both sobering and peaceful to walk through the memorial, thinking about the Noongar People who were needlessly killed, the impacts of European colonisation that persist to this day, and the steps towards reconciliation
There was a Wedge-tailed Eagle soaring above the memorial.

As the memorial says: "As you stand here under the shelter of the eagle's wing, look out for the circling wedge-tail eagle who, in Noongar belief, protects the spirits of those who have come before."
There was a Wedge-tailed Eagle soaring above the memorial.As the memorial says: "As you stand here under the shelter of the eagle's wing, look out for the circling wedge-tail eagle who, in Noongar belief, protects the spirits of those who have come before."
There was a Wedge-tailed Eagle soaring above the memorial.As the memorial says: "As you stand here under the shelter of the eagle's wing, look out for the circling wedge-tail eagle who, in Noongar belief, protects the spirits of those who have come before."
Which reminds me, I should have said that for the past three days I have been travelling through Noongar Country.
Day 4: Ravensthorpe to Esperance (~200km). Noongar Country.

Slow day today. I slept in a bit and faffed around in Ravensthorpe before I left.

I hope you all enjoy this floral cow at the Wildflower Festival.
On the way out of Ravensthorpe I went down Eleverton Rd, which had a lot of speccy wildflowers.

I was rather perplexed by an upside down Banksia! I’ve only ever seen Banksias where the cones point upwards. Apparently it’s probably a Banksia aculeata.
On the way out of Ravensthorpe I went down Eleverton Rd, which had a lot of speccy wildflowers. I was rather perplexed by an upside down Banksia! I’ve only ever seen Banksias where the cones point upwards. Apparently it’s probably a Banksia aculeata.
On the way out of Ravensthorpe I went down Eleverton Rd, which had a lot of speccy wildflowers. I was rather perplexed by an upside down Banksia! I’ve only ever seen Banksias where the cones point upwards. Apparently it’s probably a Banksia aculeata.
On the way out of Ravensthorpe I went down Eleverton Rd, which had a lot of speccy wildflowers. I was rather perplexed by an upside down Banksia! I’ve only ever seen Banksias where the cones point upwards. Apparently it’s probably a Banksia aculeata.
On the way out of Ravensthorpe I went down Eleverton Rd, which had a lot of speccy wildflowers. I was rather perplexed by an upside down Banksia! I’ve only ever seen Banksias where the cones point upwards. Apparently it’s probably a Banksia aculeata.
I also found this fellow wandering across the road.
I think it’s a Heath Goanna (Varanus rosenbergi). You’ll notice several large ticks hanging off its neck 😬
I also found this fellow wandering across the road.I think it’s a Heath Goanna (Varanus rosenbergi). You’ll notice several large ticks hanging off its neck
I also found this fellow wandering across the road.I think it’s a Heath Goanna (Varanus rosenbergi). You’ll notice several large ticks hanging off its neck
I approached Esperance by stealth, taking the scenic road around the southern coastline.
I stopped at Observatory Point, and because I apparently hate myself I walked up and down about 200 steps up to the lookout and down to the beach.
The view was nice though.
I approached Esperance by stealth, taking the scenic road around the southern coastline.I stopped at Observatory Point, and because I apparently hate myself I walked up and down about 200 steps up to the lookout and down to the beach.The view was nice though.
I approached Esperance by stealth, taking the scenic road around the southern coastline.I stopped at Observatory Point, and because I apparently hate myself I walked up and down about 200 steps up to the lookout and down to the beach.The view was nice though.
I approached Esperance by stealth, taking the scenic road around the southern coastline.I stopped at Observatory Point, and because I apparently hate myself I walked up and down about 200 steps up to the lookout and down to the beach.The view was nice though.
The internet is basically non-existent tonight, so that’s it for now. I’m heading to Norseman and beyond tomorrow, so I might not be able to check in for a while. Reception along the Nullarbor is notoriously dodgy.
Day 5: Esperance to ???

Annoyingly, it’s raining today. I had planned to go to Cape Le Grand NP, but it’s an hour in the opposite direction from Norseman and I’m not sure it’s worth it if it’s miserable.
I’m going to go look for Rock Parrots closer to town then will reassess.
Ok, no luck with the Rock Parrots, but I did find this snake that was regretting its decision to go outside today. I initially thought it was dead because it was so sad looking!
Ok, no luck with the Rock Parrots, but I did find this snake that was regretting its decision to go outside today. I initially thought it was dead because it was so sad looking!
Ok, no luck with the Rock Parrots, but I did find this snake that was regretting its decision to go outside today. I initially thought it was dead because it was so sad looking!
Ok, no luck with the Rock Parrots, but I did find this snake that was regretting its decision to go outside today. I initially thought it was dead because it was so sad looking!
Decided to drive to Norseman and beyond. I stopped at this salt lake along the way and it was very windy!

I popped into the mallee of the Great Western Woodlands too, but I didn’t take any phone photos. Soz!
Made it to Balladonia Roadhouse!

Saw a lot of cool woodlands on the drive from Norseman, but didn’t really stop because it was raining.

Here’s some trees from the Norseman Woodland Walk though!

Off to Cocklebiddy and the Eyre Bird Observatory tomorrow!
Made it to Balladonia Roadhouse!Saw a lot of cool woodlands on the drive from Norseman, but didn’t really stop because it was raining. Here’s some trees from the Norseman Woodland Walk though!Off to Cocklebiddy and the Eyre Bird Observatory tomorrow!
Made it to Balladonia Roadhouse!Saw a lot of cool woodlands on the drive from Norseman, but didn’t really stop because it was raining. Here’s some trees from the Norseman Woodland Walk though!Off to Cocklebiddy and the Eyre Bird Observatory tomorrow!
Made it to Balladonia Roadhouse!Saw a lot of cool woodlands on the drive from Norseman, but didn’t really stop because it was raining. Here’s some trees from the Norseman Woodland Walk though!Off to Cocklebiddy and the Eyre Bird Observatory tomorrow!
Hey @FiPanther, SkyLab says Hi!
Boop!
Also the museum has a poo exhibit!
I’ve travelled through the Traditional Lands of three Indigenous groups today.

When I left Esperance I was on Noongar Country, then in Norseman I travelled through Ngadju Country, and now in Balladonia I’m on Mirning Country.
Day 6: Balladonia to Eyre Bird Observatory.

Good morning from halfway across the 90 Mile Straight!

It’s super windy and my poor car is getting blown all over the road 😬
Day 6: Balladonia to Eyre Bird Observatory.Good morning from halfway across the 90 Mile Straight!It’s super windy and my poor car is getting blown all over the road
Day 6: Balladonia to Eyre Bird Observatory.Good morning from halfway across the 90 Mile Straight!It’s super windy and my poor car is getting blown all over the road
Caiguna Blowhole. Gotta say, it’s not what I expected.

(Still raining. Still windy. Still cold.)
Caiguna Blowhole. Gotta say, it’s not what I expected.(Still raining. Still windy. Still cold.)
Caiguna Blowhole. Gotta say, it’s not what I expected.(Still raining. Still windy. Still cold.)
Caiguna Blowhole. Gotta say, it’s not what I expected.(Still raining. Still windy. Still cold.)
Currently at the Cocklebiddy Roadhouse where I met this Very Good Dog.

I’m now off to the Eyre Bird Observatory! I assume there won’t be any reception, so don’t worry if you don’t hear from me for a couple of days.

(Yes, it’s still raining)
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