Koshy's Tour de Outback

04/09/2022

The Return Trip Home: I'm not going to break the trip home down into individual days, as we essentially did almost the same trip back as we did going up with a couple of minor changes. I will, however, share some snaps that I took along the way home 😊

24/08/2022

Day 32 - 34: And that's a wrap on Darwin folks ! Now we start the journey back down South, homeward bound 😔 The last couple of days we've explored some more of Darwin city. We went to the Military Museum. We stood at the most Eastern Point of Australia, & we hit the man-made waves again at the wave pool. We went to a Barra farm & caught nothing but Rock Cod !! Also, there's an event on up here atm called 'Pitch Black'. As a result we've had jets flying over & around us several times a day...EVERY day ! Apparently it's a big training exercise that a number of countries get together to do every year. All-in-all we've had a fabulous time, and are sad to be leaving.

21/08/2022

Day 31: Today was a bit of a rancho relaxo day ! I treated myself to a Pedi in the morning, then we went to the movies to see Thor Love & Thunder, and then we saved the evening for sunset cocktails at Zen Rooftop Bar in Darwin City....and let me tell you....the sunset views did NOT disappoint 🌅 The phone pics are pretty good, but not as good as the real thing 😊

20/08/2022

Day 30: YEE HAH !! Today we experienced our first ever Rodeo & loved it ! Got to see some Barrel Racing, & of course Bull Riding.. & what a HOOT that was !

19/08/2022

Day 29: Today we headed back to Litchfield again, but this time we visited Wangi Falls. WOW ! It's so breathtaking I cant decide what words to use to describe it's beauty....so WOW is my quick way of summing it up ! We took a picnic lunch with us & fed a bird of prey that was lingering around us. Yet again being reminded how lucky we are to live in this beautiful country 😊👌🏻

18/08/2022

Day 23 - 28: Still in Darwin & loving the weather & the laid back pace so much we've decided to extend for another week here. This week we've been on a fishing charter, where between us we caught a Golden Snapper, a small Hammerhead Shark, and a 2&1/2 metre Tawny Nurse Shark. Exciting stuff, but not dinner worthy unfortunately. We also caught a flathead off the wharf, but again, not enough for dinner for all of us !! We also checked out the wave pool at the Waterfront. Such good value - $6 for kids...for ALL day ! And thry supply boogie boards, noodles, tubes for free. A fun day out if you just want a relaxing pool day. We followed that up with Modern Mexican that had a pretty amazing Cheese Dip if I do say !! Also...been delayed in updating our travels this week after receiving sad news that an old friend of almost 30yrs passed away over the wknd 😔 Just a reminder to hold your loved ones a little closer whenever you can xx

12/08/2022

Day 19 - 22: We're almost half way through our time in Darwin, & so far we've visited the Darwin waterfront, where I very quickly reminded myself exactly how unfit I am by doing the blow up obstacle course on the water with the kids ! So much fun at the time, but still paying for it now a few days later !! Saw Police riding around on Segways - did NOT expect that ! We had a chill day yesterday after Steve's folks arrived (via plane) to join us for a few days..& today we did a boat tour to watch some crocs jump out of the water for a feed, & took a dip in the water at Berry Springs. Also had lunch at the Berry Springs Pub, which I highly recommend if you ever visit the area. Tomorrow we're up early & off on a private fishing charter 😃🐟🐠 Oh...and the sunsets here throw off the BEST colours if I havent mentioned that already👌🏻

09/08/2022

Day 19: We've made it to Darwin !! We have officially now travelled from one side of the country to the other. Bottom to top ! And what an amazing journey it has been so far. Feeling extremely grateful to be able to have this experience, & to be sharing it with our kids. Their lives will be so much more enriched for it. Another few days & we'll be half way through our trip. Time is passing too quickly !! We're happy to slow it down a little now though & will be keeping this base in Darwin for the next 10 days 😃 So much to see & do in the surrounding areas that we're looking forward to checking out.

09/08/2022

Day 17 & 18: A couple of R&R days spent in Katherine. The caravan park is away from town, but has everything we need...in particular a giant pool that even I've been swimming in ! (It has to be super hot to get me in rhe pool)...which it HAS been....32 and above with high humidity. My skin & hair have been LOVING the heat. I'm definately not looking forward to going back to the cold in a few weeks... They have a cute restaurant on site here that has a HUGE tree in the centre of it that they light up at night....and the park is full of other big old trees. It's a really pretty sight. They also have glamping tents here ! Defs the place to stay if you ever visit Katherine 👌🏻

07/08/2022

Day 15 & 16: MATARANKA !!! Wow this place us a dream 😊 It truely is magical. Where the outback meets the tropics. The thermal pools are absolutely stunning. Looking forward to coming back through here in a couple of weeks.

07/08/2022

Day 13 & 14: Threeways Roadhouse & Daly Waters Pub. Quick overnight stopovers at these 2 places. Both were comfortable places to stay. Stopped at Whycliffe Well on the way through & got up close & personal with some aliens...oh...and I ran into an old pal from the 80's....Freddy Kruger !!!

02/08/2022

Day 12: Today we left Kings Canyon & made our way to Alice Springs. We've only stopped here overnight to top up supplies & visit a caravan repair shop because our HWS service has stopped working when we're free camping & not 'plugged in'. Unfortunately they werent able to fix it, so we're going to have to try and stick to powered sites, or face having cold showers !! Oh...and we saw a couple of large groups of brumby's along the way, & a wild camel the crossed the road ahead of us !!!

02/08/2022

Day10 & 11: Yaayyy...we're back in service & civilisation. We've been totally offline while we've been in & around Kings Canyon for the last few days. Another great place to visit, but certainly waaaayyyyy off the beaten track ! There are 3 levels of difficulty in climbing the Canyon - The Rim Walk is the most difficult, with stairs that literally go straight up - Steve & Teej nailed this one!!! The South Wall walk, which also has stairs, not as steep,but it skirts closely around the edges of the canyon & is considered 'medium' - Cruz & I successfully tackled this one, & the Kings Creek Walk which is done through the base of the canyon is the easiest - Cruz & I also did this one too. Listened to a fabulous young musician who played at Kings Canyon every night...worth downloading 👌🏻

30/07/2022

Day 9: Not many pics today as we rode bikes all the way around the rock today - 14.7kms. The kids were amazing ! It was tough going, but we didnt push too hard & accomplished it in just under 3hrs. When yr right up close to Ularu, there's lots of points where you can't actually take pics because it's sacred, so we respected their ways & saved the pictures and videos for when we were away from the rock. Back at base camp, Cruz found a tree/bush that looks like a huge pineapple stuck in the ground !! Tonight, we're having a pork roast cook up in the webber 😊

29/07/2022

Day 8: Today we arrived at Ayres Rock Campground where we've set up camp for the next 2 nights. My gorgeous friend Michelle Rolfey N'Laddy arrived (via plane) to share the experience with us while we're here 😊 First thing we checked off the list was a camel ride at sunset with gorgeous views of Ularu. You know before you go that the rock changes colours, but you dont really believe or appreciate it until it literally changes in minutes before your eyes. Special thanks to our tour guide Bert, & our camels - Archer, Jed & Curly ..although Archer nearly had a munch on Steve after he took away his water bag that he started chewing on !! Hee Hee...wish I'd gotten that part on video !! 🤣

28/07/2022

Day 7: Today we moved on from Coober Pedy and crossed the SA border into NT. We've parked up for the night in the overflow part of the Kulgera Pub. There's LOTS of vans here ! Seems to be the 'go to' stop off ! Had dinner at the pub where Steve braved the 'camel' burger ! Just the sound of it made me cringe a little, but he said it was tasty. Cruz had a bite & said the same..so I guess it's one of those 'dont knock it till you try it' things 😊

28/07/2022

Day 6: 27th July - MY birthday 🎂 😀 Unfortunately I wasn't well today, but I soldiored through, and we managed to tick a few things off the list in Coober Pedy. We visited a family owned Opal store where the grandfather had mined the opals himself for 47 years ! His wife cut them, & his son & daughter are also involved in making the pieces and running the store ! Then we did a tour of the 'Old Times Mine' & an underground home....and we finished the day sharing a beautiful platter that Steve made for me while we watched the sun set at The Breakaways. Truely breathtaking. What a special birthday indeed 👌🏻

26/07/2022

Day 5: No service on our journey today. After a comfortable night in Pimba at Spuds Roadhouse, we spent the next few hours making our way to Coober Pedy where we have now laid roots for the next 2 nights. Once again the scenery along the way was nothing short of breathtaking. Pics on the phone dont do it justice, but gives you a small glimpse into how spectacular it all is. Also...unfortunately wasnt quick enough to get a pic, but saw the biggest Eagle (on the ground...not in flight) I think I've EVER seen that wasnt in a cage !!

25/07/2022

Day 4: Today we said goodbye to Adelaide as we make our way towards Coober Pedy. Still trying to keep drives to a maximum 6ish hours, so we've pulled up at 'Spuds Roadhouse' in Pimba...about 370kms before C.P. Not much to post today, but have some great shots of the change in terrain as we get further & further up towards the centre... Saw some great 'Pink' lakes along the way also..

24/07/2022

Day 3: Today we were treated to French Toast for breakfast, followed by a trip to Harndorf - a cute little German town where we tried a sausage platter, huge pretzels, and a paddle of beers...and we visited an old fashion sweets shop where we got some boiled lollies, fudge, & peanut brittle. We also went to a winery & froze our butts off outside while the kids ran around playing chasy and hide & seek. Tonight we're having what I'm certain is going to be the best pasta I've had in my life...home made by Frank that's been cooking since yesterday. We've been so spoilt 😊

23/07/2022

Day 2: Only 4hrs on the road today to Mt Barker just before Adelaide. Staying with friends in their beautiful home. They took us into Adelaide for Ice Skating & street food, & spoiled us with their generous hospitality. Cant wait to see what tomorrow brings 😊 Thankyou Frankie & Celia x

23/07/2022

23/07/2022

Day 1: Had a cruisy 6hr drive from Vic to Robe in SA. Very sleepy town. Had fish & chips (as you do when yr next to the ocean) & a popular fishing destination. Speaking of Ocean...the Great Australian Bight was right at our doorstep... and the Big Lobster on the way out of Robe. Only 1 night here...next stop Adelaide....