Journey to the Centre...

In June 2012, my good friends Alexi, Nito and I travelled to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. A ten days road trip which started from Sydney via Broken Hill and Coober Pedy and then back again.

What many people do not appreciate is just how big Australia really is. What we were attempting was a huge amount of driving for a very short amount of time. Our schedule meant that we were driving 8-10 hour days, depending on which leg of the journey we were at. A four day journey one way. Added to the challenge, June in Australia is winter which meant shorter driving days.

Whenever I mentioned this road trip to my colleagues at work, many of whom enjoy road trips across this vast country-continent of ours, I was met with scepticism that we could do this in that short, limited period of time. And to do it safely. Ten days is not enough time to enjoy this.

But we were determined, keen for this road trip of a lifetime.

We decided to break up the trip in this way:

Day 1: Sydney to Dubbo
Day 2: Dubbo to Broken Hill
Day 3: Broken Hill to Coober Pedy
Day 4: Coober Pedy to Uluru
Day 5 and 6: Explore Uluru and surrounds
Day 7: Uluru to Coober Pedy
Day 8: Coober Pedy to Broken Hill
Day 9: Broken Hill to Dubbo
Day 10: Dubbo to Sydney

While out initial research had just going via Wagga Wagga and Mildura, further research and enquiries lead us to go via Broken Hill. This was more direct, less country towns.

Alexi, Nito and I divided the responsibilities to ensure that we were prepared for this road trip. One of my task was to enquire about the best route to take and suggestions about how to this safely.

These were some suggestions we took on board, many of which are common sense, but it was good to be reminded. Better to be over prepared than not.

1. Do not drive at night - a car travelling at 100km/h in the dark and kangaroo/cow/animal on the road will not have good outcome.
2. Rotate drivers every two hours - Stop, Revive, Survive.
3. Bring lots of water - keep hydrated.
4. Ensure the car is in good working order - bring spares.
5. Bring a satellite phone for Emergency - we may be driving for hours and not see other vehicles.

Here are some photos from our trip:

Broken Hill, NSW

Cooper Pedy, South Australia

Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Northern Territory

Avoca Beach, Central Coast, NSW

Our Easter Sunday was spent with family at Avoca Beach, the coastal town located in the Central Coast of New South Wales. Avoca Beach is located 90 minutes drive from Sydney and is a popular tourist destination. The long weekend, although not very sunny, drew the crowds in.

Bathers are drapped on the waters edges, some on their towels and some on their chairs, watching with the well positioned Life Guards watching the activities on the water. The Avoca Beach Surf Life Saving Club dominates one section of the beach near the rockpool area.

It has been a while since my last visit, childhood memories of fishing and running around with other children, chasing water, climbing rocks and watching surfers and fishermen alike. Nothing much had changed.

Watching the surf

On the far end is the rock area, where water and rock battle it out. The rise and fall of water  as it settles into a whitewash gliding over the moss covered rocks. It is very slippery.

On the entrance is a notice to all those who enter, a reminder that the marine life are protected. Bag and size limits exists for the array of salt water fishes that share the water.

Further still, the rocks rise like a puffed up chest, dominating the rocks and waves below. As we sat and stared up looking at the rocks history as water patiently chipped away at the rocks.