Wednesday 19th April, 2017

So today 280kms to Fowlers Bay on the Great Australian Bight.

We had lunch in Ceduna, SA down by the ocean, which was just lovely after the hot dry conditions we have been encountering.

We also stocked up on fresh supplies, calculating what we will eat or cook, prior to the next Quarantine Station into WA.

Ceduna is the last major settlement prior to crossing the Nullarbor Plain from east to west. It is set on Murat Bay and the foreshore is lined with Norfolk Island pines.

We were intending to stay at Penong, but decided to head out to Fowlers Bay as we had time to continue on. Penong is a very small town, but is famous for it's collection of windmills and proudly boasts the largest Southern Cross Windmill. Another photo opportunity for travellers along this route.

We were overnight in Fowlers Bay, once again on the Great Australian Bight. Fowlers Bay is a very small lcoastal town on the Nullarbor and even though it was once an active port, fell into decline in the 1960s. The town is dominated by large sand dunes and offers protection for this small town from the Southern Ocean. It is also a sanctuary for the Southern Right Whales.

Fowlers Bay is an eco park, which doesn't mean much except you have to be careful not to put more than one appliance on at a time, and nothing over 1200w otherwise you trip the electricity meter. However, for some strange reason, air conditioners in vans were allowed. It also means limited water available, but this is the case all the way along the Nullarbor. No water to the van, and very limited, if any taps apart from the bathrooms (or laundry if there is one)!

It was hot (34 degrees) dry, dusty and barren but out the back gate there was a very long jetty out into the Great Southern Ocean on the Great Australian Bight, but unfortunately we are too early for the whales.

We enjoyed a pleasant afternoon on the jetty and chatting to other travellers. We enjoyed dinner in the camp kitchen with a camp fire until it started to rain, which settled the dust and put an end to the fire, and sent us all to bed. But, of course, we now have wet sand everywhere.

The joys of camping.