Never far from HOME

Alice Springs to Cadney Homestead

A slow start. We had a quick lunch at Kulgera. A slow lunch would have suited the amazing number of flies, but it was better to eat quick before it was carried away.

We arrived mid-afternoon at one of my favorite Road Houses in Australia, Cadney Homestead.

With a great bar, plenty of beer and meals to fill a truckie!!

It only works one way...and everyone is watching

The Tanami to Alice Springs

Up as soon as it got warm. Added some fuel at Tilmouth Well. A Steak Sandwich with the lot is a *real* Aussie Steak Sandwich - iceberg lettuce, tomato, beetroot, pineapple and steak!! In Alice, I did the shopping whilst Cathy went for a bike ride with Cathy (Alice Springs version)

An even colder night. The diesel heater was much appreciated and necessary to get out of bed.

Larrawa Station to (somewhere along) theTanami Track

The Tanami Turnoff was 270km from our last refuel at Fitzroy Crossing, but only 17km from Halls Creek. To be safe, we continued past the turnoff and continued to Halls Creek to refuel. Then hung a u-turn, with full tanks, full of confidence that we could make Tilmouth Well 863km away.

This time, we had the campsite to ourselves....and it stayed that way. Very cold during the night. But perfect for star gazing again.

You think everything is a long way in the Outback, or that Australia is huge. But, when you look at the stars, we are very insignificant....(Dave Cocks already told me that!!!)

Broome to Larrawa Station

Sadly, we had to leave Broome. Larrawa Station Stay was the first target. This is a working cattle station, run by a great local family.

Cygnet Bay 2025

Whilst Cathy was away, our preplanned trip to Cygnet Bay went ahead with just 3 of us: Tom, Lauren and David. It was Lauren's birthday on the Saturday. We managed to drag her away from the pool for a tour.

It starts slow...

But, then really does look like a waterfall rising out of the sea.

And, back to the Restuarant for a Seafood Platter for Two (which easily fed three!!). Fresh and spectacular.

A Flying Trip to Hobart

Cathy prioritised time with family in Hobart after Aunty Jane passed way. The funeral was a fitting celebration of a life well lived and a great opportunity to catch up with mum and my cousins. It’s unbelievable how they’ve grown up and have adult kids themselves.

The Atkinson Family circa 1975.

And a current photo of some of Cathy's cousins.

Broome 2025

It seems like we just got here, but now it's time to head home. Tom and Lauren arrived to spend a week with us. It was hot and sunny, typical Broome in the dry season.

We went Whale Watching....and saw a small calf breaching many times.

Bike riding was big on the agenda. Either early morning starts for Cathy with the Bogucki Riders, followed by coffee (of course!!)

Or, later along Cable Beach on the Fat Bike (thanks to Donna for the lend)

Staircase to the Moon was preceded by a market and a fire show

We had two superb nights out. Matso's for it's Mango beer and Broome vibe. Bali Hai for it's oysters with lemongrass, chilli and lime., as well as the best "Surf and Turf" this side of the black stump.

The Summary - Melbourne to Broome

km travelled - 3899
litre's of diesel - 611
Ave cost per l - $2.105
Total Fuel Cost - $1287

Fuel Economy - 15.7l/100km.

The fuel economy improved significantly as we went along:

The wind changed from strong headwind to strong tail
We slowed down (from 100km/h to 98km/h). Yes, it was noticeable.
Slowing over the unsealed section.

Total Time = 57h02m
Moving Time = 46h57m
Average Speed = 83km/h

Day 7 Melbourne to Broome

Fitzroy Crossing to Broome

We almost had a rest day at Fitzroy Crossing until we heard we could check in a day early at The Pearle. We cleaned up as we packed up. Red dust everywhere. That's life in the Kimberley.

Sadly, The Mango Place was not making pizza's today 😢 - pie and mango smoothies for lunch.

7 days and 3899km as we arrived in Broome. There was approximately 550km of unsealed road along the Tanami. And they are working on sealing more of it. I'm sure there was over 900km of dirt when I first did it.

Day 6 Melbourne to Broome

Tanami to Fitzroy Crossing

The road had been pretty good so far. Then, the part between the border and Balgo lived up to it's reputation. Lots of corrugations and a complete absence of something smooth. Luckily, it was Cathy's turn to drive. She kept reminding me that women drivers have better fuel economy and look after their vehicles.

At Fitzroy Crossing after our biggest day of driving.

Day 5 Melbourne to Broome

Alice Springs to (somewhere along the) Tanami

Another cold night. The days are getting warmer.

Fortunately, the Tanami was open. That saves an extra day of travel but lots of unsealed road.

We saw a triple cement truck at Tilmouth Well. The Granites mine uses approximately 100 tons of cement every day!!! Normally he has an extra trailer but it broke down on the last trip. We were concerned about our fuel economy (we carried approx 25l of extra fuel), however, the truck uses 1 litre/kilometre!! That's 1200l for a return trip.

We found a great campsite, made a fire and sat down to have a drink and watch the sunset. Serenity.

Then 4 trucks pulled up.....

Day 4 Melbourne to Broome

Coober Pedy to Alice Springs

Our first day without showers. Plus, the wind is swinging around to be a tail wind, rather than strong head winds.

We stopped at one of my favourite places in Australia, Cadney Homestead. Normally I really enjoy an overnight stop at this very Aussie place. Not this time :(

Day 3 Melbourne to Broome

Port Germein to Coober Pedy

A long day. We stopped to do some supermarket shopping in Port Augusta and fill with fuel. Heading past Woomera it turns into flat open plains.

The campground at Coober Pedy BIG4 Stuart Range is well serviced with eveything but water and grass. You can pay for water ($1 for 40 litres). We didn't ask about grass.

Day 2 Melbourne to Broome

Mildura to Port Germein

A relatively short day. Still lots of wind and rain. However, once we crossed the range down into Port Germein, the weather improved and Cathy was able to do a ride.

Day 1 Melbourne to Broome

Melbourne to Mildura.

We managed to leave our prepared food in the Freezer. Not a good start. Plus, it was wet until we got past Bendigo. We stopped at Sea Lake to buy the paper and admire the local mural.