For me adventure came in the shape of a van, a Toyota pop-top camper van, that we called Matilda. She became part of our family in November 2009 and in March 2010 she took us on an epic 37000 kilometre, one year adventure around Australia.
She was our transport, accommodation and trusty companion. Jack called her “the sardine can”. Can you imagine 2 of us living in this small space for so long? It was a test of our relationship, but we are still together and talking to each other…
It was an amazing year. Heading north along the east coast waking to misty mornings all alone in free camping spots
Into the tropics. Where the lush green foliage drips with vines and ferns carpet the ground and the humidity enfolds you like a wet blanket
then west across the outback to the west coast were the scenery is spectacular. Rust red gorges hiding pristine water holes. Gum trees flashing their ghost white trunks. Beauty at every turn.
Many people ask me what was the most memorable part of our adventure around Australia and that is a very difficult question to answer. The scenery is so diverse, the people and experiences, the many campgrounds. The sheer joy of watching this country unfold before you, never knowing where you will be at the end of the day. All these things make the journey memorable. But two things do stand out.
One is the flight into the Bungle Bungles and the walk through these incredible rock formations.
And two is the spectacular display of the wild flowers along the west coast. It was the thought of these wild flowers and a desire to see them that I built the whole journey around. My timing was perfect and we drove slowly south along the coast from Broome to Perth. A never-ending display of glorious colour spread all around us. We constantly stopped to walk among the flowers and gaze in wonder at the diversity, shape, size and colour of this magnificent show of nature flaunting its beauty. My gardening heart was overflowing.
The adventure continued along the southern coast of Western Australia. Up into the goldfields of Kalgoorlie and across the Nullabor plain the road stretching 1675 kilometres seemingly an endless strip ahead of us
So many experiences, enough to fill a book. There was WWOOFing, couch surfing in the big cities, boat trips down rivers, walking in the magnificent National Parks, swimming in deserted water holes and sitting with a glass of wine watching countless sunsets
I can hardly believe it is almost 8 years since that memorable year. But the adventure is still so fresh in my memory.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
I’m dedicating this post to Ailsa “Where’s my backpack” For years she has hosted a very popular travel theme challenge and I have looked forward each week to the new challenge and loved being part of her community. But this will be the final theme as Ailsa is taking her backpack off into the wide blue yonder on new adventures of her own. Best wishes Ailsa and safe travels. I’ll look forward to hearing about your adventures when you have time to share them with us.
Oh, Pauline, I envy you your year traveling around Oz. Something I have dreamed of doing. What memories to have. I would have to do it on my own though as OH and I could never share such a small space for that long!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I still miss Matilda. But out travels are now different. Mainly shorter and closer to home. Living in such a small space took a lot of patience and compromise
LikeLiked by 1 person
D would miss his guitars too much to be away from home any length of time. Even a week is too long!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Are but he can alwys take them with him!!!
LikeLike
You don’t know how many he has!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙄
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an amazing adventure! This is something I have dreamed of doing ever since we bought our camper. I imagine it is easier to get along when you are surrounded by such beauty and are exhausted from a day of trekking. ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes travelling non-stop is quite exhausting, but you get into a rhythm. There are so many grey nomads out there doing the big one round the outside track.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve lived in a small apartment, camped in a RV and a travel trailer, but I must admit you have a stronger relationship to survive that tiny space for a year. Applause to you both! The scenery is beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We actually travelled for another 3 years in Matilda, but only for 4-6 months at a time, with a few weeks break between each trip.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He-Man, myself, and our then 2.5 year old son went on a 6 week camping/road trip of the US in the early 80’s. It was EPIC!
Your trip too was EPIC! The images and memories are wonderful. Thank you for sharing the experience.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Travelling with a 2.5 year old would be a challenge and I bet you have some fantastic memories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We do. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
An adventure so many of us dream about but so few of us actually accomplish – bravo to you and Jack…all those wonderful memories to draw from and the photos are spectacular! Lucky you too to witness all that floral beauty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was actually the second time I went round. The first time, in 2005, I travelled for 4 months right round Oz using the Greyhound buses. That was fun.
LikeLike
What a very brilliant time you had. What a stunning land you both travelled.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a very photogenic country, I have thousands of photos in the archives, these challenges are a good opportunity to look back through them
LikeLiked by 1 person
And we reap the benefit 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic adventure, Pauline!
LikeLike
Thanks Sue
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pauline – what glowing memories you have…of those travelling days together. And those wild flowers! Such a lovely tribute to Ailsa as well – she and her theme will be sorely missed. But, I know she promised to stay with us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have done so much travelling it was hard to chose which adventure for this challenge. But this Aussie trip was the longest I had been continually moving. I will miss Ailsa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely sunset shot, reminds me of home!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was not your most adventurous although it was wonderful and we did have a lot of exciting times. I think the trip from Singapore to Bangkok on local busses was our most adventurous.
Oh! there have been so many it is hard to decide, you have made them all exciting thank you for encouraging me out of my comfort zone, Living in Paradise. 😎🐨🙏❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Only problem no digital photos back then. But it was a good adventure
LikeLike
That a fabulous trip you must have had. A year seems like such a long time, but I bet it felt like you barely skimmed the surface. Those flowers are just amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Still some places I would like to go to. I working on it…😉🤫
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a splendid way to travel. Flying to destinations is so boring. I have only done it twice, to Los Angeles and back and to Portland and back. I remember looking down and seeing all that I was not seeing. I mean, I could see it, but I could not be there. A trip that should have taken all day took only an hour and a half (to Porland. Los Angeles is half as far.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Flying is such a hassle these days. It used to be relatively easy before 2000.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pauline, no wonder your adventure was so memorable. What a trip! I would love to take road trips everywhere. I love your pop-up camper, Matilda, and the Bungle Bungles and the wildflowers, topped off by wine at the end! What fun. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was so sad when we sold Matilda, I still miss her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure you do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those wildflower photos are gorgeous. We haven’t timed it right to see them…yet. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t miss them, they are just stunning
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I love it, Pauline, such great memories of Matilda, I feel like I travelled in her too along the way 🙂 and my favourite discovery on your journey was the Bungle Bungles, it’s just so darned fun to say. ❤ Ailsa
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved that place, the name does have a rythm. To it
LikeLike
What an amazing adventure! You’re photos are beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for leaving a comment Jane
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are 5 months into our travels around Australia. There is so much to see. You have reminded me how good it will be to see the wild flowers. Thank you.
Love the name Matilda. Our is Josephine 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy travels this is a great country to meander around in. Have fun and lots of adventures.
LikeLike