Half lap of Australia

Hi everyone! I'm back! If you are wondering where I have been the last couple of months we have been travelling a half lap of Australia - starting in the south west corner of Western Australia, north up along the Western Australian coast to Kununurra, across into the Northern Territory to Darwin at the top of Australia, around Kakadu National Park, then down the centre to Alice Springs and Coober Pedy in the dry centre, to the south of the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia, before returning home across the Nullarbor -  13,329 kilometers in 7 weeks and 3 days, 16 caravan parks and 11 free camps. Phew!  You can see a rough idea of our trek on this map which I have marked in red.

16 caravan parks - some not as shady as this one in Mataranka the Northern Territory

And 11 free bush camps

We crossed three state borders - Western Australia, Northern Territory and South Australia

 Australia is a big country and we certainly saw a lot in the seven weeks.

Stunning and unique wildflowers - this is the Sturt's Desert Pea

Iconic boab trees - a feature of northern Western Australia and parts of the Northern Territory

We learnt about Australia's war history and the bombing of Darwin and northern Australia during World War 11, and visited a war cemetery in Adelaide River, south of Darwin

And explored history and enjoyed art in museums and art galleries 

We saw amazing wild creatures on three billabong cruises - this is a salt water "estuarine" crocodile in Kakadu - not to be confused with the freshwater crocodile - you don't want to mess with these guys, they have been known to kill and eat people! You have to be careful where you swim in northern Australia!

And birds - this is a Jabiru, native to northern Australia

We flew over the flooded, normally dry salt Lake Eyre, Australia's inland sea. 

 And went on two ranger walk and talks on "country" in Kakadu to learn about the natural environment and aboriginal history through their cave paintings

I sat with an aboriginal woman on a mat under the trees in Kakadu and wove a bangle with pandanas leaves

We floated in thermal pools - this one is at Bitter Springs in Mataranka - don't forget the "noodles"!

swam under waterfalls - this is Wangi Falls in Litchfield National Park

 And showed in rustic outdoor showers  - this is at Barn Hill south of Broome in Western Australia

Saw some film locations featured in - Crocodile Dundee in Kakadu in the Northern Territory

And Mad Max at Coober Pedy in South Australia

 And visited a lonely graveyard which brought characters from the book "We of the Never Never" by Jeanie Gunn to life.... I re-read it while we were away

Saw amazing sunrises and sunsets - this is Yellow Waters Billabong, Kakadu

Walked on near deserted pristine beaches - this is Barn Hill, Western Australia

 Visited historic townships  - especially throughout the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia - they are doing fantastic work preserving their heritage buildings

Had a drink in outback pubs - this is the iconic Daly Waters pub

And ate a crocodile schnitzel - in Darwin - my husband had buffalo

Drove over rough desert roads - this is the Coober Pedy to William Creek road in South Australia - very corrugated!

 Walked beside palm lined rivers - this is the walk into Maguk Falls in Kakadu

 Floated on a boat among the water lillies - this is Yellow Waters in Kakadu

 And saw rugged coastal scenery in South Australia - next stop from here is Antartica

 AND we met my long time blogging buddy Marion, and her husband, from Redz Australia blog in South Australia. After nearly 10 years enjoying each others blogs it was FABULOUS to finally meet! Please visit her blog if you get a chance. I love her light and breezy writing style. She has lots of fabulous info on Australian travel. We could easily have talked for days not hours!

There is so much to show and tell you about, so over the next few weeks I will take you on a tour. I hope you will join me.

My apologies for not visiting your blogs over the last 8 weeks or so. I tried to keep away from my computer and social media while I was away. It was nice to have a blogging break.  After 8 weeks it is taking me a little while to get back into the swing of life again.

Outback phone technology

 Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. 

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!

   
All Seasons
MosaicMonday at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf

Our World Tuesday

Pictorial Tuesday 

ThroughMy Lens 

Image-in-ing
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity.

The Lovin' Life Team over at: Deep Fried Fruit

Hello there! I love reading your comments. If you scroll down to the bottom you can comment too! I would love to hear from you.