Roadtrip no. 2: South Australia and parts of the east coast

Where: Roadtrip from Adelaide up north and back + along the south coast and a bit of the east coast of Australia
How long: 25.12.-20.01.2020 (almost 4 weeks)
Travelbuddys: my parents
Nationalities travelling together: German
kind of travelling: roadtrip with a camper van

my team

We had the same issue with the time so that we rented a camper van, too. It's really convenient and easy to drive, too.

Our plan is to go to Flinders Range National Park, kangaroo island, Philipp island, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the sunshine coast. If we have one day left we might climb one of the glass house mountains. That would be another great experience next to the wildlife and Nature of Australia.

I'm excited travelling with my parents might be different to the travel with "friends" or people with the same interest (backpackers, not holidays). And it's the first time since I left Germany that I meet my parents.

I didn't plan the trip, that was my mum. My dad helped her with the booking of the first accommodations, renting the car,...

It was hard to book or make a reservation ahead for some campgrounds because of the vehicle registration number that we just knew when we took over the car. 

So we had some reservations but inbetween we have to look for a place to stay. That's not a big deal in the outback now because it's not peak season. 

Camping in the National Park

We were lucky with that.

We don't have any reservations after kangaroo island so let's see what we will find to stay overnight.

Some national parks on the first roadtrip

• Nambung National Park

  
  The Nambung National Park in Western Australia is located 160 km North of Perth. 19.268 hectare big National Park characterized by its geographically unusual coastal desert. The Park is best known for its limestone formations (the Pinnacle Desert) and wide sandy beaches.

  
  

  

  Pinnacle desert (limestone formations)

  

  Driving on sand without 4 WD

  
  
• Cape Range National Park

Park is located on he coast in Western Australia next to Ningaloo Marine Park. Specifically marked by rocky gorges carved by ancient rivers and beautiful beaches.

It's on of the most pristine and beautiful coastlines in the world.

On the way to Cape Range National Park

Sunset at Cape Range National Park

Beach at Cape Range National Park

Ningaloo Reef

Turtles playing with the waves

Turquoise Bay

• Cape le Grand National Park

Located 45 minutes drive from Esperance, South West of Australia, this park features sweeping Heathlands, rugged coastal peaks and white sandy beaches. This beaches are voted as the best in Australia. Kangaroos on the beach and colorful wildflowers everywhere.

Lucky Bay- Kangaroos on the beach

bush hiking to the whistle rock

Whistle rock

in two hours from one side to the other side of the ocean

Adelaide-Impressions of the cities on the roadtrips

  Adelaide

• Capital city of the state South Australia in Australia.
• City of churches
• festival city: Festival of Arts, Glenelg Jazz Festival
• 1,1 million citizens (Adelaide itself 17.500)
• UTC +9:30 in Winter and +10:30 in summer

On 25.12.2019 I flew to Adelaide. In the plane I had a talk to a guy from Perth. We were talking about family, my trips so far, his job. That sounds weird in the first moment but that's quit natural in Australia to have a Smalltalk with someone you don't really know.

Airport Perth

I was very late at the airport that's how -i started the conversation with the guy. I was impressed how many families are in the plane on Christmas day. But that's how they go and visit their families.
Caused by the time difference (+9:30 hours) we arrived in Adelaide at 11:30pm. Public transport is very good in the cities so it wasn't a problem to catch a bus at this time to get to the hostel.

free pancake breaky 

The same day I went to the Hotel to have another nap and to see my parents the day after. 

The view from the Hotel

This day was a shock for me. I forgot about the day and just went into the city to get a Christmas meal. But 26th of December is Boxing day in Australia. It's a public holiday after Christmas and shops are open. They do have a lot on sale. You can compare this day with Black Friday or Super Saturday.

In Australia companies make more revenue than on Black Friday or super Saturday.
People sleep in the city to be the first one to enter the door, others wake up at 4am to be at the shop at 5am (it still opens around 8am).

Park in Adelaide

Adelaide

Botanical Gardens Adelaide

University of South Australia

Old vs. New Adelaide

Scuba diving as a highlight on the west coast

After one week travelling the west coast we reached the lovely region Coral bay. (1250km from Perth)

Stunning, turquoise and crystal clear water with snorkeling spots just on the beach.

The Ningaloo Reef is an over 250km long Coral Reef on the west coast of Australia and an UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Reef is unusually close to the coast. Only 100 meters or a 15 minutes boat trip and you'll see the various life under water.

Map of Ningaloo Reef part of the Marine Park

The Reef is part of the "Ningaloo Marine Park" and home to around 220 species of Coral.  
In addition to a number of more than 500 species of tropical fish in the nation park including various types of sharks live in this Reef.
Animals you might spot:
- turtles
- stingrays
- Manta rays
- dugongs
- Reef sharks
- tiger sharks 
- hamerheads
- lion sharks 
- humpback whales (June to November)
- whale sharks (May to July) 

Ningaloo is the only Region around the world where a lot of whale sharks come together along the coast at the specific time.
Special regulations make sure that the species are safe.

After two days of snorkeling we booked our scuba dive.
We had to wait a few days so we went up to Exmouth to Turquoise Bay for another snorkeling experience and scenery.

On the way to Exmouth

We also saw some turtles playing with the waves in the Cape Range National Park.


Our scuba diving experience:

My Team 

Two times 40 minutes diving up to 9,80m deep

.

Sharks 

Several Fish

A lot if corals

Our snorkeling experiences:

Us waiting to get picked up by the boat

Manta ray

Very lucky: a big whale shark

Merry Christmas from Down Under

Christmas lights trail Perth: Reindeer Greetings

I wish all of you a lovely Christmas. Happy days with family and friends. Enjoy the food and the presents and the relaxing time.

Christmas is a lot different to me this year in Australia. Not only the fact that I'm on the other side of the world also the fact that I'm on my own and not with family and friends.

Another difference is the date of celebrating Christmas.

Australia is celebrating Christmas on 25.12. with the following boxing day (26.12.). These days are both public holidays and the 24.12. is like any other day.

I'm staying in a hostel so I can enjoy the sun and the beach over the Christmas days and take part in the organised family dinner in the hostel on 24.12. 

Scarborough beach Perth

International Christmas Dinner 

I will spend the actual Christmas at the airport and in the plane. My flight to Adelaide to meet my parents the day after is in the afternoon on 25.12.

Eventhough that I don't have the feeling Christmas is coming up, the decorations are singular. 

Not only Christmas trees...

 ... also outside houses

...the Matagarup Bridge...

Christmas projections: St. George's Cathedral, cathedral square

Mooditj Yongas 'Solid Kangaroos'

Santa's Throne

Gingerbread house

Angel Wings

Light up Christmas tree 

...the city with its lights Christmas Lights spots around the city...

... and even the bus.