Month: May 2016

Places, WALeave a comment

Not Much to See Here

Itching for Hitching

“There’s not much to see” says the lass at the Info Centre in Kununurra, WA. We take her meagre advice and visit Kelly’s Knob lookout above the town to get the lie of the land. She couldn’t tell us where historic Ivanhoe Crossing was as she hadn’t heard of it. Not surprisingly we find it on Ivanhoe Road just as the sun is setting and there are folks fishing with disregard for crocodiles and the water is brimming across the spillway. Of course it is prohibited to drive on it these days and a huge boulder blocks the causeway. In … Continue reading Not Much to See Here

Why Caravanning5 Comments

An Open Letter to Retired Caravanners

Itching for Hitching

What’s the hurry? The next big event in your life is your funeral, so take your time. Smell the roses Wander the little towns Drive shorter distances and see more Sleep in Cherish the rain on the roof and the frost on the grass Listen to the birds Soak up the history Get salt on your fingers and eat fish and chips on that pier that stretches forever …and live Continue reading An Open Letter to Retired Caravanners

SA, Well Bugger Me!1 Comment

Who wants to go first?

Itching for Hitching

Morgan sits high on the banks of the Murray in South Australia and is quite spectacular with views over the wide expanse of river where it turns south towards the sea. This was once a busy river port and as well as historic warehouses there is an old brick morgue perched on the riverbank. Apparently when the town cemetery was being laid out one of the surveyors wondered who would be the first to be buried there. Sadly, next day he drowned in the river. Continue reading Who wants to go first?

Freedom Camp, SA3 Comments

Burra Gorge

Itching for Hitching

Just off South Australia’s Goyder Highway (B64) between historic Morgan on the Murray River and the heritage town of Burra is a road called the World’s End Highway (now there’s a name for you). From the highway it is a short drive through sheep paddocks to the summer dry stony creek that has carved a small gorge. There are large gnarly gums and you’ll find plenty of room to camp. On a warm early autumn evening we sat outside and celebrated our mate’s birthday, perhaps we celebrated a little too hard, but after all we were under a magic carpet … Continue reading Burra Gorge

WA, Wildlife11 Comments

Flies are bad…

Itching for Hitching

The flies are bad in Coronation Beach as we slowly make our way up the Western Australian coast. We constantly sweep up the bodies and must wear nets on our hats, at all times. A large crowd is in attendance at the Northampton Anzac Day service. Wearing T shirts proudly displaying their heritage are Australians and New Zealanders of many races heads bowed together. Hands slowly brush flies, eyes squint in the sun and a dog with a halo of flies waits. That afternoon we drive into Eagle Gorge at Kalbarri where the rocks look to have been laid down … Continue reading Flies are bad…

WildlifeLeave a comment

Walter Pigeon & Co

Itching for Hitching

As we drove into the caravan park we stared in horror at the pile of grey feathers beside the lake. Our first thoughts led us to believe that someone must have driven over the pigeons leaving little more than dead grey wings being tossed randomly in the breeze. But wait, that movement almost looks choreographed, ha they’re cooling off in the sprinkler. What next synchronized swimming? Continue reading Walter Pigeon & Co

Well Bugger Me!6 Comments

Mixed Businesses

Itching for Hitching

I’m constantly fascinated by the colourful mixture of things that businesses sell in the bush. But of course these businesses have to run on a different mindset to those in the cities. City businesses have to stay focused on what they do well. Country businesses must provide what is needed by the community. I saw this sign somewhere on the road between Mudgee and Bathurst: “For Sale  – Wishing wells, geese, bird feeders” In February of 1879 Ned Kelly and his gang of bushrangers held up the town of Jerilderie, NSW. The blacksmith shop where they had their horses shod … Continue reading Mixed Businesses

Caravanning Hints13 Comments

The Cost of Living on the Road

Itching for Hitching

So often I hear people talk of how lucky we are to be caravanning. From a health perspective yes, we are lucky, very lucky. But from the financial perspective, well that is altogether different. From personal experience we’ve found that once you have the rig (van and tow vehicle) that suits your budget and needs, then life is cheaper on the road. “What about the fuel?”  I hear you say. Keep your hair on! We all bemoan the price of fuel at some time or another but if you travel a little slower you will spread out your fuel costs. … Continue reading The Cost of Living on the Road

The Pubs, Vic, Wildlife9 Comments

Blackwood Hotel

Itching for Hitching

Atop a ridge between the Wombat State Forest and the Lerderderg State Park in Victoria is the old mining town of Blackwood. We order dinner at the rambling weatherboard Blackwood pub, it is Pot and Parma night. The publican comes out with a heaped plate of strips of steak for a mob of waiting kookaburras on the deck. There’s seed for the King parrots and last of all a whopping parma for us. Oh, you beauty! Continue reading Blackwood Hotel