NT, Point of Interest5 Comments

A Bloke Called Mahoney

Itching for Hitching

It is late June and there are so many RV’s heading north on the Stuart Highway that it could be described as a stream. We’re heading south because I’ve broken my ankle and Woody keeps complaining that he’s sick of waving and wants a plastic hand on the dash board. In fact southbound we’ve only passed an old bloke collecting aluminium cans, a backpacker whiz bang and a fellow an idiot on a bicycle. I text my old boss to wish him a Happy Birthday and he tells me that his Dad is camped at the Marbles. We drive in and … Continue reading A Bloke Called Mahoney

WA, Wildlife4 Comments

You Wouldn’t Get Me in There!

Itching for Hitching

At Augusta in Western Australia’s south west, boys are cleaning fish in the Blackwood River near our van. Lots of fish in fact and they stand up to their knees in water. The Pelicans jostle for fish heads but the action is below the water. The boys reach down and hand feed stingrays and they are huge. All that I can think of is the demise of Steve Irwin. Continue reading You Wouldn’t Get Me in There!

Why Caravanning11 Comments

Sing it LOUD

Itching for Hitching

Oh the talent of humankind. Who hasn’t roamed the Lakes District of England without quoting Wordsworth? The same goes for our Australian writers, poets and singers. “And he sees the vision splendid of the sunlit plains extended” from A. B. Paterson. So many times we crest a hill and Australia in all its splendour is laid before us and draws our breath. The writings of Banjo Paterson, Henry Lawson, the songs of Slim Dusty forever rattle through our minds. And so too as we leave Charleville after being absolutely captivated by a town that we had been only mildly curious, … Continue reading Sing it LOUD

Point of Interest, Vic7 Comments

Anderson’s Mill

Itching for Hitching

In an area founded on gold then settled on the wealth of golden grain, Smeaton is one of a number of hamlets dotted across these western plains of Victoria. Built in 1861 Anderson’s Mill at Smeaton served the community until 1959. Now preserved by Parks Victoria the mill, its huge metal water wheel, the office, the Anderson house and all of the outbuildings are in excellent condition. There is an old wooden bridge spanning Birch Creek, a rather grand bluestone bridge and a picnic perfect park of shady oak trees nearby. It doesn’t take much to imagine what life was … Continue reading Anderson’s Mill

Vic, Wildlife3 Comments

A Wise Old Bird is the Pelican

Itching for Hitching

His beak can hold more than his belly can. We were in Mallacoota in Victoria and there had been quite a bit of rain. Once the weather cleared we wandered around the boat ramp watching the commercial abalone boats returning with their catch and amateur fishermen cleaning theirs. The family of pelicans that live on the sandbank opposite the boat ramp, took flight and skimmed in to the pier to get their fill of the leftovers. It was easy to spot the birds that were successful enough to get a fresh feed as the blood dribbled down their huge bills. Continue reading A Wise Old Bird is the Pelican

Farm Stays, WA8 Comments

Indee Station

Itching for Hitching

About 70kms south of Port Hedland, WA and a mere 9kms off the Great Northern Highway is Indee cattle Station. Alison greets us in the cool of the sprawling homestead. It turns out that she’s from Melbourne too and ‘does the season’ up here. We park out back behind the machinery sheds where there are spotlessly clean portable bathrooms. In fact everything seems portable. Dongas for accommodation cabins and a large shipping container makes for a pretty good camp kitchen. Everything is chained or bolted down and the buildings that have conventional roofs have them strapped down and the wire … Continue reading Indee Station

CB Radios, WA3 Comments

Breaker, breaker

Itching for Hitching

We leave Tom Price and take the road to Karijini National Park. We soon meet up with a large piece of equipment being transported to one of the outlying mines. There are more mines out here than you can shake a stick at. A voice comes on the CB and says “5 metres at the blade, 4 on the wheels”. After we’ve gone past, the escort vehicle has trouble raising our mates on the radio and then we hear “first caravan can you tell your mate to buy a bloody radio!” The truckie then comes back on the radio and says “See … Continue reading Breaker, breaker

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