On Tuesday 3rd march I set out from my sister’s house in Cairns (Qld) to drive my daughter’s Barina home to Albany (WA). After a brief stop in Kuranda for a mango smoothie and some retail therapy at my favourite shop, I had a lovely drive across the Atherton Tablelands. I survived the Barina eating Brahmins and made it safely to Charters Towers for my first rest stop.
Day 2
After exploring the beautiful old buildings at Charters Towers I headed through Clermont and Emerald.
Days 3 and 4
From Emerald, I drove to St. George then crossed the Queensland-New South Wales border at Hebel. There is a great little cafe there and as I enjoyed breakfast, it suddenly became four-wheel-drive peak hour.
The local Hebel State School students were celebrating International Women’s Day with a service to women and children in Papua New Guinea. I told them about my trip along the Kokoda track and read Photographs in the Mud. Then I travelled to Lightning Ridge where they have a great pool.
Day 5
On Saturday I drove from Bourke to Broken Hill. There were hardly any other cars. When I passed a couple of road trains they laughed and flashed their lights. I’m sure they were making Barina jokes on their CBs.
Day 6
I took a break from driving and had a day off to explore Broken Hill. I saw the pub where Priscilla Queen of the Desert was filmed. Then I drove out to Silverton where the Mad Max movies were filmed. There’s Barina next to the Mad Max car.
Day 7
I left Broken Hill and continued heading west toward the SA border.
