Right here is our evaluate of our travelling adventures from the final yr. In 2020 we wrote our first weblog reviewing our yr of journey. The worldwide coronavirus pandemic continues to create many challenges to journey. In Australia, the worldwide borders have been principally closed, so no journeys to different international locations have been possible. Our residence state of Western Australia stayed comparatively virus-free (fairly distinctive around the globe), partly as a result of very strict state border controls. So we have been left to proceed exploring our personal yard, and likewise had the prospect to go interstate.
We continued to make good use of the van we purchased final yr. Ultimately, we managed to hit the highway a couple of occasions and keep at 31 completely different campsites in our caravan, a fairly spectacular effort we expect.
This evaluate is all about our travels for 2021, which is completely different from our 2021 Annual Christmas Letter, which summarises our yr with solely a quick abstract of our travels. We (will) have additionally written a 2021 Journey Running a blog 12 months in Evaluate, which is simply in regards to the specifics of running a blog and the efficiency of this web site.
Lists of Journeys in 2021
Along with the journeys listed, we had a metropolis staycation and the youngsters have been off on scout camps to varied locations within the bush.
Regardless of the journey restrictions in place, we have now had some superb experiences. Listed here are our highlights of the journey yr.
Finest Street Journey – Perth to Darwin (Solo!)
Rob drove solo up the west coast of Australia, Perth to Darwin, 7 days of driving and 4200km.
Finest Bushwalk – Panorama Stroll, East MacDonnell Ranges
The Panorama Stroll was spectacular, somewhat hidden gem within the East MacDonnell Ranges. The East Macdonnell Ranges doesn’t get the accolades it deserves, the panorama stroll at Trephina Gorge is likely one of the finest. It’s a straightforward day journey on the market from Alice Springs, with different walks and rock artwork to see on the way in which. Particular mentions for the Kings Canyon Rim Stroll, the stroll to Maguk (Barramundi) Falls in Kakadu, and the climb to the height of Fortress Rock within the Porongurups.
Finest Tour – Coober Pedy Outdated Timers Mine, SA
You are taking a self-guided tour of the Outdated Timers Mine, permitting you to discover all of the nooks and crannies, and study how the mines used to function. One other tour price mentioning was the Mala Stroll, a free guided tour by a ranger across the base of Uluru. See our top-10 excursions ever.
Finest Sundown – Uluru, NT
A household portrait on the Uluru sundown viewing spot. There’s no filter on this photograph, that basically is how the rock appears because the solar units. This was a part of our 2021 Tour of the Northern Territory and Central Australia. Additionally from this journey, we had nearly as superb sunsets at Mindil Brach in Darwin, at Yellow Waters in Kakadu, and whereas sitting on the Devils Marbles within the NT.
Finest Free Campsite – Boondi Rock, WA
On our remaining night time of the massive highway journey this yr, we had a last-minute determination to cease on the Boondi Rock campground. It’s a small free campground close to Boondi Rock outcrop, an ideal low-key end to our journey.
Finest Meals Expertise
The finest chips and gravy you could ever have could be discovered on the Madura Cross roadhouse. The final time we got here previous right here the restaurant was closed, so we timed our journey so we might drop in and have a few these mountain plates of chips. It says rather a lot about these chips to beat a crocodile and chips meal on the Darwin Stokes Hill Wharf meal, the camel burgers at Kings Canyon Station, and the home-cooked Jonny Desserts at Little Roper Inventory Camp. Oh, and naturally the meals choice at Darwin markets is difficult to beat.
Finest Household Enjoyable – Lake Magic, Wave Rock, WA
It was a magic time at sundown on Lake Magic close to Wave Rock, Hyden, Western Australia. We needed to wade by sinking mud on the sting of the lake. The exhausting dried crusty salt was robust on the toes too, nevertheless it was all price it. We had loads of household enjoyable cruising the Corroboree Billabong within the NT too.
Uncommon Issues – Budgie Swarms at Henbury
The unusually excessive rainfall has helped the breeding of untamed budgies, with enormous flocks of birds flying round our campsite on the Henbury Meteor Craters, close to Alice Springs within the Northern Territory.
Bizarre Factor – Teddy Tree, Nullabor SA
The teddy tree is simply one of many many uncommon timber you could come throughout in your approach throughout the Nullabor. What else did we discover uncommon or bizarre in 2021? The flocks of birds at Henbury meteor craters, the Stonehenge duplicate in Esperance, a farm truck teetering on a ledge, a horse coming to go to us within the Daly Waters Pub (truly all of Daley Waters was a bit bizarre).
Most Distinctive Expertise – Coober Pedy Underground Home, SA
All of us had a lot enjoyable staying underground just like the locals in Coober Pedy, South Australia.
Finest Artwork Expertise – Aboriginal Artwork in Alice Springs
We have been so stoked to purchase this art work from the artist in Alice Springs. It’s now sitting delight of place above our mantlepiece at residence. The Aboriginal artwork within the galleries was fairly spectacular, however principally out of our value vary. We are saying some cave artwork round Kakadu too. Particular point out to the surprisingly good sculptures alongside Chainsaw Sculpture Drive in Albany WA.
Finest Historical past Expertise – Albany’s Brig Amity
We have been fortunate to reach on the Brig Amity in Albany simply in time to enter and discover inside. Different historic experiences of the journey yr are exploring the WW1 bunker East Level Darwin, and the few outdated telegraph stations alongside the Stuart Freeway.
Finest Museum – Alice Springs Megafauna Central
The Megafauna Central museum was a shock discover within the Alice Springs Mall. Different museums we had the pleasure of visiting in 2021 have been the Royal Flying Docs Museum in Darwin and the Faculty of the Air in Alice Springs.
Favorite Sporting Journey Second
We employed a few canoes and paddled the second gorge at Katherine Gorge, a improbable household time out. As an lively household, there are a couple of different sporting moments from our travels, corresponding to taking part in a couple of holes on the Nullabor hyperlinks golf course, a sport of frisbee golf at Manjedal, and biking and strolling round Uluru.
Finest Lookout – Nawurlandja lookout, Kakadu NT
Searching over Kakadu from the Nawurlandja lookout close to Nourlangie Rock (Burrungkuy) – a worthy substitute for Ubirr which was closed. The rock artwork close by was superb too. Different nice lookouts have been the Fortress Rock lookout close to Porungorup, Baruwei Lookout over Katherine Gorge, and the hill behind Banka Banka Station.
Better of Nature (Fauna) – Little Roper Inventory Camp
Not solely are you able to camp at Little Roper Inventory Camp in Mataranka NT, however you can even play with their animals too. It’s clearly the perfect place for households to remain in Mataranka. It was a detailed name between the animals at Mataranka and the child kangaroos at Alice Springs, leaping crocs at Adelaide River, kangaroos on Luck Bay seashore close to Esperance, the smelly bats in Katherine Gorge, and at last being chased by geese on the park in Merredin.
Better of Nature (Mineral) – Kings Canyon
Taking the Rim Stroll at King’s Canyon in Central Australia you may really recognize the spectacular purple sandstone canyon.
Better of Nature (Water) – Bitter Springs
Bitter Springs is the higher selection of the recent springs close to Mataranka, Northern Territory. Seize onto a pool noodle and float down the river. Even higher, seize a snorkel and see the underwater world within the crystal clear waters. The Mataranka Scorching Springs have been fairly good too – the perfect recommendation we got was to go there within the night for a swim at the hours of darkness.
Favorite Journey Photograph – Broome Camel Tour
Vacationers on camels alongside Broome’s Cable Seashore, WA. It’s not exhausting to take an incredible photograph of this scene.
We’re impressed that a lot was achieved this yr, together with many memorable experiences. We hope you may have had an equally good yr regardless of what is occurring round us. At these occasions we have to adapt, sit up for issues, and be glad about what we do have. We’re trying ahead to higher freedoms and extra journey in 2022.