Day 24 - Eucla to Bunda Cliffs (2nd lookout)
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This morning when I awoke my legs were feeling a bit soar from yesterday's ride. So I took my time to get ready and enjoyed relaxing in my room until about 9am. I then headed to Border Village.
Border Village is located on the border with the states of WA and SA. So today I'm saying bye bye WA and G'Day SA. I've really had a great time coming through WA. Let's hope the remainder of my tour is great as I head to my final destination, Adelaide.
The weather today is vey sunny. So will be a warm day. The wind though is thankfully not as bad as yesterday, yet.
After crossing the border I went to my first lookout for the day. It gave me great views out over the Southern Ocean and I could see these massive sand dunes in the distance. Whilst walking back to the bike a couple offered me this giant tub of honey. As they are heading into WA they have to give up all fresh food at the border. This is to prevent the spread of disease into the state. So I took the honey with thanks. They said they got it in New Zealand.
I then continued riding to my next lookout, which is about 55kms away. I am now actually crossing the Nullarbor proper. Nullarbor is Latin for No Trees. As this area used to be a seabed, it is made of limestone. Which the trees don't seem to like, plus a lack of any running water.
As there are no trees, there is also no shade at all. Even at the rest areas there is nowhere to take cover from the sun. Then the wind turned, so yet another headwind. With still another 40kms to go.
Those last 40kms were hard work. Drinking plenty of water to keep my fluids up helped, but I was getting tired. I then saw the turnoff to the second lookout. This lookout gives you a great view of the Bunda Cliffs which run along this part of the coastline. The cliffs are about 100m high and drop straight into the ocean. They stretch unbroken for over 200km. They are a pretty impressive sight.
I setup camp behind a couple of bushes for a windbreak. As it is pretty exposed here. I have a great view out to the ocean from the tent. Whilst setting up, a couple of the people in RVs have invited me over for dinner tonight around an open fire. Should be nice.
Before dinner we all enjoyed a great sunset over the cliffs. I am very fortunate to have had some great locations to camp on this tour. The views are meant to be even more impressive tomorrow.
Border Village is located on the border with the states of WA and SA. So today I'm saying bye bye WA and G'Day SA. I've really had a great time coming through WA. Let's hope the remainder of my tour is great as I head to my final destination, Adelaide.
Crossing the border
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After crossing the border I went to my first lookout for the day. It gave me great views out over the Southern Ocean and I could see these massive sand dunes in the distance. Whilst walking back to the bike a couple offered me this giant tub of honey. As they are heading into WA they have to give up all fresh food at the border. This is to prevent the spread of disease into the state. So I took the honey with thanks. They said they got it in New Zealand.
Some of the massive sand dunes I saw at the start of the day |
I then continued riding to my next lookout, which is about 55kms away. I am now actually crossing the Nullarbor proper. Nullarbor is Latin for No Trees. As this area used to be a seabed, it is made of limestone. Which the trees don't seem to like, plus a lack of any running water.
Where have the trees gone? |
As there are no trees, there is also no shade at all. Even at the rest areas there is nowhere to take cover from the sun. Then the wind turned, so yet another headwind. With still another 40kms to go.
One of the many classic road signs I saw today |
Those last 40kms were hard work. Drinking plenty of water to keep my fluids up helped, but I was getting tired. I then saw the turnoff to the second lookout. This lookout gives you a great view of the Bunda Cliffs which run along this part of the coastline. The cliffs are about 100m high and drop straight into the ocean. They stretch unbroken for over 200km. They are a pretty impressive sight.
My campsite is about 100m from this view |
I setup camp behind a couple of bushes for a windbreak. As it is pretty exposed here. I have a great view out to the ocean from the tent. Whilst setting up, a couple of the people in RVs have invited me over for dinner tonight around an open fire. Should be nice.
Before dinner we all enjoyed a great sunset over the cliffs. I am very fortunate to have had some great locations to camp on this tour. The views are meant to be even more impressive tomorrow.
Sunset over the Great Australian Bight |