This is the view from the lookout at the Super Pit, Kalgoorlie’s massive open-pit goldmine where all the money comes from. With dimensions of 3.3 x 1.5 km and a depth of around 500 meters, this is the largest open-pit goldmine in the world.
RobvanEde.nl Blog
Traveler, there is no path, paths are made by walking – Antonio Machado
Feb 04
On the train
After a pretty good night in seats that reclined very far and have fantastic legroom, this is the view on the Nullarbor Plain. Every half an hour a little bushy thing, but nothing but unending flatness for most of the time. At the horizon, you even see the curvature of the earth.
The last part of the journey was especially spectacular, as there were huge electrical storms around the train. Very dark skies an lots of lightning. The rain stopped just before arrival in Kalgoorlie, so the walk to the hostel was dry.
The hostel itself is on Kalgoorlie’s infamous Hay Street, right in the middle of the red-light district. Most occupants are mine-workers, so staying here gives a good idea about the real life in this town. For a few days it is a very interesting experience, but living here would be something else…
Feb 03
Over the Nullarbor on the Indian Pacific
This morning, I cheched out of the hostel in Adelaide, and later in the afernoon, I will board the Indian Pacific, the legendary long-distance train that runs all the way from Sydney to Perth. My trip will take me to Kalgoorlie, an Outback gold-mining town about 500 km from Perth, in a little bit more than 24 hours.
An internet connection might not be available in the next few days, so further updates on the blog may be a while from now.
For today, I will have a look at some more of the city of Adelaide.
Feb 02
Eucalyptus Grandis
As seen in the Adelaide Botanical Garden, which is situated right next to the city center. Very convenient, as the heat slows people down quite a bit.
Further, they have a Chinatown here with markets and shops for the most fantastic food. I spent an entire hour, only looking at everything there is. The curry will be delicious tonight.
Feb 01
Reached Adelaide
Arrived in Adelaide after two flights. I was a bit worried about all my camping gear that I had strapped to the backpack, but it survived allright.
Summer has now really started: on the stopover in Melbourne it was 38 degrees, here in Adelaide only 33. Probably there will be no need for a jacket for the rest of my trip. A very nice outlook.
Jan 31
Cataract Gorge and Duck Reach Power station.
Went for a walk from Launceston to the historic power station and found out that all power on Tasmania comer fro hydro electric plants.
It did rain a bit, which made the forest smell just like a hot bath with Kneipp eucalipt oil in it. Very nice indeed.
Jan 29
Bay of Fires
Got a lift from the campground to the Bay of Fires near Binalong Bay this morning. That saved me another 4 kilometers of walking and gave me more time for exploring this awesome bay, which (according to some guides) ranks among the top10 beaches in the world…
It just looks like a nice beach though.
Jan 25
Bridport
Bridport, the small fishing town in the Northeast of Tasmania.
This is where (only on high-tide) the freighter ships to Flinders Island leave for their 8 hour sailing. They can also take 12 passengers on each crossing, but unfortunately run only once a week and that was yesterday.
If I didn’t have a booked flight to Adelaide next week, I would have been on one of those…
By the way: don’t mind the location that is posted with this. Something is not working as it should on that bit.
Jan 24
Pirates Bay
Fantastic views on the Tasman Peninsula. In the Dutch way, I had a look around the entire Peninsula by bike yesterday. Today was spent on one of the long-distance walking trails. Too bad I didn’t have a tent, so had to turn back to Eaglehawk Neck.
Jan 22
Eaglehawk Neck
Tomorrow, I’ll catch a bus to Eaglehawk Neck, a couple of buildings at the most narrow part of the Tasman Peninsula.
It will probably take a while before I can upload my next post, as there will be no internet (and no phone and no shop and no bus in the weekend). What they do have is a spectacular coastline. That is what I read at least…
Jan 20
Climbed Mnt. Wellington
Walked to the top of Mount Wellington, the mountain that overlooks Hobart. The way up took about 2.5 hours, during which I was accompanied by Larry, a retired Canadian doctor who is now working as a poker instructor onboard the huge cruiseship that arrived here this morning, and a geography teacher from Hobart. Learned that, even in a small town like this, there two culturally different parts: east and west, with west (of course) being the wealthier part.
The view, as you can see, was fantastic.
The Tasman Peninsula at the back might be one of my next destinations.
The way back was a pretty rough track over huge boulders on a high plateau for most of the way.
Will probably feel my legs and feet tomorrow…
Jan 18
Hobart, Tasmania
After visiting a friend in Canberra, I took a short flight to Hobart. Finally some great but not too warm weather. The 33 degrees in Canberra were still a bit too much after coming straight out of the winter…
There is a lot to see over here, and the feel of the city is just awesome. Going to stay here for a while.
Up to Mount Wellington tomorrow and doing a practice run today….
Jan 15
Short update
Arrived in Melbourne, first thing needed was an umbrella for all the rain. The next booked stay along the Great Ocoen Road was cancelled because of flooding of the road… An alternative hostel was evacuated on thursday because both bridges connecting the town with the outside world were damaged.
Currently in Canberra (9.5h per bus from Melbourne) and flying into Hobart, Tasmania on Monday.
Photo’s soon…
Jan 13
Hong Kong
Arrived exactly on time after a loooong flight. Now a 3 hour break and another 9 hour flight to Melbourne…
Will probably sleep well tonight (or tomorrow).
Jan 12
On the way
Off to Hong Kong.
My view for the rest of the day, hopefully without te droplets and clouds…
Dec 18
Winter in the Netherlands
Why it is such a great outlook to fly into the summer on the other side of the world…
Oct 07
Paragliding Mount Bora, Manilla
Mount Bora, close to Manilla is a very famous paragliding location in New South Wales. This is where the Australian distance record of 335 kms was flown, and also the location of the 2007 Paragliding World Championships.
Starting locations in all wind directions and you are allowed to land everywhere, except the neighbor’s horse paddock. They advise against landing on varanos or kangaroos though.
Maybe it is worth the hassle of bringing the paragliding gear then…
Oct 02
Wellington
According to Dave Cornthwaite, who crossed Australia by skateboard, Wellington in South Australia is a little piece of paradise with lots of flowers, water, plus it has one of the oldest hotels in South Austrlia.
Listen to Dave talking about his expedition here:
Pecha Kucha. Dave Cornthwaite: skateboarding across Australia. www.davecornthwaite.co.uk from Alastair Humphreys on Vimeo.
Sep 29
Torquay – Victoria’s Surfing Capital
A probably very busy place in the summer months because the famous world class surfing conditions at Bells Beach, but also a starting point for exploring the Great Ocean Road region. There is a nice 30 km walk as well: the Surf Coast Walk. Torquay is reachable by train from Melbourne.