BLOG UPDATE

The six month old computer turned belly up and D-I-E-D whilst crossing the Nullarbor. Long story, but for now there will be no further blog updates until we can have the machine fixed - NOT HAPPY! So much for Toshiba warranties and Leading Edge after sales service!

COOLGARDIE - POPULATION: 800

MARVEL BAR HOTEL

THUR 30 - FRIDAY 31.1.2014: Coolgardie (Mother of the Goldfields), was the first settlement of the Western Australia Eastern Goldfields. Coolgardie saw the biggest movement of people in Australian History when gold was found at Fly Flat back in 1892 by Arthur Bayley and William Ford. Although the town’s population has decreased since then, Coolgardie has retained many of its magnificent buildings associated with its rich and colourful past. Love the wide streets that were once used for camel transport – so easy to drive down and park in. There is a free camp at Coolgardie, but we decided due to the heat to stay at the Coolgardie Tourist Park. Fortunately Poodle Palace is self-contained as the park is definitely not in the best of condition.

The reason for the two day stay was to have an oil change before heading off on the Nullarbor. Should have realised the significance of the ‘Highway Robber’ sitting perched atop the Goldfields OKA Service Station! Set the Leylands up at the caravan park and Sybil drove the motorhome up then walked back. Tackling the return trip in the heat and having spent 4 hours waiting for our call to say all was complete, resulted in an afternoon of recovery in the air-conditioning of Poodle Palace.  





NORSEMAN - POPULATION: 857

TUESDAY 28 - WEDNESDAY 29.1.2014: First evening stop was at Kumarl Siding 73 km South of Norseman. Next day pulled into the dump point at Norseman (next to the Information Centres, the most visited tourist attraction), and found Ann and Jim from Christmas at Walpole - small travelling world! The quest for gold led to the establishment of Norseman. Today there are a number of small goldmining operations in the area but only the Central Norseman Gold Corporation can be considered a major producer. Gold was first found in the Norseman area in 1892, about 10 km south of the town, near Dundas.

NORSEMAN: CAMELS - THE PROSPECTOR'S FRIEND

Spent the night at Lake Cowan Parking Area 23 km North of Norseman. Plenty of space and a view of the lake - bonus. We also had mother and baby come down for a drink.