The Australian War Memorial was founded in 1941 and has several main area's. These are the Commemorative Area (shrine) including the Hall of Memory with the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier. Memorial galleries and Research Centre. The War Memorial also has outdoor Sculptures. The Memorial is currently open daily from 10am until 5pm. Entry is free. Onsite under cover parking is available. Menin Gate Lions Australian War Memorial Canberra Through the main entry foyer to the War Memorial stand the Menin Gate Lions. In 1936 two large stone lions were donated to the Australian War Memorial by the mayor of the Belgian city of Ypres. They were given to the Australian government in the years after the First World War as a gesture of friendship. In exchange, the Memorial presented to Ypres a bronze casting of C Web Gilbert's sculpture Digger on behalf of the Australian government. Carved from calcareous bluestone in the eighteenth century, the lions had originally stood on plinths either side of the Menin Gate at Ypres -one of two entries into the medieval fortified city. It was through this gate that British and Dominion troops marched off the the battlefields of the Ypres Salient between 1914 and 1918. During this period the lions were toppled from their plinths by the same shell-fire that reduced most of Ypres to rubble. Portions of the damaged sculptures were later reconstructed to show off the lions in their former glory. After the war, the Menin Gate was chosen as the site for a memorial to the thousands of allied soldiers killed in Belgium during the First World War who have no known graves. The names of 54,900 British and Dominion soldiers are commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, of which 6,187 are Australian. -Australian War Memorial Canberra The Last Post The daily Last Post Ceremony is from 4.30pm. Free tickets are required in advance. The format is; Australian National Anthem then a piper's lament, a soldier's story is told and recited by Defence Force personnel, finishing off with the Last Post. A Wreath may be laid at the Ceremony with prior arrangement on the day. Ongoing redevelopment works began in 2022 ($550 million) and are expected to be completed by 2028. Traveldriven MAIN ENTRY TO THE WAR MEMORIAL CANBERRA INSIDE THE FRONT OUTDOOR AREA AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL ROLL OF HONOUR AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL ARMY VEHICLES ON DISPLAY PREV ROADTRIP CANBERRA NEXT HOMEPAGE

Alpine Way The Alpine Way mountain road begins from the town of Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales and travels to the Victorian state border and onto the town of Corryong in Victoria. The Alpine Way is a fully sealed road. Much of the mountainous driving is between Jindabyne via Thredbo to the small town of Khancoban in New South Wales. This section of the road is 110 km in length but will take two hours to drive. The drive from Khancoban to Corryong is 27 km and is over rolling hills and farmland. The Alpine Way, although two way and is sealed, is narrow in many area's between Thredbo and Khancoban. In my opinion it's not recommended to tow anything more than a small trailer along this section of road. This section is tight, twisty and meanders up and down with short straights and heavily wooded mountainsides. Outside of the snow season snow chains are not required or needed. There maybe the occasional sight seeing snow on the higher shaded slopes in Spring or Autumn. Above the Tom Groggin Campground the road often has a 15 per cent gradient rise or fall and a few 15\25 km hairpin bends are on these sections of the Alpine Way. Mountain Postie Riders Upon leaving the town of Jindabyne in the mid morning in a normal road going vehicle and no towed trailer soon the short turn off to Thredbo was sighted allowing for a five minute stop in Thredbo. On entry to the resort village a few dozen motorbike riders with their bikes were milling around the roadside 'Welcome to Thredbo' sign. These motorbikes are those as ridden by postal workers in Australia. Their bikes were scattered off and along the roadside. Postie Bike The Honda CT110 is a 105cc Four stroke single. Has drum brakes and a fuel capacity of 5.5L. Rated top speed of 80 km and about 8 horsepower. The bikes are often used by rider groups for charity rides within Australia. Up Over and Down the Alpine Way Expecting a fairly quite scenic mountainous two hour drive to Khancoban, it was a bit of an unpleasant surprise to share the road with so many motorcycles that are obviously not built for mountainous roads with their riders hellbent on riding to Khancoban and beyond. More riders were arriving by the minute. These same riders were spotted the previous day numbering greater than one hundred at the Banjo Patterson Hotel carpark in Jindabyne. Now at this very time all deciding to ride the same direction as I was driving. Most appeared to be in groups of roughly ten or so allowing for a few km of spacing in-between. No point waiting for all riders to pass which may take hours I continued on the Alpine Way. Within a few km of leaving Thredbo a line of postie bikes formed behind my vehicle. I slowed a little to the left and allowed space for all to overtake. No problem. A short while later another swarm of bikes were behind and I let them go by. I began ascending a steep bit of twisting road as more riders were approaching from behind. I rounded a tight bend and came across a gaggle of riders trying to climb the steep hillside. Their bikes seemed to be at full throttle at around 50 to 55 kmh. Following for a while I overtook on short straight sections of road where eighty km or more was possible. The road would top out and begin to descend allowing the riders to catchup behind quite close to the rear of the car on the narrow twisting Alpine Road. One or two overtaking. The next section of steep raising road slowed more bikes in front again to a low speed inviting myself to overtake once again. This back and forth carried on for quite awhile. Many of the riders appeared to have a five litre jerry can of petrol strapped behind them on the bikes. Near Miss A few road sections of the Alpine Way are cut through rock out crops allowing high crests to be driven through to the next downhill part of the narrow road. All well and good but with underpowered postie bikes all around front and rear made for an unsettling experience. The view was one of a rather comical appearance of swarms of postie bikes catching up very close and then falling behind. Same could be said for bikes out in front. Catching up to bikes on the steep inclines for them to only pull away as the road ahead flattens out. In my opinion a dangerous situation could develop. I descended a long section of road with a sharpish right turning bend at the bottom followed closely by a large group of postie bikes. I looked to my right a postie bike appeared to be a car door length off of the side of the rear passenger door trying to brake for the quickly tightening bend. Turning forward I focused on the road ahead expecting a scrape of metal on the car but heard nothing. I continued driving. Soon another downhill section of road appeared. Again descending and turning right with postie bikes on my rear bumper I unexpectedly came across a very narrow single lane bridge with a span of fifty metres or so. An approaching SUV was soon to get off of the bridge. Not wanting a head on accident I steered to the near verge of the road with a drop and certain roll over, all of the while watching my rear vision mirrors and depressing the brake pedal as much as I dared to not wear a postie bike on the rear. I could see the closest four riders brake to the left of what little of the road verge there was behind to avoid hitting the rear of my car. Everyone coming to a momentarily stop before moving off again over the single lane bridge crossing Swampy Plain River at Geehi. A very close call. A little later and about twenty km further on to the approach to Khancoban there were roadworkers with a stop sign. Looked like a five minute stop for roadworks. A long line of postie bikes pulled up behind. I got out and had a bit of a chat. Most seemed to be in their thirties. I as a former motorcyclist, said the mountains were not the best place for these types of motorbikes and I had a close collision just before. The bikes are not powerful enough for these roads. They agreed and said they were at full throttle much of the time and still not really going fast. One rider said there were eighty in the group. I said it looks like we are over the worse of it and continued on into Khancoban without incident. Traveldriven DRIVE THREDBO - KHANCOBAN - CORRYONG ALPINE WAY MOUNTAIN VIEWS THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER CORRYONG, VICTORIA PREV NSW NEXT

Perisher Valley The ski resort is Australia's largest at 1,720 metres (5,640 ft) in elevation. It is reached along the all sealed Kosciuszko Road from Jindabyne in New South Wales. Outside of the snow season two wheel drive vehicles may travel to the Perisher Valley area and ski resort without the need for 4wd or snow chains. It may be possible to gain close up views of sightseeing snow covered mountains in the spring or autumn months. The popular Snow Gums Boardwalk is easily accessible outside of the snow season. During these months much of the resort undergoes much needed maintenance for chair lifts, buildings and infrastructure. Expect to see very little retail or services open or running in the maintenance period. Do not expect to refuel as Jindabyne may be the closest centre for year round services. For such a large place as the ski resort the whole place seems devoid of people. Only a few vehicles are seen driving about. Nobody including staff are in the few public buildings that are open. Apparently the fire station has a member onsite if a park ranger cannot be found and is required. Unable to drink coffee Upon arrival at the resort around noon, the need for a comforting cup of hot coffee was undeniable. The quest for this simple pleasure led to a series of inquiries made at various buildings within the resort premises, including the undercover village square. However, despite these diligent efforts, no soul could be found to assist or even direct to a place where coffee could be obtained. It was a deserted scene, with an eerie stillness enveloping the once bustling resort. In a stroke of luck, one of the scarce maintenance workers present amidst the desolation was approached for guidance. Regrettably, the news delivered was disheartening - all retail establishments had ceased operations as the ski season had drawn to a close. The resort, which had thrived on the vibrant energy of winter sports enthusiasts now stood in a state of hibernation. Not a single cafe or eatery remained open to cater even to the essential needs of the diligent maintenance staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. The abrupt end of the ski season had cast a shadow over the resort. The absence of the usual hustle and bustle painted a stark picture of transition, as the winter wonderland transformed into a quiet, almost abandoned landscape. The once lively resort now echoed with emptiness, a poignant reminder of the ephemeral nature of seasonal destinations. The longing for a simple cup of coffee symbolized not just a physical need but a desire for the warmth and familiarity that had vanished along with the departing winter guests. Traveldriven JINDABYNE GOOGLE MAPS DRIVE JINDABYNE - PERISHER VALLEY - CHARLOTTE PASS SNOW MOBILES AT PERISHER VALLEY SKI RESORT SIGHT SEEING SNOW PERISHER VALLEY SKI RESORT PERISHER VALLEY SKI RESORT PERISHER VALLEY SKI RESORT NO COFFEE ON THE WATERFRONT OF LAKE JINDABYNE PREV NSW NEXT

Charlotte Pass The ski Resort is the highest in Australia at 1765 metres. Located in New South Wales. Charlotte Pass Resort has recorded the lowest temperature ever in mainland Australia and Tasmania of minus 23.0 C in June of 1994. The Alpine area gets completely covered by winter snow. The Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel was built in 1930 and is popular for accommodation as is the Stilwell Hotel. There are numerous other accommodation options. Snow Gums Boardwalk The Snow Gums Boardwalk, situated slightly higher than Charlotte Pass Alpine Village at an elevation of 1835 metres, offers a serene and picturesque experience for visitors. Accessible via a sealed road that leads to a small carpark with onsite tourist toilet facilities, the boardwalk provides easy access to nature enthusiasts. The well-maintained boardwalk, spanning around 400 metres by return walk, features about thirty grated steps at the end of the boardwalk along with guide railing that leads to a raised lookout platform, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including a glimpse of Mount Kosciuszko in the distance. Australia's tallest mountain. Surprisingly, surrounded by mountain views Mount Kosciuszko does not dominate the skyline. Despite its elevation, the walk is suitable for individuals of all abilities, making it an inclusive experience for everyone. Even those with a fear of heights can enjoy the tranquil surroundings, walking amongst snow gums with their unique, smooth weathered trunks and twisted branches, as well as observing the rugged beauty of weathered rocks and Alpine shrubs along the way. As visitors traverse the boardwalk, they are treated to spectacular views of the Alpine vista unfolding before them. The scenery, especially during the off-season month of October when much snow has melted, reveals a striking contrast between the remnants of large icy patches reflecting bright white in the sunlight and the emerging lush greenery, creating a mesmerizing visual spectacle that captivates all who venture into this alpine environment above the clouds. The melting ice & snow, although not accessible from the boardwalk, appearing quite close. Accessible by two-wheel-drive vehicles outside of the ski season, the Snow Gums Boardwalk offers a tranquil escape into nature, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Australian Alps. The journey from Jindabyne to Perisher Valley and onwards to Charlotte Pass is a scenic route that sets the stage for the awe-inspiring experience that awaits at the boardwalk, making it a do not miss destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat in the heart of the Snowy Mountains. Traveldriven ENTRY SIGN TO CHARLOTTE PASS SNOW GUMS BOARDWALK VIEW FROM SNOW GUMS BOARDWALK LOOKOUT ROCKS AND SNOW VIEWS VIEW FROM SNOW GUMS BOARDWALK ENTRY SNOW GUMS CARPARK WITH BACKGROUND SNOW PREV NSW NEXT

Bondi Beach Bondi Beach is a famous beach and takes it's name from the surrounding suburb in Sydney, New South Wales. Bondi Beach is about seven km (4 mi) east of Sydney central business district and can be easily visited on public transport. Bondi Beach is one of the most visited tourist sites in Australia throughout twelve months of the year. Bondi Beach, located in Sydney, New South Wales, is a world-renowned destination that attracts visitors from all corners of the globe. Its iconic crescent shape, golden sands, and crystal-clear waters make it a must-visit spot for tourists seeking sun, surf, and relaxation. The beach is not only popular during the summer months but also sees a steady stream of visitors throughout the entire year. Aside from its natural beauty, Bondi Beach offers a vibrant atmosphere with a bustling promenade lined with trendy cafes, surf shops, and art galleries. Visitors can soak up the sun, swim in the ocean, or try their hand at surfing in the famous waves of Bondi. The beach also hosts various events and festivals, adding to its allure and making it a hub of activity and entertainment. Moreover, Bondi Beach is not just a tourist hotspot but also a cultural melting pot, attracting people from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. This diversity adds to the unique charm of the beach, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who visit. Travel Down Under To Bondi Beach Circular Quay waterfront Sydney CBD is the departure point to Bondi Beach and is under 10km and approximately 25 minutes travel on the Watsons Bay ferry. Alternatively take a 40 minute bus trip. City2surf This is a 14 kilometre fun run course from Hyde Park, Sydney to Bondi Beach via Kings Cross. Usually held once a year in August. As a spectacle with 80,000 participants running and walking past, the event truly becomes a vibrant display of human spirit and determination. The sheer number of individuals coming together to challenge themselves physically and mentally creates an electrifying atmosphere filled with energy and excitement. Amidst the sea of participants, the novelty entrants stand out with their unique costumes and creative approaches to the race. These individuals not only bring a sense of humor and lightheartedness to the event but also showcase the diverse personalities and interests within the running community. Their presence adds an element of fun and entertainment, captivating the onlookers and fellow participants alike. Each novelty entrant tells a story through their attire and demeanor, turning the event into a colorful tapestry of individuality and creativity. Their presence serves as a reminder that running is not just about competition but also about joy, camaraderie, and self-expression. The sight of these amusing novelty entrants further enriches the overall experience, leaving a lasting impression on all those fortunate enough to witness this extraordinary display of human ingenuity and passion. Traveldriven ENTER CLICK/TAP BONDI BEACH GOOGLE MAPS IN REALTIME CIRCULAR QUAY GOOGLE MAPS IN REALTIME CURRENT BONDI BEACH FIVE DAY FORECAST SYDNEY CBD TO BONDI BEACH GOOGLE MAPS BONDI IN WINTER CITY 2 SURF FUN RUN PREV NSW NEXT PREV AUSTRALIA ICONS NEXT HOMEPAGE

A group of feral goats crossed the highway fifty km from Wentworth. Also en counted were small swarms of locusts over the Silver City Highway. - Traveldriven Mildura  A city with a population of over thirty-five thousand residents (2024) is inside the Victorian border and it is a distance of thirty km to the small town of Wentworth on the drive to Broken Hill in New South Wales. Mildura is a large fruit, grapevine and irrigation district. Broken Hill Is the only large mining city in the far west of outback New South Wales. Connected to Wentworth NSW by the fully sealed Silver City Highway and then onto Mildura in Victoria. Broken Hill's hot desert climate, combined with an average rainfall of 235 mm makes it a hard place to enjoy year round. Resident population is greater than 17,000. Many accommodation options are available. Broken Hill driving distance from Sydney is 1,150 km. If driving from Sydney, drive Sydney to Nygan where the Barrier Highway begins then onto Cobar, Wilcannia and Broken Hill. Driving distance from Melbourne 836 km. I was driving solo, a distance of almost 700 km from the Wimmera in Victoria. Silver City Highway The Silver City Highway connecting Broken Hill to Victoria is a fully sealed highway. Sections of road are unfenced with wandering livestock and wildlife. The area on occasion, may have severe weather of extreme heat or torrential rain storms. Embarking on the Silver City Highway journey from the town of Wentworth, NSW, to the iconic destination of Broken Hill in a powerful mustang GT is an experience like no other. Covering a distance of 265 km, this road trip offers a blend of adventure, natural beauty, and unexpected encounters. As you cruise along the highway, the landscape transforms before your eyes, showcasing the diverse Australian outback scenery. Just fifty kilometres out from Wentworth, you might come across a group of feral goats leisurely crossing the road, adding a touch of rural driver beware of wildlife to your drive. The presence of small swarms of locusts hovering over the road creates a surreal sight, reminding you of the delicate balance of nature in this vast land. Amidst the vast expanse of the outback, you may encounter wandering sheep and horses, a testament to the agricultural heritage of the region. The occasional sighting of kangaroos hopping across the horizon, and hopefully not across the road in front, adds a touch of wildlife to your journey, highlighting the unique fauna that call this area home. Each passing kilometre on the Silver City Highway is a testament to the untamed beauty of the Australian outback, offering a glimpse into a world where nature reigns supreme and surprises await at every turn. From unexpected encounters with local wildlife to the ever-changing landscape, this road trip in a mustang GT is a memorable adventure that captures the essence of the Australian outback in all its glory. Coombah Roadhouse. The only service stop between Wentworth and Broken Hill is often closed. Understood to be closed into 2024 with no reopen date advertised. If open, diesel and 91 octane petrol available only. Road trains do operate on the Silver City Highway. It's a distance of 265 km or three hours drive between Wentworth and Broken Hill with no fuel or food services available. Menindee Lakes The small settlement of Menindee is one hundred and ten km from Broken Hill along the fully sealed Menindee Road. Menindee Road joins the area known as Sunset Strip. The Sunset Strip follows the edge of Menindee Lake which is a very large lake by surface area and is the largest lake of four main lakes in the group. Many dead trees stand in the lake. A number of holiday shacks or older style homes line Sunset Strip. Residents of Broken Hill use the lakes for watersport recreational activities. Very often the lakes have little or no water being in a desert environment. Droughts are common. Sunset Strip appears to have very few people seen going about daily activities as does Menindee. Very limited or non-existent retail services are available. Kinchega Woolshed is available for the general public to inspect. A short drive less than ten km on unsealed roads from the Menindee lakes. The woolshed was one of the largest in New South Wales in its heyday. Now a historic relic of the past. Shearers were employed by the owners of the now ruined Kinchega Homestead. Traveldriven MILDURA Victoria GOOGLE MAPS BROKEN HILL GOOGLE MAPS MENINDEE LAKES GOOGLE MAPS BROKEN HILL FIVE DAY WEATHER FORECAST DRIVE MILDURA TO BROKEN HILL WAYSIDE REST BREAK BESIDE THE MURRY RIVER BETWEEN MILDURA & WENTWORTH RED CLIFFS 'BIG LIZZIE' THE WORLD'S LARGEST TRACTOR LOAD CAPACITY 80 TONS BUILT 1915. USEAGE WAS TO CLEAR BUSH FOR FARM LAND. COOMBAH ROADHOUSE CLOSED NO SERVICES (2022\2023\2024) ON THE BANKS OF THE DARLING RIVER NEAR MENINDEE NSW 110 KM FROM BROKEN HILL ALONG THE FULLY SEALED MENINDEE ROAD OUTBACK HISTORIC WOOLSHED KINCHEGA, NEAR MENINDEE NSW PREV NSW NEXT HOMEPAGE

DAY ONE SOLO ROADTRIP AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY Drive from the Wimmera in Victoria to Bendigo. A city in Victoria. About one hundred and fifty kilometres north-west of Melbourne. Founded on the discovery of gold and developed into a large central Victorian city. Bendigo With a population of over one hundred thousand people. The morning calls for a coffee stop at Lake Weeroona, Bendigo. A man made lake set on eighteen hectares beside the Midland Highway. It's a popular rest area. Motels are opposite the green watered parkland and lake. The area is a water bird habitat. Great Stupa of Universal Compassion Visit the Great Stupa on the edge of Bendigo surrounded by bushland. A free attraction. All are welcome to visit. There is a visitor centre and cafe on site. The exterior stupa structure was completed in 2020. Intricate interior detail is said will take eighty years to complete along with outside infrastructure, gardens etc much of which is already done on the two hundred acres of surrounding grounds. A stupa, in Buddhism, is a building with a bell like shape atop. The stupa is a commemorative monument. Temple like in appearance but not used as a temple. The Bendigo stupa is the largest Buddhist stupa in the western world. Height of 48 metres (157 feet) and 50 metres wide at its base. Almost pyramid like around the base. The stupa is a place of holy objects. The Bendigo stupa is designed to last many centuries. Jade Buddha The foremost holy object inside the Bendigo stupa is a jade Buddha. Carved from a single boulder of jade found in Canada. The Jade Buddha stands 2.5 metres high and sits on an alabaster throne of 1.6 metres. The priceless buddha weights about four tonne. Carving took five years and was consecrated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2009. It's said purpose is "really about inspiring people" and a symbol of peace. Silo Art Colbinabbin Drive from Bendigo to the small town of Colbinabbin. A distance of 55 km. View the popular silo art as seen from the Bendigo-Murchison Road passing through the town. Artwork depicts a train, a train station, early model cars and local people from days gone by. An in use railway is behind the silo's. Very large parking area for all types of vehicles. Traveldriven BENDIGO FIVE DAY FORECAST BENDIGO GOOGLE MAPS DRIVE BENDIGO - GREAT STUPA - COLBINABBIN SILO ART PATHWAY TO THE GREAT STUPA THE GREAT STUPA SURROUNDING THE BASE OF THE GREAT STUPA INSIDE THE GREAT STUPA & JADE BUDDHA JADE BUDDHA COLBINABBIN SILO ART TRAIL PREV VICTORIA NEXT PREV CANBERRA ROADTRIP NEXT HOMEPAGE

South Western Highway Connects Perth via Fremantle and Bunbury with Walpole along a mostly coastal route. A length of 400 km. Bunbury to Busselton (Bussel Highway) has link roads to join Walpole and then follows the South Coast Highway to Albany. FREMANTLE Is a major Australian port city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River in the Perth metropolitan area. Get a mighty meal of Marron. Marron Is a fresh water crayfish. Only found in southern Western Australia. Marron can grow to twelve inches in size. Often found in farm dams and waterways. Fremantle Jail Tours are available. The jail closed in 1991. It's said Bon Scott of the band ACDC spent a short time in Fremantle jail. Bon is buried in Fremantle his hometown. A commemorative plaque may be found in the local cemetery with a few oddments from fans. Matty Blade was a famous Fremantle street busker and a sword swallowing Guinness World Record holder. BUSSELTON Is about two hundred and twenty kilometres south-west of Perth. The Busselton Jetty is said to be the longest wooden structure in the world. 1,841 metres (6,040 ft). To save the long walk and as a novelty the jetty has a tourist train ride and an underwater observatory. It’s possible to dine eight metres below the sea at Busselton Jetty. Enjoy Western Australian produce. Walking the jetty or taking the train right out to the underwater observatory is a great experience. The Underwater Observatory is a natural aquarium where marine species are viewed in their natural habitat. Spiral flights of stairs lead to the Observatory. A lift is also available. Informative guide talks. ALBANY of Western Australia Is a port city located at the bottom of Western Australia, 418 kilometres southeast of Perth at the end of the South Western Highway. Albany is the oldest colonial settlement in Western Australia. The Gap and Natural Bridge . The Gap walkway, a grated see through platform 40 metres above the ocean and extending 10 metres out from the cliff face, offers great views over the cliffs, the incoming waves hitting below and the approaching ocean swell. A small park fee is payable. Albany is home to the National ANZAC Centre with views to King George Sound where 41,000 men and women left Australia aboard ships for the first World War. Traveldriven ENTER CLICK/TAP FREMANTLE GOOGLE MAPS BUSSELTON GOOGLE MAPS ALBANY GOOGLE MAPS Fremantle Busker Matty Blade RIP Bon Scott statue in Fremantle Driving past Fremantle Prison Busselton Jetty train stop The Gap platform, above the ocean Albany Marron Lunch An Albany lookout viewing area National ANZAC Centre, Albany wire & iron soldier and horse Light horseman Wire Display PREV WESTERN AUSTRALIA NEXT HOMEPAGE

Grand Pacific Drive Beginning south of Sydney the drive follows a 140 km coastal route via Wollongong and across the Sea Cliff Bridge. The drive continues through to Shellharbour, Kiama and beyond. The route leading to Eden some 370 km from Shellharbour. Old Tom, Killer Whale of Eden (c. 1895 – 17 September 1930) Old Tom was a killer whale (orca) known to whalers in the port of Eden, New South Wales. Old Tom measured 22 feet (6.7 m) and weighed 6 tons, with a 3.33 feet (1 m) skull and teeth about 5.31 inches (13.4 cm) long. Old Tom, the legendary leader of "The Killers of Eden," was a remarkable figure in the history of whaling during the 1920s. This pod of killer whales, led by Old Tom, developed a unique and complex relationship with whalers, providing them with invaluable assistance in locating and hunting whales for their precious oil. The bond between the whalers and the killer whales was a testament to the intricate dynamics of nature and human interaction. Old Tom's intelligence and strategic prowess were unparalleled, as he orchestrated coordinated efforts with the whalers to corner and immobilize their prey, making the dangerous and arduous task of whaling more efficient and successful. The symbiotic relationship between the whalers and the killer whales was a fascinating example of mutual benefit and cooperation between two seemingly opposing forces. Despite the controversial nature of whaling, the story of Old Tom and "The Killers of Eden" serves as a reminder of the intricate connections that exist in the natural world and the unexpected alliances that can form between humans and animals. The legacy of Old Tom and his pod continues to intrigue and inspire, shedding light on the complexities of interspecies relationships and the profound impact they can have on our understanding of the world around us. Old Tom's bones were preserved and his skeleton is now on display in the Eden Killer Whale Museum. If driving south from Sydney towards Eden drive the winding Sea Cliff Bridge with expansive coastal views. The bridge is often featured in television automotive advertisements. The Sea Cliff Bridge, together with the adjoining Lawrence Hargrave Drive Bridge, are two road bridges that carry the scenic Lawrence Hargrave Drive across the rockface on the lllawarra escarpment, located in the northern Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. Traveldriven Sydney to Sea Cliff Bridge 62 km by road. Via Grand Pacific Drive. Sea Cliff Bridge Google Maps Sydney to Eden 540 km by road. Eden to Melbourne 560 km by road. Merimbula to Eden by road 20 km. MERIMBULA GOOGLE MAPS EDEN KILLER WHALE MUSEUM DRIVE MELBOURNE OR SYDNEY TO EDEN SEA CLIFF BRIDGE NSW 'OLD TOM' BONES EDEN KILLER WHALE MUSEUM OLD TOM, THE KILLER WHALE PORT OF EDEN FRESH MUSSELS AND CRAYFISH MERIMBULA ACCOMMODATION, NEAR EDEN MERIMBULA NSW ROCKS EDEN NSW BOATS PREV NSW NEXT HOMEPAGE

Kakadu National Park The park is within the Alligator Rivers area of the Northern Territory. Kakadu covers an area almost two hundred kilometres (120 mi) from north/south and over one hundred kilometres (62 mi) from east/west. Kakadu Highway The highway starts at Pine Creek and finishes at Jabiru. If driving from South Australia follow the highway from Pine Creek to Jabiru a road distance of 213 km on an all sealed road and then follow the Arnhem Highway to Darwin. Darwin to Kakadu park entrance is an easy two and a half hour drive. Distance of 210km. Along the fully sealed Arnhem Highway . On park entry, an entrance fee applies. A Kakadu Yellow Water Cruise is essential. Up to two hours, observing flora and fauna. Crocodiles and birdlife. The township of Jabiru offers tourist facilities and services. The Adelaide River Jumping Crocodile Cruise is a short river tour on the drive to Kakadu and before Jabiru. Cahills Crossing Cahills Crossing in Kakadu National Park is about forty km further from Jabiru and also reached on a sealed road. The crossing has witnessed at least two fatal crocodile attacks. Located on the East Alligator River. One of these, a fisherman knee deep at the waters edge. Another attack killed a male walking the crossing. Widely regarded as the most dangerous river crossing in Australia. Abandoned vehicle's washed into the river can often be seen. Crocodiles gather to eat fish in the murky water. Dozens of large crocs inhabit the immediate area. Safe Crocodile Viewing and Obey the Warning Signs A safe river viewing platform overlooks the East Alligator River and is off to the right side of Cahills road river crossing. This is a safe area to view saltwater crocodiles in the wild outside of an organised tour. Safe for families. It's not uncommon to view multiple numbers of crocodiles from the public viewing platform. Most are in the river. A few are perhaps out of the water on the edge of the crossing. Do not cross the river into Arnhem Land without a permit. Even on the low tide when the crossing may be dry. Still unsafe to do so. Alligator River is a misnomer. Early pioneers thought the crocodiles were alligators and so named the local rivers East and South Alligator. An easy short walk, The Border Store is a short walk near Cahills Crossing viewing platform and is a general store. Driving from Jabiru the fully sealed Kakadu Highway connects with Pine Creek on the Stuart Highway. Pine Creek A short practical hire\drive driving itinerary in the vast distances of the Northern Territory is for a loop drive route Darwin, Kakadu, Pine Creek and return to Darwin. All on sealed roads. Pine Creek is two hundred and twenty-five km from Darwin. To follow the suggested driving loop at least one overnight stay is required to allow an adequate time for tours and see the sights. Two nights even better. Accommodation is available in Jabiru and Pine Creek. For more Kakadu information also read Darwin post . Traveldriven ENTER CLICK/TAP KAKADU/JABIRU GOOGLE MAPS IN REALTIME DRIVE DARWIN TO KAKADU & RETURN JUMPING CROCS ADELAIDE RIVER ADELAIDE RIVER Molly's Kakadu roadtrip. Showcases indigenous rock art which I believe is refreshed regularly by local indigenous people. A traditional practice going back thousands of years to keep living culture alive. Jim Jim Falls may disappoint in the later dry season. Expect dry waterfalls and rough unsealed roads to Jim Jim and Twin Falls. Thankyou to Molly Dixon Youtube for enabling video sharing. Always high quality content by an Australian prepared to go drive and see Australia. Traveldriven UBIRR ROCK ART, KAKADU EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY 2WD SEALED ROAD TO JABIRU TOWN JABIRU TOWN BAKERY PREV AUSTRALIA ICONS NEXT PREV N\ TERRITORY NEXT HOMEPAGE

DAY 42 & 43 AYERS ROCK (ULURU) Uluru and fireworks fun. Uluru also known as Ayers Rock, is an almost five hour drive from Alice Springs along the Stuart and Lasseter highways. A distance of 450kms. Good sealed roads all the way. Lasseter Highway itself is a scenic drive of 244 km. The highway is named after Lewis Lasseter. Lewis claimed to have found and then lost the fabled Lasseter Reef of gold in the 1930's. He is buried in Alice Springs. Mount Conner off Lasseter Highway is often mistaken for Uluru. A sealed road encircles Uluru. The Ulura base walk is about ten km in total. Often seen are Desert Oak and the wild Australian Budgerigar which are commonplace in central Australia. A small brightly colored common parakeet. Commonly kept in household cages. Yulara Township Tourist facilities are at Yulara township. 26 km from Uluru. A sealed road continues 25 km to Kata Tjuta (Olgas). These are large domed rock formations . The highest over 500 metres above the surrounding plains. There is a tourist ban on climbing Uluru. However, hiking is allowed on the Olgas. On a previous visit to central Australia I and three others in a light plane flew over Lake Amadeus. A vast usually dry salt lake. 50 km north of Uluru. (Ayers Rock) as it was then called. The glare of white salt all around to the horizon. Lake Amadeus is approximately 100 km by 13 km wide. Ayers Rock Resort Local Fireworks Ban? I booked into the huge campground and erected my tent. I purchased fireworks in Alice Springs the day before. I thought it good to revisit Guy Fawkes day of my youth. Fireworks and bonfires now long banned in Victoria. Have some harmless fun. Territory Day is the only legal day of the year the general public is allowed to buy and use fireworks. In all other states fireworks are banned with heavy fines for possession. Now I am in a national park l was advised in the Visitor's Centre not to use them. Bushfire risk. My car boot full. What to do? Meanwhile fireworks were being set off by the local workers around the edge of the park. Fireworks Lighting the Sky After much indecision of what to do with the hundreds of dollars worth of fireworks in my car boot. I drove out on dusk and came across the local Lions Club shed. Local Lion members were lighting fireworks in the empty carpark standing around a 44 gallon drum. Well alight with burning wood. Fireworks Fun Travel Down Under The Lion members invited me to join in. I opened my sedan boot. Holly Hell. Seeing the amount of fireworks. Plenty to share. Nearby were a couple of overseas tourists. Lighting fireworks. They asked me if I would part with a few. Sure, I lead them by torchlight to my car boot. Shone the light over the firework boxes. I was handed $100. Less than what I paid for in the shop. All good. All needed to be used before tomorrow. One large firework rocketed sideways and impacted the Lions Shed sidewall in a shower of sparks and noise. A metre above my car's roof. Fortunate there was no damage to my only means of transportation here in the outback. Overall a great Territory day/night. Traveldriven AYERS ROCK (ULURU) GOOGLE MAPS AYERS ROCK ( ULURU) WIKIPEDIA YULARA 'THE ROCK' FIVE DAY FORECAST TRAVEL DOWN UNDER & DRIVE 2WD ULURU TO KATA TJUTA FIREWORKS CLIMBING AYERS ROCK BEFORE THE BAN AYERS ROCK & DESERT OAKS 'CLIMBING THE ROCK' PENDING CLOSURE RANGER TALK PREV WA/NT/SA NEXT PREV AUSTRALIA ICONS NEXT PREV N\TERRITORY NEXT HOMEPAGE

WYCLIFFE WELL of the NORTHERN TERRITORY Claims to be the UFO capital of Australia. A welcome service stop for highway traffic. There are Aliens and UFO tourist displays along the Stuart Highway leading to Wycliffe Well. Wycliffe Well’s UFOs sightings started during World War II when servicemen living in Wycliffe Well started keeping records of nightly observed unidentified objects. Despite being observed on many occasions these objects were never satisfactory explained. Lights are still seen to this day. Very remote and isolated area. Desert country. Roaming roadside wildlife or even livestock are more of a concern than UFO encounters. No livestock is fenced and there is always the chance of native wildlife such as kangaroo bolting across the highway where there is very little in the way of vehicle repair in these remote area's of the Northern Territory of Australia. Traveldriven DRIVE DEVILS MARBLES - WYCLIFFE WELL - AILERON - ONTO ALICE SPRINGS A NEW FRIEND IN WYCLIFFE WELL OUTBACK UFO's? OUTBACK ROADHOUSES ALIENS IN AN ALIEN LAND UFO'S IN THE OUTBACK WYCLFFE WELL, ALIENS INSIDE UFO NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS ALIENS IN THE SKY, NOW ON THE ROOF TROPIC OF CAPRICORN ROADSIDE TROPIC OF CAPRICORN MARKER OUTBACK WILDLIFE IS SCARIER THAN ALIENS PREV SA/WA/NT NEXT HOMEPAGE