As a solo traveller, having just retired and half-way through a trip around Australia, I do not identify as a grey nomad. To me, this categorises a homogenous group of elderly Australians doing what they should have done throughout their lives, i.e. camping. This group, I have found, keep to themselves and only welcome others …
Author Archives: thwaga
BEAUTY, BOOZE AND BOCCE AT BETTY’S BEACH, W.A.
JETTISONED FROM JETSTAR
It was not surprising at Gold Coast airport to see a couple who were seated next to the solo traveler on the direct flight to Gold Coast from Perth a week previously. There is only one flight a week and it does an immediate turnaround. Stashing my bag in the overhead locker, and surveying the …
YOU NEVER KNOW UNTIL YOU TRY
Camping in the heart southern forests at Big Brook Dam near Pemberton was one way to experience the majestic karri trees. And the solo traveller did. Other ways included climbing one of the highest fire-lookout trees in the world – the Gloucester Tree which stretches fifty eight metres above the canopy. Not for this solo …
ESCAPADES IN EXMOUTH
When in Rome …. Lawson, the Australian sheepdog, had ridden alongside his Rolling Solo traveller for almost 10,000 kilometres across the top of Australia from South Queensland to Exmouth. She had thought it would be exciting for Lawson, but the truth was that sitting up front in the motorhome day after day, kilometre after long …
COOL AND NOT SO COOL KATHERINE, NORTHERN TERRITORY
Cool Katherine The heat was unbearable. 42.5 degrees in the shade and not a breath of fresh air to relieve the oppression. The springs were crowded with holidaying school kids who had muddied the waters. The car wash might provide some relief. Getting on top of the dust was a necessary routine if Tilly the …
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The weird and wonderful in the Northern Territory
Stopping off at Larrimah on the fringe of the Stuart Highway in the remote Northern Territory reignited my fascination with a story about Paddy Moriarty’s disappearance from the town over a year ago. Pasted on a post adjacent to the sparsely populated town (a pub and probably only five houses to call themselves neighbours) is …
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Raised dust in the outback of Western Queensland – is this the only thing being raised?
The weather report for most areas of Western Queensland included the usual wind speed and direction and temperature as well as “raised dust”. Before we came across this consequence of drought we thought we had seen it all. Camping on the Thomson River just outside Longreach was on parched, cracked riverbed and the inch thick …
“YOU’VE GOTTA GET WALKING” – CARNARVON GORGE 14 SEPTEMBER 2019
Yes, I know I have commented, with disdain, at aspects of the Grey Nomads but observing most of them in this wonderful place has provided an altered perspective. Chatting is what these adventurers love. I am guilty – given I travel alone until I meet up with others. There is never a lost opportunity to …
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Campfire Chat at Tara Camel Races and the F-bomb punctuation mark
Four firepits sat in a row to warm the cockles of campers hearts and keep the wine and conversation flowing beyond usual bedtime schedules for these over 50’s. Remnants of the original fifty seven campers were then onto the port and free – or loose – speech. Yes, grog does untie the tongue and, for …
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What you thought I would never tell you! 