Eyre Bird Observatory-Balladonia Roadhouse-Norseman-Esperance (687kms)

Up at sparrow fart, to visit and photograph the nearby beach.  (See extended post below). Simply breaktaking watching the sun rise over the dunes, and the land light up.  Back to the Observatory, where we were treated to a display and antics by the resident flock of Major Mitchell cockatoos; gorgeous birds. Headed back up the 4WD track to the highway and Cockabiddy, where we served probably the worse coffee we have had on the trip.  Also, saddened to see wedgetail eagles in a cage, albeit a very large cage. Balladonia Roadhouse was our next stop, traversing the longest stretch of straight road in Australia, 146kms between Caiguna and Balladonia. Balladonia was place that Skylab came to earth, and it made Balladonia famous for a few days. The museum is fun, as are the associated facts, among which: Miss Universe was on in Perth at the time, and Miss USA came to visit Balladonia; the local shire council issued the US government with a fine for littering; and Jimmy Carter apologised personally for the inconvenience. Much fun was had by all! Norseman our next stop after seemingly endless miles (yes, miles) of unbroken bushland.  Decided not to stop, and pushed on to Esperance with the sun setting fast. Glamped in motel (!) and fish supper from “Fish Face”.

Early morning at Kanidal Beach near the Eyre Bird Observatory, named after Edward John Eyre (1815 – 1901), an English land explorer of the Australian continent, colonial administrator, and a controversial Governor of Jamaica. (see Wikipedia for more).

Edward John Eyre (1815 – 1901), an English land explorer of the Australian continent, colonial administrator, and a controversial Governor of Jamaica. (see Wikipedia for more).

Click on link to discover more about Eyre’s exploration of the Great Australia Bight, and the role the site of the observatory played in their salvation. Amazing stuff, including the role of aboriginals in the expedition.

http://www.nullarbornet.com.au/towns/eyreBird.html

On the video that follows:

• Sue Heard It looks like a massive area of dunes and dune slacks; the sand looks really white, thinking it is either coral or shell sand or combination of both. Good video!
• Pam Aselton Just beautiful
• Ann Gardner Beautiful …… enjoy your time there …. looks lovely and peaceful.