Crossing the Nullarbor Plain

Today we travelled across the Nullarbor Plain – the longest stretch of straight railway track in the world! It started very early to see the sunrise at Rawlina – a remote town about five hours from Kalgoorlie and bordering the largest sheep station in the Southern Hemisphere.

But there nobody awake when we were there at 6am and the only movement was the local lady whose horse provided the perfect rural backdrop for our resident singer as we warmed up with a cuppa and a bacon & egg slider. Our resident entertainer was strumming up a storm to lift spirits as people lucky niches and gathered around the fire pits.

We did a little wander along the ‘main street’ past the 1985 Time Capsule and the deserted homesteads. Then back on the train to snuggle back under our doona and have a lazy morning reading and watching the Nullarbor roll by. The crisp morning and the colours in the sky made for a memorable desert sunrise.

Finally surfaced for brunch about 1pm and even tasted the camel curry Fran had chosen from the menu. Mmmm ….. not for me! Then it was time for some cards and of course …… some of that icy Bollinger!

There was an extended stop at Cook where water supplies for the train were replenished.

Obviously some people with a sense of humour pass through this little town with four permanent residents because the signs and local icons had a whimsy about them!

There was the Jailhouse Rock between the “his & hers” lockups.

And the signpost in the middle of nowhere!

After a little afternoon aperitif and board game, we rested and watched the Nullarbor (No trees) roll by. Not a tree or shrub to be seen – it was barren indeed!

It was our farewell dinner tonight because after four weeks together we farewell the Maitlands in Adelaide early tomorrow as they leave to join Steve’s sister and travel to the Flinders Ranges and we journey on to Sydney. So surprise surprise we were one of the last to leave the dining car. A scrumptious dinner, lots of laughs, staff who were leaving in Adelaide so ready to play with us and the closing of a travel chapter with our friends. Soooooo many reasons to celebrate!!