Queensland, NSW: 12. – 25.09.2011

Our last days in Australia were counted. On September 29th Nisto would, hopefully for a last time, be loaded into a container and on October 3rd he should start his journey from Sydney to Africa. But, before we could start our final spurt we already had to hit the brakes. At the wheel alignment, a routine intervention, the mechanic found that one of the two right axle suspensions were brocken.

Queensland: 26.08. – 11.09.2011

After we managed 600 sand dunes, we now had 14 creeks waiting for us. Afterwards we figured that the term ‘creek’ might be a bit misleading, because whole lakes opened up in front of us, but let’s start from the beginning.

Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland: 19. – 25.08.2011

Now it meant off we go thru the middle. Or a bit more accurate the larges parallel sand dune system of Australia the Simpson Desert, as they are in a north south alignment and we headed east we would have to cross about 600 of the about 1.100 dunes that reach up to 40 meters. With a thought to our almost 4 tons in that huge sandbox we started to bet on how many times the shovel would have to be in action. Ultimately both of us have been wrong.

Northern Territory: 03. – 18.08.2011

Our next main destination, Alice Springs, was only about 1.200 kilometers away. That meant to drive, drive and drive again. Of course also this time can be used quite productive with; writing emails and reports or sewing. In the meantime our clothing more looks like Swiss cheese than pant, T-shirt or sock.

Western Australia , Northern Territory: 14.07. – 02.08.2011

Our last days in Western Australia have been counted and the Northern Territory was at the door step. But there was one pile of stones that we didn’t want to miss. As a teenager Markus has seen pictures of it and since then it was clear: One day … and now the time has come.

Western Australia: 18.06. – 13.07.2011

Land Cruiser and Land Rover together!? For some an abnormal pairing, for us it was a perfect match for adventure, fun and friendship. That we could share with Anita, Roger and their Rebelde www.nichtswieweg.ch. In Melbourne we’ve met them the first time. In Broome it now came to a reunion, were we decided to travel together for a bit. That it was to be for 3 ½ weeks no one would have thought.

Western Australia: 06.06. – 18.06.2011

The next two days we spent with eliminating kilometers and have been accompanied by constant rain. With our thoughts at the fabulous time we’ve just had at the Ningaloo Reef our mood was let’s say not the best. Quite some time we spent arguing if we should turn back or not? But the weather and our original plan pushed us northwards.

Western Australia: 17.05. – 05.06.2011

Western Australia is the largest State in Australia. Switzerland, Germany, Austria and New Zealand would easily fit in it. Nevertheless only about 1.9 Million people life here and 70% of them do so in Perth. Quite soon you realize if you leave the south west it really gets lonely; just the right thing for us. However it also means to cover a couple hundred kilometers on straight paved roads each day. But the reward for it was huge.

Western Australia: 28.04. – 16.05.2011

The south west of Australia is known for its rich green and azure blue, for trees that you have to crane your neck and for beaches that come right out of travel brochure, that you thought do not exist. Exactly the right thing for us after a dusty drive thru the outback.

South Australia, Western Australia: 14. - 27.04.2011

Now it meant for us to go west. Two possibilities we had in store for this until February 18th to get to Western Australia. However on the Ferry to Tasmania an Australian told us about a third option, and of course this bug grew until it was the only one left. It would lead us along a dusty gravel road thru the deepest and most solitaire Outback.

Victoria, South Australia: 30.03. – 13.04.2011

At 6am we reached dead tired the northern island. The Oceanrecliners on the ferry from Tasmania do look quite comfortable, but they are everything but. Before we managed to head due west it meant to release Nisto from its bonds, fill up tires and the fridge and have lunch with our agent. Only because of his efforts we finally got our compensation for that forklift who tortured our backdoor.

Tasmania: 06. – 29.03.2011

It took us exactly 730 days to get 16.840km away from home the furthest point from home on our journey. On time for the second anniversary of our journey we stood at Cape Hauy and peaked North West wards. Our thoughts not only on our past year, because now it is official our way home has started, but more of how it began just after a little technical review of our last year traveling.

Tasmanien: 18.02. – 05.03.2011

After an hour of sleep we headed shortly after 6am towards the ferry pier. With Anita and Roger we made the night to day. They just came back from Tassie and couple years ago they traveled thru South America in their Land Rover so obviously there was a lot to talk about, and since we had all day to sleep on the ferry we used every minute we had.

New South Wales, ACT, Victoria: 01. – 17.02.2011

Our way brought us into the Megalong Valley, where we set up in a bush camp in the shade and planed our route back to Melbourne. After half a day back and forth and what would be the best option we more or less decided; we would go back to the ocean because there was the one or the other dive spot that we didn’t want to miss.

Victoria, New South Wales: 12. – 31.01.2011

Many Horror stories we have heard about the Australian quarantine regulations: Inspectors with white gloves checking every last corner of the vehicle. Only the slightest trace of foreign dirt or a blind passenger like a spider or a fly, even if it just sits in the container, would result in a recleaning that could easily cost AUD 200 and more.

Perth: 08.12.2010 – 11.01.2011

Give it another go on December 8th just after midnight. Never before have we met so many familiar faces at an airport. But also this time excitement was not to be left out. First the catering was missing, then the drug dog did not finish his job in the plane and ultimately the most important was not there; the pilots. After everything and nothing was found, we finally could start our air journey. The jump across the big ocean we could even spend completely horizontal, more relaxing one cannot fly.