Trekkie’s back in the game!

Date: 28-04-2010
Day 81: Coolgardie, WA
Distance cycled: 36km

The moment we have both been waiting for have came about yesterday when Brian called in the morning. Lukas got so excited that he unintentionally dropped and shattered (non-destructively) the mobile phone! Trekkie is well again and back in Lukas’ possession!

With arrangements made for a late check-out, we cycled (YES on 2 bikes!) to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) centre near the Kalgoorlie-Boulder airport for a tour that we were both looking forward to. RFDS was the first comprehensive aerial medical service in the world and to this day remains unique for the range of primary health care, emergency and community services it provides the rural and remote communities across the nation – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In honour of the founder John Flynn life-altering efforts, he became the face of AUD$20 note! RFDS have centres around Australia and we definitely recommend a visit to learn and support the humble but imperative work of this organisation.

It was only after lunch that we returned to pack and be ready for one trip nearer to Perth. When we packed up we observed our ecological footprint just by camping. (We hope it is only temporary!) We bid farewell to David (another cyclist) whom we only got to meet this morning. As a retired researcher in population and political science from New Zealand, David has mentally overcome the vastness of Australia from his travels (initially with a 4WD) up, over, under and across the continent through the outback. Hence, he perceives riding a bicycle on unsealed road sometimes for 2-3 days until arriving at a roadhouse as not unfeasible if well-prepared with supplies for contingencies. And that is exactly what he is doing! We hope you have a safe ride to Alice Springs, David!

It felt good being on the road again! We were soon off with our thoughts and before we knew it, we arrived at Coolgardie, where we were dropped off just short of a week ago. Despite being less than 30-minutes drive (or 2-hours cycle) away, Coolgardie retains a small town charm (with well-maintained parks and an IGA supermarket) compared to its booming Kalgoorlie-Boulder neighbour. A bakery would have added extra brownie points. ; )

Destinations: [NSW] North Sydney - Heathcote - Coledale - Wollongong - Robertson - Moss Vale - Goulburn - Queanbeyan - Yass - Gundagai - Wagga Wagga - Narrandera - Darlington Point - Hay - Maude - Balranald - Euston - [VIC] Mildura - [SA] Renmark - Barmera - Morgan - Burra - Orroroo - Port Augusta - Kimba - Wudinna - Streaky Bay - Ceduna – Nundroo - Yalata - Nullarbor - Border Village - [WA] Eucla - Balladonia - Kalgoorlie - Coolgardie