Hi peeps, and welcome to the very first post of my nationwide road-trip adventure! Before I dive into the journey itself, it feels right to share a little about the lead-up — because preparing for a long trip is its own wild ride.
Planning felt a bit like working through a giant funnel: it started with huge ideas, piles of “must-haves,” and a growing mountain of boxes scattered around my office. Every time I thought I was done, I found something else I was sure I’d need. But the real test arrived when it was finally time to load up the car.
For the trip, I’m driving a D-Max dual cab with a canopy and an automatic rooftop tent. Spacious, yes — but not limitless. It didn’t take long to realise that not everything I’d lovingly set aside was going to make the cut. That was the moment the truth hit: despite popular sayings, you really can’t take the kitchen sink. I had to face the hard choices. Leave behind things I was emotionally attached to? How dare I! But the motto quickly became: Take what you need, not what you want.
Once packed (and emotionally recovered), I rolled out of Rockingham and began heading north on a route I don’t normally take. This time, I made a point to slow down — to stop for those photos I always promise myself I’ll take “next time,” to breathe in the scenery, and to ease into the rhythm of being on the road.
By late afternoon I reached Dongara and set up at the Big4 in Denison/Dongara. I even caught up with friends for dinner, which was the perfect soft start to the trip. My first night sleeping in the rooftop tent was incredible — cosy, quiet, and surprisingly luxurious with my queen-sized sleeping bag. I woke up refreshed, packed the tent away with the press of a button, brewed a coffee with my trusty Makita, and hit the road again.
From there, I continued on to Geraldton, where I planned to settle in for a week and blend business with pleasure.
Odometer: 4806 → 5386
Distance: 580 km
Stops: Rockingham, Bindoon, Moora, Carnamah, Perenjori, Morawa, Dongara, Geraldton