Hi Peeps, well, what can I say… what a time to be travelling around Australia.
This week brought an unexpected twist when the price of diesel suddenly doubled overnight due to supply concerns linked to the conflict in the Middle East. Panic buying, restrictions, and high demand quickly became the topic of conversation everywhere.
The reality of it hit me while I was travelling from Carnarvon to Karratha. I stopped to refuel and asked a young man to help me with the pre-pay bowser. He asked how much I wanted to enter into the “amount” prompt. I said, “$50 please.”
His response caught me off guard:
“Don’t you know how expensive diesel is now? Just get $40 – that will get you to Karratha.”
At that point I hadn’t been following the news, so the conversation felt a bit strange. It wasn’t until I arrived in Karratha that the headlines and discussions everywhere made the situation clear. Suddenly it all made sense.
Despite the surprise fuel prices, I spent a really lovely week in Karratha with family. It was the perfect opportunity for some rest and recovery between trips. I also had a few practical things to sort out, including purchasing a new laptop after my old one was damaged during travel. That was definitely an unexpected financial setback, and I also needed to get my Starlink connection sorted.
I have to give a big shout-out to the teams at Harvey Norman Karratha and NW Communications for their excellent customer service and support. While visiting NW Communications I even noticed their AI security camera system – apparently it profiled me on screen as a “happy female.” I was quite happy with that assessment! AI technology seems pretty accurate if you ask me.
While in Karratha I also took a little trip out to Red Dog Statue to say hello, and later drove out to Hearson’s Cove to catch one of those magical Pilbara sunsets.
Most mornings started with a 30-minute walk, and I was grateful for the simple pleasure of walking the family dog, Rosey, who I quickly formed a little bond with.
It was also nice to sleep in a proper bed for a change and take a break from the routine of packing up and packing down my camp setup. I was completely spoilt by my family, especially with the amazing coffee they made each morning using their Breville coffee machine.
It’s been a while since my last visit to Karratha. The weather was blissful and I noticed plenty of growth around town, with new houses and buildings appearing. I must say, it’s a tough choice between Carnarvon and Karratha when it comes to those incredible summer sunsets. Then again… maybe it’s just the sun looking good on me.
One very happy female.
Now it’s time to pack up and hit the road again… the next destination awaits.
🌅🚙
Travel Stats
Odometer: 6376 → 7020
Distance travelled: 644 km
Stops along the way:
Carnarvon → Manilya Roadhouse→ Nanutarra Roadhouse → Karratha
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Keep up the great work Kyalie.
Kate xx
Stay deadly sis