After a night spent in Hamley Bridge, we set off for the scenic Eyre Peninsula. Our first stop along the route was yet another dried-up Pink Lake—there are more of these than we ever imagined! But this one had its own unique twist: a Loch Ness Monster sculpture perched right in the middle. Though we hadn’t planned to stop, the kids were captivated, and it proved to be a worthwhile detour.

Back on the road, time seemed to fly as hours passed effortlessly, and before we knew it, we arrived at Point Gibbon Campground. This quaint spot is nestled just 30 meters from the shoreline, close enough to enjoy the soothing sound of waves at night. We wasted no time and jumped straight into the water, spending a blissful afternoon soaking up the sun.

After dinner, we set out to explore another highlight of the site: expansive sand dunes. The kids quickly realized that the dunes were just as exciting as the ocean, darting up and down and throwing themselves off the edges with sheer delight.

The next morning, it was back to the beach. The kids quickly made friends with another family headed in the opposite direction, spending the day between the water and the dunes, this time equipped with boogie boards. Robyn and I took the opportunity to exchange valuable travel tips with their parents.

As morning arrived, it was time for the kids’ Joggers Club for school. They chose to head back to the dunes, and shortly after, we said our goodbyes and set off for our next destination: Perlubie Beach. Perlubie Beach was our first chance to actually bring our van right onto the sand and stay awhile. Originally unsure about navigating the soft sand, we lowered the tire pressure as advised and ventured forth. We did get slightly bogged turning into the campsite, but adjusting the tires a bit more did the trick. This small setback didn’t dampen the enchanting experience, as the beach is truly stunning, and the water lay just 10 meters from our van. Although it was a particularly windy day, it didn’t deter us from enjoying a swim. We capped off a wonderful day by watching a breathtaking sunset before calling it a night.

Next up, we’ll be crossing the awe-inspiring expanse of the Nullarbor.