Day 732 – Australia – WA [Rest day in Eucla]

11/06/22

 Rest day in Eucla (Western Australia, Australia)

A rest day by the Indian Ocean in Eucla, walking the sand dunes and getting some work done

The old Telegraph Station

What a great location for a day off. Eucla is right by the ocean with great views on the Bight. Modern Eucla is situated 4km from the sea, up on a plateau that rises above the Roe Plains. Ancient Eucla was situated where the sand dunes now are. In 1877 when the Telegraph line opened (between Albany and Adelaide) Eucla was a very important station. It had a jetty and a tram line. In 1890 the rabbit plague went through the area, devastated the vegetation of the dunes causing the town and telegraph stations to be buried in sand progressively.

A walk in the dunes

I walked in the dunes and visited the remains of the telegraph station, the only real building that is still visible. I also went to see the jetty. Hard to imagine this port was active and there once was a town there. I looked out at sea, waited patiently (almost) for a sign of the migrating whales. Alas I did not see any today. We’ll have plenty more occasions on the way to Ceduna.

Eucla’s jetty

I also finalised all the details of my route to Sydney. My estimate is for an arrival on Tuesday 30th August. It does not seem that far away! I still have not decided if I want to finish by the Opera House or at Bondi Beach. Both are iconic but very different obviously, and some 10km or so apart. That’s a “detail” to be sorted out later.