We've pulled up stumps for our first proper overnight camp on the Big Lap, and what a ripper spot we've found near Widgiemooltha in the Shire of Coolgardie. There's something special about that moment when you switch off the engine, step out of the fourby, and realise you're truly out here—no caravan parks, no facilities, just you and the bush.
Lisa and I took our time setting up camp, getting the van levelled and sorted while the afternoon light started doing that magical thing it does out here. The eucalypts around us began glowing in the warmest amber tones as the sun dropped lower, their bark catching the light like they were lit from within. By the time we had everything shipshape, the sky was putting on an absolute show—layers of orange, pink, and purple stretching across the horizon while the gums stood in perfect silhouette.
This is what we've been dreaming about during all those months of planning. No neighbours, no traffic noise, just the occasional bird call and the gentle creak of cooling metal as the car and van settle in for the night. The photographer in me couldn't resist capturing the scene—our white fourby and van parked up beneath those glowing trees, looking exactly like the quintessential Australian camping setup we'd imagined.
But here's the thing about the outback—it always throws you a curveball. Earlier today, driving through this remote stretch of the goldfields, we came across the most bizarre roadside arrangement. Someone's gone and set up a proper lounge room in the scrub: two black recliners positioned either side of a white washing machine, all sitting in the red dirt like they're waiting for a show to start. Only in Australia, right? It's these quirky touches of outback humour that remind you people have been travelling these roads with a sense of fun for generations.
As darkness settles around our camp and the stars begin emerging in numbers you never see in the city, we're feeling properly content. Our first night of freedom camping is everything we hoped it would be—peaceful, beautiful, and just a little bit surprising.
