Day 64 | Carnarvon: down on Olivia Street

59 km | zzOz total: 3,371 km

I try to conjure a more abrupt transition.

Almost 700km on the bumpy old Mullewa Carnarvon Road, it’s still straggly acacia when you approach the T junction with the North West Coastal Highway.

On the other side of the asphalt are 10km of banana plantations, mangos, tomatos, the full fruit and vege basket of goods.

Suddenly there’s a tropical feel, a balmy breeze, thongs and singlets, palm trees.

Carnarvon’s population is around 7,000 but currently, the southern winter, it’s bumped up by Grey Nomads and their caravans packing out the 5 caravan parks on the main drag into town. An unpowered tent site, a couple have them at $26 a night, a price where I’m scratching around for an alternative, the other parks prefer the oldies in their RVs, much more accommodating, they know the deal, $40 a night at one.

I find a $22 a night bed, you get what you pay for, entertainment by the longstay team thrown in for free, enough space to spread my possessions out, take stock and prepare for the next little leg.

I’ve been rather consistent in my northward progression for the last 3 weeks, a few days cleanliness, sociability and inactivity will be useful.

The town is big enough to boast a Woolies, ie Perth style variety and prices, the last I’ll come across before I struggle into Alice in a few months time.

So, time for stocking up, bigtime, on civilisation.