Sue's First OE 1975

Melbourne, Australia 11 Sep 1975

Left Auckland Airport at 2pm. Mum, Dad and Paul saw me off and as usual things were very rushed at the end. Three hour flight to Melbourne, arriving 3 o'clock their time. Had to wait for Ian to arrive; he came out by helicopter (?) and we got a cab back to Pete (Peter Downes) and Piggy's flat in South Yarra. Piggy arrived home early after an accident at his work, so we three went to the Argo Inn just round the road for a few drinks. Quite a classy pub, I thought. Had pizza for tea/supper. Went home and to bed. Pete arrived home about 11pm but Ian and I were still half asleep so we didn't talk much.

Peter Downes, 35 Nicholson Street, South Yarra, Melbourne

Melbourne 12 Sep 1975

Ian and I went into town and a look round and had lunch in a little restaurant. Caught the train out to the zoo and spent about 3 hours there. Bit of a disappointment - not very well laid out and not very clean. Caught the train back to the city and then a train "home". Spent the evening there as Piggy came home too drunk to go out again. Went to the laundromat and did our washing while Ian went along the road and got pizza again for tea.

Melbourne - Adelaide 13 Sep 1975

Went down the road to the Argo about 11am. Had a nice steak lunch there and had a few drinks. Went back to the flat and repacked our gear. Caught a taxi down to the railway station - had about 7 pieces of luggage with us. Took 2 bags with us on the train, overnight to Adelaide, leaving at 9pm. Not a very comfortable trip - only had layback seats.

Adelaide 14 Sep 1975

Arrived in Adelaide about 1am. Only had coffee and toast on the train but decided to wait till lunch time to have our meal at the railway station. Spent the morning looking round the streets (it was Sunday so the shops were closed). Went for a walk in the park and found the zoo, so spent another 3 hours looking round there. It's a lot better than Melbourne Zoo. Back to the station for a nice lunch, then caught the train to Port Pirie arriving about 5.30pm. Changed trains - nice comfortable cabin with bunks. Had a nice dinner and went to bed.

Nullabor Plain 15 Sep 1975

We woke to see miles and miles of flat land from our window, a few trees, but by lunch time even these had disappeared. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were welcome breaks. Apart from stops every now and then at the small places marked on the map but in reality being only 2 - 8 houses; all the same. As we approached Kalgoorlie the trees began to reappear. We were allowed to get off at the station here, but we didn't bother and both fell asleep, awakening to find that the train had been travelling at least an hour since, so went to bed.

Perth 16 Sep 1975

Arrived at Perth Terminal at 7am. The first thing we did was buy a paper, then caught a train into the city. There were several flats advertised so we chose the ones nearest the city. Couldn't find anyone at the first place so walked to 1/6 Wright Street, Highgate, had a look at it and took it. $25 pw, walking distance from Perth central, 15cents by bus. Went back to the city station to collect our luggage, caught a cab back, unpacked our luggage and went to bed, tired out.