Yesterday we flew from Brisbane to Perth. We are going to take the Indian Pacific train back from Perth to Sydney, which should be excellent.
I had a book to read on the 5 hour flight but the view from my window kept me fascinated almost the entire way. We flew over cultivated land for some time before the mostly untouched landscape of western New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia appeared below me.
The terrain became more brown and mountainous.
What look like salt pans appeared with the most incredible patterns.
This one looks like a rabbit.
As we flew towards the Great Australian Bight the land had ripples as if it was the floor of the sea, which it probably once was.
The bight came into existence when Gondwana broke apart and separated Antarctica from Australia around 50 million years ago. It extends from the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia to Cape Pasley, east of Esperance in Western Australia.
If you look at a map of Australia it does look as though a large chunk has been bitten off. The coastline has steep cliff faces and rocky capes. It is about 1,160 kilometres in length.
I thought I could see the railway line we will be travelling on in a few days.
We were soon near the coast and the Great Australian Bight.
Then the sea and the sky merged into one.
The south of Western Australia appeared soon. There is lots of farming land where wheat, oats and barley are grown. Everything looked very brown so I supposed the crops have been harvested.
Flying under flat bottomed clouds.
Coming into Perth…and 42 degrees.
The lovely Fremantle sunset.
It is a mistake to think that inland Australia is boring and there is nothing much to see. Going by train across the Nullarbor will be interesting. There will be photos.
Wonderful patterns – some of it looks like an abstract quilt – the train should be a wonderful experience
By: Jan on February 2, 2024
at 10:01 am
The patterns were fascinating. We loved the Ghan so the Indian Pacific should be good too.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 2, 2024
at 11:01 am
We certainly live in an amazing country. The conditions were perfect for all of your fantastic photos. Enjoy the train trip back 😊
By: Karen on February 2, 2024
at 11:01 am
I looked out of the window for most of the trip. My book was left unread.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 2, 2024
at 11:02 am
It certainly looks a fascinating landscape. No wonder you enjoyed looking out the windows for the whole journey. Your photos were marvellous.
By: Camillus Davall on February 3, 2024
at 4:39 am
Great pictures Debra so enjoyable to see.
By: Paul Madziar on February 2, 2024
at 11:15 am
Thank you! I found the flight wonderful.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 2, 2024
at 1:37 pm
The Nullarbor is amazing. When you travel home on the Indian Pacific, you will pass the property I am living on. Mid way between Toodyay and Northam. The train passes about lunch time on Sundays. Happy travels.
By: Sandra Robbins on February 2, 2024
at 1:05 pm
I will wave as I go by!
By: Debra Kolkka on February 2, 2024
at 1:37 pm
Debra, brava brava brava these photos are amazing
By: Jan Fabretti on February 2, 2024
at 2:09 pm
Thank you! I have flown to Perth before but I have not seen this fabulous landscape. I was delighted by it for the whole trip.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 2, 2024
at 2:18 pm
Truly amazing photos of your country….you captured images of beauty just beyond the imaginable…..thank you for sharing….you really need to make a book!!! Are the first phots showing dried river beds where rivers flowed decades/ centuries ago?
By: Stephanie on February 2, 2024
at 2:50 pm
Australia is incredible and very beautiful. I think they are riverbeds. We go from drought to floods regularly, but the land below looked extremely dry.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 2, 2024
at 11:33 pm
How amazing it looks – sometimes you just need to look out the window- enjoy Perth & the special trip back on the train – cheers Helen
By: Helen on February 2, 2024
at 8:51 pm
The man behind me had the window shade down and spoke in a droning voice for the whole trip. I longed to turn around and tell him to open the shade and shut his mouth.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 2, 2024
at 11:34 pm
We are truly a wide brown country.
By: Yvonne on February 2, 2024
at 8:58 pm
That was my thought exactly.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 2, 2024
at 11:35 pm
I flew over NT from Brisbane last year and that was fantastic too – Australia is such a diverse and beautiful country! Looking forward to your photos from the Nullabor.
By: taligoestravelling on February 4, 2024
at 9:18 pm
I always get a window seat when I fly. I love seeing the view below. This trip was spectacular.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 7, 2024
at 8:37 pm
Wow those patterns are amazing! I can see why you were so preoccupied!
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on February 20, 2024
at 5:19 am
You can really see what Dorothea McKellar meant when she said – I love a sunburnt country. Those flat bottomed clouds are amazing.
By: sherry on March 10, 2024
at 12:39 am