Some largest, first, best, only, longest at ports along the great Australian bight

7th to 13th March 2026. Blog Post 15

Inside Ngilgi Caves

My late father z”l proposed developing a soccer field at Summerwood Club, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth. “Sol – crazy idea. Impossible!”, they said.  Not realizing he couldn’t, he did it.

Port Jackson Willows and Eucalyptus were originally brought from their native Australia to bind the sea sand type soil and reduce erosion. Alien to South Africa, these species are exceedingly invasive, spread rapidly, severely disrupt native ecosystems, consume substantial scarce groundwater. Sol burnt down dense alien forest on the club’s sand dunes. He applied various low-cost means, like pulling a roller behind his “clapped out” old green Opel motor car, to flatten and compact the ground. Within a year we were playing soccer at Summerwood Club!

Both Eucalyptus and Port Jackson ubiquitous on Kangaroo Island. Not Kangaroos. Some people saw some. We saw none!

Think small Karoo Town at the sea! The ex-South African Art Gallery assistant at Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, sought less hustle & bustle, better weather than Sydney & Melbourne. Found great sense of community.

Port Lincoln, Australia’s seafood capital, situated on, arguably, world’s largest natural harbour, is home to Southern Hemisphere’s largest commercial fishing fleet, pioneer of worlds first underwater “great white” shark cage, Makybe Diva – only racehorse ever to win the Melbourne Cup 3 times.

Esperance: Popular! To visit, book early!! Spectacular beaches, ranking amongst world’s best. We visited: Le Grand, Lucky Bay, Hellfire Bay. Blindingly white sand, vast turquoise water bays set against green hills, granite cliffs.

True stories:

  • Full-scale replica of UK’s ancient Stonehenge built in beautiful pink granite.
  • NASA fined $400 for littering, after Skylab’s 1979 break up, spreading debris near Esperance, midst sonic booms and fiery streaks

At Busselton we anchored close to its 1. 84 kilometre timber jetty, Southern Hemisphere’s longest. Ngilgi caves exploration, limestone stalactites and stalagmites, was our highlight experience. Also the simple fish & chips lunch at the local hotel!

Tradeoffs! Sheryl would have loved more time at the larger Australian cities. Yet we saw, experienced, learnt more than anticipated at the rather remote South-Western Australian ports.

Moving on, with so much untravell’d world still to explore!!!

Port Jackson Willow – ubiquitous at Kangaroo Island and all over South and Western Australia. Also in South Africa now – especially Port Elizabeth.
Kangaroo and Glossy Black Cockatoo painted onto a Wheat Silo at Kangaroo Island. This is the only Kangaroo we saw at Kangaroo Island☺
Two of the multiple fishing trawlers at Port Lincoln. Slightly hidden name of the second one is “Maya”. That is a name we like☺
Makybe Diva won the Melbourne Cup three times in a row. First mare to win it more than once. She passed away on 28th February 2026. Some commemorative wreaths placed on her statue were still there when we visited on 8th March 2026. Our ship in the background.
NASA’s first space station re-entered Earth’s atmosphere uncontrolled on 12 July 1979, spreading debris across areas close to Esperance. The Shire of Esperance issued NASA a $400 littering fine – a light-hearted joke. Fine was paid on behalf of NASA 30 years later☺
Stonehenge in pink granite at Esperance is a full-scale replica of UK’s ancient Stonehenge. Can walk up to and amongst the stones at this one. In the UK access is restricted to viewing from a distance.
5-year-old boy surfing at Lucky Bay. Apparently been doing that since a toddler. Sounds distinctly Australian to me.
French Beret Hill in Cape Le Grand National Park. NB: Good grip shoes essential if you wish to climb it. (We didn’t get the opportunity).
A sense of Hellfire Bay
Busselton’s 1. 84 kilometre timber jetty – with an underwater observatory / viewing chamber towards its end.