Day 170–172: Canberra to Border Village, Australia
Christmas on the Long Road West
The journey resumed in Canberra with a practical focus—preparing the ID. Buzz for the long-haul westward across the Nullarbor Plain. A visit to JAX Tyres, Giti Tire’s Australian distribution partner, ensured the vehicle was in top shape. Two new front tyres were fitted, marking the first replacement of the trip and a crucial precaution before tackling thousands of near-endless kilometres.
Before departure, there was time for a brief but meaningful visit with Beate Grzeski, the German Ambassador to Australia, rekindling a warm connection from a previous trip.
Once on the road, festive sights accompanied the drive: Santa Claus figures peppered the route, a reminder of Australia’s full embrace of the Christmas season. Massive road trains became a familiar presence, gliding across the scorching plains in an Australian summer bathed in golden light. The road westward unfolded beneath expansive sunrises and slow-burning sunsets, punctuated only by regular charging stops.
In Port Augusta, a simple road sign summed up the continent’s sheer scale—one arrow pointing north to Darwin, the other west to Perth. The distances conjured comparisons more European than Australian: Frankfurt to Moscow in one direction, Lisbon in the other. Nearby, a mural of a classic VW T2 bus offered a symbolic moment, celebrating Australia’s long-standing connection with the Volkswagen brand and the spirit of open-road adventure.
Next stop: Perth!
