A roadtrip across Australia with Sweet Pea & Poppy

A roadtrip across Australia with Sweet Pea & Poppy

"Don't forget to wave"

I tucked this excellent piece of advice away in the memory bank as my family and I set off on our big adventure.

After many months of planning and anticipation, our family embarked on a big road trip across Australia, travelling from Perth to Sydney in a motorhome. 

We enjoyed some time with our family in Perth, taking in the beautiful surrounds of Subiaco. Walks through the park. Kids playing on the timber giant. Meandering through Subiaco Farmers Market. Wandering and eating our way down Rokeby Road. Cherished cousin time. A visit to our friend's place near Joondalup.

We then collected our hired motorhome, to begin the long (and very memorable) journey all the way to Sydney. A cross-country adventure filled with big skies, beautiful coastlines, coastal sunsets (which we don't get in the east), small towns, and a few record-breaking temperatures along the way.

Western Australia Wonders

dinner platter with Cape Mentelle wine on a rock by the water at sunset at Margaret River, Western Australia


Our first stop on journey was at Margaret River, where rugged coastline meets world-class food and wine. We really enjoyed visiting local foodie gems, savouring beach-time and embarking on twilight fishing. A twilight dinner picnic with a side of fishing at Margaret River Mouth provided the most beautiful view of the sunset over the Indian Ocean.

Two people walking along a beach at Bremer Bay at sunset.

From there, we continued to Bremer Bay and Esperance, where the colours almost don’t feel real. Powdery white sand, turquoise water, and endless horizons reminded us just how lucky we are to call this country home. Esperance, in particular, delivered some of the most breathtaking coastal views of the entire trip.

Sunset over a the beach and pier at Esperance, Western Australia

On this leg of our journey, we had the great joy of visiting Sweet Pea & Poppy stockists Yellow Bird and Albany Farm Fresh, as well as Flickr Candles in Esperance. It is such a joy to work directly with independent Australian businesses and to visit in person when we can.

A night in Norseman marked our transition inland, with the memory of a barbecue dinner shared with fellow traveller Wayne and his dog Tina firmly etched in our minds. Norseman, named after the clever horse who found gold in this red dirt town, marked our last stop before embarking on the Nullarbor crossing

“Get ready to wave”

Our team member Michelle, an experienced Nullarbor crosser, had imparted this pearl of wisdom and we gladly followed her advice.

The original Nullarbor Roadhouse with a gas pump in a desert-like setting

You really must wave to your fellow travelers when crossing the Nullarbor Plain. The vast openness of the Nullarbor led us to Eucla, which was a remote, windswept, yet incredibly friendly stop, with a great contrast from outback landscape to the rugged coastline of the Great Australian Bight.

Fuel sign for Nullarbor Roadhouse with a clear blue sky and road in the background.

Watching the landscape change so dramatically, was one of the great marvels of our trip.

The Eucla Roadhouse. A Blue boat leaning against a white directional pole on a gravel area with a building and trees in the background.

South Australia & Wine Country

Crossing into South Australia, we stopped to take in the views of the Great Australian Bight and its rugged coastline. There are multiple vantage points, all well worth the time to stop. Ceduna, the oyster capital of Australia, marked the end of the Nullarbor crossing. We then hugged the coast to Elliston, a quiet coastal town with a wonderful sunset and endless ocean views. It was the kind of place that makes you slow your pace without even trying.

Our family with the rocky cliffs and coastal view of Great Australian Bight in the background

After meandering through the red dirt landscape of Iron Knob and Port Augusta, we then rolled into the Barossa Valley, stopping in at Clare Valley on the way. Coming from our home, Murrumbateman, I always enjoy the familiarity of small towns and vineyards. Both the Clare and Barossa, much larger and older wine regions, remind me of the sheer scale of winemaking in Australia. We enjoyed our visits to the picturesque Clare Valley Distillery and to Barossa's Saltram Estate. We also enjoyed meandering the main street of Angaston and settling for cake and smoothies at their delightful bakery. By this point in our trip, the severe heatwave had caught up with us, so much of our time was spent sitting in the caravan park pool to beat the 45 degree heat.

Barmera, heart of the Riverland

The Bassham Wines cellar Door, a potted plant with white flowers in front of the Flowers By Jodie Lee store in South Australia

We made a special and much anticipated stop at Barmera, in the Riverland district to visit our first ever interstate stockist, Flowers By Jodie Lee. Renae and Jodie run their beautiful florist, homeware and gift store on-site at their family winery, Bassham Wines. Needless to say we stocked up on some delightful wine, enjoying the alternative varietals that Bassham specialise in.

 

The Heat of Mildura & the Road Home

By the time we reached Mildura, the heatwave had well and truly set in and forecasts were for a record-breaking day. The temperature peaked at 48.6 degrees and to no surprise, we spent most of our time in the pool, with the kids enjoying the waterslide and the on-site snow cones. There is a lot to be said for a good caravan park! Even in the heat, there was something special about being beside the Murray River and soaking up the riverland atmosphere before embarking on our final leg of the journey. The road home surprised us. The Hay Plain was more barren than the Nullarbor, with its red earth landscapes continuing well into New South Wales.

As always, the small towns charmed us, reinforcing our love of regional Australia.

Hand holding a stack of Sweet Pea & Poppy floral chocolate bars with a florist background

Our final stop was in Wagga Wagga and I had the chance to pop in store to Little Triffids, a much loved, long time stockist of Sweet Pea & Poppy. Sophie’s shop was brimming with colour, cheer, artisanal goods and lush blooms. It was such a joy to step inside this trove of joy and again, a pinch-me moment to see our chocolates sitting proudly on Sophie’s shelves.

Celebrating Our Regional Stockists

A really special part of this journey was the chance to visit and celebrate some of our wonderful regional stockists along the way. They are the small businesses who champion Australian-made products and help bring Sweet Pea & Poppy chocolates to their local communities.

A heartfelt thank you to:

Yellow Bird and Albany Farm Fresh in Albany

Flickr in Esperance

Flowers by Jodie Lee in Barmera

Little Triffids in Wagga Wagga

Discover our stockists here

Why Regional Travel Inspires Us

Seeing our chocolates on shelves across the country and meeting the passionate people behind these businesses was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.

As we rolled back home, dusty, tired, and full of memories, we returned inspired by the landscapes, the people, and the reminder that some of the very best experiences are found off the main highway.

Silo art at Kimba, South Australia,Large mural on a building with a person and landscape scene..

If you’re dreaming of your own Australian road trip, we can’t recommend it enough. If I could do anything differently, it would be to allow more time at each destination. Take your time, stop often, support local, and don't forget to wave!

Discover our Australian made chocolate range here

 

Back to blog