AROUND AUSTRALIA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 145, 22 June 1931, Page 8

AROUND AUSTRALIA

LONG TRIP IN CAR TWO WOMEN MOTORISTS ADVENTUROUS UNDERTAKING SYDNEY, June 9. Two women motorists, Airs 11. S. Holman and Mrs D. W. Cummins, left Sydney a few days ago in a coupo car to drive round Australia. It is an arduous undertaking, but the two women, who are sisters, looked forward to their adventure with the greatest enthusiasm. Both are competent motorists with"much experience iu all kinds of conditions. The route planned is through Newcastle to Brisbane, Maryborough, Rockhampton, Townsville, Cairns, and thence across Queensland to Morven, Burketown, Camooweal, Anthony’s Lagoon, Daly Waters and Katherine to Darwin. Returning from Darwin to Katherine, they intend to cross the Northern Territory and the Kimberley district of Western Australia, visiting Wave Hill, the Ordo River and Wyndham, and then returning to Hall’s Creek and proceeding to Derby. From Derby they will follow the coast oi Western Australia down to Onslow, Gladstone, Geraldton and Perth. After leaving Perth the route will be Bunbury, Busselton, Albany, and through Narrogin to Merriden on the transcontinental line. They will then follow the regular overland route through Coolgardie, Norseman and round the Great Australian Bight to Port Lincoln, Port Augusta and Adelaide, and along the coastal road to Melbourne and Sydney. The car is fitted with an extra petrol tank holding 31} gallons, a water tank to hold 10 gallons and a special balloon silk tent.

The adventurous sisters are the daughters of Air W. B. Sinclair, late of the Western Australian Government Railways. Airs Holman has travelled widely throughout the world, and has been impressed by the lack of knowledge of Australia possessed by people abroad. She has an ambition to do something to bring this country into prominence. Her sister has been nearly all over Australia and has had practical experience both of the driving and mechanical part of motoring. Both sisters are good shots and enthusiastic anglers. They will keep a diary of their adventures, and also will make motion pictures of what they sec.

No other women motorists have completely encircled the Australian coast, as Mrs Holman and Airs Cummins propose to do. Airs Marion Bell and hex daughter motored over the regular route followed by those who have driven round Australia, but they cut off most of North Queensland, as also did Mrs J. Dorncy, who accompanied her husband on a honeymoon trip. Mrs Gladys Sandford and Miss Stella Christie drove from Sydney to Perth and back to Adelaide, thence north to Darwin and back, and then returned to Sydney in 1927. They were the first women to make an extended trip in Australia without male escort.