Dutch Traveller’s Break Down Leads to a Warm Aussie Welcome

Stranded in Kimba, Dutch traveller discovers the heart of country Australia

A blown head gasket wasn’t exactly part of Flora Van Der Geest’s Aussie bucket list.

The young solo traveller from the Netherlands had stopped to stretch her legs in Kimba (and check out the giant galah no doubt) when her not-so-trusty Toyota Townace started billowing smoke. A whole new engine and a repair bill running into thousands meant weeks stranded in a town that wasn’t even on her itinerary.

Flora admits she was devastated. “I was very, very disappointed. It completely threw me off,” she said.
For a week she called Kimba’s free campground home while waiting for parts to arrive, spending her days walking the town’s trails over and over again.

A costly breakdown becomes an unforgettable country experience

Then she wandered into Workshop 26 and asked if there was any work available that could help fill her days. Once the local John Deere dealership, Workshop 26 is now a unique collective space for local creatives.

Kind Kimba Steps Up

Heather Baldock, who owns High St Vintage, wasn’t looking to put anyone on the payroll. But after hearing Flora’s story, she couldn’t stop thinking about one thing. “If my daughter was stuck overseas somewhere, I’d hope someone would help her out,” Heather said.

Before long, Flora was sanding furniture, cleaning shipping containers and lending a hand wherever she could around Workshop 26.

“It only took the first half an hour to know she had a great work ethic. My judgement was well founded. She was a delight to have around.”

Over the next couple of weeks, Flora wasn’t just waiting for her van to be fixed. She became part of the Workshop 26 family, and part of the Kimba community, even volunteering at the local museum.

Before long, she had swapped the campground for the Baldock’s spare room and become part of the family. The unplanned itinerary included bush bbq’s in the Gawler Ranges, some farm hand experiencing, rides in the boom spray, baking with Heather’s grandchildren and celebrating her 21st birthday with cake, presents and the full Aussie experience.

“Heather fully took me under her wing,” Flora said. “And into her lovely warm welcoming home.”

Coming from a small city in the Netherlands, Flora said she had never experienced anything like the tight knit caring community of Kimba. “My parents were very very happy to hear this. They couldn’t really do anything. They were so so happy to know there’s such good people in Australia”.

And for Flora, what began as every traveller’s worst nightmare became a money-can’t-buy experience that showed her just how incredible small Australian communities can be.

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