More than 100 Days on the road
In and around Australia
With no plans set in concrete we wanted to amble along to see part of Australia with the caravan. Departure date 3rd March and return home on 17th June 2008
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler Bearcat
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1
The first Day
After all the planning and packing the van we found the battery in the car was flat. Luckily I had a dual battery system and it was a quick trip... Continue reading » -
2
Possum Park Caravans & Motels
Our run down from Rockhampton was good. We left at 10am and arrived in Theodore in time to meet Joan & Ted (Helens Aunt & Uncle) at the Grain... Continue reading » -
3
Warwick and Stanthorpe
we went for a run down to Stanthorpe to see the towns activities and the window competition. Four good ones in all the competition is not well r... Continue reading » -
4
Apple & Grape Festival 4-7th March 2008
Well people it has been a day of frolicking in the wineries. But not only wineries did we visit. After an early start and a camp cooked breakfast of t... Continue reading » -
5
Wine Festival Continues
You'll be amazed what some people will do and how funny the situation gets as the day goes by. Three days of fun, food and wine. Who said ove... Continue reading »
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6
Lazy Day in Warwick
Lazy day, but Helen did the washing and got it off the line and foldeded it and put it away. I phoned Jim who was on his way to the gym (Good Lad) amd... Continue reading » -
7
Queen Mary Falls
Very quiet without all the Rocky TPIs and back to cooking up our own breakfast. Today we went to Killarney with Jim and Marion (Jim & I were in 1... Continue reading » -
8
Moving slowly south
No email yesterday 12th March But today we are resting in sunny Tenterfield along with the autumn leaves and beautiful fresh air. Arrived yesterday a... Continue reading » -
9
Bald Rock Mountain
14th March 2008
Today has been all about walking and some has been pretty heavy walking too. We started out visiting Thunderbolts Hideout. In... Continue reading »
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10
Inverell Gun Club
Today has been a bit layed back, it is Sunday. But we did visit the Gilgai Estate Winery and came away with a couple of bottles. One a lovely Shiraz M... Continue reading » -
11
You'll always meet someone who knows
Today was laundry day and shopping. We walked around all the shops then went to woolies to top up the pantry. Then to Harvey Normal to get a USB hub... Continue reading » -
12
You'll always meet someone who knows
Today was laundry day and shopping. We walked around all the shops then went to woolies to top up the pantry. Then to Harvey Normal to get a USB hub... Continue reading » -
13
You'll always meet someone who knows
Today was laundry day and shopping. We walked around all the shops then went to woolies to top up the pantry. Then to Harvey Normal to get a USB hub a... Continue reading » -
14
Now at the City of Churches
Today we hit the big traffic again. Armidale is quite a big place and has roundabouts and traffic lights. We wont forget what street we are in because... Continue reading » -
15
Easter in Armidale
We are glad to be off the road for a week. The traffic around Armidale is fairly good and they all seem to stick to the limit of 50kph. Today we went... Continue reading » -
16
Easter in Armidale
While many Australians went to church today we visited many on the outside. All part of the Armidale Historic Bus Tour which takes you on a 2... Continue reading »
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17
Easter Sunday
Hello from a cooler part of the country and us pair who are tired after a big day out. But to start the day we had a wee surprise, the Easter B... Continue reading »
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18
Four seasons every day
Just like Melbourne, Armidale can have four seasons in one day. This morning we had a fog and decidedly cooler than before and hardened reside... Continue reading »
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19
Country Music
Today we moved from Armidale to Tamworth and are now set up in Austin Van Park. Good grass site, although I found some bindies and have chopped out as... Continue reading » -
20
Tamworth is dry, brown, hot and certainlty not as appealing as Armidale
Well after today please take me back to Armidale. Tamworth is dry, brown, hot and certainlty not as appealing as Armidale. We went out to see the Gold... Continue reading » -
21
Nundle Wool Mill and Mt Misery Gold Mine
What a day...didn't get up until 9am, then Helen did the washing and we then went via the chemist to pick up my script. As it was they hadn't unpacked... Continue reading » -
22
Wallabadah and the New England Hwy and to Tamworth
Another day of Art and other stuff. We visited Inspirations and although they had some good stuff they must be targeting the gold dealers not the tour... Continue reading » -
23
Thank God for Gaff Tape
Where do I start...first Andrew rang to say the washing machine at home had stopped going. Then Tom Tom our navigation device wouldn't turn on (we hav... Continue reading » -
24
Hunter Valley Cheese Company
Day of reckoning and some fun too. This morning I rang the RACV to see if they had info on Jayco repairs. No info held with them. So I rang Warburtons... Continue reading » -
25
Fire in the Kitchen, the Wok is banned
This morning I rang the insurance company and lodged a claim and we won't need to do anything until we get back to Warburton's in Bundaberg. In the me... Continue reading » -
26
James Wine Tours
I dare say you are wondering why you didn't get an Email last night. Nothing to do with the run of incidents of the past, just a bad headache on my be... Continue reading » -
27
You'd never run out of wine in the Hunter Valley
Bit cool this morning it got down to 1 degree C. So today was Friday and we decided we had better see a few more wineries and get some more cheese. So... Continue reading » -
28
Cambazola cheese and Hunter Gold Washed Rind cheese
Helen here - Hello to you all on our last evening in Singleton. We have had a relaxed day, no tripping about. We did go to Big W to buy ourselves chea... Continue reading » -
29
The Putty Road
I'd heard about the Putty Road when doing basic training at Singleton and how dangerous the road was. But today and of course 40 years later we handle... Continue reading » -
30
Hassan Lookout Lithgow & Lithgow Arms Factory
RAIN and a bit cooler than normal. The worst thing though is the rain. We aren't really geared up for rain. So what do you do. Well on the 8th we slep... Continue reading » -
31
Zig Zag Railway & Jenolan Caves
What a day! Have you ever been to see the Zig Zag Railway? Well we did today and we took a ride down the mountain attached to a fully restored 1956 st... Continue reading » -
32
3 Sisters Echo Point Katoomba
Helen is a bit crafty as you all know. So first up we visited the Craft shop and not really what we thought it would provide. A group of oldish ladies... Continue reading » -
33
Bathurst & Mt Panorama V8 Super Cars
Not sure what Bigpond are going to do, but haven't had an Email from them yet other than thier advertising junk for the month. We left Lithgow this... Continue reading »
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34
Market Day at Bathurst
A quiet day today and we needed it too. Both are suffering from some ache or pain. Helen with her knees and me with my back. But we did get up early a... Continue reading » -
35
We got to drive around Mt Panorama
Tis cold ere in the morning. Today 2 min to 19 max and again tonight it has cooled down. Helen did the washing this morning and then we headed over to... Continue reading » -
36
Sofala & Hill End, Gold Towns
First up is wasn't as cool as yesterday morning so Helen did the washing and by about 11am we were on the road on our way to Sofala. A gold town about... Continue reading » -
37
Burnt my arm on Helens Birthday
Thank you to all who either sent an Email or text or rang Helen on her big 58th Day. She got a few surprises this morning. Brian gave me a bag at Warw... Continue reading » -
38
Cowra and the Prison Camp Breakout
Well, watchers we are now in Cowra. And what a temperature change, jumpers are off and even at 7pm too hot for a jumper. We stopped at the first park... Continue reading » -
39
Cowra POW Camp & Japanese Gardens
Cowra - Early this morning we went to town to see the Doctor to get my arm looked at. Looking good, but I'm to keep it covered and not allow a scab to... Continue reading » -
40
47th Day of our Trip 2008
Now the 47th day of our Trip 2008 and the first day we have had off other than for the Farmers Market this morning. On arrival back at the van I had a... Continue reading » -
41
Junee Licorice Factory
A lovely drive today from Cowra to Junee via Young. Countryside is partched dry and covered in sheep, what they eat I don't know. We booked into the J... Continue reading » -
42
Chocolate and Licorice lovers looked after in Junee
Well chocolate and licorice lovers, Junee is the place to visit. You can smell it as you approach the door and once inside you see it and smell it eve... Continue reading » -
43
The Count of Monte Cristo
Shut your eyes and turn off the lights, let the wind flick the curtains, slowly open your eyes and think about ghosts. Today we visited Monte Cristo H... Continue reading » -
44
Wagga Wagga for the day
Maybe it was the smell of roasting garlic wafting from our van last night. By the time we got up this morning all the vans but four had left, the park... Continue reading » -
45
Time to smell the roses in Junee
Today was exercise day. Helen decided we would walk into Junee from the Van park to get a bit of exercise. The pathway all the way was concrete and ma... Continue reading » -
46
ANZAC DAY in Junee
A wet moon through the night, but by 5:30am today all signs of rain had vanished and by the time we gathered at the Memorial for a Dawn Service at 5:5... Continue reading » -
47
Temora Air Show 26 Apr 2008
It looked like rain today and in fact is did throw a couple of spots. Somebody got it, we could see it pouring and blowing and just hosing down, but w... Continue reading » -
48
It Rained in Junee
It hasn't rained since Febuary this year and this morning it started and hasn't stopped all day. However, when it rains down and out here in this seas... Continue reading » -
49
Through the Capitol to queanbeyan
We are now in Queanbeyan. We left Junee at 9:30am and went via the dog on the tuckerbox at Gundagai. Which is rundown and well off the main road behin... Continue reading » -
50
Helen said there was snow on the roof of the car
Last night was cool and during the night I started to cough and had to sit up to sleep. By the time morning came round I was woken by Helen saying tha... Continue reading » -
51
Australian War Memorial
Technology has turned the Australian War Memorial in to an incredible place to visit. The displays are so well put together, it is hard not to reach i... Continue reading » -
52
ANZAC Pde Memorials to Army, Air Force, Navy & Nurses
A bitterly cold wind today and without a good coat the wind just blew straight through. Even I had a flannel shirt and the big snow parker and a bean... Continue reading » -
53
In our Capitol there is plenty to see
Warmer today, this morning anyway. But as the day got on the wind got up and the chill set in again. First up we took the advice of others in the park... Continue reading » -
54
Queanbeyan to Bega
Today was on the road from Queanbeyan to Bega. We were going to Bombala, but after talking to the Information at Cooma I decided we'd go on to Bega in... Continue reading » -
55
Candello markets and Tathra Beach
Bega is so much nicer than Canberra or Queanbeyan. We woke to fresh air this morning, warming sun, no frost and brand new amenities, you can still sme... Continue reading » -
56
Companion Shaft leaking oil
Today was a quiet one except Helen did the washing and we went to the post and sent off some cards and a parcel. When we got back I removed the... Continue reading » -
57
First Bath for the car in 6000 Kilometers
The Pagero is fixed and we'll be on the road again tomorrow. The Mitsubishi Dealer here in Bega bent over backwards to get us going. The parts were or... Continue reading » -
58
Bega to Bairnsdale via Cann River
Left Bega at about 9:45am and saw nothing but trees and green fields and the occasstional vehicle. Because we are getting behind time with our schedul... Continue reading » -
59
Plenty of History in Bairnsdale
Lovely weather, true the weather is just lovely at the moment, I have even taken my coat off. The top temp was 21C for Bairnsdale today. Today we visi... Continue reading » -
60
Metung Markets & Bruthen Car Rally
Today was Saturday and Metung Village Market Day and down we headed, nice drive and good road, which virtually follows the river (one of the rivers) t... Continue reading » -
61
Market Day at Paynesville near Lakes Entrance
Well I hope all Mothers had a great day, some getting flowers, breakfast and this one at this end went to a Market at Paynesville near Lakes Entrance,... Continue reading » -
62
Bairnsdale Botanical Gardens
Last night we had a real display of emergency sirens and lights, seven emergency vehicles all headed east, what it was I don't know. Then this morning... Continue reading » -
63
Lakes Entrance
What did you have for dinner tonight? Because we had fish & Chips at Lakes Entrance at about 2:30pm we decided on a cheese platter and crackers fo... Continue reading » -
64
Don't miss St Marys Church in Bairnsdale
Short one today. Checked up on the history of Bairnsdale, visiting the museum and other historical places. Visited St Marys Catholic church with its... Continue reading » -
65
Duck Point so peaceful out of tourist season
When you look at the map it will show Yanakie down near Wilsons Prom, but in fact it is closer to Yarram on the north eastern side of the Prom...Continue reading »
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66
50,500 hectares of Victoria's best beaches, rain forest, mountains
Big day today with a visit to the most southern point of Australia. Wilsons Promontory protects 50,500 hectares of Victoria's best beaches, rain fore... Continue reading » -
67
Amazing Philip Island
When it rains, it rains, but not only that, in Victoria it gets cold too. Why does it have to rain right now while we are on Phillip Island. Arrived... Continue reading » -
68
National Vietnam Veterans Museum on Phillip Island
Rained all night and some very heavy stuff at times. However by 9am it was patches of blue sky and still a freezing cold wind. First up was the Cowes... Continue reading » -
69
Phelans Bluff on Phillip Island
We made every minute count on our last day on Phillip Island. First up we headed out to The Nobbies to see where the seals live, but found them shut u... Continue reading » -
70
Mornington Peninsula & Hastings
Woke up this morning to a beautiful sunny day, but within an hour it was overcast and cold again and spitting rain. Packed up the van and headed for t... Continue reading » -
71
Another day of wine tasting and sampling Cheese
The 21st was a busy day with the Mornington Markets up first. Big market stretched out along the footpath of the main street. More up market booths to... Continue reading » -
72
Rosebud - Food, wine, sunshine, the beach, piers, cafes, cheese
Today, Rye, Rosebud, Sorrento and Portsea. Any one of them would be a brilliant place to live. Food, wine, sunshine, the beach, piers, cafes, cheese,... Continue reading » -
73
Hasting to Apollo Bay via the Sorrento Ferry
Big day today and under 200kilometers. Freezing cold this morning, everything was wet outside and a 4C degree morning. We were going to try and make t... Continue reading » -
74
Otway Fly and the Maits Rest
I know some of you have been to the Great Ocean Road and some haven't. But I imagined the Great Ocean Road to be a baron cliff with the road running a... Continue reading » -
75
Cape Otway Lighthouse
Another great day on the Great Ocean Road and after getting the washing done we headed off to the Cape Otway Lighthouse. $11.50 each to get in and wel... Continue reading » -
76
The Great Ocean Road to Port Campbell
Well readers today like a lot of other days there were new footprints added to the beach on the Great Ocean Road. We left Apollo Bay and headed west t... Continue reading » -
77
Timboon and the Apostles Whey Cheese Company
Well if you think yesterdays photos were good, today the sun was out and it added life and a new dimension to the coast. But today we didn't just sti... Continue reading » -
78
Warrnambool on the Great Ocean Road
At times I don't think Victorians know they have the Great Ocean Road in their state. There are more visitors from other states and overseas on th... Continue reading »
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79
Shipwreck laser show is at Flagstaffhill Maritime Village
Just like Sex in the City, the movie, we can't tell you how good the Shipwreck laser show is at Flagstaffhill Maritime Village in Warrnambool on the G... Continue reading » -
80
This is Milk country and millions of litres of it too
Today was a quiet one, we only went to Port Fairy for a look and it was a nice little town but not as nice as Warrnambool. Again the countryside is br... Continue reading » -
81
Lead a different lifestyle in Portland
We moved house again today, this time to Portland. The drive from Warrnambool to Portland is about 90k. Very good road, nearly flat all the way and we... Continue reading » -
82
Visited Cape Bridgewater
After Helen got the washing all hung out we zoomed to the Tram. It runs 4 times a day and does a little over an hours run from one end of town to the... Continue reading » -
83
The Blue Lake City - Mount Gambier
Well people the trip is getting closer to the end and the end will be on the 17/18th June. I have enjoyed writing and putting together the collection... Continue reading » -
84
Visit the two Sink Holes in Mt Gambier
Today in Mt Gambier we went to see the Sink Hole which is quite incredible. It is an area approx 75m in diameter that has sunk into the ground. Yea... Continue reading »
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85
Meeting up with Virginia & David
Getting up this morning I decided to get the hard copy letter off to the seven people who are not on Email. I'd started the letter the night before a... Continue reading » -
86
Last look at Mt Gambier
Well I suppose you all thought we had fallen off the earth...no email last night. There was a reason and a good one too. Not everybody gets to catch... Continue reading » -
87
Visited Naracorte then stayed overnight ay Horsham
Unfortunately we left Mt Gambier after a lovely sun rise and a little shower of rain and headed for Penola and the bottom end of the Coonawarra region... Continue reading » -
88
Swan Hill on the Mighty Murray
We left Horsham around 10am and headed north east toward Donald following Hwy C261. Donald was obviously settled in the early 1900s and the arcitectu... Continue reading » -
89
Mildura Also on the Mighty Murray
I guess we can change the plans and we did after I looked up Betty and Vics (Helens Aunt & uncle) phone number on white pages, Betty answered t... Continue reading »
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90
Bettys Flowers had some good names
RAIN all night and most of today making our visit to Mildura an overcast and wet one. Inspite the rain we drove about the place looking at the house... Continue reading » -
91
At Hay the Murrumbidgee River is all but dry
Before we left a lovely fine day of weather in Mildura I needed a script from the chemist and couldn't chance it with Hay so we went in Mildura. Whil... Continue reading » -
92
Dubbo
Extended ourselves a bit today and because it rained all the way we moved from Hay to Dubbo a total of 544 with the van behind us. I normally like to... Continue reading » -
93
Narrabri for the night
Well after the long drive yesterday we took a leisurely drive up to Coonabarabran and on to Narrabri, 281k for the day. Woke up to rain at Dubbo and i... Continue reading » -
94
Narrabri to Goondiwindi
Woke this morning after a night of rain and a report of about 19mm of rain. The dark cluds hung about but no more rain and we didn't see any on the r... Continue reading » -
95
Back to Possum Park
I spent 2 hours messing with the computer last night trying to get it to send email and got a little heated doing so and got no where. Andrew rang thi... Continue reading » -
96
stayed with Joan & Ted at Theodore
Departed Possum Park at around 10an and went up via Wondoan, Taroom and into Theodore. Saw an example of total disregard for road rules for a semi an... Continue reading » -
97
Cattle muster at Kandoona
Well I suppose you all thought that the holiday is over and there would be no more mail. Yesterday we visited Dale and Debbie at Kandoona (Helens Cous... Continue reading » -
98
Back at Home
After 12127K we are now at home. Had two days with Joan & Ted at Theodore and as I said yesterday we went to the muster. Most of tonights photos a... Continue reading »
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