As many of you now know, last week was rather a hectic and interesting one in our lives.

On Monday as planned, we packed ready for the road, first taking the Winnebago into Avida for its ‘house’ service. We enjoyed the morning walking around the waterfront, including watching the retiring navy ship HMAS Tobruk on her final journey, before returning to the service centre to pay the account and continue on our journey north to Mooloolaba.

HMAS Tobruk

And surprise of all surprises, they must have liked our home on wheels, as an offer that was too good to refuse was made to purchase her…..so what do you do! We had planned on 3 months in Cotton Tree (Maroochydore) enjoying a relaxing yet outdoor active time in the motorhome. But plans are made to be changed aren’t they! Having met a number of travellers who have told us how hard it can be to sell large motorhomes in today’s market, and visited other dealers and seen the same as ours that have sat in yards for 18 months plus without selling, we gladly accepted the offer. Then it was all go. We hired a 4 wheel drive, and along with the Suzuki we spent 2 hours of daylight and the evening packing everything we could that we could get in. And isn’t it surprising how much you can get in when you really try. Unfortunately though we had to leave a lot, but other than food, it was mainly household items that we now wouldn’t use, given we don’t expect to be motor-homing again anytime soon.

We have been asked how much we enjoyed our time on the road. That’s a simple one to answer. Absolutely! We have met some super people, some are now good friends. We’ve been to some stunning places, made even more interesting by some of the more average ones along the 24,000kms we travelled. If we had to rate our 3 separate trips, the stand out would have to be last year, time spent in NT and WA, there are too many fabulous places to mention them all, but the winner is Karajini National Park, followed closely by the Kimberley region. We have loved places where we are climbing, walking, flying, driving and swimming whilst taking in the beauty, and these two certainly offer all of these and more. And, we shared much of this time with 2 sets of great kiwis who enjoy themselves as much as we do.

After a strange last evening in the yard of Winnebago (not really a salubrious over night stay) we said goodbye and thank you for being such a reliable and safe vehicle having taken us on a trouble free journey around Australia and up through the middle over the last 2 years. 8am Tuesday morning we hit the road, and in convoy, with me driving the Suzuki and Steve the lovely new hire car we were on our way, our motorhome trip at an end.

We intentionally broke the 1100km trip into 3 days, one long and 2 short. Our first stop was at the little town of Ulmarra, on the Clarence River and just north of Grafton. The whole village is classified by the national trust and is just like going back in time, as one of the best examples of a 19th century Australian river port. We had been recommended the B and B there, where an evening meal is provided by the very welcoming hosts. After a comfortable evening, on Wednesday we set off to Kingscliff, a lovely coastal beach south of Tweed Heads. Just as we arrived rain set in, so our beach stop over was a wet one, making it a great afternoon for laundry and relaxing before a very pleasant meal out. Waking to a fine morning and warm temperatures our final leg brought us here to Maroochydore. And oh what a pleasant feeling as we drove into Mooloolaba and along the waterfront to Maroochydore.

Because we had planned to be here in our motorhome and for only around 3 months, a short time ago we had made the decision to extend our tenants lease on our apartment……so yes, we could be tagged as homeless. Thinking it would be so easy to find long term holiday lets we hadn’t worried too much until Wednesday when we had started calling around various places, only to learn those darned kiwis have booked everything. Direct flights started again on Friday and there are apparently over 5000 coming in from Christchurch alone. We managed to get a quiet apartment a couple of streets back from the water for 2 weeks whilst hunting for longer term, and thankfully, whilst out for a Saturday beach walk we spotted a vacancy sign on the  beach front  where a cancelation had just been taken, so we are in once our 2 weeks finish here. What a relief. Its a bit of a bummer though when we keep walking passed our place and can’t wait to get in there.

We’ve enjoyed a couple of long beach walks in the sun and today we checked out  the development at Maroochydore near our apartment. We now have an amazing choice of restaurants to walk to, as well as a fantastic new shopping centre that includes farmers markets 3 days a week, and once a month, street evening markets. I think we could get to really enjoy our time here.

Yesterday we wandered through the camp ground for a nose to see if we could spot anyone we knew, and sure enough, friends from 2 years ago, with whom we maintain contact had just checked in on Saturday for 2 weeks, on their way to Cairns. So it was afternoon coffee and catch-up for the rest of the afternoon. We’ll see more of them over the coming days.  And believe it or not they are very interested in buying our Suzuki and hitch as they too have a motorhome, but no car.

So folks, blogs are now on hold for a while, until we start our next adventure. There isn’t anything planned at present, other than a quick trip back over the ditch to look at property….apparently its a bit cold in NZ so we won’t be there for too long, the warmer weather is too good to miss over here. Farewell from us and we will back on line when we next travel. There is a big world out there beckoning us!

Last sunset in the bus – Farewell!

After waiting for Sydney’s peak hour traffic to end, we gingerly departed Vineyard, heading for the M7, M2 and Pennant Hills Road so we could head north on the M1. I say gingerly because an hour earlier there was a 3 car pile up and an 18km queue well down the M7….oh just another morning in Sydney’s peak hour! Thankfully the backlog was cleared enough for us to hit Pennant Hills Road with minimal traffic, join many large trucks and get in the thick of it and head north for the M1. We decided not to stop on the Central Coast, a favourite coastal area of our days gone. The weather was due to deteriorate later in the day, and set in for the week, and we had an appointment for Thursday at Lake Macquarie, to get the annual service for The Tent, and didn’t really want to be driving there in heavy rain, with slippery wet roads and frustrated motorists. Instead we headed straight for The Lake, and hunkered down at the southern end, where we have a lovely spot on The Lake’s edge, with many pelicans and ducks swimming by our back window.

Looking out the bedroom window onto the Lake – taken in a rare moment of sunshine

Here we’ve been for the week, as we decided to get the ‘house’ checked as well – that means the slide outs, house batteries etc – and we couldn’t get this service done until Monday. Thank goodness we are in a pleasant spot, because it really has rained all week, other than reprieves two afternoons.

The engine service was accomplished with flying colours, so that’s something. It took a whole day – its always fun, we drive in convoy, then Steve joins me in the Suzuki and we then have to amuse ourselves with sightseeing for the day, before we go back at the end of the day. Great fun when its raining. We thought about movies, but there wasn’t anything showing we wanted to see, so we went to the beach for a walk between showers, and then explored a little of the regions coast line. To those who don’t know, Lake Macquarie is Australia’s largest saltwater lake, covering an area of 110 square kilometres – twice the size of Sydney Harbour. It’s a fantastic recreational boating area, with a number of marinas and small craft can be seen scooting across the water in all directions. The Lake is in the Hunter Region, and is south of Newcastle, which is 150kms north of Sydney. There are 92 settlements in the area, and some 200,000 live here. The Hunter is well known for the major role it plays in coal mining. The land separating the Lake from the ocean is very narrow, and there are a number of very attractive coastal beaches which attract many surfers, all year round, rain or shine. We’ve enjoyed a few outings, however the weather has limited us to short walks along The Lake foreshore between rain and showers.

One delightful sunset over The Lake

So, when we reflect on the week, it has been low key, with limited activities, and….we have seen enough rain to last us for the next 6 months! Tomorrow is meant to be fine, so it’s into service first thing, then fingers crossed it’s finished in good time, so that we can be on the road and heading north toward the Queensland sunshine.

When we left Cowra we had planned to stop over in Bathurst before traveling over the Blue Mountains and down to Penrith. Because we know Bathurst, instead we journeyed an additional 50km to Lithgow, which is about 150kms from central Sydney. And oh what a cold place, at 950m above sea level. Whilst we know the Blue Mountains well, we have never ventured that little bit further to Lithgow. This is the centre of a coal mining district, with 2 coal powered power stations nearby. Some of you may know some of the attractions close by – the Zigzag Railway, The Jenolan Caves and Glen Davis in the Capertree Valley. the second largest canyon in the world. We enjoyed an afternoon of walking all around the township and then visiting Hassans Walls, which is the highest lookout in the Blue Mountains at 1100m above sea level, looking over Mts Wilson, York, Tarana and Blaxland and the whole of the Hartley Valley.

Overlooking the valley from Hassans Walls

It is spectacular, looking down on the highway, with huge trucks looking like ants, and across the massive valley with its beautiful autumn and early winter colours.

We stayed at the Lithgow camp ground – what we didn’t know – its right beside a train line….and we like quiet, so you can just imagine, trains flying by during the night. Mmmmm, not ideal the night before driving through heavy traffic over the mountains and into Penrith the next day.

The whole time we lived in Sydney, there were always road works somewhere in the Blue Moutains. We commented before we set off, that surely the road must now be free of any maintenance. Oh how silly we were. Just 5kms after we set off they started, and with narrow lanes and trucks in all directions it was a fun trip! The motor has never worked so hard, once we went up we then had 50kms of downhill, all using the gears. Yes, it was a slow trip, but oh the joy when we got to Penrith and opened the door to 20 degrees! We haven’t had 20 degrees since we were in WA and near the Margaret River region, so what a treat. After calling into the RV centre in Penrith we headed to Vineyard, which has been our base since Monday. Vineyard is a little east of the historical town of Windsor, offering a 50 acre caravan park set well away from the main traffic routes. We are right at the back, overlooking a lake.

Since being here we have caught up with friends, had the Suzuki serviced and completed a full external and internal spring clean. On our first afternoon it was actually shorts and t-shirt weather, great for cleaning the little Suzuki. We drove to Dural, where we lived for our last 13 years in Sydney to see our wonderful neighbours – the best neighbours you could ever have (you know, those that care-take your house and mow your lawns and do your gardens, cook you (read that as Steve) cakes for morning tea and have you over for Saturday afternoon wine in the garden).

Eddie, Bettina and Steve, with number 7 in the background

Eddie and Bettina are well and were heading off the next day for 6 weeks in Vienna, where their daughters live. We popped into number 7 to drop off wine as thanks for forwarding the occasional letter, and both came away with no signs of nostalgia. The new owners have their way of looking after the property, but let’s say the love and attention we gave don’t seem to be forthcoming!

On Friday I caught the train to the CBD and enjoyed a wonderful day catching up with just a few of my friends, as well as calling in to see some of my friends and colleagues at Rubicor. It was super to see them all, and see how well they are….and no I didn’t want to join them. What I did find hard was walking passed all of the stunning windows of the international and local fashion brands. I gritted my teeth, looked, in some cases lusted and then walked on, oh what control I exercised.

Yesterday we spent a few hours in historical Windsor, first settled in 1791. The town of Windsor sits on the banks of the Hawkesbury River. There are many heritage buildings, a delightful river walk and nick knack shops to potter in and out of. This is also the home of the oldest pub in Australia, the Macquarie Arms….we may have been seen sitting in the garden a few times over the years!

The pub at Windsor

Today we drove to Balmoral Beach on the lower North Shore, where we have spent many a Saturday or Sunday walking, soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying a light lunch on the waters edge. And what a stunning afternoon it was, after a fog bound morning here in the west.

Now that’s a super day

We watched yachts sailing out by the heads and venturing out from the inner harbour, kayakers, a wedding or two, walkers and swimmers galore, and those who chose to sit, relax and people watch. We enjoyed lunch by the beach and then spent time with our gorgeous friend Simone who lives in Mosman and who many years ago was my secretary, also helping Steve with his marketing work at Eco-Escapes. It was so peaceful sitting on her balcony with a coffee looking down onto Balmoral Beach on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Then it was back to reality and back into the traffic to head west and back to Vineyard. One thing I must comment on – the road tolls for the return trip……over $30.00. I used to pay $20 a day 2 years ago, and more when flying. It’s just not affordable for most people.

Tomorrow we head north, on our journey back to the Sunshine Coast. Not sure where to, that’s the surprise for the day.

We left Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road rather early last Monday morning in drizzle, wind and cold, after a very wet night, heading for Torquay. We didn’t know what to expect, other than we had been told by many that the road was windy and of course, right along the coast. They weren’t wrong! It is a stunning drive, with the road hugging the coast, windy and quite steep in parts, passing through little coastal villages mainly inhabited by holiday makers in the summer from Melbourne.

A quick photo out the front window – shame about the weather

Lorne, Anglesea and Torquay are the biggest towns on the way. Thankfully the rain stopped and we had a clear and partly sunny drive, and with very little traffic, looking out over the Southern Ocean, and down the side of cliffs on one side, and up the Otway Range on the other. Because it was so cold and the forecast wasn’t good, we decided not to stop at Torquay and the great Bells Beach, and rather, to skirt around Geelong and head north. This means we miss out Mornington Peninsula and the east coast of Victoria, including Lakes Entrance. We’ve decided that its just too cold this time of year, and so when we explore Tasmania in the future, we’ll include the coastal areas we missed out on this time.

From Geelong, we headed to Ballarat, which is about 105kms west-north-west of Melbourne . Now some of you may laugh, because the Victorian’s would say that this is the coldest place in the state! And yes, it was certainly cold, 7 degrees in the middle of the afternoon in the sunshine. But, we enjoyed it. Ballarat was first settled in 1837, and today some 100,000 call this city home. It became a gold rush boom town in the 1850s, and then made a very successful transition to an industrial age city from the 1860s. There are a number of heritage Georgian and Victorian buildings and mansions, luxury villas and terrace houses in excellent condition, as well as large and historic churches. The city has a very beautiful urban lake, Lake Wendouree, which is beautifully maintained, circled by a combination of boathouses, expensive yet tasteful homes and gardens.

Boat sheds on Lake Wendouree

A major attraction for the city is Sovereign Hill, a recreated 1850s gold mining settlement, staffed by some 350 locals (some have been working there over 30 years), all in period attire, running the town just as it would have been. We spent a very enjoyable couple of hours in and out of shops, talking with staff and soaking up the history. They still make candles just as they used to, there is a blacksmith, carriage manufacturer, jeweller, several pubs, a school, constabulary, houses, etc, everything that would have been supporting a mining town.

Chatting with the local constabulary, note the beanie!

They do it really well. We made Ballarat a one night stop. We must comment on the amenities where we stayed – because its so cold there, there is underfloor heating in the amenity blocks. Now that is a first for us!

When we left Ballarat it was 3 degrees and foggy….and stayed that way for about 50kms. Our plan had been to drive up the Midland and Calder Highways, through Daylesford and Castlemaine and on to Bendigo. Once we could see the scenery it was a very pleasant drive through an agricultural belt and some decent sized hills. We’ve been to Bendigo before, however didn’t quite recall how similar it is now to any small city, and so once we were there and driving through the city, it held limited appeal as a stop over so we continued on the Calder Highway 90kms to the historical town of Echuca on the Murray River, and just shy of the border with NSW. In the 19th century this was Australia’s largest thriving inland port city, with steam driven paddle steamers packed with wares, working their way along the river to the Port, where they were unloaded and transported by rail to Melbourne.

Paddle steamer from yester year

At one stage there were 15,000 living here, and they say there were some 100 hotels in the area. Today the town supports a population of 13,000, and it attracts many tourists who venture here to enjoy time on one of the world’s largest operating fleet of paddle steamers, including the oldest operating wooden hulled paddle steamer in the world. We enjoyed a stroll along the river, stopping at the Port, and wandered around and into many of the town’s galleries and shops. Its certainly an attractive little town for a stop over.

We knew we had to make a decision here. Did we continue up the inland route and into QLD, did we cut across to the coast, or did we go via Sydney so we could get The Tent serviced given she’s due one, and also catch up with friends, and then head north. A few phone calls, and it was decided, via Sydney. So, from Echuca we headed across the border, through Deniliquin, east to Finley and then north on the Newell Highway 150kms to the small NSW country town of Narrandera. Why here? We were catching up with Melbourne friends Graeme and Rene, whom we met 2 years ago in Cotton Tree QLD, as they embark on their trip north. There’s a lovely little peaceful camp ground overlooking Lake Talbot, and we parked up front on, overlooking the side of the lake, where we spent a quiet 4 days, 2 in the company of Graeme and Rene.

Looking out of the bus – across Lake Talbot,

We shared many laughs, enjoyed some good walks, and a glass of wine or two in the evening. We experienced our first(and subsequent) frost of the season whilst here. There’s a nature reserve just out of town, and beside the river and the lake, where 40 or so koalas were relocated a number of years ago. So we spent a few hours koala spotting in the trees – successfully I might add! Oh so cute.

I’m really cute – who are those people looking at me?

This morning we were on our way, traveling 290kms to Cowra, traveling through green fields, looking across rolling hills and lush farming land. There’s obviously been good rain in this region in NSW. We’re now just 260kms from Penrith, outer Western Sydney. This is another one night stop, staying courtesy of the local show grounds, very close to the centre of town. Cowra is located on the banks of the Lachlan River, and had its beginnings in the late 1840s. We tripped around Cowra this afternoon, in glorious sunshine, to hunt out some of the major sites of interest. What the town is well known for is WWII history. Cowra was the site of a POW camp, housing prisoners from Japan, Italy, and 3 or 4 other countries. On August 5, 1944 at least 545 Japanese POWs attempted a mass breakout, whilst others  that remained simultaneously committed suicide, or were killed by their countrymen inside the camp. 231 Japanese died during the breakout. The site is today a memorial, with a replica guard tower and interpretive displays.

The replica guard tower

It is quite sombre, however an important memorial. Closer to town are the tranquil Japanese Gardens, 12 acres developed initially in the 1970s as a sign of thanks for the respectful treatment of the Japanese war dead, with a second stage opening in 1986. These are the largest Japanese gardens in the Southern Hemisphere.

Tomorrow we head east again to Bathurst, ready to drive over the Blue Mountains to Penrith on Tuesday, after the long weekend. Once we hit Bathurst we are back in very familiar territory. Google maps can take a break! Once there, that will complete our circumnavigation of the country. We are back at our start point.