Coffs Harbour to Mildura

Well it did stop raining eventually,but it turned out to be an interesting day.Its amazing what you find when you are on the net,we never dreamed that when we left coffs it would be in a differant caravan.We only went to Jayco's to see about a service but we found our new van with all the things we wanted,so Im now sitting on my new club lounge looking at the Murray river meandering by.It was an exhausting day moving everything,even a glass of wine couldnt revive us.Its been a hectic week,our first day after changing was a real test on Jeffrey's driving skills ,one of my famous short cuts!!We had spent the night at Port Macquarie and we were heading to Tamworth,the counrty music capital of Australia,(at least not both types of music country and western!!)The road wound up and up over the mountains,can anyone tell me when you see the sign Danger falling rocks,what are you supposed to do!!The road into Tamworth is 6ks of steep descent,from 1550m straight down,I told you I really tested jeff's driving skills!We had a nice surprise of catching up with a friend and spending the night in a house,a very boozy night for some of us!The highlight was be taken by Jeffs friend Phil to an aborignal site to see the cave paintings,not known by many.Only a few goats and roos,such a spiritual place,I wonder what had taken place over the years.There are some lovely country towns in NSW,Gunnedah has the highest population of Koalas in the world and are often seen in the main street we werent so lucky unfortuantly.Parkes was also a surprise,if you remember themovie "The Dish" it was bases on Parkes Dish.It will be 50 years old next year and played a huge part in beaming the moon landing to the world,Houston was so impressed with the quality they switched transmission to Parkes.It also played an important part in bringing back Apollo 13,its surprising what you come across in the country!But that was it,nothing more, no more towns just nothing!

Explorer John Oxley wrote that the area of country on the way to Hay is so bad no man would want to ever go that way again!How right he was,no trees,flat nothing,though the swarm of Locust did make things a bit more interesting especially the one that hung on the cb aerial for ages before spinning of into oblivion!We are now in Mildura,a town with many old buildings and the magnificent Murray river flowing through it.We have never seen so many houseboats,ther are 11 differant companies here,and are nothing like Mandurah boats,imagine a floating luxury apartment!Our stay in Victoria is brief back to South Australia tomorrow,so I am making a bucket full of potato salad to use up some spuds,so I can take them across the border.It seems strange to think we will be back in W.A. in just over a week.My new bigger freezer is so stocked up we certainly will not starve on the Nullaboor,potato salad anyone?

Mackay,Yeppon,Burnett Heads,Caloundra,Coffs Harbour

The gaps between blogs seems to be getting longer,the days seem to speeding by faster and its November already.Well we left the rain behind,though some parts of Mackay were still underwater,its very low lying and has a large river system with creeks popping up everywhere.Over 200mm of rain fell in a few hours,thats a lot of water to drain away.We stayed at Bucasia the northern beach part of Mackay right by the water.No not flooded but overlooking the ocean,though the tide goes out so far there its hard to see it in the distance. You have to walk a fair way out,armies of solider crabs part into groups as you walk along the sand,they are bright blue and look a bit like eyeballs on legs!I try not to look I think they are bit creepy looking.Well the dry weather didnt last we left after a few days and stayed at St Lawrence a free camp spot very nice and dry when we arrived,then the rain started again.The next morning we played a new game count the puddles and then watched them form a lake,enough of that we headed for Yeppon .Big mistake,never again will we drive in bad weather like that it was awful,not relaxing at all and the free camp spot we had planned to go to was flooded out!Hurray the weather changed the ground started to dry out and the sun was shining Yeppon has a nice coastline loads of places to stop and eat the pie or cream donut you have bought in the local bakers!the monument to Capt Cook is called the singing ship when the wind blows the pipes play a tune,strange but interesting.We have left the cane fields behind Rockhampton is a huge beef producer ,I never knew Queensland produced so much sugar,beef,crops and mining.Another storm before we left Yeppon what spetacular lightning but poor Barney hated every moment.Queensland has had its wettest winter for 40 years,which is wonderful for the land but not so good for us travellers thought the countryside is so beautiful and green.We crossed back over the Tropic of Capricorn at Rockhampton and the donna had to go back on the bed,who would have thought that line could make such a differance ,no more humid nights!Stopped off at 1770 but so so busy with loads of backpackers so headed to Burnett Heads a tiny place on the coast 15 mins form Bundaberg.Great homemade ice cream at Bagara Beach we sat there in the sunshine yes I did mention the sun eating our icecream,we felt like we were on our hols!The land here is all veggie growers,lovely just pull in and stock up on fresh veggies and lovely strawberries yum I was happy.Childers has the most perfumed Post Office I have every been in the door tinkles as you open it then the perfume hits you,its cram packed of craft,jewellry,lavender soaps I couldnt possible say all that was in there ,but I did notice the post office counter.We have had enough of the Bruce highway the road surface is getting worse and too many trucks so we detoured through th Mary valley and so glad we did ,we would have missed some of the most beautiful countryside.The rolling hills are so green (all that rain)we stayed at Kenilworth showground a lovely little town nestled among the hills ,the weather was hot and sunny hurray we came across a hippie shop with clothing from Katmandu!!Another great drive through more mountains to the coast we could see Brisbane in the distance and the coast of Caloundra below us one of the biggest places we had been to.We stayed on the shores of Pumice Stone passage a narrow piece of water between the mainland and Bridie Island you can see just the bridge of huge container ships going past on the open ocean.I had to go to the U.K. for 2 weeks so left poor Jeffrey and Barney on ther own, the night I left they had one of the worst storms ever with 100k winds,I must admit I was glad I missed it!Well Im back now and fully recovered from my trip,we are heading back to Mandurah for christmas so down the coast of NSW.We crossed the border inland the Jacaranda trees are in full flower and against the green hills the blue purple colour is breathtaking.We had a very scary journey on one of my shortcuts,it was supposed to be a A road but whoever graded it must have been new to the job!It was so narrow and full off holes and very very winding,with a long drop down the side 50kph seemed very fast we were very relieved when we reach Woodenbong,what a great name,and a great free camp spot.Now we have arrived in Coffs Harbour and its pouring of rain!!Oh well Ive made some chocolate muffins, so we will put a movie on make a cupa and enjoy a muffin!!

The Whitsundays

Well when these photos were taken the weather as you can see was beautiful,but as I write this the rain is so hard its bouncing back up,the noise from the thunder and the rain on the caravan roof is deafening!!Oh well time for a coffee a home made scone and sit at the computer and tell you whats been happening.The whitsundays are so beautiful they deserve a page of their own 74 islands and 52 weeks to explore them,we have been here 3 weeks now and have had an amazing time.The trip on the seaplane flying out to Hayman Island landing on the blue clear water then driving up the ramp to pick up 2 passengers ,turning around then down the ramp to the water and taking off was very strange.We had to sit and wait about 10 minutes as the passengers were late, but as the pilot said this is 5 star Hayman,holiday island for the rich and famous.I must admit I did wonder who was behind the baseball cap and sunnies when they got on!We landed at Whitehaven beach rated as one of the best beaches in the world, the beach is not sand but silica. The area is volcanic and spewed out silica which made this lovely white beach it does not get hot underfoot and reflects the sun so much you have to put sunblock under your chin and arms!The beach was deserted only a few people in the distance the water warm and the champagne chilled wow what a place and how lucky are we.I have always wanted to go in a seaplane and it really lived up to my expectations it is so exiting landing and taking of on water,why ?I cant explain it just is!Everyone knows we love boats so these islands are the place to be,so another sailing trip was a must do,this time on a 80 foot 0r 24 m maxi yacht!Everything on these are big big big thats me at the helm in the photo, George our skipper was watching me very closely!We went to Blue Pearl Bay on Hayman Island there I go name island name dropping again!We have snokelled in loads of places but this must rate as one of the best so many fish surrounding you.We did an introductory scuba dive,Jeff had done one before so was ok,but it takes a bit of getting used to.Was I really 5m under water relying on an air tank to stop me drowning apparently I was for a whole 20 minutes,it was amazing,a busy city of colours the fish oblivious to my awe or excitment.When I came back on board I was grinning so much you would have thought I had won lotto!!Well what next?its still raining and we have had our coffee must be time to plan lunch and plan when we leave here tomorrow where to.We are having a great trip and seen some great places but here has been the best so far.

Mission Beach to Airlie Beach

I am getting very slack staying in Mission Beach was so so relaxing zzzzzz oops sorry there I go too relaxed again!!We are going south we thought Townsville but it was such a culture shock after sleepy Mission Beach its busy busy busy.So much traffic,so many people,planes and chinook helicopters we decided not to stay as planned and headed on to a tiny little place called Giru to free camp.The Burdekin bridge between Ayr and Home hill is a massive structure with crisscross metal struts along the side and top it was built to stop the two towns being cut off when the river floods.

The Bruce Highway goes through acres and acres of sugar cane with the train track crisscrossing across the road and dissapearing into the fields,I wonder how many acres of cane there are.You know you are coming to a sugar town when you see the chimney belching out smoke,its a busy time of year now the cutting season.It makes you stop and think when you get a spoon of sugar how much work and time it takes to produce it.Next stop was Bowen I was so looking forward to seeing it,I was so dissapointed,there are some lovely scenic bays,but very little boating.Though we did have a very interesting chat with a lady in the info centre,she had been a volunteer on the set of the Australia movie.She had met them all Hugh Jackman,Brian Brown,Nicolle and Keith Urban she had some great stories to tell,we have a great story to tell about Bowen too but thats not for all,far too shocking!!!Well now we are in Flametree just along from Airlie Beach and the beautiful Whitsundays it is so beautiful,boats boats and more boats,heaven!We went out sailing just 5 of us out to a tiny island,snokelling,lunch on a deserted beach,and Jeff took the helm nearly all the way back which made his day,it really was a great trip.We are here for a few weeks,well thats the plan but things do seem to change quite a bit,more sailing we must go to the most famous Whitehaven beach and I want to go in a seaplane to Hayman Island more of that in my next blog.Whats next?well we have just stuffed our faces on the most delicious strawberries,then a swim then some lunch I think,and the good news is we have missed the winter completly yay!

Cooktown to Mission Beach

Well I have been very slack my last blog was on 5th July and today is the 1stAugust!What have I been doing and where have we been?We spent 3 days in Cooktown,the Capt.Cook Musuen is a good place to be when its pouring of rain!The mountains disappear completly just a heavy veil off rain,thats rain forest for you!!at least its lovely and warm.We headed south to just north of Mossman,the road from Mt Molloy to Mossman is a very steep drop with hairpin zig zag bends that we negotiated very slowly or should I say Jeff did.It was so humid when I got out of the air conditioned car my glasses fogged up .We never book ahead for a site as we never really know where we will be or when we will get there,but Cairns area in the school hols what a nightmare!!We arrived at Lake Placid as we knew they took dogs but ther was no room at the inn!!We must have looked in need of a place to stay as they took pity on us and set up an area in the car park for us oh well it was only one night.Cairns doesnt have free camping the council think we caravaneers are messing people its not us but the wiz bangers(little camper vans)We moved on to Babinda free camp as long as you like hurray,but it is in competition with Tully for the golden gumboot award for the wettest place in Australia!While we were there it gave it a fair go of winning it,they can have 4Metres of rain a year!!its another place where the mountains dissapear completly.We are now in Mission Beach right by the beach opposite Dunk Island the nights are warm 19-21 degrees and the days sunny except when our son Thomas came to visit 3 days of very heavy rain as I said earlier thats rainforest for you.We did have a great trip out to the outer part of The Great Barrier Reef and saw 2 Humpback whales which was an amazing site.Mission Beach is a very laid back place,swimming,walking on the beach and happy hour and watching the skydivers jump the beach.I watch them everyday and I am starting to think I could do that 14000feet and 60 seconds of free fall,tandem of course,or perhaps I might just stick to walking on the beach.Well another day has passed by and its already time for happy hour so cheers everyone.

Karumba to Cooktown

Well the few days in Karumba turned into 10 days!what can I tell you about Karumba?The fatest juiciest prawns,great food at the pub,fantastic Barra and chips from Ash's and the best sunsets.We can see why a lot of people stay for 3 or 4 months every year enjoying the warm sunshine.After 10 days we were all prawned out and ready to travel we had planned to go across to the coast but had heard so much about the Atherton Tablelands thats where we headed off to.As we drove off Jeff asked me if I had seen the photo of the croc in the office taken only a few weeks before outside the caravan park!!WHAT I shrieked thats where I walked Barney several times a day and a few times in the dark.One thing I hate that gives me the heaby jeebys is crocs its amazing the amount of people that have a croc story to tell and I do not want to be one of them.We stayed at Georgetown for a few nights made famous by the goldrush its very rich in gems we met a few people who were off gem fossicking .The dingos really howl during the night here, sounds very creepy glad we were'nt in a tent,we saw an awful lot of roadkill on the way here after seeing the cows walk all over the road on the main bridge we can see why.The drive to Ravenshoe is beautiful its the highest town in Queensland very green and lush and 2 supermarkets!!the first place since Karumba to buy fruit and veg.The scenery is amazing on the tablelands ,mountains,waterfalls ,lakes and lush grass and of course loads and loads of avocados and bananas for sale at little roadside stalls yum.The town of Atherton is a very old town surounded by mountains we free camped again here at Rocky gully which in the 1940's was home to the largest military base in Australia the complex had the largest military hospital in the southern hemisphere you cand still see the foundations of a few of the buildings it is now a memorial park.It was a bit grey and cloudy so after a drive to Granite Gorge were the wallerbies are so tame the come right up to you we thought we would head north to Cooktown.The drive from Mount Molloy to Cooktown must be one of the most scenic in Australia I know on previous blogs I have said that but this drive is through the Great Dividing Ranges so very steep in parts its beautiful no towns just mountains and rivers, I really can't explain how stunning the countryside is ,breathtaking,amazing ,wow. words do not do it justise.We have been here in Cooktown for 3 days now surrounded by mountains, there are beautiful totally unspoilt bays that probaly havent changed since Captain Cook was here in 1770.Now to the important stuff there is a great bakery!!We can't go any further north from here,its the end of sealed roads and our caravan is not an off roader so we will be heading south in a few days

Mount Isa to Karumba Gulf of Carpenteria

Well after a lot of thought we are here in the gulf of carpenteria at Karumba the weather here is lovley its about 32 degrees at the moment.We left Mount Isa last Monday and headed towards Cloncurry,several people had told us what a great drive it is,definatly one of the best very up and down with the road cut through rock in places.Cloncurry has several claims to fame one being the hottest place in Queensland 54 degrees!and home to the founder of RFDS.The road started to dissapear once we left the town!down to one single lane though sealed the rule is if a road train heads toward you we give way why would'nt you?they say its easier to pull a caravan out than a road train!!I must admit I did feel a bit tense at the prospect and not the right time for me to have a go driving!We stopped overnight at free pull in only us there not a town for over 100ks bit spooky when we turned the lights out! the weather had warmed up we were in shorts for the first time since leaving sitting by our campfire looking at the stars wonderful.Great exitment the next day we saw water lots of it we crossed the Norman River at Normanton and there was water in it!!Now we are here in Karumba on the coast very low lying and once it rains cut of completly.The sunsets are magical sitting by the water or on it with a glass of wine mmm.The prawns here yum,so so big and cheap,prawns wine and sunset what more could you ask for?We are staying in a site while here ,has a nice pool which is good as you cant go in the ocean here,crocs may cause harm or death ,thats what the signs say.Poor Barney can't understand why he cant run on the beach and go for a swim we really can't take the chance he could become an entree !!Free fish barbie tonight just supply your own salad and wine and Jeffs playing the drums with the other muso's here,I did'nt offer to play my didgeridoo,might clear the place!Well its warming up,nearly time for a beer and a prawn or 10,we are kicking back here for a few more days here,then off to who knows

Alice Springs to Mount Isa

Do shopping Malls spoil country towns?In the case of Alice Springs they definatley do,it was not what I was expecting its certainly changed a lot since Nevil Shutes day,progress?As we stayed in the carvan site from hell we free camped to Mount Isa,no managers with attitude to condend with!We crossed the Tropic of Capricorn just outside Alice,met a guy who had been travelling since 1953!the evening was a lot warmer so wine time was outside .Wycliffe Well is a beautiful oasis that has a 10 acre lake it was one of the first places in Oz that could sell water 1 penny a gallon.Its also famous for its regular alien sightings 2 weeks previous 2 people saw strange happenings on the highway!the walls of the shop are adorned with newspaper clippings and stories we had no such luck though.We stayed a few nights at the Devils Marbles which are huge boulders that appear to balance (or is it aliens)when the sun rises and sets the colours are spetacular.Ive become very good at cooking rice on the camp fire in the billy seems to taste so much better.Everyone we spoke to seemed to be heading to Darwin but we turned east at Three Ways heading for Queensland we had no cars in front and nothing behind us !we began to wonder if there was something we should know!The Barkly Highway is the most boring road ever!it makes the Nullaboor seem like a scenic paradise thank goodness we have loads of cd's and thte ipod.They police set up a road block opposite our camp at Avon downs never a dull moment,though we must have looked honest we were waved through.Civilisation our first town Camooweal I thought I might stock up on a few goodies but $8.60 for packet of assorted bickies I thought better of it.We are here now in Mount Isa for 4 days,Barney is having a bath and groom tomorrow,Ive been to the hairdressers today and I cut Jeffs hair with the clippers so we will all be looking spruced up!!After here who knows we can't decide off to Townsville or up to the Gulf of Carpenteria decisions decisions,what a hard life!

Tumby Bay to Alice Springs

What an interesting week we have had,we have been to a rocket range,an opal mine,a underground house and campsite,had a didgereedoo lesson and arrived in Alice springs.When we left tumby Bay it was getting wet and chilly,after a overnight stop in the middle of nowhere the wind was really blowing and the heavens opened.We stopped at Woomera the home of the blue streak rocket the rain stopped long enough for a few photos the musuem really showed how technology has advanced since the 60's it amazes me that they did so much considering the equipment but I suppose that was all high tec back then.The scenery was changing so many lakes all full Lake Hart is huge.the next day we arrived in Coober pedy words can not really describe it.50%of houses are built underground as was our campsite though not caravans!They had a photo in the info centre of the planet Mars and Coober Pedy they looked the same!red dust covered by rocks not a tree or plant to be seen!But its a fascinating place,you see a hill with an aerial and water tank on top you know theres a house underneath.We went inside one built in the 60's built be 2 ladies using only a shovel and a pick its beautiful inside warm in winter cold in summer when the temp can reach 50 degrees.Coober produces 85%of the worlds opals but no big mining companies here some people still mine using a pick ,the machinery that is used uses $2000 of diesal a week.Water is as precious as opals here our campsite didnt have any we filled up our tanks at a 24 hour coin operated pump in town 20cents for 15 litres!We went in an underground cafe for a coffee that had the most beautiful handmade didgereedoos I love this instrument and couldnt resist I even had my first lesson.I practise everyday some days are better than others,for me and others staying nearby!Now we are in the northern territory and Alice Springs the days are warmer but the nights are so so cold thank goodness I bought those thermal beanies I acutally sat in bed having a cup of tea yesterday morning wearing it what a sight!The speed limit here is 130kph and it seems most people take advantage of that.The bottle shops only open between 2pm and 6pm and Jeffs driving license was checked to see if he is allowed to buy alcohol or banned!The scenery is beautiful the mcdonald ranges are spectacular the red colours changing through out the day. We are here for a few days then heading up to the devils marbles,Tenants Creek then on the Barkly highway across to Queensland,it will be getting warmer!

Streaky Bay,Coffin Bay,Port Lincoln and Tumby Bay

Well we havent travelled very far,everywhere is so nice that we end up staying for a few nights,though one place was a bit strange Farm Beach.After driving for about 10 ks of dirt road through lovely countryside we came to the campground right by the beach but to get to the beach you had to walk through the tractor graveyard there were about 50 or more abandoned tractors in various stages of very bad rust! we only stayed one night though did enjoy a lovely walk on the beach just us in the morning.Streaky Bay was nice fantastic bakery french stick so so good we ate the whole thing for lunch when we had a picnic at Scaele Bay!then drove on to see the sea lions basking and playing at point Labatt.Then on the way to our next stay in the middle of nowhere what is there?You guessed it a bakery it was a tiny building with a sliding glass window with the bread behind and a honesty box,the smell of the bread in the car was too much we had to stop quickly for lunch!!We had to take Barney for a long walk after that.Coffin bay is beautiful nothing to do with dead people its named of Sir Issac Coffin a famous mariner,its famous for its oysters,its main industry there.I had my very first taste raw,far too salty bit yucky,then I cooked them kilpatrick still didnt think much of them much to Jeffs dissapointment!I threw some away can't have him getting too carried away!Then the rain started on our way to Port Lincoln its harbour is 3 times the size of sydney Harbour though all we could see was mist!!his is where we saw our first traffic light and Woolies since we left oh great exitement!!We have just arrived in Tumby Bay which is suppossed to be great for fishing,fingers and toes will be crossed!

Norseman to Streaky Bay

We all know W.A. is a huge state but my first trip across from Norseman to the South Australia Border made my realise how big it really is.Nothing for over 1000k except a few road houses,but never boring the landscape and colours constantly changing. We did 3 nights of free camping,to step out of your van at night into total darkness I couldnt even see the step then look up to a fantastic lightshow with a cast of thousands was a real wow moment for me.We came into Madura Pass I was surprised to see the plain laid out beneath us which millions of years ago was the sea bed the road follows a line of hills that would have been the shore.Its hundreds of kilometres from anywhere but in the 1800's horses were bred there then shipped from Ceduna to India for the army.What brave tough people those pioneers where.We spent one of our nights on the the cliff top with spectacular views of The Great australian Bight it was so so windy!Our fridge which we had changed to gas for the night didnt like it at all,so after great debate between us and fellow travellers we were lent a generator for the night,thanks Russell.Would you believe it the next day it worked perfectly!About 20k's from the border we were waved down by the police for a licence check and breatherlised!!or were they looking for someone?there are a few crims on the loose.Now I am writing this in beautiful Streaky Bay we are going to spend a few days here realax,catch some fish hopefully!To me it was a wonderful trip across long but so much to see if you look.

We are on our way

We finally left Mandurah yesterday,I was beginning to wonder if we were going to stay another day when it got to11.30 and we were still saying goodbye to people.Everone knew we are new travellers and wanted to say goodbye which was lovely.We only got as far as Brookton last night and stayed in a tiny site,it was very cold during the night.We have got as far as just past Southern Cross today,through country towns with buildings dating back to early 1900's.When you see the nothingness from Southern Cross you wonder how did those pioneers manage to continue on to Kalgoolie thats gold fever for you I suppose.We are in lovely free camp spot tonight the sun is just going down through the trees.We should be out enjoying the nature,but I'm on the computer and Jeff's playing with his new toy a satellite dish!!Thomas if you are reading this you must be impressed that I manged to put this photo on,with no help!!Well I did read the instructions you gave me!We are on to Norseman tomorrow and Fraser Station which is supposed to be a good place to stay then on to South Australia! Now I do feel like its all real!

Thank god the move is over,it took hours.Now we are living in our van for a year I am wondering do we need all that stuff in store?we seem to have all we need here.We havent gone too far only 10k !!We are here in Falcon for about a week before heading off across the Nullaboor to South Australia,I cant quite believe we are doing this!!Well its nearly wine o'clock so I had better pour a glass.Cheers

This is it,our new home for the next year!Only 5 days to go and so much still to do.What to take,what not to take a hard decision for one of the worst packers.Ive sorted out what tops go with what,but what if,you know what if I want the blue instead of the black one I normally wear with that skirt for a change oh what if what if!.Then there is shoes amazing I'm only taking 6 pairs!Jeff says its a miracle but I havent mentioned handbags yet!Well back to the packing of boxes, all our belongings that we are not taking with us we are going to store.Where has it all come from? we have had 3 garage sales,and given stuff away ,but we are surounded by boxes!It makes you think do we really need all this stuff but you never know,what if !