Other that the normal links to photos, here is a link to some (120 od) captured photos off the Quad Copter videos.
The videos them self are to big to put on this site
Left Brisbane at around 9.15am, already very hot and it was soon 31 degrees. First mishap was at 10.15am somewhere before Cunninghams Gap. Suddenly, there was a scraping noise from the front left tyre. Turns out it was the plastic inner wheel cover which had come loose back on to the wheel and the bottom had scraped off. Geoff found it been hanging on by one cable tie which had broken. Wondered who had put a cable tie instead of all the buttons normally on it, but it could have happened way back in WA, this one remains a mystery. Back on the road and we stopped at a little place just before Stanthorpe, Davleen bypassed by the highway, a little park, stayed overnight before. On starting the car after lunch, engine error lights come on, no fuel gauge, no instant fuel consumption, no cruise control and assorted other things. 'What else?' we thought. We had passed a Subaru dealership in Warwick, but didn't want to go back a 100km or so. As subaru don't have dealerships much in smaller country Australian towns we were surprised to see one in Tenterfield and that was our next town. Long and the short, the guy reset it says he couldn't find a problem. Whilst in the waiting room Geoff looked up more about the code, turns out sometimes the device you put in the car to read and decipher the code, may generate the problem. This might have happened in this case. On the road, again, and the temperatur started to cool as we climbed altitude on the New England Highway. Rained on and off and stopped overnight at Guyra, the highest town on the New England, about 4,200 feet. Mother of Ducks Lagoon overnight stop, on a strip of parkland with a wetland and golfcourse backing on to it. Just lovely, stayed there previously (when we had the Falcon and had to tie a sock around the hydraulic line to the steering. As Geoff turned on the gas he could hear and we both could smell gas - a split in the hose. So no fridge or stove for the night - BUT GEOFF DID GET TO COOK HIS CHIPS ON THE LITTLE BBQ WITH THE OTHER CYCLINDER - IT WAS FRIDAY NIGHT AFTER ALL. (We now gauge our overnight stops by the problems we have, haha). Being high altitude it was around 10 degrees over night.
After a cold night, we woke to a very very windy and cold morning and after half a banana and water each for breakfast, we headed off towards Armidale to get a new gas line. After going from one end of Armidale to the other to BCF, Supacheap Auto, Bunnings, we finally got one from Reece Plumbing, just near where we came in. Geoff hooked it up and it still leaked as the little grommit/washer had fallen off somewhere between Reece front door and the van in outside. The junior sales staff put on what was probably a too big a grommit. Anyway, took the one off the split line and all was good. Back on the road, fuelled at Tamworth (Matilda northern outskirts cheaper than others - has showers also). During the next hour or so of uneventual travel, we went through heavy rain cells, taking the temperture from 30 straight down to 20, back up to 26 and eventually 30, then down again for the next heavy rain cell. Stopped at Burning Mountain rest area (there is a 2km walk up into the hills to see a coal seam that has been burning for 6 thousand years - very impressive, but we did the hike last time so not this time). Had been sleeping for about 2 hrs and Geoff got up with severe heartburn. He had collapsed on the floor from sever pain, but then got straight up, emptied his stomach and felt better. I'm wondering if it was the curry in the chicken or the half a lemon he ate at dinner. He gets heartburn often, but this was the worst and scariest - but thankfully was not his heart. He rested well and was back to normal in the morning.
Mild night and overcast morning. All was good and headed to see Ivan in Maitland. Uneventful trip, somehow ended up on a bypass freeway and missed the turn off to Maitland, so caught up with Ivan in Kurri Kurri and spent a couple of hours catching up next to the Cessnock cemetary (looked like a park on the map!). The trip from Cessnock to Broke is continuous vineyards and wineries, makes you almost want to drink wine. Broke is a tiny township, servo/cafe/beer garden all in one, local fire service and lovely park (McNamara Park) alongside a river. 72hrs stopover with flush loos, treed with upper road level and lower level, guessing 200mtr wide reserve from road to river and about 1km long. Peaceful, a couple of vans spread out. Had a lovely night there and could have chilled another day, but needed to move on. Day has been mid 20's with a coolish breeze. Night was cool.
Geoff flew his quadcopter, which got away from him, but luckily if fell through all the trees and landed on the ground. Headed off for a long trip to avoid Sydney. Took Putty road through mountains, around 140kms to Windsor, then Penrith down to Hume M31 and for once appreciated the straight run (whilst Putty road was a good road, it was windy all the way which is what was expected by the way - the things you do to avoid going through Sydney). Stopped briefly for lunch on a highway stop, then headed to check out Belanglo State Forest - yes we ventured. As it had taken us 4hrs to get from Broke near Cessnock, through Sydney, it was getting late, so we decided to stay the night at Belanglo. Chatted to two forestry guys cutting down and moving trees, there were two camps there and then a family of 4 pitched a campter tent, so we had company for the night. It's called Daley's Clearing, lovely open grassed area surrounded by pine trees (it is a pine forest after all). Smelled just like Christmas used to smell when we had the real pine Christmas trees. Weather getting cooler, but a nice sunny day, but windy, so another cool night, but comfortable. No road noise, but plenty of whooshing noise through the pines.
Geoff got some quadcopter flying in this morning (and didn't loose it). Headed out and waved good bye to the forestry digger guy on the way out. About 4kms stoney/part corrugations in and back out to the highway. Stopped at Goulburn for supplies, lots of old buildings, it's the oldest inland town in Australia (I think that's correct). Turned off towards Canberra, past lake George and through the outskirst of Canberra, back out to the open road and past a huge Ikea complex. Passed through Cooma, Bombala and travelled on the Monaro Highway through the hills and mountains - it is a good road. We were getting wary of the Kanagaroos as we had passed through some rain cells and it was getting quite dark, even though it was approaching 5pm. Stopped at Cann River for fuel (99.9c/ltr) and than along the Princes Hwy for another 30kms to the Bemm River Reserve Rest Area. A large truck and car stop on the hwy,but down a short solid sandy track was the small ring road that could accommodate about 6 cars. We manouvered in and eventually had two other campers for the night. There is a lovely Rainforest Walk, 1km loop, and some magnificant tree ferns and moss covered trees, with the Bemm River at the bottom of the walk. Geoff picked up a leech on his leg on the walk, but all was good.
A good run along Princes Hwy (except for the car/boat that pulled out on us as we were nearing the bottom of a downward stretch doing 100km/h, only about 100ms from us. Went via Bruthen instead of Lakes Entrance and stopped at Sale for lunch. Back on the highway, stopped at Warrugal for supplies, then next stop Nar Nar Goon and Mary and Jim's.
At Mary and Jim's. Geoff played cricket with the kids most of the day.
To Dave and Trish's 23rd 24th, Xmas Eve Rob and Phil, Xmas Day Rob and Shaun's. Painting doors and ceiling at M&J, Geoff flew quadcopter and keeping Mason occupied, sorting kids stuff, Geoff more cricket and quadcoptering, including an obligatory runaway, ended well. Lyn's a couple of days (we took Torquay weather with us). Started return journey 4th Jan.
Left Mary and Jim's around 9.30am, headed north up to Gembrook and Cockatoo, just beautiful, then through Worri Yallock, stopped at Healsville at Mooroondah Reservoir for lunch (top car park under a lovely shady tree, beautiful spot). As an afterthought decided to fill the van with water - where else, but a reservoir. Stopped at Marysville. Haven't been there for about 30 years and hard to spot an old building (apparently only the bakery survived for bushfires). Everything is new and even after 8 years there is only stumpy regrowth in the surrounding hills and on many ridges, nothing survived, only sticks in the distance remain. The town itself has greened up and those lovely old trees down the main street have also miraculously survived. Geoff intended to fly in the footy field, but the camera battery was flat. Stevenson river just as picturesque as ever. Moved on and fueled up at Alexandra, and arrived at Bonnie Doon about 4pm, with the lake at 78%. 34c.
Went to Benalla with Ray, Joh and friends Paul and Jan. In the afternoon R&J neighbours Warren and Anne came and all went out on either R&J ski boat or Warren and Anne's larger boat. Lovely swimming in Lake Eildon. High 30's again today. 39c expected tomorrow.
Packed up early as it was already very hot. Went via Merton, through Euroa bypassed Shepparton and stopped at Mooroopna for supplies and arrived at Michael and Val's at Moama about 1pm. It was 42 degrees and 44 degrees inside the van. Val insisted we would sleep in the house which we were grateful for. Had a lovely catchup.
Left around 9.30am as it was to be another hot day. Fuelled up at Strathmerton (119.9 being the lowest) on our travels for the day. Stopped at Cobram for supplies and headed in the general direction of Wagga Wagga. Went via Urana, a name that sounded familiar. As soon as we drove in, we realised it is the SAME place that we drove into last time, even then not realising we had been there previously again. So we have been there 3 times and each time didn't know what to expect…..spooky or is it just seniors moments. Drove through dry, wheat country, with cloud increasing and two small rain cells ahead. The car temp said 37degrees. We caught up with the rain, but temperature did not change. Stopped 10km west of The Rock at a tiny roadside stop at Tootool. Space for about 2 vans, a garden, flush loos (with flowers in the ladies), picnic table, wood bbq and info rotunda. Backed on to railway line, then acres of wheat and a few horses. Run by volunteers. Right next to the road, but all else outweighs that. It was still 37degrees at 8.30pm and didn't sit down until then, it was just soooo hot. Luckily it was mostly cloudy, but cleared for a beautiful sunset.
We were the only ones there all night but we felt safe. There was a couple of houses just up across the road. There were about 4 cars passing in the evening, none during the night and 2 in an hour in the morning. Left about 7.30am as it was already hot and the sun was peaking above the tops of the trees across the road. Headed for The Rock, a small town with a wide, divided, treed main street and about one or two operating businesses. On to the Olympic Hwy, headed towards and bypassed Wagga Wagga, through Junee and Cootamundra. Diverted 5km x 2 gravel to look at Burrungong lake camping area and the railway spiral. Camping area was a bit dusty, and importantly very little shade, so decided not to stay. Moved on to Young and then Cowra to get supplies. Still 39degrees - Geoff bought an Aldi sim and eventually got it working. As we neared Carcoar Dam the temp dropped to 35degrees, phew. Found a spot under the trees and apologised to the camp near us for being a bit close, but she (Lyn) was lovely (a senior). Our poor fridge had worked hard but couldn't cope in continuous head with just overnight charging. We have learned to buy food closer to our destination. The breeze, combined with being under a beautiful oak tree, cooled the van comfortable enough to sit down in. Met Robert and Aoi (seniors) in the van the other side. We were so close Lyn and Robert were chatting across our back door. But all was good.
The wind was strong last night, didn't mind at long as it was not hot. It died down suddenly then rained a little. On waking it was still and the lake was mirror still. Geoff blew up the kayak and found his previous repair had failed. Lyn had superglue so we were in the water with only a 15min delay. Lyn waved us off into the water, we paddled to the restricted buoys (stopping boats from going over the dam wall), paddled to the other side where the wind turbines are, then back again. The cloud was clearing and it was going to be hot, but I think only about 31degrees. (Lyn is a widow who's been on the road for 2.5 years. Robert (he's Aussie) and Aoi will go back to Thailand in 10 weeks and have been touring Australia for a year). Carcoar Dam is a lot busier and we've come here about the same time other years. Probably Wikicamps has had something to do with it. The camping area has an enclosed, brick amenities block with flush loos, loo paper, paper hand towel and two showers (now with shower curtains - but a bit yucky). Apparently they ran out of drinking water (tank) over Christmas/NY, but have plenty of dam water on tap. As we paddled there was a lot of algae - first time we've seen it here. Geoff spent some time with Lyn, helping her with some computer information.
A still night and a hot day expected, around 34degrees. Went for a paddle in the opposite direction today into a smallish bay and saw about 5 tortoise heads bob up and down and plenty of ducks. Sat in the kayak under the shade of the one and only overhanging eucalyt as it was getting hot, then paddled back. That was our entire activity for the day, except for walking to the loo. It was a little cooler out of the van, but the mozzies seem bad this year. It was more comfortable to sit and read on the bed. Geoff spent more time with Lyn in the next van, helping her with things on her IPhone. Got some good shots of the full moon reflecting off the water - but they will probably be blurred - shutter speed was slow.
It was a cooler night and we hoped it won't be as hot as expected but it got to 33 inside the van today. Had our morning kayak paddle and headed out into the main lake, passed the cows that mooed all night, across to the other side and then back. It was getting hot, but we did extra distance as the lake was very calm and smooth. Mainly read in the afternoon and Geoff gave Lyn another computer lesson.
Expected 38 degrees today and the wind started early, so we didn't go for a paddle. During the day the wind howled relentlessly and much of the camping area copped a lot of dust. We were protected somewhat by the tree we were under, but there was still dust over all the van surfaces. It got to 37degrees in the van and we were in shade all day. Later in the day the change came, we got a sudden downpour which ended as soon as it started and the temperature dropped only a little and it ended up being a humid night.
Said good-bye to Lynda, John the Irishman, Aoi our other neighbour (her hubbie Robert had gone for a walk). It was like saying goodbye to long-lost friends. Lyn had been on the road for 2.5 years, Aoi and Robert had been travelling around Australia for a year and both were returning to Thailand where they live, John the Irishman lived locally and stayed at the lake often. Lyn and John were previous acquaintances and between them knew all the long term stayers in the park and gave us the low-down. Outside our back door it was almost the community meeting area. Geoff was in his element and managed to impart his opinion on all his pet topics. After getting a hug and a waving send-off from all, we drove up a back road to get as close as we could to the 15 wind turbines, took some good shots overlooking the camp on the other side, then headed to Bathurst. Stopped at Aldi and Woolies (remember the 2hr parallel parking outside the main shopping centre and woolies carpark), topped the van with water (Friendly Info Centre staff give you the universal tap handle to get water) and got gas from Bunnings - gas cylinder expired just 2 months ago, so we got an exchange one. Headed for Sofala on a scenic road, up into the hills then down to Sofala, an old gold mining town with many original buildings remaining. Went 6km on a sealed road into the camping area, this time we didn't get bogged in the stones, but found a shady spot down near the river (shady until the afternoon sun shone right in the back door). Geoff changed the gas clamp to fit, as the new gas bottle was a slightly different shape. It was about 34 degrees so I was still a bit heat stressed, we went for a walk (and found shady spots!), then Geoff flew his quadcopter and didn't loose it. There was one other van in our area, one camp further down and by nightfall three up on the upper level. Unexpected for a Saturday night, but we are pleased with the peace and quiet in amongst the sheoaks. As long as it doesn't rain in them thar hills, then we won't get flooded out.
It had been a cool night and we didn't get any sun until after it had risen a while, so we packed up in relative comfort. Went back the 6kms through Sofala and took identical photos as last time, it is such a unique town, with original buildings in original narrow strees. As Chaffey Dam (Bowing Alley Point Rec Reserve) is some 400kms away, we need to break up the trip and will stay at the Cassilis Rest Area. We had to go via Mudgee, a wine and coal mine region - bit like Maitland which is part of the Hunter Region, Mudgee is part of the Upper Hunter Region. Mudgee is a nice historic town, we found a double parking spot in the car park behind woolies (we usually avoid taking he van anywhere near a shopping centre), got fuel, some town water and we were off again. Halfway we stopped in at the Drips picnic area (we stayed overnight a couple of years ago, but very small parking area and during the day, especially on Sunday, there are lots of visitors. We parked up the top with a good exit road, and started on the walk to the Drips. It is on the western edge of a National Park (need to check the name). It has a knee- to ankle-deep very clean river, gravel and pebbles and a pebble beach. We started off on the 1km walk, but the heat was getting to me. Mudgee was to be 40degrees the next day. I also got bitten by mossies when I stopped to photograph some sandstone formation. Geoff saw a black snake drinking from a little grassy brook. On getting back near the carpark, I paddled off the pebbly beach to try and sooth my mozzie bites. The Drips (which we didn't get to are worth seeing if you are passing by - north of Mudgee before you get to Cassilis. Anyway, the temp started to fall so we knew Cassilis is higher ground. A couple of camps there. It is just a scrubby big behind a huge paved parking area, frequently by trucks and travellers. It has two separate toilets blocks (drop loos). We stopped in the same spot as last time to get the afternoon shade, the weather was not hot. Met Hans from another caravan and BS about power (solar, battery) in caravans, etc. etc.
After a cool night, luckily, we headed off towards Chaffey Dam. It was 20 degrees as we left and went up to 28 as we got on to the New England Highway. Stopped at Wallababah for a shower, then over to Chaffey Dam. The level is much higher than last time we were there (2013). Temp got to about 34 and we found a big tree and moved the van twice as the sun went around. The area has lost about 50 mtrs of shoreline from last time, so eveyone is cramped in. We stopped on top of the hill near the toilets, previously this had been a very steep long walk up from the where we camped. But it wasn't too bad and didn't have any direct neighbours. Later when it cooled we took the kayak in and paddled around for about an ours or so, going into the deeper water to swim off the kayak. Even the water was warm, with patches of cold, only just cooling us off. We paddled in the shade of all the trees that had previously been the camping area and it was really nice, just floating in the shade. Because we had such a good paddle, Geoff didn't need to do a morning paddle so we deflated the kayak and we eventually had dinner at around 8pm (still light - ahh daylight savings) and sat on the hill overlooking the lake, until the mossies moved in. We both saw the International Space Station go over.
I awoke, as usual, at around 6am and wanted to pack up early as it was going to be 35 degrees today (38 in Mudgee and 39 in Scone) and we were heading for a national park near Armidale where it would be cooler, higher up on the New England. Luckily the sun rose late over the hills to the east and it was a little cloudy, so the sun just broke through as we were leaving. The road from Chaffey Dam to Tamworth is a lovely ribbon road, through small farms and follows the Peel River with lots of English trees. We should have turned left at the New England Highwy to get fuel, but thought it was right, so kept going anyway as we had 250kms distance to empty and Armidale was only 100kms. Stopped at the Moonbi lookout over Tamworth and moved on to Armidale to get fuel (yes we made it despite the high hills coming out of Tamworth). Got fuel, went to Aldi and headed for Dangar Falls Gorge camping area in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. Road in was paved for 9kms, then 10kms of rough or corrugated gravel road, no pot holes, but shook the car and van most of the way. Arrived at the camping area, found a temporary semi-shady spot to turn on the fridge and very level and spoke to a guy and his 5 year old son who were just leaving, they told us there would be Wallabys grazing in the morning. Their spot was shadier, so we moved and then spent the next 45mins trying to level the van. It was 30degrees in the van, but the breeze was cool so I think we have dodged the really high heat down in Tamworth. Went for a walk about 2.30pm. There is no water in the gorge, but the landscape is beautiful, rugged and craggy and the camping area is a typical dry Eucalypt forest setting. Took one of the walks overlooking the gorge in various places, but it was even hot up this altitude, so struggled back to the van for the rest of the afternoon. We had bought steak for dinner and there was a bbq at the gorge lookout, but it was a tad too far to walk from there back to the camping area. It was 32 in the van now and just imagined how hot it would be down on the plains at Tamworth. When the breeze did blow, it was a nice breeze though. (National Park camping has non-drinking tap water and drop loos).
The night was cool enough and dry, so very comfortable. Only interruption was a possum who walked on the roof all night jumping up and down from a tree. I went out to close the awning as I think he'd jumped on that a few times also. Awoke to see a beautiful sunrise over the hills above the gorge and a couple of grazing kangaroos and joey and we decided to pack up and leave before it got too hot, even though were were above Tamworth which was expected to be 39 degrees today. Went back over 10kms of dirt road, back into Armidale and to Bunnings to buy silicone (we detected a small hole in the sink, probably caused by the point of a knife which means the sink is a lot thinner than we thought). Back on the road and onward to Guyra, at 3,330 metres above sea level and expected to be 31 degrees. Arrived at 9am, waited a small while until a van pulled out and we set up in a shady spot. Only 3 vans here, but by 5.30pm there were 13 and another 10+ the other side of the toilets. It was very windy, but cool, at last. Walked into town (the camp spot is one street away from the main street) to see the markets of the Lamb and Potato Festival and then back to find our shady spot was only shady for part of the day - again. Went for a walk across the golf course to the wetlands and lagoon and took the same photos as we did last time. Observed some yahoos playing golf and their only volume was load and swearing. Could hear them from the top end of the golf course. They zoomed from pin to pin, tailgaiting each other in their buggies, at one point, hooking bumbers, teeing off and searing at each shot missed, then tearing off to the next hole. They came back passed the far side of the course about an hour later doing the last 9, so had probably stopped at the club to get tanked up again, what a bunch of morons - mid-20's to md-30's. It's a wonder the didn't get kicked off. Mother of Ducks Lagoon is a wide strip of green grass and trees backed by the golf course on one side and a street and bowls club on the other. Clean flush loos and town water. Remember to park in the spot in front which gets dappled shade most of the day.
A breezy, but sunny morning. We took our time as we were not going far today. Met a local lady putting up signs on the loos to the craft market at the Church as part of the Lamb and Potato festival. I saw the sign in town yesterday, but too tired to walk the small distance across the highway and up about 20 metres. (I have had a cough for a week which I can't shake off). The vans slowly moved out and we had a quick chat and laugh with a group still there, then on to the highway heading north. It was 23 when we left Guyra, travelled through some more Scottish named towns, didn't stop at Glen Innes, a lovely, largish town, but dropped into the Beardy Creek rest area 6kms north for a loo break (another free camp we have stayed at twice before). By the time we got to Tenterfield, it was 27 degrees and cloud just starting for form (we are getting close to the Queensland border, so expect it to be hotter and humid, but today is supposed to be the cooler day after days of soaring temperatures. Stopped at the Jubilee park in Manners st. (our usual break in Tenterfield) under some large trees and ate the last of our mini drumstick icecreams we bought yesterday. They wouldn't last the day in a turned off fridge. To go a different way home and to avoid Cunninghams Gap, we headed east towards Casino and Lismore for our last night. Also didn't want to tackle the mountainous road through the start of Mt. Lindsay highway, so we'll go home via Pacific Hwy and Gold Coast, which will be flatter. Whilst the Bruxner Hwy is windy, it is not as windy as the Mt.Lindsay hwy and is a good road. About a half way to Casino, we pulled into the Crooked Creek Rest Area in the Girard State Forest about 1.30pm. It is a downward, solid unsealed road about 400kms off the highway, with some open area, surrounded by Eucalyp and other native forest (not Pine forest this time). My last chance to sit on the chairs outside the van under the awning and read as it was now cooler. The cloud had come right over, but we set up in shade anyway, just in case the sky cleared. That was the last we saw of the sun for the whole day as the cloud thickened. Geoff flew his quadcopter as he had done at each location we stayed at (and still has it), walked down to the creek, spoke to the only other campers, found some mint growing (I'm guessing escapees from a camp) and picked up a leech in the process, luckily on his sock only. I walked briefly around and picked some mint. It is a very quiet place, no wind as it's down in a hollow, there are little Blue Wrens hopping around in the small tree and bush thickets and it is a very peaceful place. It has green grass, but the more strappy weeds were high and it had been raining, so feet and legs got wet and I, as usual, was concered about ticks (and leeches as well now). It started to drizzle so a longer walk was out so I read the next couple of chapters of Game of Thrones in the van, whilst Geoff was reading something technical on his phone. Later in the day we watched the 1st three episodes of Game of Thrones, to help me work out who was who. It was a confining, but relaxing day. Combined with the cloudy day, the light was fading early, as it does further north, so we had had dinner, seen the last of the Game of Thrones episodes and in bed by 8.30pm. Usually we hadn't had dinner and it was still daylight at that time.
Woke, as usual, about 6am. It was still cloudy, but still only misty rain, so hopefully we won't have any trouble getting the van out up the slight slope on wet grass and up that unsealed 400mtr track to the highway. Will stop on the way to get cough medicine, something I have been avoiding as I though it would be gone in a day. Update,we have just checked the map and it will be 80kms shorter to go via the windy, but scenic, Mt. Lindsay hwy. At that kilometre saving, we'll just take our time through the windy roads and enjoy the environment.