2023 to Melbourne

In Czech

Maps of trip

TRAVEL DIARY 15/12/2023 to 12/1/2024 Melb & return

32 deg left 12pm, got to 38deg travelling, stopped at Heifer Creek (Gatton to Warick Rd,). Lovely area just mowed, trickle Creek. Still 36deg and too hot so moved on to Allora. Stopped at Allora, 37 degrees but 3pm, bound to get cooler. Waited about 15 mins, winds swept through, strong gusts, cooled to about 32deg, enough to not have to travel another 250km. Dalrymple Creek park. Nice spot next to huge parkland/field, surrounded by small creek with golf course at the back across the creek. Just an unsealed car park for park and toilets, room for about 8 vans. No grass but a few shady trees. Flush loos. Short walk distance to main street. Lovely old town. Cafe closed, no hamburger/fish n chips and pub doesn't do take-Away. Walked back, Geoff had noodles, I had baked beans. Some rain but didn't cop the big storm that hit Brisbane (Forestdale in between 2 super cells that closed Brisbane airport). Cooled nicely to around 25degrees.

Photos 15/12/2023



Off by 7am. Stopped at Warwick to get small evap cooler, yoghurt and hair brush. Arrived at 7.30am but they don't open till 8am. Moved on to Stanthorpe where they have woolies, aldi, think coles and IGA. Travelled further south on New England hwy and temp went down a little as we gained altitude. Temp went up to 32, down to 24 going close to a rain cell, up to 29, then 32, then down at Glen Inness to 28 then down again at Guyra, the highest town on the New England hwy. Then back up as we descended a little at Uralla where we stopped early for the night (30deg) at the Fossicking area. Alternative was another 170km and down on the plains below Tamworth where it was 37 degrees. Not much shade but bearable, newish drop loos, a few spaces, lovely little creek, lots of family groups swimming, sandy beach and rocky area. We'd been pre-warned by Wikicamps about the rooster, and he was there. We'll get to bed early and he can be our alarm clock. As I write waiting for the rowdy locals being Saturday night to arrive. All calm at 8pm. 3 other vans.

Photos 16/12/2023



No locals arrived, very quiet night, 3.30am rooster crows for about 10mins, then 4.30am again a series of crowing. Again at 6-7am. Very cold last night, 3 doonas. Headed out by 8am, 19 degrees and got hotter as morning progressed and we descended in altitude. Stopped at Tamworth fuel post office/fuel, then driver reviver then Aldi. Went via Werris Creek instead of following new england hwy on to mountains. This way about same distance but less mountainous. Stopped at Werris Creek freedom camp with showers, just ok but good on the council for providing this facility. No donation box, no shade, picnic table, annex to sports/ show ground, unmanned, patrons help to maintain. I cleaned the floor even though I didn't shower. Temp got to 35 degrees. Stopped at Black Stump rest area for lunch, but quite hot. Through Coolah, Ulan, Mudgee, Sofala historic town for loo break (no plums this year) then to Bathurst for fuel (UNITED IS PAY STATION ONLY). On to Carcoar dam, not as busy as last year but took spot from last year. Geoff took out the kayak. About 28 deg on arrival, pleasant but got cold later.Drove about 500km today.

Photos 17/12/2023



Cloudy, cool. Wind coming off the water. Temp went up as we travelled down highway. Went via Cowra, wagga Wagga, Corowa, Barmah. Basically reasonable roads. Temp got up to 35 degrees. Did 622kms today. Lovely evening with Mike and Val, had bbq then went for walk, balmy evening.



Left Mike and Val's around 12pm. Tried to coordinate with Diane and Mick but eventually they were just leaving Melbourne as we were at Shepparton so missed out on seeing them this year. Weather turned cool and parka weather at Bonnie Doon. Set up van and Ra and Joh were to be in Melbourne for dinner but was cancelled so they arrived home at dinner time.



Very cold, very windy night. Cleared to sunny morning but still breezy and cool. Was to leave van there but they were having a big contingent of visitors and vans over the xmas period so Rob said good to leave van there (they had offered previously but Phil had just had surgery and didn't want to ask initially, but he was home and doing well). Travelled to Rob and Phil's to drop off van, say hello to Phil and see his progress after heart surgery and to see Lyn. Went to Dave and Trish's.



At D&T. Out for dinner including Robyn and Shawn. Talked to K for some time later.



Chatted with D&T in the morning. Went to Bunnings, and other shops. Dinner with D&T.



With Dave and Trish, dinner at Slicers pizza.



Shopping. Fish and chips for dinner.



To Chris and Sue's for xmas lunch. Back to Dave and Trish's.

Photos 25/12/2023



Pick up Lyn, all to Mary and Jim's. Lots of cuppas and a walk.



Sat around, then to Pakenham with Mary. Stormy day. Had lots of cuppas.

Photos 27/2023



Kids coming home at 3pm so needed to leave as Jackie tested positive for COVID and Lyn didnt want to risk giving to Phil. Went to Lyn's in convoy from Rob and Phil's. Spoke to Kristi in evening for her birthday. She was good, but tired. Chips and potato cakes for dinner.



Did some washing. Went for walk then shops then sat in afternoon chatted and had lots of cuppas. Chicken Kiev for dinner.



To Queenscliff for red shed theatre group storage, to beach and light house then to Laura and Ross's. Salmon Wellington and crumbed fish for dinner.

Photos 30/12/2023 

To Rob's for 27/2023 pick up then to Mary's. Weather turned nice. Went in and out of Knox Westfield car park. Aldi at Scorsby. Good trip to Mary's. Jim spoke to neighbour and we parked across their nature strip (Spoke to Bev on our way out, lovely lady). Spent quiet New Year eve chatting, cuppas, and in bed by 9.30pm.

Photos 31/12/2023

Left Mary and Jim, met Ivan for couple of hours in Traralgon, shopped at Woolies, fueled at United Rosedale, pulled into Willow park, Rosedale around 5.30pm. Met Patsy the farmer, first time pulling van (used to sleep in swags). Temperature was 29 degrees, lovely.

Photos 1/1/2024

After Geoff spoke with Patsy about roof and awning pull down, left heading to Sale. Spoke to Aunty Lois and will see her tomorrow.Stopped at Sale for food and went to Mount Taylor mountain bike area, camping. peaceful, drop loos (watch the mozzies in the loo). lots of little blue wrens or robins, resident monitor lizard. Quiet with mountain bike riders arriving (in cars) and going, and families for the bmx track. No issue, most drove slowly on gravel road. sealed road, only about 100 mtrs of good gravel road from camp. 4 other vans by 5pm. (Back home Never thought we'd think ourselves lucky to just get 119mm of rain at Forestdale in 24hrs. But we missed most of the 3.5m lightning strikes (15/12 to 31/12) (compared to 350,000 last year at same time), destructive winds and tornados.) Huge heavy rain just bypassed us all day and rained light to medium all night.

Photos 2/1/2024

Sunny then cloudy. Stopped for shower at Johnsonville boat ramp. Then drove through Lakes Entrance on to Orbost to see Aunty Lois. Had a lovely chat, Geoff had some old photos then she took us to her room and showed some old photos and current family photos and some of her art. Doesn't do bowls any more and at 92yo she's entitled to do anything she wants. She is still bright as a button, with a lifetime lung issue. Left and Geoff dropped in and had a very quick hello to his cousin Steven, then we headed on to Cann River, with a storm forming. At Cann River, storm caught up but luckily only light rain. Put the back awning out, for only about the 3rd time in 10 years but was handy as it was raining and it acts as a verandah for our back entry door. Sun came out about 6pm. Hopefully sunny tomorrow but not too hot.

Photos 3/1/2024

Light showers last night, cloudy today. R&R today. Sun came out briefly. Short walk to river, then into town. Toilet cleaner must be on strike, toilets not cleaned no loo paper today, (we always bring our own) nor in public toilets in town (unusual as public loos are next to rose garden, library and RSL complex, not some drop loo on the side of the road). Camp a bit noisy tonight van pulled up close to get water,family with teenagers. Not a big issue but just talked loudly, laughed and yelled having fun, no concept of personal space being so close to others. (vans about 2mtrs away from us).

Photos 4/1/2024

Left Cann River about 7.30am, Stopped at Cooma then at the Hyrdo electric display a little north. Stopped overnight at Bredbo inn (same as last year). Had dinner at Inn, Geoff had fish and chips had salad I had roastbpork and veges. Backbackers talked till late but all good. Remember there are bins at the Anzac rest stop in Bredbo.

Photos 5/1/2024

Left Bredbo around 9am. Decided to give Canberra a miss, seen it before and don't want to delay unnecessarily (Kristi wasn't well last night so don't want to delay getting home unnecessarily). Stopped briefly at Gurney VC rest stop where we had intended to stay tonight. Went into Goulburn for fuel (Metro on Braidwood rd, auto pay, was 169.9c/ltr, other were in 80's and 90's). Got shopping then moved on to Black Springs rest stop middle of town, pine plantation backdrop, generally quiet road. Lovely spot. Met a local on our walk who had lost 2 tiny, young goats, gave us his number in case we found them, he'd been searching everywhere. At end of our walk, can across his house and he said he'd found them. they had been locked in the laundry all the time! Weather was partly cloudy and in the very low 20's. Stayed here as it was Saturday night and the lake near Oberon (23km away) would probably be busy.

Photos 6/1/2024

Bit cool but not too bad. Geoff tested the heater and it started ok but got an error message primed it a couple of times, it started, with smoke and went for a while then error message again. Heated the van ok so will fix it at home. Headed for Reef Reserve at Oberon about 10am. Maybe a little early as some sites became available about an hour after we arrived. Difficult to find level spot. Guy was leaving so we left the very unlevel site and spent 30 mins trying to level the van on the more level site. Lady asked if we were leaving, I said no, they tried our original the site then drive off, then came back later and stayed. Geoff took out the kayak as tomorrow is expected to be 22 deg and rain. Had showers on top of the hill. Unhitched the car to take kayak to boat ramp (only lake access) and to the showers. From our highish slopy site we had a beautiful view of cows, green grass and lake. Lake is pretty, green grass to waters edge (limited access). Non-powered craft only (Petrol heads go to Carcoar dam). Exposed rocks in lake, concrete boat ramp. Last 1 or 2 kms in from main road is good, but dusty, gravel. Hard to see the sites, lots down tracks. Overall a lovely spot. Internet outside the van, none at all inside.

(Heater: NOTE check duct under bed stays connected to unit, only noticed as side of bed getting hot. Also don't use milk bottle platic to cover blank end of duct, it melts)

Photos 7/1/2024

As expected rain started early morning. Were able to get internet very briefly, only long enough to check weather and news headlines, then cut out. Rain persisted through the day, but edged the deluge that was heading to Sydney. Got internet on and off all day but able to catch up on news, texting, emailing, etc. Went for another hot shower and checked our other sites, many of which were muddy messes or smaller roads washed away but we were next to good gravel. Spent arvo trying to check road conditions, etc. Walked down to boat ramp around 7.30pm, sun had cone out, was lovely. Rain clouds starting to come over hill so went back to van. NOTE; smelly, drop loos at boat ramp, but loos on top of hill flush loos, hot showers, new facility.

Long drive 310km (For road description read on. From oberon took tarana, hazelgrove rd, scenic, good windy rd, down hill gentle 1 up and down but not anywhere near as steep as abercrombie River hill. at tarana sign to Oberon orher way so alernate road woukd gave been good, bur google maps tooks us via hazelgrove. from tarana heading north flattens follows river. a few pot holes from last nights and recent rain. curly dick rd sealed, then range road sealed, portland historic town. cullen bullen to ilford good road lookout up and down wth probably 1 lower gear up and down then on to Ilford, turned to kandos, on bylong valley way, another down heading north and various ups and downs.quite a few potholes along the way. road closer to bylong much rougher really bad patch after bylong, then a steep up and down, road worse after bylong. 33 degrees just before highway to Muswellbrook. Took Wynong road cut across. Went through heavy rain for short time, temp went down to 24 then up again. Near Muswellbrook took back road to Aberdeen, good road). Came out at Aberdeen stopped for loo break.Stopped at Burning Mountain rest area overnight, found same spot as last time, as most uneven. Rain held off and magnificant sunset. Geoff met lady from WA in small white van heading to Tamworth music festival.

Photos 9/1/2024

Headed out late. Stopped at Wallabadah for shower and temp was 30 degrees, then to Nundle (always bypass this). Rained on the way and temp went down to 24 deg. Arrived at Nundle and temp back up to 32deg. checked out camp 5km gravel road, spoke to young couple with baby, lady told us a brown snake had been spotted. Above an inaccessible river, not much shade so had lunch and headed back to Bowling Alley point to go for a paddle. Temp 32deg, whilst looking for best place to launch, rain came over heavy. Decided not to stay, rained for a while on the road to Woolamin, temp went down to 28deg and on arrival 10km down the road, they didn't have any rain. Set up, thunder rumbled all afternoon in the hills just south of us where we had been, so lucky with weather again. Got hamburger from general store, biggest hamburgers we've ever seen.

(We are seeing more people who are semi permanent in overnight spots. We are careful when we ask the standard 'where are you headed', some seem to keep work hours, off in the morning then home in the afternoon)

Geoff spoke to Ivan, then we went back to Bowling Alley point lake and Geoff had a paddle. Then on the road north from Tamworth, up the plateau to cooler weather. 35deg at Tamworth just up from the lake. Very steep hills on Moonbi 1 and 2 out of Tamworth, 35 degrees. Geoff kept an eye on car temp as we climbed, then luckily went into very heavy short-lived rain. Temp came down to 23 degrees, car didn't overheat so very lucky. Travelled along New England plateau and went back up to 29 deg (didn't go back up to 35 deg at least) and stayed there until after Armidale.Stopped at Uralla park, behind town lovely park, like at Glen Innes. As we climbed higher to Guyra, temp came down to 23deg then up as we neared Glen Inness. Decided to get to Beardy Waters just north of Glen Inness.

Photos 11/1/2024

At Beardy Waters Heritage park. Wind blew all night, needed to pull the roof down, piece had twisted on the awning and couldn't get it shut, so Geoff had to get pliers to it in the wind and spotting rain in the dark with me holding mobile phone torch then torch, but at least I could sleep and awning was safe from ripping. Geoff spoke to guy who was there for 3 months - everyone has a story to tell. Wind still blowing when we left and all the way home. Stopped at Tenterfield Jubilee park, lovely, some shade in mornings but was cloudy so didnt matter. As we left saw a good shady rd by the driver reviver, next to the river on way out north, NOTE FOR NEXT TIME IF HOT. Stopped at Wallangara driver reviver tea and bikkie, King Storm dam, lovely grassed area, no overnight. Drove on to Warwick for fuel and I drove to Allora. Geoff felt less tired and drove the rest of the way home, getting there around 4.30pm.

Photos 12/1/2024

END OF JOURNEY

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Google Earth KML file of trip

Ozi Explore PLT file of entire trip

• Excludes last day

From credit card transactions

• petrol 884.39
• food 570.05
• entertainment 282.68

• All 2036.22