Maps and Data of Trip Dec 2012-13

PREAMBLE

WE WON'T BE OFFENDED IF YOU JUST WANT TO LOOK AT THE PHOTOS. NO NEED TO READ THE TEXT, IT'S PRETTY BORING, JUST A MEMORY JOGGER FOR US.

Part way through this trip I (Geoff) started using a separate application for showing the photos (Gallery 3.0.4 (Ricochet), Thanks Glen).

You can see the ones that are different because they have a World Icon to the left of the link. As I am new to this new Photo Gallery some of the images are not as good as others. The Photo Gallery shows thumbnail images that can be clicked on to see a bigger version of the same image (one image a screen) and if you click on that you can also see the full size image. To get back to the text of our diary use your browsers back button.

You can also go directly to the Photo Gallery (ie photos from 31/12/12) without reading all our text by clicking here

First drama happened even before we got out of the carport. Miscommunication on how close the van was to the wall, a few scrapes and a quick repair to the electric plug screws and it was departure time, TAKE 2.

The M1 (between Brisbane and Gold Coast) might be a good road for cars, but with a van it is bumpy with wide corrugations, bump, bump, bump. Past the spot where 5 young people were killed a few days ago, lots of flowers and people standing by to pay their respects. (they were hit by a car as they stood on the side of the road with a broken down car)

Stopped at Cabarita Beach for lunch and continued south along the coast road, back on to the highway. Had some early rain, but it was clearing to a lovely day, albeit very humid.

There seems to be as many trucks on this road as on the Newell. We stopped at New Italy rest area beside a series of buildings (museum, cafe, glassworks, etc.) in honour of the old Italian immigrants who settled in this area many years ago. The trucks are relentless so hope we get some sleep. There is one other van, a couple of bicyclists camping and a car. Loos very clean, open all night.

Photos 10/12/12

Last night was very noisy from the trucks on the hwy. It rained a little throughout the morning but cleared up. Last night met a couple who were bicycling from Sydney to Townsville. This morning they asked if we had any drinking water, apparently the cafe has a policy of not giving out water. I can understand not giving water to caravanners to fill their tanks, but 4ltrs to cyclists?, how stingey. Anyway we obliged (last time we gave water to someone was an Aboriginal family on the highway 200km north of Alice Springs). Anyway, we asked what prompted them to ride. They had been heavily into drugs, then found God, so decided to ride for Him. They have only one more phase to do, across from top of Qld to WA border and they have ridden the whole of Australia by bicycle. John thanked us for the water and said, “if you are into this sort of thing, God loves you for what you have done for us”.

Did a Cooks tour of the MacLean waterways area, along the road into MacLean and all the powerpoles with a Scottish Tartan on each. I think we passed the McGregor one before we realised it. Went up to a lookout, just as it starting raining again and then, through some patches of torrential rain, into Grafton for fuel and bread, including traffic jam across the bridge - reason? RBT. Bought bread and all those other things I hadn't planned to get and moved south. Found a rest area, behind the Shell Servo, huge grassed area, kangaroos, Blue Wrens and other birds, cicadas and trucks coming and going, but hopefully won't be as noisy as last night. Plenty of other campers and vans. Loos and showers at the servo inside restaurant, so clean and modern. Geoff discovered that the computer was not charging, so maybe a problem with the computer charger, the van battery or the car battery.

Photos 11/12/12

Last night was almost as noisy are the previous night but a beautiful morning, quite humid from some rain we had last night. Headed south and went through intermittent rain again. We headed for Coffs Harbour to find an auto electrician so did not stop at some of the nice places we had seen on previous trips. When we got to the Sikh Temple at Woolgoolga we knew we were close to Coffs. After navigating city traffic and two stops we found an auto electrician. Fingers crossed that he could fix the problem. This is the 6th auto electrican in 2 and a half years to try and get a simple electrical issue solved (i.e. car to charge van battery when moving and to not draw charge back out of van battery when engine stopped). Anyway the solenoid got replaced and the van battery was replaced so now it's just wait and see. Didn't even stop to see Coffs, traffic, traffic, traffic. Further down the highway we diverted to Urunga, a very quaint town, some lovely old buildings, right on the Bellingen River about 1km from the mouth to the ocean, beautiful. We could have stayed but needed to get some more K's under our belt seeing we had only travelled about 400km in two days. Stayed on the back road to Hungry Head, just a reserve, a couple of cabins, picnic area, surf life saving and a car park all amongst sub-tropical rainforest leading down to a beautiful estuary. We would love to have stayed there, but camping not allowed. Back on to the highway and dropped in to Nambucca Heads. Beautiful place, pity it is surrounded by suburbia. You can see from high up on the hill the magnificant estuaries, sandbars, surfbeach and coastline right around to South West Rocks, almost from the Woolies car park!! Moved on through Macksville which used to be another quaint town on the highway, but now has a huge shopping centre and the roadworks all along that area is massive. Turned off the highway towards Scotts Head where we had stayed previously, very nice but moved on to Grassy Head as it has no town just a caravan park. When we got there we realised we had stayed there before and as the aim was to stay somewhere different, we moved on to Stuart's Point. The town is on the Macleay River and the caravan park is on the foreshore. Nice little spot with a walking bridge across the river to a strip of land leading to the surf beach (1.8km return walk). Lots of birdlife, black cockatoos, pelicans, other birdlife and an Army Black Hawk Helicopter flying very fast and low then banking around at the end of the caravan park then disappearing into the wild blue yonder. As it was late getting in, around 4.30pm by the time we had set up, our kayak paddle will have to wait till tomorrow. (For the record :$26.10pn pwr snrs [$29 normal price], grassed site with shadecloth verandah base, very clean amenities, new SS sinks bathroom and laundry, code entry and codekey park entry, temp around mid-20's, very windy but protected from ocean sand dunes).

Photos 12/12/12

A beautiful morning, but the wind got up a bit as the day wore on. Went for a paddle downstream against the tide and 'messed around in boats' as Ratty did in Wind in the Willows amongst the Mangroves and cray pots. Sat and had lunch at the van and enjoyed the sunny day, then went out in the afternoon and did it all again, upsteam, and followed Pelicans, other water birds and ducks. Surprisingly I wasn't tired at all even though we had paddled for an hour each time - but I did get a blister. We had walked into the town, up at the end of the boat ramp - Pizza/Hamburgers, a small Local Grocers, Butcher's shop, Bowls Club, etc. and that's about it. A very quaint little town. Got 2 loads of washing done and enjoyed rest of the very sunny day. Temps around mid-20's.

Photos 13/12/2012

Another still, sunny morning. Thought twice about staying another night, but needed to move on. Although we were trying to avoid staying in the same place as previously, it was a choice a roadside rest area or the Coopernook Forest where we stayed previously. A no brainer even tough it was a couple of kms of dirt, but we knew the road. Arrived at this beautiful place, HQ for the forestry in that area, a huge grassed area, large pine trees and mix of other trees, surrounded by native forest. Quite a few other vans/campers, but we found a nice spot. We were a little concerned about the huge billowing smoke just down the road but the forestry guy says all is good, they have contained it. Luckily the wind, now very strong, was blowing it away from us. A big bang and a dead tree came crashing down and burst into flames. Fireman Geoff decided to walk over, in his thongs, to try and put it out. The forestry guy came back but wasn't concerned about that spot fire and he said it would be safe to go down that road tomorrow. I can't get used to the very looooooong sunsets compared to Brisbane, the gradually dwindling light is just so peaceful.

Photos 14/12/2012

Cloudy this morning, but not cold. Wanted to get closer to Sydney so we can get a good run tomorrow morning. Stopped at Raymond Terrace for lunch and fuel and continued on the Pacific Hwy. Dual carriageway all the way, so no trucks being held up by us. Checked out the rest areas along the way and accidentally found one on the river at Buladelah (Lions Park)- no loos but a lovely setting, with vans already there. Stopped at the Motorcycle Museum at Nabiac and Geoff got his 'fix'. A bit concerned about the stop we planned, Ourimbah rest area. Reports say it's very small so decided to check out the Service Centre and go to the loo at the same time. Car park was chockers (Maccas, etc) and we couldn't turn to go to the back area and found ourselves on the exit road and couldn't turn back. It was now Ourimbah or straight through Sydney and find something south of there. Nearly missed the turn-off as the signs were confusing but found the rest area and it is basically a small ring road with grass in the middle, with loos. Luckily found a spot that two cars were pulling out of and we could relax (at least I could, Geoff is always relaxed!!) At least one van and one motorhome are staying tonight, again safety in numbers. We are not far from Wyong so it's fairly suburban, but surprisingly very little highway noise. We'll tackle Sydney tomorrow morning (Sunday) - didn't really plan it this way, but probably the best possible time to go through. After chatting with each of the other van owners, as we went for a walk we joined the couples from 3 other vans who all popped over to say hello to the lady cooking her meat and veggies in a cute camp stove/oven on the park table. We all chatted and laughed for about 20mins and all the motorists who stopped for a loo break and then go again probably wondered what the convention was about, even though we were perfect strangers. But that happens absolutely everywhere on the road with Grey Nomads.

Photos 15/12/2012

Lovely sunny morning. Took off about 7.30am towards Sydney and stopped off at Berowra to do a walk in the Ku-ring-gai Chase national park. The walk looks flat on the map, but it actually goes down very steep to a bay, so took some photos at the top and and decided to keep going to Sydney. Interesting, we were in the middle of a town, had to park in the commuter train carpark as nowhere else to park, walked down a little laneway, came to a bridge over the freeway and into bushland and about 50m later you look over this magnificant landscape with Waratah Bay way below you and nothing else but national park. Back on the road to Sydney, we saw a Charade on the side of the road on the Sydney-Newcastle freeway. If I didn't know better I'd have guessed it was the little red Charade that Kristi used to drive on that road between Sydney and Newcastle constantly when she worked in Sydney - but this Charade was grey. A good run through Sydney then stopped at a couple of lookouts overlooking Wollongong including the Bulli Pass. Dropped into Kiama to see the blowhole. Kiama is the same as last time traffic, everywhere. Lovely place except for the cars and all the tourists!! Took a zillion photos of the blowhole hoping to get the 'good' shot then went on to Seven Mile Beach National Park for lunch where we fed the March flies. Back on the road, travelled through Nowra and turned off to Sussex Inlet hoping to get a paddle in the estuary/river. Found a caravan park on the foreshore which didn't have a pool or playground or camp kitchen, so it was reasonably priced, but having to pay for showers on top of the fee was a bit much. We got our paddle in and did 4.75kms. Lovely estuary, very wide, lots of boats so we kept clear of the channel. Tide was going out so it was a bit of a struggle when paddling against it. Suburbia on one side and mangroves on the ocean side which is controlled by the ACT as it is part of the Jervis Bay area. We'll drive into the township tomorrow on our way out. The weather has turned and expected to be in low 20's for the next few days, but we have had some good warm weather. (For the record: Alamein caravan park $25pn, plus for showers, pwr was an old lead unplugged at the other end where Geoff had to rummage through junk to get to - this place has seen better days but it is quaint, treed and right on the river- we've ignored the fact that our van backs on to the side fence of the house next door and that their little dog barks every time we open the van door).

Photos 16/12/2012

Woke at 5am to find no power. (next bit is my whinge for future reference, no need to read: We went back to the junk heap and found the leads intact and switches on. As some of the things in the freezer were a bit soft the power obviously had been off for a few hours. Turned it to gas and about 20mins later the power came back on. Woke again later and the power was off again, grrrrrrrrr. I had planned to have a nice microwaved hot chocolate and toast from a real toaster and finish off drying with the heater, some clothes I'd washed the night before (luckily bringing them in last night as it was raining this morning). After staying at free camps and coping fine, I expect power when we pay for power. Went to see the lady in the office….It was the power company and the whole of Sussex Inlet was without power, she was as happy as a lark it wasn't her problem. I thought, Hello….. we paid for a powered site! perhaps offer to charge us only for an unpowered site? Anyway she didn't offer any compensation but did tell us there was a bakery in the town. We packed up the van in the rain…I wasn't happy. Then the power came on about 2 minutes after Geoff disconnected the lead and put it away. I had a thought and as Geoff returned from the amenities he saw the look in my eye and he said without my saying a word, “No I am not unpacking the lead to the put the power on”..“but I just wanted to finish drying your shirt for 5 minutes and that would give me satisfaction”. We left, in the rain, with the shirt still hanging, still a little damp. Put it down to experience.

It drizzled rain for quite a while, we got fuel along the way, stopped for lunch at a nice roadside stop (Waldon's Swamp Rest Area), nice, could have stayed but it was too early. Decided to get bananas at Batemans Bay, couldn't get a car park so drove right out again. The highway stayed inland a little, but went through some lovely forest areas, travelled through Moruya and Bodalla and stopped at the Bodalla Forest Park Rest Area. Overnight only, lovely spot, formed sites for vans, ladies and gents loos that were two tiny buildings in the bush, with spider webs and all, but they were flush loos, clean and new loo toilet rolls (sorry needed this information for next time). There was a walk from the park which took you along a lake, it was very nice (it said 2km return, but it was actually 3km). We checked for ticks all along (as the sign said protect against ticks) and the track was narrow so no avoiding the overhanging grasses. There is some highway noise, but hopefully it will be OK. The rain cleared so had a good walk and then relaxed back at the van and caught up with emails, photo downloads, etc. (Happy Birthday Ra)

Photos 17/12/2012

It is 40 years today since we got engaged. It's good that one of us remembered ha ha. Sunny this morning and no clouds. It was a slower than usual trip, but we dropped into as many of the coastal towns as we could before the highway went inland at the Vic/NSW border. First stop was about 8kms away at Dalmeny, town was small enough, with an IGA, estuary/inlet out to a beach and caravan camping park on a small hill overlooking the beach. No trees, in the camping area, but would be ideal from which to launch our kayak, maybe next time. Drove to the boat ramp and the huge lake behind was the lake we walked along on the other side yesterday. Check out a few more placed, Mystery Bay one of them. Memories not as good as they used to be. We had gone some 50kms before we came to this picnic area near Tathra and realised we had been on this road before and through the town. Anyway, it was lovely all over again. I have said it before but the NSW coast is just spectactular and my favourites are the places where you have an estuary, leading out to a beach in a small bay with rocky outcrops at the point AND no people!!. All have the people, but some are just quaint little towns. Fingers crossed that the nice rest area we saw a year or so ago was still open. Genoa, about 10km into Victoria, used to be a caravan park, now a maximum 3 days stop, grassed, half treed, still has the old amenities block and cold showers. The old Princes Hwy is the entrance road and the heritage bridge has been renovated and looks lovely (walk into the town of Genoa - a pub and about 3 houses and that's it. The area is huge, so no problems getting a spot. Plum trees in fruit. Still getting used to the sunsets and it was still light at 9pm.

Photos 18/12/2012

Lovely sunny morning. Started off about 8am heading for Orbost to visit Aunty Lois. Checked out some other stops before arriving in Orbost. Harry arrived a little later and we all had a nice catch up. Had lunch at a stop not far from Lakes Entrance, navigated the L E traffic and then stopped at Kalimna West at an old homestead run by Parks Victoria (Much like the Gellibrand Hill National Park homestead at Greenvale). Unfortunately the homestead wasn't open, but the grounds were lovely, there was a rose garden, walks and some nice lookouts over Lakes Entrance. Moved on, heading for a stop we had not seen before at Rosedale, so went straight through Bairnsdale and Sale. Finally arrived at Willow Park and it is quite nice, green grass (moved), willow trees around the perimeter and porta-loos (no spiders, yeh). The storms in Melbourne headed our way, but we only got a little rain - it was mid-30's today. Apparently Willow Park has been in existence since 1900, I wonder how we missed it last time when we stayed on the side of the road rest area a few kms the other side of Sale. Anyway, there is traffic noise here, but we are lower than the highway, next to the river and it is a huge area with about 8 other vans.

Photos 19/12/2012

It rained regularly overnight and the wind blew strongly, but cleared to a sunny morning. Heading west into a strong headwind, we tried to slipstream a couple of trucks which worked for half the journey. We headed for Warragul and shopping - parking a bit of a nightmare and arrived at Mary and Jim's around 1pm. Parked the van in the same spot at last year, but somehow we managed to take much longer and a few unhitches to manoeuvre into the area. All was good. Tyler and Renesmee (Mary's grandchildren) were with Mary as Steven and Jackie became parents again, Jackie having given birth 3 days earlier to their third child, Mason Thomas.

Rest day at Mary's and catch up.

Photos 21/12/2012

At Mary and Jims's

Visit to Uncle Frank and cousin Jeannette - lovely to catch up. Very hot today, around 39 degrees. Evening caught up with Kristi (flew in last night), Dave, Trish, Ra, Joh, Stuart, Megan and Frank. Overnight at Dave and Trish's

Photos 23/12/2012

Xmas Eve lunch at Rob and Phil's, caught up with Lyn, Elaine and Sharon and Emily. Dropped in to Chris and Sue's. Glen flew in today. Overnight at Dave and Trish's.

Photos 24/12/2012

Photos 25/12/2012

Lunch at Rob and Shauns, dinner at Rob and Phil's, back to Mary and Jim's.

Lunch at Mary and Jim's, Steven, Jackie, Tyler, Renesmee, new bub Mason, Lyn, Kristi and Glen. Kath and Ken dropped in. Mary got her darts and hooky games and charades in.

Photos 26/12/2012

Mary and Jim's, dropped in to Steven and Jackie's, took kids for a walk, Geoff and Steven erected the basketball ring.

Photos 27/12/2012

Left Mary and Jim's, went down to Melbourne, into Southbank (Southgate?) to the hotel for Kristi's birthday. Left about 10.30pm for Lyn's at Queenscliff.

Photos 28/12/2012

Lyn's. Went to Chris and Sue's new house, Sue painted, Lyn and Geoff masked up, Glen arrived and he and Chris fixed doors and other stuff. Kristi and Dale arrived. Took kids for a walk.

Photos 29/12/2012

Lyn's. Took kids for a walk to the beach and park. Dinner at the Bowler with all, plus Laura and Ross. Saw a huge cruise ship sail out through the heads.

Photos 30/12/2012

Said good bye to Lyn and dropped her at the Queenscliff Ferry and headed back to Mary and Jim's. Went via Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads (traffic jams everywhere), in to Torquay (eventually after navigating around roads that no longer connected) and bought chips and potato cakes (the old fish 'n chips store is now derelict) and walked past the old Torquay camp site - boo hoo. Couldn't get a park along the old road to the back beach so kept driving out, past Rip Curl, Billabong, etc. Stopped into the Grovedale Pub and Geoff had a beer - almost 41 years to the day where we officially 'met'. Stopped at Waurn Ponds for fuel and shopping. Last time I was there it was in the mid '60's, with Uncle Graeme and Dad and there was just a pub, now it is suburbia all the way into Geelong. Had a reasonable good run and got back to Mary's around 5.30pm and we started to sort the van for a next day departure. Mary and Jim and Joan came home from the movies and we sat up long enough to say Happy New Year (Jim piked).

Photos 31/12/2012

Said good-bye to Mary and Jim who will be off to Singapore tomorrow for their cruise. Fuelled up at the Shell Servo at Nar Nar Goon and they kindly let us top up our van water tank (with Melbourne water). Had a strong tail wind all the way. Diverted to see the brown coal Yallourn power station. The sign at the bbq said, powered by electricity generated by whatever the power company's name was….sounded like 'see we gave you a free electric bbq so don't criticise us for polluting the world….' It was very hazy all around that area right across to the mountains. Being a windy day it couldn't have just been morning mist. Followed the old road into Traralgon, made a pit stop at a lovely park and then continued on to Willow Park at Rosedale. We had stayed here on the way in. Only a few more vans than last time. The wind continued strongly all day but it stayed sunny and was not too hot. Investigated our next move to Kosciuszko then took advantage of the looooong sunsets and went for a walk into the town at 6.30pm. Rosedale is a very small town, it has historic markers around the place and dates back to 1850's and some of the older buildings from around 1886 (Grandma's birth year) are still standing. So it was a nice walk into and out of the town, past the cows grazing and back to the van to have dinner at around 8pm. The wind only died down a little around this time.

Photos 1/1/2013

Sunny morning, still windy. Headed east with a tailwind again. Stopped at Sale for a lettuce then went out to Marlay Point. Lovely quiet little spot on Lake Wellington which is huge. Free camp, but it was too early. Some trees on the foreshore and short sandy track (more like a car park) and some nice grass with picnic tables in front of the Yacht Club (One motorhome made themselves at home next to a table). Plenty of space along the in-road if we wanted to stay. Moved on along the alternate road to Bairnsdale to keep off the highway and diverted to Paynesville. When I was there some 30 years ago it was a sleepy town with lots of boats, now it is suburbia with lots and lots and lots of boats (many very big), a ferry across to the island which is now suburbia and new housing estates back to Eagle Point. Stopped long enough for a photo and dropped into Eagle Point for lunch. A much quieter place, still suburbia, but has a caravan/camping park on the foreshore, a pier and Kings Lake/Jones Bay - actually a nice little place. Travelled in to Bairnsdale about 10km away, got fuel and took the Bruthen road to by-pass Lakes Entrance. Stopped at a Gorge Lookout and arrived at Murrungower Picnic and Camping area. Lots of travellers coming and going for a loo stop but as at 5.30pm we are the only van staying overnight. Nice little stop, a bit close to the highway, a large grassed bollarded area with drop loos in the middle, perimeter grassed camping areas and enough space for about 5 or 6 vans. We did the small loop walk through the forest then came back to sit in the filtered sun for a while and fed the mozzies. Good for an overnight stay.

Photos 2/1/2013

Fuelled at Cann River and had to line up for about 15 minutes and then headed north towards Berridale, not knowing if the cut across road via Dalgety was sealed and we had had a few conflicting stories. Turned out it was a good mountain road not really windy, but went up into the high plains. We stopped at the NSW border and took the obligatory photo of Geoff then stopped at Bombala for lunch. We booked a caravan park and the lady was right, the bridge between Dalgety and Berridale was closed, but there was an unsealed divert adding an extra 6km to the trip, not too bad but I could hear the van filling with dust. Berridale (Southern Cross Motor Inn and Tourist Park) is very basic park, with permanent vans where people come up for the week-end in winter, being so close to the ski-fields. $25 pn, power and water, amenities and laundry. The whole place had seen better days, but we had the facilities we needed.

Photos 3/1/13

Travelled through Jindabyne, past Smiggins Holes and Perisher Valley to Charlotte's Pass to the summit walk at Mt. Kosciuszko. It was hard slog, in full sun all day but a coolish wind (39 Melb, 32 Berriale, mid-20's on Mountain) We saw a Yellow-Bellied Black snake which I almost stood on as he was drinking and didn't seem to be in much of a hurry when he realised we were there. At the 4.5km mark we crossed the Snowy River at it's first touch with civilisation. We stopped at Seaman's Hut (built by Laurie Seamen in memory of him and a companion who perished in the snow in 1928, we passed patches of snow and there was a loo at Rawson's Pass. All along there was spectacular scenery as you would expect. 18km return, 9.30am - 1.45 up, 2.30 to 5.40 down. We considered to return via the Main Range walk which was an additional 3.5kms where there is good views to the west and of lakes, but seeing it from the summit we could see it was not downhill all the way, but up and over a number of ranges before getting back to Charlotte's Pass so returned the way we came up. My back muscles wouldn't allow it even though my legs were good, my feet just got me back the way we came. More exercise to strengthen back muscles if think. Geoff was fine and his legs started to hurt a little near the end. The last 100 metres to the car was the icing on the cake. On the way down the mountain we stopped at the Jindabyne Surge tank and we both stepped out of the car our legs went wobbly and we looked like penguins. Another car pulled up and the 3 occupants got out and all limped around, but they all had burned back legs. They had obviously been on the walk also, but we kept putting on sunscreen all day. Oh yes, the March flies, swarms all the way up to and including the summit - relentless, biting through socks and anything they could get their whatever's (teeth, stingers?) into. Back at the caravan park, the amenities had baths so we both soaked our sore muscles. Stayed again that night at Southern Cross Motor Inn and Caravan Park.

Photos 4/01/2103

Hot morning and it's only 7.30am. Hooked up the van in the sun and both of us felt like having another shower. Fuelled at Berridale and headed for a camp by Blowering Dam. The road is a combination of gradual climbs, some windy upward bits and lot of highplains level driving once you are up there, with wide open spaces and no trees. We bypassed Cooma saving us around 10km, stopped near Midllingbank to see the southern end of Lake Eucumbene but turned back due to inaccessible rough road inside the park area. Moved on through Adaminaby (good move getting fuel from Berridale), finally got a look at Lake Eucumbene at the Murrumbidgee River inlet, just a concrete drain really, very unimpressed. Stopped to look at Kiandra which is now just an historic building, old goldfields and a cemetery on the side of a hill. It used to be a whole town, like other goldfields towns. It was too hot to look around so Geoff took some photos and we kept going. We stopped at Sawyers Rest House which is an emergency hut for winter, similar to Seaman's Hut. Built in 2009 to replace the one destroyed in the 2003 fires. Nice little day picnic area, green grass, table and a drop loo. The weather was cooler as we were up higher again and quite pleasant and we hoped our camp would be just as high. We didn't stop at the Yarangobilly Caves as the road was unsuitable for caravans so headed for one of the camps. Came down from the highplains and arrived at Jounama Creek camp, overshot the turnoff, u-turned back and then just in the access road came to a very steep unmade bit. Geoff, of course, said we could get back up but I knew better so we backed up some 50mtrs with some debate, then got back on to the highway to try our luck at the next camp and realising it was very hot outside. This camp didn't have a tick in the book (not the insect) but it was closer. Anyway, we eventually found a spot, not too far from the water, but a bit of a climb down. Plenty of power boats and we could see the next two camps along the shoreline. A lot busier than here (and the week-end) so we were OK here. By this time it was very hot, distressingly hot. We changed and went down to the water, muddy edges, some slick from a tinnie which had just pulled in but it was water. Slushed through till we got some clearer water and swam amongst the dead bushes. Came back to camp, Geoff inflated the boat and after some difficulty getting it into the water, avoiding sharp rocks and sharp dead bushes (it is a blow up kayak) we went into deeper waters and swam off the kayak for about an hour. We got back to shore and immediately got hot again. Geoff checked the thermometer and it was 40 degrees. The van was even hotter as we couldn't get much shade (a bit of a joke seeing we were in the Kosciuszko National Park). It had been a still, sunny day and clouds came over, the wind came up but remained hot, there was lightening in the distance, but no cool change. At 7pm it was still 38 degrees. The rest of the evening we sweltered, the beds too hot to lay in. Later through the night it cooled a little.

Photos 5/1/2013

Woke to a nice, coolish morning, hoping it would not be hot today. A fraction of shade as the sun rose, then full sun again. Geoff came in with good news and bad news. Good news he could get 2 bars of signal down by the lake, the bad news is he could get the weather forecast and it was going to be 42 degrees today, ahhhhhh. We decided to check out Tumut Power Station 3 and Talbingo township (an old Snowy Scheme town). We back down to Jounama Creek camp and it was very nice beside this lovely creek, but I doubt we would have got the van back up. We drove around to the Tumut 3 power station but it was closed for maintenance, up a mountain to a lookout of the Talbingo Dam, then down to the dam. It was really hot so went back to Talbingo and went to a public loo, heaven, it was cool inside. The small shopping centre doesn't even sell bananas, just two cafes and a couple of other stores. Went across the road to the park next to the Talbingo Pondage. There was a small gravel boat ramp and no boats and the water was clean to the edge, heaven again. Another couple who were travelling had the same idea about a swim as us and we all 4 entered the water together. There we stayed for about an hour, the four of us talking the whole time. They left and we got out feeling just a little cool, wonderful. By the time we got to the picnic table we were hot again. For the rest of the day I wore a wet scalf around my head and shoulders. Back at the camp we sat for a while before going for another swim. At the waters edge, we navigated the mud and family of kangaroos, who had been there yesterday also when we pulled the boat in. I bet they will be glad when the summer is over - people always interrupting their drinking. I have never seen kangaroos knee-deep in water before. Anyway, had a swim and didn't really feel cooler and sat in a wet dress, shirt and two scalves to try to keep cool. It actually worked for a while. At 8pm it was still 33 degrees. It is expected to be hot for the next few days. I hope I can last.

Photos 96/1/2013

Another hot night, but cooled down early morning. We got up before the sun came up behind the hill and moved the van to another spot some 10mtrs away, hoping there would be a little more shade. A little success but as the day unfolded it got to over 40 degrees again. We went for a paddle at 7.30am to get in some exercise without fainting from heat. It was a lovely paddle and we did about 3 and a half kilometres and then swam from the kayak for about half an hour to cool down. During the day we went for another swim and wet down my clothes and scalves and wrapped myself up to keep cool. Geoff participated in a teleconference for the AGM for Corinda whilst sitting on the edge of the lake. It was still 37 degrees at 7pm.

Photos 7/1/2013

We packed up early before the heat got into swing and checked out the other camping areas along the lakeside on our way into Tumut where we did the supermarket, fuel and filled our water bottles. Drove through Gundagai, went to a lookout over the town, avoided the shoppings centre and followed the Murrumbidgee for a little way, then back on to the Hume Hwy to see the Dog on the Tuckerbox as someone had said it is all fenced off and you have to pay to see it. Not so, it is still in the same place, no fence, a little fountain behind it and a couple of cafe places. Thank goodness it's only the addition of cafe's that is different from when Geoff, Ra and I went to Sydney on our motorbikes in 1972 and the boys had their photos taken at that same statue. Decided to stop at Jugiong, now bypassed by the freeway. Lovely little place, we stayed overnight last year and new the nice park. The weather was stinking hot and gale force winds, so sat a little in the van under some shady trees to each lunch quickly and got on the road again. Some15kms east of Jugiong we head a bit noise and discovered the exhaust pipe had cracked where the extractors met the catholitic converted (technical talk for it fell off onto the road whilst doing 90kms/hr). We pulled over on a very narrow shoulder, with Geoff half under the car about half a foot away from the white line bordering the 110km/h freeway, with semi-trailers and B-Doubles wooshing past and almost pulling the umbrella from my hands - scary stuff. I knew my hi-vis shirt would come in handy, useless on Geoff so I tied it to the back of the van to give early warning. Geoff only had nylon rope which would probably have melted so put some old rags between it and the engine casing and hobbled along to a safer stopping place, not being able to hear each other for the noise. Found a small road and pulled into the turn-out lane and rang the RACQ who put us on to the NRMA and put us on to Paul at the BP Roadhouse - back at Jugiong. Whilst Geoff was on the phone a police car pulled up, lights flashing, so I explained what had happened and he asked if we had drinking water. He sat further up the road until we were able to back up and then cross over to the westbound lane and travel back to Jugiong. Safely arrived with nylon rope intact, the BP was about 1.5km from the rest area, so we dropped off the van under a shady tree, Geoff took the car back (as he drove off it sounded like one of those top-fueller drag cars - we had heard Michael brother's dragster and it was LOUD). Geoff walked back in the 40 degree heat and we tried to cool ourselves for the rest of the afternoon. 5pm the car was ready, Geoff walked back to pick it up after it being welded temporarily so all was good. This was happening amidst bushfires in locations all around, but far enough away not to be a threat to us. At least we weren't in the bush. Saw fire trucks raceing all around and the sun got blotted out with smoke all afternoon. Luckily we didn't keep going to Harden as there was a fire along that road. The Jugiong fire was overhills from us and the Gundagai fire was too far away. The wind persisted and then about 4pm a sprinkle of rain and the temperatur dropped to 29degrees. 15 minutes later it was back up to 37 degrees and at 7pm it was still 36 degrees. At 7.30pm a lot of locals arrived, presumably for a briefing on the fires as there was a local fire truck amongst the cars. When it was dark we could see the embers on the hills to our east (and took photos) but we were safe as it was still blowing eastwards away from us. Jugiong showgrounds/Rest Area is grassed has quite a few shady trees, has water taps everywhere and at the park there is a bbq, flush toilets and a swimming pool - stay by donation. The southern boundary is the Murrumbidgee River but no access as it's too steep and scrubby. Nice little place. What a day!!

Photos 8/1/2013

It was a much colder morning and hopefully we get some reprieve from the heat. As we headed east we could see the blackened hills and smoke still coming from hills behind. I think the Hume was blocked back at Gundagai but we had no obstruction, even when we turned north to head to Cowra. Stopped at Binalong which is a lovely little historic town then moved on to Cowra for food, fuel and to a Ford Dealership which the guy who welded our exhaust back on said, go to the Ford Dealership to get the computer re-set so the engine warning light goes out (which had come on with the exhaust piper drama). We found the dealership, drove up their driveway and Geoff noticed the engine warning light had gone out. I didn't realise all we had to do was to drive up the the Ford dealership driveway (what service). Maybe Geoff just didn't notice earlier that it had gone out! We continued east, having seen the Japanese Gardens and the Cowra Japanese Prisoner of War ruins on previous trips. We stopped at another historic little town, Carcoar, which we had bypassed last year. Again, lovely, quaint and nearly every building looked heritage listed. Looks like an old gold-mining town. Got our first glimpse of the wind-turbines and knew we were at Carcoar Dam turn-off and luckily found a shady spot even though there were lots of campers/caravans. The wind was still strong so decided not to go for a paddle. (Carcoar Dam, tiled amenities with 2 cold showers and flush loos [still has some bugs but not like the Huntsman on the loo lid and bull-ants on the seat of the tin shed loo at our Kosciuszko Nat.Park camp], loo paper and handtowel, tank water for drinking and piped dam water - luxury- most areas are uneven, mostly grassed or dirt, lots of shade.)

Photos 9/1/2013

It was windy this morning (an easterly thank goodness), I guess that's the area we are in, given the 16 wind turbines on the hill across from the lake. It had also clouded over and was expected to be in the mid-20's, I'm not complaining. A local lady said the day will fine up - windy and clouding in this area in the morning turns into a nice day. She was right, probably 26 degrees and cloudless, but still windy. We went for a 3.5km paddle early afternoon, keeping a watchful eye out for power boats/skiers (one when we went in, 4 by the time we came out). This lake is a fraction of the size of Blowering Reservoir so can't really go to a remote part. The area is not very treed and is cattle country. On our paddle we saw two properties, one very large, really nice on the water's edge, the other just huge - looked like 2 or 3, 4xbedroom, 2-storey homes side by side, 6-car garages and acres of manicured lawns - there must be money in Bathurt. We also saw cows and, of course, wind turbines. Got back to shore safely and sat most of the afternoon in the shade with me trying to the get perfect shot of the Blue Wren which kept flitting around all afternoon. The van was COOL as we are under a most beautiful, mature, Pin Oak. Shade almost all of the day, makes a big difference. Tomorrow is expected to be 37 then Sat and Sun 38 and 40 respectively. We have decided to stay till Monday when the temp goes down to 30 then make a dash for the next stop, but then it goes up again so fingers crossed. Isn't it sad when all I can talk about in our travel diary is the weather. Putting things into perspective, Ivan told us it has been 45 degrees in Alice Springs and we know it's been hot in Victoria and Queensland also.

Photos 10/1/2013

Windy last night, beautiful clear, cool morning, still windy but easterly so getting coolness off the water. The temp steadily rose to a top of 35 degrees. A guy who arrived in a van said they'd been dodging bushfires on the NSW south coast. We went for a paddle early afternoon and swam off the kayak in the deeper clearer water, then sat around in the afternoon, me reading a book and Geoff sorting out our travel photos. It's great to relax but I don't know how people can sit around their camp/van all day, every day like some of them do. We did walk to the wind-turbine lookout not far from the camp last night after dinner but it's too hot tonight. It's Friday night, chips night, but Geoff forgot and I didn't remind him!!

Photos 11/01/2013

Happy (Technical) Birthday Nana. Another hot day, sat around, paddled and swam off the kayak. Didn't do much else except talk to the couple from the van next door about how to do a Pa job on the fridge vent to just get us home. 36 degrees today so a little cooler but still too hot for me. As it will be 41 degrees where will be heading to, we'll stay her tomorrow and head off Monday. Mon, Tues and Wednesday seem to be the coolest upcoming days (just below 30) at most of our destinations. I finally got a reasonable shot of the Blue Wren today but when going back through the photos I have shots of a Blue Wren in a few places all the way from Kosciuszko - I wonder if it's the same one.

Photos 12/01/2013

Happy (Real) Birthday Nana. Last day here and it started out hot and was 32 degrees around noon and then started to drop - phew the change was here. We went for another quick paddle and swim which was still lovely and there were much more power boats/skiers out today, being Sunday. The shore was packed with cars and boats - not the day to do a long paddle as we did the other day. Probably the first day we had relaxed without being heat-stressed. By 5pm most of the boats and cars had gone and it was, again, just a very quiet, leafy spot by a tranquil lake, still lots of vans but very quiet. NOTE : For a quiet time, try to avoid week-ends, Fri and Sat nights were a little noisy with boat-people in tents.

Photos 13/1/2103

Wind ebbed and flowed during the morning, but it was cooler. Headed for Bathurst, stopped at Blayney as we heard a rattle, what had gone wrong now……OK. only the TV tray in the boot of the car. Moved on to Bathurst and did one lap of the Mt. Panorama racing circuit - stopping at the actual top of the mount where there is a picnic area and the council roadworks guy (waiting for the water truck) took us on a guided tour to the lookout and gave us a 15 minutes tourist blurb - I guess he liked talking as much as Geoff. Completed our lap through the Esses and down through Conrod Straight to Pitt Straight and have now dubbed it Tom's Memorial Lap. After getting supplies, left Bathurst for Sofala the oldest living mining town (in NSW?? the sign didn't say). In 1888 there were 25,000 people and the town stretched for 16kms along the Turon River, today it is just a qaint little 2-street town, with some very old buildings, a cafe, a B&B, a Post Office and that's about it. We drove through the town for 6kms following the river, until we came to the overnight stop on the river. A flat area with drop loos, tables, chairs not much shade and a lower road with camping spots under Sheoaks along the river. We found a nice spot not far from the flat area and backed the van until the rear wheels of the car bogged down in the stones. The road looks like a solid stone road, but away from the middle it just sinks down. We unhooked the car and decided to try and get the van out later. We went for a walk along the river - you could see the level of the last flood, about 4mtrs up and found some interesting communications cables handywork. Before and during our walk we had two offers to pull us out so I wasn't panicing too much, but WE decided to try and get the van out. Half an hour later, having used tow rope to inch the van forward, the jockey wheel digging into the stones or rolling off the boards, we finally got it close enough for the car to hook up on solid ground. Up to the flat we went and re-established our camp, in a shady spot, as it was now around 6.30pm. The rest of the evening was uneventful. (Sofala 6km along the road)

Photos 14/1/2013

It was a cool morning and we took our time and left, heading for our next stop at Bowling Alley Point (south of Tamworth). The main road into and out of Sofala is very hilly with some very steep climbs and inclines. Stopped at Windemere Dam for lunch and continued to debate if we had been there before (must check our previous tracks). It was warming up, probably 30 degrees by now. On the way into Mudgee we wondered where Tom used to work as a shearers cook. Lyn, may remember, but Tom told Geoff it was about 20kms from Mudgee but not sure what direction. Arrived in Mudgee and it would have been at least 35 degrees. This was supposed to be one of the cooler days. After stopping at two places, finally found someone who refilled gas bottles, we later found out we'd been charged for a Swap 'n Go - not happy Jan, got fuel and bought bread and bananas. Heading out from Mudgee we passed many vineyards, lots of state forest and just to the east was the Gouldburn River National Park, which was closed due to fires. So we didn't take the short-cut to Merriwa. At Ulan, instead of nice forest, there is massive open-cut coal mining going on for kms. We passed the 'Drips' a picnic area where we stayed last year, but a bit dicey getting into so, again, we needed a good escape route in case of fire. By the way the 'Drips' are worth stopping off at. You can walk along the Gouldbourn river (shallow and rocky) with overhaning cliffs that continually drip creating ferns gullies, etc. A little gem in scrubby forest. As it was 3pm and we were no-where near our next stop we pulled into a rest area we had seen last year. A huge paved area, share with trucks, so enough space for vans out of harms way and a bushy area beyond the bollards. So we are stopped in a bushy area, with afternoon shade but close enough to the paved rest area in case a fire appears out of nowhere. Good internet and mobile reception unlike last night where there was nothing. (Cassilis Rest Area - Golden Highway, 2km east of the Ulan Road intersection - drop loos, picnic tables)

photos 15/1/2013

It had been a nice cool, clear evening and the stars were very bright and luckily we had some shade in the morning. Headed past Cassilis and across to Scone on the New England Hwy. It was getting hot so fueled up and kept moving and stopped at Burning Mountain Reserve for lunch. We did the walk last year - the mountain is literally burning underground. It is a coal seam and has been burning for around 6,000 years. At the end of the walk there is a boardwalk observation area and you can see the hot air quivering out of vent holes in the surface and from the edge near the cliff. The walk itself has some trees but is fairly sparse as it covers the previous path of the undeground fire and a lot of the tree roots had been burned and not a lot grows in the soil. Moved on north on the New England Hwy, pasted some very quaint towns, then east again across to Nundle into the hills. Turned north again back towards Tamworth and finally arrived at Bowling Alley Point Recreation Reserve. The lake was down a little from last year (the water was up to the grass) but the short distance to the water was mostly stoney so the water was very clear. After taking about half an hour to decide where to put the van so it had maximum shade (not many trees here) and Geoff sitting on the chair waiting for me, ha ha, we set up, had a quite snack and went paddling. The lake was clear, only one power boat, but we are also in an 8 knot limited area so we almost had the whole lake to ourselves. The skiers stay mostly back around the point, but even that was quiet today. We swam around the kayak to cool off then paddled across where we saw a couple of turtle heads pop up and down, some fish jump, then paddled back around, swam again, so were out for over an hour. Sat by the lake under a little shade and had a drink and relaxed. It was expected to be about 35 degrees here which it was, but having been in the water for some time we were comfortable. Later decided to go for a swim then we chatted to a couple of other campers, one of whom is from Lightening Ridge had been here since Xmas (there is a 7-day limit here, ha ha) he says he loves tunnelling so much that the opal just gets in the way of his tunnelling…hmmm. We then went for a walk around the point and took the obligatory thousand sunset photos and back for dinner at 8.30pm. (still can't get used to daylight saving). After dinner we sat looking at the sunset (yes still setting) and it was about 9.30pm when we came inside (forgot to spray my feet - but the mozzies weren't too back actually). It had clouded over a little so couldn't see all the stars, but the moon had a foggy aura, it was nice. All in all it was a lovely day, very easy access to clean swimming water (20 metres), not too hot, no power boat noise, just peace and quiet. Oh yes, no cows this year - last year they just grazed through the camping area (they do have a fenced off area for those who don't want cow pats).

Photos 16/01/2013

Today is expected to be 37 degrees at Tamworth (higher elsewhere in NSW) so we are heading for the Armidale area up on the tablelands, which is higher and cooler. We passed Armidale without going into the town and decided we wouldn't go to the Dumaresq dam/lake this time as we'd done that last year. We thought we'd stay at the Mother of Ducks Lagoon overnight stop at Guyra as it's the highest town on the New England Hwy so should be cooler. Luckily we were right, it was 29 degrees and quite pleasant. We went for a walk through the historic town, then into the main drag for the Lamb and Potato Festival (which I think is timed to capture all the passing Tamworth Music Festival attendeees (TMF starts tomorrow), then walked back via the reserve and golf course back to the van. By 6pm there were 20 vans in our area and probably the same amount on the other side of the toilets. It is such a lovely place, willow trees, manicured green grass, overlooking the golf course (1st tee off is about 10 metres from the first van) with the lagoon/bird wetlands (a bit dry at the moment) behind the golf course. The other side of the road is the back of all the town shops, so it's not residential and the sign says overnight camping so we are 'legal'. Geoff did some running repairs on the engine (the power steering fluid is leaking on to the radiator hose, so off came one of his socks which was tied around the hose to prevent any further hot fluid from dripping on the hose. Fingers crossed the hose was not strangled by the 'firm' application of the sock by Geoff. Sitting on our chairs relaxing I realised we had one day less than I thought (can't blame daylight savings for this one). So it is still up for debate whether we go straight home tomorrow, if so via Warick and the dreaded Cunninghams Gap or back through windy up and down Gwyder Hwy from Glen Innes down to Grafton and the coast, or stop half-way along at our last stop near the Nimboida National Park. Watch this space. It's going to be another nice sunset.

Photos 17/01/2013

It was a warm morning and knew it would be a scorcher at lower altitudes. Left around 9.20am and went through other lovely New England Hwy towns, Llangothlin, Glen Coe, Ben Lomond and got fuel at Glen Innes. Turned east along the Gwyder Hwy (Geoff's choice) which was a lovely drive through a number of national parks. The road was steep in parts, but very good surface. We inevitably went down a National Park unmade track (me hoping there was space to turn around) and saw some lovely rocky falls and then stopped at three lookouts and on our descent could see the Mann River which is lovely - very wide, shallow with large rocks. The overnight stop we were heading for was supposed to be next to the Mann River bridge. We saw a log sign ahead with a nice entrance and slowed down in case it was another National Park facility - it was a Correctional Centre. Finally arrived and it was really just a picnic area, with one lot of shade, steeply overlooking the beautiful river. However, it was fenced off at the end of the park, so no access. As we were now down on lower altitude, the temperature was 37 degrees and with no access to the river and being only lunch time we decided to keep going. (At least the car had aircon) Drove straight through Grafton and on to Casino where it was even hotter. Got fuel at Casino and Geoff decided we wouldn't go out to the coast via Lismore, but go straight north, but that meant going through the Border Ranges to get home. We pulled up at another overnight stop, quite nice, but it was now 39 degrees so we had another drink and kept going. Travelled through Kyogle (on the foothills of the Ranges) and gradually started to climb. It is such a lovely area, much greener than Grafton and Casino, with rolling hills and the Ranges in the background. We came to a road which we had intended to cut through which follows the railway loop tunnels, but the sign said 'Unsuitable for Caravans or Trucks' so we had to stay on the main road and go a little further west the long way round. We turned off (me hoping again we wouldn't get caught in a dead-end) about 1km down a narrow road and stopped at the Moore Park Nature Reserve - a lovely, treed, picnic area, exceptionally clean drop loos, tables and wood bbq, very green grass, next to a mountain river. Unfortunately, it was a day use area (according to our Camps book) and was run by the National Parks Service. This area is miles from nowhere and would have been a great spot to stop, but we moved on. We were probably about 150kms from home but needed to get across the range - the last time we did the trip the road was very, very bumpy even though it was sealed. Luckily, they had resealed it and, although it was windy and steep in parts, it was a good road. We stopped at the Qld/NSW border and parked at the 'Cattle Tick' inspection station which was closed - no other car park. It was a little cooler but still hot. We took photo's of Geoff at the border sign, of the vermin-proof fence which follows the border (the same one we saw at Coober Pedy on our July trip, thousands of kms to the west) and then started to descend the range. We were on our homeward leg. Passed through Rathdowney, saw a nice looking property - horse fences, many nice looking buildings - it was another Correctional Centre! We checked out another overnight stop on the way (I think Langham Reserve), bought potatoes at Beaudesert (about 50kms from home and about 70kms to Brisbane) (it was chips night) and amazed at the housing development from there right through Jimboomba (it now has another huge shopping centre) and then the turn-off to Forestdale. Conscious that many accidents happen within 1km from home, we arrived unscathed to a cooler temperature, about 30 degrees (usually it is the other way around). In total we did around 5, 554kms.

Photos 18/1/2013

Some hot, hot weather, longer stops in a couple of places, lots of paddling and swimming from the kayak. Seeing all the family and friends in Melbourne and surrounds was great and the highlight of our travels was walking to the Summit of Mt. Kosciuszko. Lowlight - dropping an exhaust on to the Hume Freeway in 42 degree heat and Geoff under the car less than a foot from the white line with B-doubles and semi-trailers sucking the air as they zoomed past. From just north of Gundagai we followed almost the same route home as we did last year as that was where the lakes were and it was even hotter further west. During our trip we saw Tom's Bridge, Flynn Creek, Perry Creek, Charlotte's Pass, Mt. Connor, Tommy's Gully, Mason Gully, Tylerville - I'm sure the other names of our clan are out there somewhere.