Well, it's about time we slowed down the fun a bit, and write what's we've done & where's we been !
The long story.....( starting below with more blogs to come...)
The short story is.......we've crossed 5 borders, seen some great places & now currently in Kununurra W.A... And so looking forward to 'cruisin' around the Kimberley's over the next few months....Yay.
So what would you like to know about our trip?
*Fuel cost ? (really who cares - fill it up and enjoy the ride). But if you must know, the most expense diesel we've seen to date is $2.27..and if you don't want to pay that...well,it's a long walk! Feel better about what your paying now?
*How many kilometres we've covered ? (heaps with lots more to go) Approx 18,000klms and both vehicles going strong! Of course they're Toyota's.
*Where's the best place in Aussie so far? ( gosh, many favorite towns, anywhere there's a flowing creek & we can have our campfire I guess. But I do recall the historic town of Burra and it's old copper mine,left an impression).
*How are the kids coping? (Fine, told to sit down & shut up,haha,seriously they're still lovin it ! Enjoying their 'bunk beds' with the occasional sleep- out in the tent or swag...what more would a boy want! Great little bush walkers they are now too, the longest to date has been 8.6 klms. We've stopped Distance Ed,...yep,stuck it out for 9 months, but I'm no wonder woman.It was becoming quite hard to juggle.Boys now go from school to school, making new friends,and learning the 'different ways of learning' via Australian schools.....and I, enjoy no more headaches)
*Is there plenty of work out here? U betcha.Both John and I have succumbed to that 4 letter word on this trip.So if your willing to give anything a go...get packing,there's plenty of work out here.
*What's been the biggest drama? (Um...maybe losing the bike rack OFF the back of the van,yep, cruisin the highway at 90 clicks dragging my ass,um, bikes actually.Oh dear.Jack's bike suffered the most damage, with a grazed peddle, handle, seat, and snapped BRAKE cable to!!.Lucky he can still ride it ,just uses his 'shoes' to stop now, not his hands!!!....2nd drama was rushing BJ ,our youngest, to Timber Creek N.T Medical Centre.Yep, thanks to a 'gash to the head'.Our 3 little darlings have given up on the 'thong' throwing, ROCKS into water is now the go.....Just remember to aim straight, better still, DONT DO IT boys! Yes,there was lots of blood, tears and a lesson learnt.We hope? The doc did a glue job,stitches would've been to horrifying for mum, let alone BJ!
*Is it fun dragging a big dog around Australia? Well... it was great for a while... But it's a bit cruel having to keep her on the lease everywhere and if you enjoy dry wrenching while picking up huge dog poo's ,...than go for it...I am over it.... Although we love our pet so much.....man's best mate is maybe best left at home....
Gosh there's so many questions to answer about travelling.I could go one forever....
I know nearly everyone we meet who are working their butts off, just wish they were us...make it happen people.You have one life to live and if doing something like this has always got you excited...then get packing.There'll be no regrets.
Well,the last blog was more like a 'novel' so I'll try make this one a little shorter......Hmm,Yeah right!
Outback NSW is an interesting place,seems to have emu's galore, even walking the streets... Plenty of 'no fear' aborigine boys too....climbing 20ft high up trees and jumping into the river below,crazy.There's lots of famous people's final resting places too , Fred Hollows, Bushranger's Ben Hall, Captain Starlight,& Midnight's,we were luck to see most of them.There's the best zoo in Australia at Dubbo,the old gaol where our Jack took part in a theatrical performance, and there's even gold to be found if you have patience!
Many free camps around the state with quirky things that come with them, like the Swap or Donate camp kitchen at Whyandra, or the free mineral pool at Barmedmen..(where's that?- get your maps out) .Such great places everywhere,they stay in your mind ....especially the unique ones, or the camps where the boys get hurt,.... Or where we leave something behind....yeah, that's always memorable.
Spent a fun time boating,skiing & tubing on Burrendong Dam with old friends,caving at Wellington, seen the house made of bottles, enjoyed the Elvis Muesum & festival, along with a visit to the 64metre high ' Dish' Radio Telescope at Parkes. Near Condoblin, we visited
"Utes in the paddock"...which is a line of old Holdens that have died, then resurrected by great artists, and some viagra!... Interesting. See photo's..
It was around this time we'd decided to place the kids in school, choosing Alice Springs as the destination to settle for term 1 and 2.Knowing we were going to miss the start of term 1, we continued our journey cramming in as much as possible before making the cruise up the centre of Australia.
The mid western highway towards Hay is a good run, just make sure you obey signs about fruit fly control & eat up all that fruit...or bin it,which we all know is too expensive these days.Hay has a great showground camp site,the boys reckon the best skate park so far & the Murrumbidigee River was very brown & muddy when we drove over it.From here the big semi's & roadtrains, which I love the sight of, were in abundance as they do their weekly runs across the country from Perth to Sydney & Melbourne and back again.
The weather at Hay was becoming very 'cyclonic' as high humidity & very low circular clouds from ex -cyclone Anthony chased us out & further west.Joining the trucks along the Sturt Hwy we crossed the "Hay Plains" & wondered what the truckies do, to pass this boring area of Oz.The land is a 'taste ' of what the Nullabour is to many travellers........flat & bare.
We made it to Buronga & crossed the NSW/VIC border over the almighty Murray River into Mildura only to swing the convoy back around & camp in "NSW" at the Buronga Van Park.Such a lovely place we couldn't go past it.
Aussie's who live along this Murray River would have to be in one of the best places in this country.... I love it.All the small towns spread along the banks are just gorgeous and witnessing it in full flood was a sight to see.We took a ride on the Paddlesteamer "Melbourne" admiring the peace, quiet, and enjoyed pure relaxation.Almost had to boot us off....I'm definitely going back there one day.
It was here we got right amongst Mildura's flash flooding, very lucky we had the van hooked up at the time, when ridiculous amounts of rain fell on the town. We searched for higher ground,as the highway was flooding & to dangerous to drive.We eventually found a place & stayed on the side of the road near Wentworth for 3 days.Wentworth is a great little town,very historic, fantastic sandhills to run a mok on & it's the junction where the two biggest rivers in Oz meet.The Darling River, which is brown & the Murray River which was flowing fast & blue! Fantastic to see the colour of the water.
Quote for the day:
I used to say, good things come to those who wait...but come to think of it....the things that come to those who wait, are what's left behind by those who got there first!
Another family members lesson learnt:
Just after our 2nd son accidently placed mossie spray on his 'cuts and abrasions' he quickly asked .."Oh Mum, should I spray this on here ???"
Within seconds he got his answer..... burning skin...."ARGHHHHH" . But lotsa laughter coming from his brothers....
Something else to wonder:
Just what would you do, if you saw a endangered animal eating an endangered plant ??
Photo's do take a bit of time to place on here,there's SO many to choose from..... but I'll do my best to catch up...enjoy, keep dreaming,
Till next time,
CruisinDownUnder...
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Our journey from Winton to the QLD/NSW border.
Surprise, after many months of NO updates....we're still out there, just very slack at this blogging business !#!?
Those following us ,probably thought it's all been too hard living in 'a box'... And we've packed it in..um, a few family members nearly sent packin'... but no, this journey is far from over!
Travelling is SO addictive.Visiting new places and meeting 'locals' from the towns, some fascinating, some educational, and some.....just glad you've got that 'home on wheels' to move away from! Ha,they probably think the same of us.."thank christ the Mazlin circus has gone"
Absolutely LOVE this country,having done 'the lap' before,yet still discovering new & interesting places.Never ever, will you see ALL of Australia.If your currently planning a trip , I bet, as soon as you come back you'll be planning the next one...there's so much to discover, SO GET OUT HERE.
Well, time on the road has flown and during the past months we've dodged rising rivers, hail storms ( moved van undercover) and been at the wrong place/ wrong, time to be caught in flash flooding.Thankfully, we've remained safe, not always dry, but as you all know, the beginning of this year, Australia, has copped a lot of rain!
Thoughts go out to those effected by flood waters, cyclones or earthquakes and we really hope, all your insurance companies have made your life & recovery, that little bit easier.
Following on from our last blog,
We farewelled Winton, knowing up ahead, most outback rivers were on flood alert and you guessed it, we needed to cross EVERY one.Our original plans to fly over Lake Eyre from Birdsville, was looking (like the weather)-very dismal.Decided to spend 3 days in Longreach and see what happens.The Boeing 747 at the Qantas Museum was a 'huge cubby house' for the boys,they got into every bit of it.The cockpit with it's controls was great, they even found the black box, which is actually....ORANGE. Hmm,what?.The Stockman's Hall of Fame makes you proud to be an Aussie, seeing the routes of our early explorers,the hard live's of our Stockman, along with famous Aussie's achievements, just makes you appreciate this beaut country we're so lucky to live in.The Cattlemen's Bar & Grill Restaurant (near Hall of Fame).. We can highly recommend, great meal, atmosphere,and worth a stop to check out the patio and fan!
Well, it rained & rained.......all roads to Birdsville, were, yep u guessed it CLOSED.Bugger.
Driving IN torrential rain,we left Longreach, getting down to 40klms p/hr at times, because of water on the road.. A dangerous section of highway in the wet.We were told ,Illfracombe 27klms east, has a great little cafe.Well as the driving conditions 'were' crap, and our 'were' belly's hungry, we stopped, and were so glad we did.Yum food.Nearby, the Wellshot Hotel was the place to walk off our " breakkie feast" , it's also an interesting pub. NRL Cowboy's player, Matty Scott comes from here and there's a display inside, of a lad whose done the town proud. 'Money' and battered cowboy hats, hang from the ceiling, even 'one of' Lee Kernigan's hangs behind the bar. If your ever passing by ,pull in, grab a dollar note & learn how they stick the money to the ceiling, interesting, and a good party trick for mates back home.....Oh,for the tight people out there, you don't get your money back either!
Venturing 80klms to Barcaldine, we tracked down an elderly man we'd met last year in Bowen. Jolting his memory, he finally "remembered us", and was so happy for us to camp next to him in the van park.Gee thanks Eric?!#! We spent a couple of interesting days in 'Barky'.Not everyday does a Train Conductor invite you onboard the 'Spirit of the Outback' for smoko.Great stuff.So there we were, enjoying free drinks in the dinette carriage, chatting to passengers and staff!.Apparently the steep climb ahead was dangerous in the rain.Gee, seems road or rail in QLD is impassable during the wet ...anyone got a plane?
We found the very 'dead- Tree of Knowledge', can't miss it really, and inside the Australian Heritage Centre, we sat on the 'Seat of knowledge',which was not far from the 'Young Un- Tree of knowledge" (the dead one's offspring).... Yes, we left Barcaldine feeling very 'knowledgeable......
Santa found us & delivered his goodies at Blackall, within 5 secs the van looked like a 'paper warehouse' gone wrong!! A fun day though ,boys played with their gifts and we all filled our tummy's with ham,seafood & chocolates.( felt the effects for days after). It sure was a challenge to do "Santa" in a caravan,as the boys are older and 'curious'.....I lost count of the heart attacks suffered each time they ventured close to my stash holes! Phew!
We liked Blackall, a small town with lots of history.Enjoyed the old Woolscour ,which is the last remaining steam operated wool washing plant in Aussie.Last operated in 1978 & was here that Jacky Howe sheared a record, 321 sheep in 7 hrs 40 mins..WOW, only by blade clippers mind you!He also set a record with machines shearers, doing 237 sheep in 8 hrs..gosh, a sore back and hands for sure! We located his grave, donated some clippers, (ha ha), then enjoyed a refreshing dip at the Artesian SPA.Around the corner was the "Original" Black Stump.Exactly how many Black Stumps in Australia are there?? We've seen 3 'signed posted' so far on our travels.
We watched the Barcoo River rise, fall & rise again...man, we'll be stuck here if we don't make a run for it. So we pulled out & headed south....just as another storm was bearing down.
My head was glued to the laptop, studying the web sites of BOM & RACQ 'road conditions'.Many roads were closed any many of the towns we hoped to visit were now isolated. A decision was made to get out of QLD.Windorah,Birdsville, Quilpie and catching up with a friend at Roma will have to wait another day.
A quick picnic and play at the small town of Tambo, we then zoomed into Augathella to locate the famous Kenniff Tree (bushranger brothers) and other interests.We didn't stop for long.... it POURED,BUCKED DOWN,whatever you want to call it....the heavens opened up & we got DRENSHED.After a change of clothes, we drove on, in & out of the downpour towards Charleville, where, our trusty BOM site said there will be SUNSHINE.....get real, don't believe it.
Well, Charleville did have sun for us, however we didn't get that 'gut' feeling to stay.The boys enjoyed a quick whiz at the skatepark, which was full of rubbish more than kids..then it was on the highway again, south to free camp...somewhere.
Around 6ish I was feeling quite tired,as today had been long, especially driving in downpour conditions with potholes to miss.... takes some concentrating.About 100ks south of Charleville we pulled into Wyandra and found a lovely free camp, not far from the banks of the Warrego River.Hallejua..Clear skys,fireplace,hot showers,with a very 'unique camp kitchen'.Travellers here can 'swap' or leave their unwanted items...a great idea as travellers do accumulate a lot of 'unused stuff' while on the road.
After watching the SUN rise,it inspired me to....do the washing,as damp clothes don't smell nice after a while. Morning exercise was a walk to see the fast flowing 'chocolate' Warrego River.... Returning to pack camp,clothes and hit the road... not before trying the local pub's pie.....chat,chat,chat, with the barman....2hours later,we got on the highway.! Atleast it had stopped raining.
Cunnamulla was our next 'drive through',seems a nice town,spent a couple of hours looking around,visited the local weir,where the Warrego River was gushing over & there was fish galore to catch.Not by us though.A family photo with the "Cunnamulla fella" and it was full steam ahead to the QLD/ N.S.W border.
The road leading to the state border was dangerous at the time,both shoulders under repair, star pickets placed on both edges of the bitumen, making it dangerously narrow, thankfully no truck came along for this stretch as it would've been very tight. Tested my heart & towing skills I can tell you!
Hooray....on the 27th Dec we finally left the WORST roads in Australia and our home state.
Hello NEW SOUTH WALES.......but your still wondering whereweare now??? Stay tuned.
Funny thing from our 5 year old boy:
Shouting... "I've got NUTS", while at the table,....'Don't be rude' I said..then realizing he was pointing to his peanut butter sandwich.! Oops.
What John has learnt:
If your talking & asking questions to someone for more than 5 minutes....and there's no reply....best to stop talking...
......Poor lady was deaf.
I've finally added more pics aswell.Click on our photo album.
Cheers,
CruisinDownUnder
Those following us ,probably thought it's all been too hard living in 'a box'... And we've packed it in..um, a few family members nearly sent packin'... but no, this journey is far from over!
Travelling is SO addictive.Visiting new places and meeting 'locals' from the towns, some fascinating, some educational, and some.....just glad you've got that 'home on wheels' to move away from! Ha,they probably think the same of us.."thank christ the Mazlin circus has gone"
Absolutely LOVE this country,having done 'the lap' before,yet still discovering new & interesting places.Never ever, will you see ALL of Australia.If your currently planning a trip , I bet, as soon as you come back you'll be planning the next one...there's so much to discover, SO GET OUT HERE.
Well, time on the road has flown and during the past months we've dodged rising rivers, hail storms ( moved van undercover) and been at the wrong place/ wrong, time to be caught in flash flooding.Thankfully, we've remained safe, not always dry, but as you all know, the beginning of this year, Australia, has copped a lot of rain!
Thoughts go out to those effected by flood waters, cyclones or earthquakes and we really hope, all your insurance companies have made your life & recovery, that little bit easier.
Following on from our last blog,
We farewelled Winton, knowing up ahead, most outback rivers were on flood alert and you guessed it, we needed to cross EVERY one.Our original plans to fly over Lake Eyre from Birdsville, was looking (like the weather)-very dismal.Decided to spend 3 days in Longreach and see what happens.The Boeing 747 at the Qantas Museum was a 'huge cubby house' for the boys,they got into every bit of it.The cockpit with it's controls was great, they even found the black box, which is actually....ORANGE. Hmm,what?.The Stockman's Hall of Fame makes you proud to be an Aussie, seeing the routes of our early explorers,the hard live's of our Stockman, along with famous Aussie's achievements, just makes you appreciate this beaut country we're so lucky to live in.The Cattlemen's Bar & Grill Restaurant (near Hall of Fame).. We can highly recommend, great meal, atmosphere,and worth a stop to check out the patio and fan!
Well, it rained & rained.......all roads to Birdsville, were, yep u guessed it CLOSED.Bugger.
Driving IN torrential rain,we left Longreach, getting down to 40klms p/hr at times, because of water on the road.. A dangerous section of highway in the wet.We were told ,Illfracombe 27klms east, has a great little cafe.Well as the driving conditions 'were' crap, and our 'were' belly's hungry, we stopped, and were so glad we did.Yum food.Nearby, the Wellshot Hotel was the place to walk off our " breakkie feast" , it's also an interesting pub. NRL Cowboy's player, Matty Scott comes from here and there's a display inside, of a lad whose done the town proud. 'Money' and battered cowboy hats, hang from the ceiling, even 'one of' Lee Kernigan's hangs behind the bar. If your ever passing by ,pull in, grab a dollar note & learn how they stick the money to the ceiling, interesting, and a good party trick for mates back home.....Oh,for the tight people out there, you don't get your money back either!
Venturing 80klms to Barcaldine, we tracked down an elderly man we'd met last year in Bowen. Jolting his memory, he finally "remembered us", and was so happy for us to camp next to him in the van park.Gee thanks Eric?!#! We spent a couple of interesting days in 'Barky'.Not everyday does a Train Conductor invite you onboard the 'Spirit of the Outback' for smoko.Great stuff.So there we were, enjoying free drinks in the dinette carriage, chatting to passengers and staff!.Apparently the steep climb ahead was dangerous in the rain.Gee, seems road or rail in QLD is impassable during the wet ...anyone got a plane?
We found the very 'dead- Tree of Knowledge', can't miss it really, and inside the Australian Heritage Centre, we sat on the 'Seat of knowledge',which was not far from the 'Young Un- Tree of knowledge" (the dead one's offspring).... Yes, we left Barcaldine feeling very 'knowledgeable......
Santa found us & delivered his goodies at Blackall, within 5 secs the van looked like a 'paper warehouse' gone wrong!! A fun day though ,boys played with their gifts and we all filled our tummy's with ham,seafood & chocolates.( felt the effects for days after). It sure was a challenge to do "Santa" in a caravan,as the boys are older and 'curious'.....I lost count of the heart attacks suffered each time they ventured close to my stash holes! Phew!
We liked Blackall, a small town with lots of history.Enjoyed the old Woolscour ,which is the last remaining steam operated wool washing plant in Aussie.Last operated in 1978 & was here that Jacky Howe sheared a record, 321 sheep in 7 hrs 40 mins..WOW, only by blade clippers mind you!He also set a record with machines shearers, doing 237 sheep in 8 hrs..gosh, a sore back and hands for sure! We located his grave, donated some clippers, (ha ha), then enjoyed a refreshing dip at the Artesian SPA.Around the corner was the "Original" Black Stump.Exactly how many Black Stumps in Australia are there?? We've seen 3 'signed posted' so far on our travels.
We watched the Barcoo River rise, fall & rise again...man, we'll be stuck here if we don't make a run for it. So we pulled out & headed south....just as another storm was bearing down.
My head was glued to the laptop, studying the web sites of BOM & RACQ 'road conditions'.Many roads were closed any many of the towns we hoped to visit were now isolated. A decision was made to get out of QLD.Windorah,Birdsville, Quilpie and catching up with a friend at Roma will have to wait another day.
A quick picnic and play at the small town of Tambo, we then zoomed into Augathella to locate the famous Kenniff Tree (bushranger brothers) and other interests.We didn't stop for long.... it POURED,BUCKED DOWN,whatever you want to call it....the heavens opened up & we got DRENSHED.After a change of clothes, we drove on, in & out of the downpour towards Charleville, where, our trusty BOM site said there will be SUNSHINE.....get real, don't believe it.
Well, Charleville did have sun for us, however we didn't get that 'gut' feeling to stay.The boys enjoyed a quick whiz at the skatepark, which was full of rubbish more than kids..then it was on the highway again, south to free camp...somewhere.
Around 6ish I was feeling quite tired,as today had been long, especially driving in downpour conditions with potholes to miss.... takes some concentrating.About 100ks south of Charleville we pulled into Wyandra and found a lovely free camp, not far from the banks of the Warrego River.Hallejua..Clear skys,fireplace,hot showers,with a very 'unique camp kitchen'.Travellers here can 'swap' or leave their unwanted items...a great idea as travellers do accumulate a lot of 'unused stuff' while on the road.
After watching the SUN rise,it inspired me to....do the washing,as damp clothes don't smell nice after a while. Morning exercise was a walk to see the fast flowing 'chocolate' Warrego River.... Returning to pack camp,clothes and hit the road... not before trying the local pub's pie.....chat,chat,chat, with the barman....2hours later,we got on the highway.! Atleast it had stopped raining.
Cunnamulla was our next 'drive through',seems a nice town,spent a couple of hours looking around,visited the local weir,where the Warrego River was gushing over & there was fish galore to catch.Not by us though.A family photo with the "Cunnamulla fella" and it was full steam ahead to the QLD/ N.S.W border.
The road leading to the state border was dangerous at the time,both shoulders under repair, star pickets placed on both edges of the bitumen, making it dangerously narrow, thankfully no truck came along for this stretch as it would've been very tight. Tested my heart & towing skills I can tell you!
Hooray....on the 27th Dec we finally left the WORST roads in Australia and our home state.
Hello NEW SOUTH WALES.......but your still wondering whereweare now??? Stay tuned.
Funny thing from our 5 year old boy:
Shouting... "I've got NUTS", while at the table,....'Don't be rude' I said..then realizing he was pointing to his peanut butter sandwich.! Oops.
What John has learnt:
If your talking & asking questions to someone for more than 5 minutes....and there's no reply....best to stop talking...
......Poor lady was deaf.
I've finally added more pics aswell.Click on our photo album.
Cheers,
CruisinDownUnder
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