Carolyndavid's Blog

Day 25 – Mildura to Home Sept 16th 2010

carolyndavid — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 10:23:57 +0000

Today is our last day on the road – bugger! This morning it was quite cold as we set off from Mildura. The countryside is incredibly green, perhaps the greenest that we have seen this area over the years. We travelled across the border back into SA and then travelled onto Berri where we had organised to have coffee with Heather and Rob. They have just moved there as Rob has taken up a ministry to Berri and Barmera. Our coffee break was most enjoyable. From there is was express to Hockey Court. The Barossa looked magnificent, and the greens were quite different to what we had seen previously on our trip. We arrived home at about 3.30pm to find everything in order and over 120mm in the rain gauge.

What a trip of 5500Km – we saw some incredible scenery and many different parts of this great land of ours. Unfortunately it is now all done – time went very quickly. Where shall we go next?

Day 24 – Hay to Mildura Sept 15th 2010

carolyndavid — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 08:07:45 +0000

The weather had cleared this morning but it was quite a bit colder. We travelled across the Hay Plains – it was very green and a mass of widflowers with a lot of water on the roadside – before heading onto Mildura. We have decided to stay at a park across the river from Mildura in Buronga. We had checked this park out a few years ago when we were up this way. It certainly seems to not have changed much, although the owners are in the process of improving amenities. It is set on the banks of the Murray among tall gum trees and has a real bush feel – the sites are quite large with most being shaded. Yesterday they had over 75mm of rain and parts of the park are still quite sticky. After lunch we set off for the Botanic Gardens – compared to our last visit there we many plants our in flower. This park is vastly different to those we have seen in Brisbane and the Hunter, but none the less it too is spectacular in its own way. We then went for a quick drive to the lock and weir before returning to the park.

Day 23 – Dubbo to Hay Sept 14th 2010

carolyndavid — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 07:20:38 +0000

Overnight there was quite heavy rain but fortunately it had abated by the time we had to hitch up. This overnight rain resulted in us finding a small leak at the rear of the van – we need to add more sealant when we get home!. The rain did not stop for long and it then rained almost continually until we arrived in Hay. There was plenty of water lying at the sides of the road and in places over the road as well. Many creeks were running very high and were astounded at how high the Murrumbidgee was running when we got to Hay. Driving was treacherous – at times I was down to 65Kph – I was glad when the day’s driving had ended. After setting up we found that we were also leaking slightly through the seals of the front window and into the front seat – we will get the seals replaced when we get home. We then went for walk into the main street of Hay – it was cold with drizzly rain but some things need to be done!!

Day 22 – Dubbo Sept 13th 2010

carolyndavid — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 07:16:06 +0000

We awoke to a sunny morning and after breakfast set off for the Western Plains zoo. We went immediately to the giraffe enclosure as their feeding time was imminent – they were there waiting for us! They are elegant creatures and seem so gentle between each other – this was particularly so in relation to the mother and here youngsters. From here drove from section to section and at each section parked the car and walked to see the exhibits. This is wonderful zoo with so much space and the setting is beautiful. At the moment a considerable amount of work is being done however this did not detract from things. The majority of the exhibits are mammals from Asia and Africa – the only reptiles are the Galapagos tortoises. In the cheetah exclosure is was like cheese and chalk – in front of two sitting cheetahs was a tortoise who had ventured out of the surrounding moat!! The zoo is setup so that you drive from one section to the next, with each section having several exhibits close by – if you do not a car you can hire bike or electric powered buggies. The exhibits are in very large enclosures that are surrounded by a moat and electrified fence – when drive you cannot see the moat or fence from the road and it gives the feeling that the animals are free ranging. In addition to the exhibits there is an abundance of native birds and plants. Blue fairy wrens were plentiful and we even saw an azure kingfisher fly past us in a flash of azure blue and orange. Conveniently located at about half way mark is a kiosk that sells drinks, ice creams and other snacks at not grossly inflated prices. We had a great day – it was sunny most of the day although as evening draws in it is starting to drizzle rain.

Day 21 – Cessnock to Dubbo Sept 12th 2010

carolyndavid — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 11:26:46 +0000

We set off early this morning as there is a reported threat of rain tomorrow, and by getting to Dubbo early we might have chance to see the Western Plains Zoo this afternoon. The drive today was mostly through rolling plains interspersed with steep hilly terrain that supported a variety of industries – coal mining, viticulture, horse studs, cropping, cattle grazing and national parks. The roads were not all that good today – they were quite rough with many pot holes – ironically today it was announced that the NSW government was withdrawing some funding for roads!! In many places there was water lying on the sides of the roads. We made good time and arrived in Dubbo at about 1.30pm with the fuel gauge very low – the hilly countryside certainly chews up the juice!! When we tried to get into the van we found that the lock would not move and prevented us from opening the door-we jiggled things about and finally got in to found that the screws holding the lock to the door had been shaken loose!! We had a quick bite of lunch and made off for the Western Plains Zoo – the ticket provides access to the zoo for two consecutive days. Today we had a very brief look and we now have some idea of what we want to see tomorrow provided the weather allows us. By the time we returned to the park we found that it was almost full, with many young families and lots of young kids playing on the giant jumping pillow – it was great to see and hear having fun.

Day 20 – Hunter Valley Sept 11th 2010

carolyndavid — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 07:43:18 +0000

No trucks, no oceans, circus to bed by 9:30pm but then at 1am the drunk hoons started singing very loudly complete with guitar – I am beginning to wonder what raffle we won!! This noise continued until about 2am. I only wished the kookies had given a full call at 7am this morning. After doing a little bit of shopping we set off for the Hunter Valley Gardens, ‘Australia’s largest Display Gardens’. We were not disappointed with what we have read about the gardens. The gardens were opening in 2003, after 4 years construction, are simply amazing. It is set up as a series of gardens within the bigger garden with the plants being set off by some stunning architectural structures. We were surprised at how many of the plants we knew and have grown at either or both of our homes. The pictures I took did not do justice to what we saw!! Words really cannot describe what we saw!! We spent three hours and could have spent more. After a bit of lunch we set off for Wollombi, a historic village in the Hunter hinterland. This village has been around since the 1830’s, and while not big certainly conveyed the history of the place. It was then back to see the Australian Woodwork Gallery where we saw some fantastic examples of furniture and other products made from Australian native woods – these were stunningly beautiful and the prices just stunning!! And the final piece in the jigsaw was put in place – I had to go through a booze bus!!

Day 19 – Forster to Cessnock Sept 10th 2010

carolyndavid — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:54:02 +0000

No trucks last night, just the sound of the ocean but then at 7:30am the sound of a bloody chainsaws! Yes we had picked our day perfectly. The tree loppers had moved in to cut down a 10m high gum tree all in the name of ‘4 more sites for school holidays’ – not happy Jan!! Ah breakfast to sound of chain saws – what was that you said dear!! Now there are only 4 trees left in the park but as we were leaving the loppers were sizing up another one to go!! We will not be going back to that park. Today the road was gain mostly dual carriageway, but the number of trucks and cars seemed to be increasing. The road was that busy that the first rest stop we tried for morning coffee was full!! We travelled on and eventually found a nice spot at Kurrah on the shores of Port Stephens. Today we have noticed that the rivers, while just as numerous in previous days, are getting smaller, mind you the Hunter is very big and only 70Km south is the mighty Hawkesbury! From here it was short drive to the park at Cessnock ( Hunter Valley ) where we are staying for the next two nights. After a quick bite of lunch we went on a short drive to Pokolbin – the village and the tourist shops at the Hunter Valley Gardens. We have decided to return to the gardens tomorrow for a good look. A thunderstorm shortened things that forced us to return to the park for a short ‘time out session’ before going out for tea. Almost forgot to mention – the circus is in town and has setup just across an open paddock from where we are staying!! I wonder if they need a couple of clowns!!

Day 18 – Coffs Harbour to Forster Sept 9th 2010

carolyndavid — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 09:38:50 +0000

Today was the day of the big rivers. Our previous holiday memories did not do the big rivers justice – there are so many and they all are very big!! Like the day from Grafton to Coffs the river valleys were separated by small but steep ranges. The road today was mostly a dual carriageway, except for the section around Kempsey and Macksville. We took a small detour off the main road to South West Rocks and then down to Kempsey. A lot of this road was alongside of the Macleay River – the river flats were mostly taken up with cattle pastures. They were lush green grass and about 0.5-1m high. The park we are in tonight is just a stones throw through thick scrub from Hallidays Point Beach – the waves are continually booming and will not be overcome by the trucks using engine breaks tonight like the last couple of nights!! The park is huge – there are only three vans in here tonight – there seem to hundreds of holiday and residential cabins and about 100 vans sites. I imagine it would be absolutely packed during summer, very hot and with lots of mozzies. This afternoon we went for a drive to Tuncurry-Forster – these twin towns are on the banks of the Wallis Lake. A series of lakes ( Wallis, Smiths and Myall ) are feed by the sea and cover a vast area. While drive along the shoreline we saw a huge flock of pelicans. The channel where they enter sea was boiling this afternoon as the out going waters met the incoming tide. The main shopping precinct is not big ( it is very similar to Victor Harbor) and wasn’t busy but during summer I think is would be vastly different. While on our drive we had brief light shower of rain. When we returned to the park we were greeted with a pair of kookaburras sitting on the van next to us ( 3 sites away ) – in all I think we have seen about 10 kookies, and finally one gave a full hearty call( the first we have heard at close quarters on the trip so far ).

Day 17 – Coffs Harbour Sept 8th 2010

carolyndavid — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:15:46 +0000

This morning at the caravan park is was pancake time – the owners put on free pancakes for all at breakfast time. After our fill of the aforementioned we set off for Dorrigo National Park. Our path took us to the south of Coffs and then up the Belligener River Valley – this is a massive river when in flood and at other times just a river!! The road climbed fairly steeply and windingly up 700-800m to the Dorrigo tablelands – in several places there were rocks falls and the side of the road had been washed away. The Dorrigo National Park is a world Heritage Site with the rainforest centre sitting on the escarpment. From the centre a series of walks radiate out into the forest. The first we took was the ‘Skywalk’ – this is a raised platform that at its max. sits over 20m above the forest floor. At the end of the walk you are afforded magnificent views of the park and the Bellinger Valley. Next we took a 1Km walk into the forest – this was fantastic. It was great pity we did have sufficient time to just sit, look and listen. The wildlife was abundant – you could hear it and if you were lucky you might see something. We did see a lot of birds ( brush turkeys, scrub wrens and whip birds ) and a glimpse of a paddy melon ( a small wallaby ), but as quick as we saw it is ‘disappeared’. Obviously the plant life was abundant – huge trees, palms, ferns and fungi. The pathway was paved and in places was a boardwalk – along the walks were a series of information boards about the plants and wildlife of the forest, and info on where you were!! To walk through the forest in rain would be something else!! From here we travelled onto the township of Dorrigo for a bite of lunch before returning to Coffs to get some supplies and then to Emerald Beach.

Day 16 – Coffs Harbour Sept 7th

carolyndavid — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 08:50:14 +0000

Last night while having tea we could here the surf crashing but this was overtaken by the roar of trucks on the Pacific Highway – we are about 1500m from the highway! When we woke this morning we could hear the surf again! First thing this morning Carolyn did the washing and then is was off to Coffs Harbour. Coffs is a busy city(Pop: 26000) and really did not do much for either of us but it is very scenic. We walked around the jetty precinct – this is a marina for both pleasure craft, and they all were quite big, and commercial fishing. From here it was onto Woolgoolgla and to check out the beaches. At a lookout, on a headland, we saw a whale ( at a great distance ) – while here we realised that we also had our pair of big binoculars stolen at Bourke ( bugger again ). Also from the headland a fellow was parasailing – it does look as though it would be fun but not for me! It was now back to the caravan park, afternoon coffee and then another walk along Emerald Beach and the headland – this part of the beach was covered lots of crab holes. The scenery around here is fantastic but to get any place you need to travel the Pacific Highway – this is a real downer as there are roadworks everywhere and many drivers race like idiots!! And the surf is gone and the trucks are back!! Sweet dreams!