Canberra to Melbourne.

 

We had arranged a visit to Kellie’s cousin in Canberra and thought it would be good to try and check out a couple of the attractions in town, also we were to catch up with an acquaintance whom we believe to have been following us on previous travels!.

So on a hot and dry day we arrived Canberra, stopping off at Sharon and Paul’s we left the kids and checked in at a local caravan park, thinking we would be needing the aircon later in the day this was the best option.

The next day we planned to check out Questacon, this is a science based museum and learning centre for kids but also plenty to keep the adults amused. The highlight for our family was watching Dad hanging from the 3m vertical drop and letting go, quite the heart starter was that one.

Next on the agenda was lunch, first we needed to find a supermarket for supplies, not before sighting the bright orange Land Rover of Julian our desert nomad follower. You can check out Julian’s website www.sports-trek.com, from our first meeting a year ago in Sydney we have since met in the Simpson Desert and now Canberra, a case of who is following who?. After coffee we said our farewells and took the obligatory car photos and went on our way.

Our next stop was to be the Australian War Museum, now I had not done much reading on this and thought it was only the War Memorial and a small museum, WOW, what a surprise this place was, even Fred was taken in by all the stories and military equipment on display, if you are ever in Canberra I would highly recommend this attraction.

So after another yummy dinner thank you Sharon and Paul we were on our way the next day for Victoria, somewhere, planning for Cann River.

Driving out of Canberra the forecast was high 30’C but we were experiencing 45’C at some points, so taking it easy we made our way through Cooma & Bomballa before finally setting up camp at Cann River caravan park. This was a nice little spot with a shallow river running past the park which the kids could splash around in safety, we also took a quick trip out to the coast to have a dip in the ocean, our first of many for this trip.

From Cann River we headed west on the highway through Lakes Entrance where we all had a swim in the surf, Fred and Lil are now starting to like the surf and Fred is getting quite adventurous so will be keeping an eye on him more now. Lunch on the foreshore for me prawn sandwich with oyster entree was a great but we had to push on as Sale was our destination for today.

Passing through Bairnsdale and funnily Stratford (on the river Avon) we arrived safely in Sale, we had read about the showgrounds being well priced so checked in for two nights. From Sale you can explore to the coastal town of Seaspray and check out the towns old swing bridge which still operates.

We were now close to the appointment with the ferry to Tasmania so after two nights in Sale we made our way to Melbourne and a chance to catch up with Kel’s cousin Donna. We had an early dinner knowing it would be an early start in the morning for the ferry.

The Spirit Of Tasmania ferries run overnight most of the year so you have to book a cabin, during the peak holiday times they also run some day time crossing meaning you do not have to pay so much for the ticket, you then just sit in the common areas and take in the views. We arrived early at the wharf so stopped for a roadside brekkie before checking in and boarding the boat. Leaving the wharf the run across Port Phillip Bay was uneventful and it was only on entering Bass Strait that it was found the rest of the family did not share the same sea legs as Dad!. The crossing takes about 9hrs so for some the long low swell could not end soon enough but eventually it did and we approached Devonport and left the ferry to check in at the local van park to rest for the night, now our trip was really happening and Tasmania is to be our home for the next 4-5 weeks.

As you can see we have covered a fair bit of distance so far but so much more to see and do.  

The story so far.

We left the Hunter Valley the morning Wednesday 8th, this time our departure was less rushed and with fewer people to wave us off. We had planned to head to Wellington having missed the caves on our first trip which only got as far as Dubbo, taking the Golden Highway out to Sandy Hollow we cut across the Bylong Valley and popped out at Mudgee.



As it was getting late we decided to stay in Mudgee for the night which also gave us a chance to have a wonder through the town. Lovely little place with some very interesting old buildings which are being put to good use, the theatre below seemed unused but sure would make a fantastic venue for something.


The next morning it was looking a little grey and wet the direction we were heading, after a quick drive via Gulgong we made it to Wellington and headed straight for the caves, entry fee paid it was on with the tour of Cathedral Cave.




After lunch as it was so wet and chilly we decided to head south, the intention was to make Cowra for the night, we took the Mitchell Highway via Orange for a fuel stop. We released it was getting a little late in the day as we approached Canowindra, calling ahead to the caravan park to make sure they had room it was decided to stay there a couple of days to explore the area. Bonus on arrival was the pay 2 nights and stay for 3, the park is a little old but only has about 14 powered sites and a few camping sites used by backpackers working in the local fruit picking industry.
Canowindra has quite an interesting local story about the finding of some fossils of fish in the local area which were previously unknown species, from the initial finding back in the 1950’s to today they have built the Age of Fishes museum which we found to be very interesting.



From our base in Canowindra we were able to explore south to Cowra to see relatives for lunch (thanks Bruce & Anne), we also checked out the visitor centre which has a very cool hologram telling the story of the Cowra breakout. Heading out of town we took the chance to visit the site of the POW camp which housed a number of nationalities during WW2, it was here that over 200 Japanese POW’s died attempting a mass breakout in 1944.



I had found in Parkes this weekend they were holding the annual Elvis festival, been in the area we had to go to see what all the fuss was about. We made it just as the parade was taking place so missed a few but managed to catch the end.



Parkes is also famous for The Dish, the movie with Sam Read depicting the Apollo mission was based on this facility and it is still amazing to see the huge dish on the horizon when approaching. They now show a cool 3D movie about Mars and the various planets out there, all very interesting.



It was now getting late in the day so we headed back via the Henry Parkes Centre where they have the Elvis museum, car museum and old machinery exhibit, from then on we hit the road via Forbes.
We were only staying the two nights at Canowindra but decided on a third as the weather was looking hot on the Sunday, so a lazy day around town and the afternoon in the pool was a nice break. Monday 13th we packed up and headed to Canberra via Yass where we stopped for coffee with the boys (cheers Greg & David).
So the trip so far looks something like this, thanks HEMA for allowing me to use their maps in the blog.



We have a ferry to Tasmania booked 19th Jan so until then.

On the road and back again!!!

Happy New Year everyone and anyone following our adventure, 2013 was not even finished before we were to experience our first difficulties.
Having spent Christmas with the family we were keen to head off and meet up with friends in Victoria, I had made arrangements with a friend in Dubbo to stay on their property NYE so off we went.
Saying goodbyes and being a little teary we finally hit the road around 3pm NYE, madness I know but when you gotta go you gotta go!.

We only had a 4hr journey ahead of us and the excitement of going to Western Plains Zoo the following day was something we were all looking forward too, it was about 2hrs into the journey when the car decided to spoil our fun. 5th gear started to rattle, not an uncommon problem with this model of car with high mileage, I just wished it had appeared earlier but hey ho.
We made it to the property at Dubbo using 4th gear and had a quiet night with John and his grandkids before retiring for the night.
On New Years Day we decided to leave the property and head towards Dubbo with the van, worst case we could call the NRMA and have their mechanic check the car over which ended up being the case. Being the 1st Jan no mechanics were available so we checked into the Big4 van park and settled in expecting to be there 5 days minimum, it was decided we would see the zoo in the morning and wait to see what the local mechanics advised before continuing on, the car drove fine but 5th was an issue.
The next day (2nd Jan) I made some calls which confirmed know-one locally could assist with fixing the gearbox, I did make contact with Ben @ Modern Motors in Dungog who confirmed they had a new gearbox on the shelf and I could have it fitted the following Monday, decision made.
We visited the zoo during the day, it was quite hot around 32'C to be walking too much but thankfully this zoo your drive around and park up to check out the savannah exhibits thus avoiding getting to hot.

We arranged to check out the next day, the car should be ok to tow the van back and worst case we call the NRMA again. So on the 3rd Jan we drove back to the in-laws in the Hunter Valley (in 4th!), today the car was dropped off at Dungog and this afternoon picked up with a reconditioned gearbox, new clutch and flywheel, should last another 300,000km!.

This is a mural/sculpture at Merriwa, quite impressive showing the wool industry.

8th January we plan to head off for again, this time no going back.....

On a brighter note we sold the VW Golf we had for sale. :)