Freycinet

It was slow going to St Helen's from Launceston. 160 km took us 3hrs and i was worried we had been too ambitious trying to fit in Binalong Bay. But when we got to St Helen's we were too close to not go. Even tho it was cloudy, it was still worth having a look. Spectacular beaches along the southern part of the bay of fires. Plenty of surf for those interested and there were a few trying. Picked up some fresh oysters on the way. We would enjoy those later!!

Awesome travelling the coast road south to Bicheno and Freycinet Peninsula. The road straightened and flattened out significantly for this leg, so we were able to make much better time. 

Our first night at Freycinet the sunset was gorgeous. We joined a large congregation of the sunset appreciation club that night down on the beach at Coles Bay. So pretty. 

Our first full day was a rest day. Caught up on washing and had a bbq by the beach for lunch. Used our renewed energy to do the Wineglass Bay / Hazard Beach loop the following day. Walking up to the lookout was hard work, but check out the view!!

Met a cute family from Caboolture on the way up. So we had a bit of joke going to see who could make it to the beach first. We called it a tie in the end, but were impressed when the dad and son went into the water for a swim. Extra points for them!! But they didn't do the loop. Extra points for us for the extra k's!

It was a really great day. Proud of the girls for walking 11km and enjoying it. The clouds finally cleared well after lunch to reveal a glorious afternoon for viewing the beaches with the Mtns as the backdrop.

And there were heaps of old middens in the sand dunes and great shells as well. This is Hazards beach that the girls are walking along with their impromptu walking sticks just like the serious walkers!

Because the next day was forecast to rain, we decided to fit in a trip back to Bicheno to see the fairy penguins the same night after our big walk. Rewarded our efforts with a great pub dinner at the local in Bicheno before making our way to the beach to wait. We had to wait a long time. Checked out the blow hole that the Caboolture family had assured us would be a good place to go. Sure enough on full dark well after 9pm, the first of the penguins emerged. Super cute. Don't have photos tho as they don't like flashes - scares them back into the water. It was a big big day. Great day. One of the top 5 days so said the girls. :)

Next day poured rain as predicted. Coles Bay was still pretty tho, in the rain. Very misty and moody. G went and picked up rock lobster and abolone to try. Both were great, which is lucky for the dent they left in his hip pocket!! Rain stopped in the early eve so we had half a chance to dry out before the next pack. 

Down to Tasmania....and hot in Launceston

The drive to Melbourne went well until I got us stuck in the backstreets of St Kilda while looking for a car park we could fit. Folly! Our two way street turned into a one way (and of course the wrong way for us). Had to unhitch to get out of that jam!! Luckily we didn't make anyone too cranky while we took up a whole street for a while.

After that we got gun shy and headed straight 4 the docks. Eating on the ferry worked out just fine!! Actually the ferry was better than expected. Good food. Nice cabin. Ensuite with great shower - didn't expect that. We hit some big seas in the middle of Bass Straight, but nothing u couldn't sleep thru. Took a while to get thru quarantine in the morning, including to dig out some offending potatoes (oops - they don't want potato blight down here) and it was rather early especially still being on Qld time as we are. But we weren't in a hurry. As it was we got to Hadspen near Launceston by 9.30 in the morning. I think the camp ground is used to people turning up way too early....

Didn't expect it to be hot in Tasi. But it was in Launceston. A balmy 28 degrees or so. We even went to the aquatic centre for a swim. Kids loved the waterside. The girls were treated to up close baby bird viewing as the park owner was also a breeder and had an impressive aviary. We also checked out the more touristy sites like Cataract George, where a peacock very kindly showed J his tail feathers. She was impressed! Caught the chairlift one way and this is us on the walk back over the old suspension bridge. 

G found the Boaggs Brewery, and we toured a great 'historic' house called Entally. Shame it's not making the proceeds it needs to, to stay open like it is now. Girls enjoyed it too with its kids play room all set up with old style wax dolls and doll houses with real miniature china tea sets. They would have loved to jump that barrier! There were old stables complete with carriages, a blacksmith shop with the old billows, barn, caretakers cottages and they think one of the earliest cricket fields in Tasi, if not Oz. Garden was devine too.

Next day we were packed and on our way smack on 10am. Best pack yet. Off to Freycinet National Park via St Helen's and the Bay of Fires.

Wilson's Promontory

Big driving days were required to get us south to Narooma and Wilson's Promontory via Lakes Entrance. We were treated to a luxurious roast dinner in Narooma. Always good to catch up with our new besties and see what they have done with their place. Would have been good to stay longer, but we were up against it with our itinerary. Great tip about Mystery Bay. Perfect day for a swim there. Yeah, well u can see I had no intention of getting in, but the girls were typically game.

After a long drive, we got into Lakes Entrance rather late. Stayed at a hostel for the o/n instead of setting up camp. Pleased about that prior decision when we arrived as southern Victoria welcomed us with misty rain and bitingly cold wind. Another winter revisit. Brrrrr! Gigantic RSL dinners kept up our energy. Girls have never been served so much ice-cream in their lives. 'Kids' size means XXL there I think! We asked the girls to carefully choose between finishing or having sore, sick tummies. Thank goodness they saw reason.

Up early and on to the Prom by 2pm Thursday afternoon. There was a line up for reception (camping peak hr). Meanwhile G and the girls were spotted in the car park by a desperate camper who had spent the last two hrs asking everyone else in the joint for jumper leads. He was so relieved when they were produced after only a little ferreting (everything has its place). Apparently his tent had been chewed thru by hungry wombats the night before (the old food in the tent pitfall). In the confusion, he had left the lights on in his car. G felt very sorry 4 the guy, said he was 'at the end'. His little girls were terrified and would not stay in the tent any longer. And the weather had been awful. G got him started, gave him some chocolate 4 his trouble!! 

So, no need to hunt for wombats here. The place is crawling with them. Here's one down near Whisky Beach. 

We also saw emu on another walk. And there were plenty of Echidnas around too.

It warmed up a little for our last day and we walked over to 'Squeaky Beach'. Girls enjoyed the walk, so that was a bonus. Here's us on our lunch stop! Great scenery. 

I have been to the Prom before to do the Waterloo Bay/ Sealers Cove thru walk. I would recommend that over Tidal River as Tidal River is a bit 'loved to death' for our liking (over 400 camp sites!!). And I think it's more protected on the western side from the weather. But the hot showers at TR were awesome (especially compared with none for the thru walks!). 

We packed up Sunday for our trip into Melbourne to get the ferry to Tasi. Girls were super excited about getting on the boat...and we were too.

Jervis Bay

Stayed at Huskison, Jervis Bay. Would have liked to have stayed in the national park but when we tried to book from Robertson, it was already full. :( Didn't really want to book earlier as we were changing our itinerary a fair bit as we went along and were turning up in the bay on a different day than originally planned. Unfortunately coincided with a Saturday night! Can't complain too much with beach straight out the front and lovely new hot showers in the camp ground we ended up at. Girls loved the new pool too even tho it was freezing. We Qlders really are spoilt if you prefer warmer water to swim in.

Spent the afternoon of our first full day here at Moona Moona creek. It was a little more sheltered from the wind than the front beach. It was once again blowing its tail off. We helped the girls build an enormous sand castle on a sand island in the middle of the tidal creek. Took most of the afternoon. Girls were proud that the remnant mound could still be seen when we left two days later!! 

Checked out the national park end of the bay the following day including Govenor's head (girls loved the walk - not!) and the old light house ruins. Loved Murray's Beach, but thought the white sands and turquoise water needed a sunny day to really show it off. We were there on a rather moody cloudy day. a good day for touring as not too hot. The girls still tried out the water. There is a small sea cave at one end that we looked over. Cool. Etched out of the sandstone. 

And we saw an echidna on our walk back to the car park. Another hit for the watch list.

When the next day brought wind free sunny skies instead of the forecast rain, we had to go back to see Murray's beach in all its glory. And we were rewarded for the effort! There was an old swamp wallaby making her way slowly across the beach and it was warm enough for me to get in the water (for five seconds at least).

We couldn't help but linger a little before piling back in the car for the trip south to our mate's place at Narooma. 

Robertson - part two

During our first night in the log cabin, we really didn't need to have the fire going. But then a new front came thru and it got surprisingly cool, cold even. We all had our jumpers and long pants on. We spent our second day checking out some of the local waterfalls after mud map directions from one of the cabin owners. They dropped in with their little family after hitting bad camping weather further sth. They ended up staying a couple of nights with us, which was great for getting to know more about the area and the family history of the property.

Spectacular local scenery. The water falls off the very high sandstone cliffs of the Southern highlands. This is Bellmore falls. The valley it falls into extends to the left. Sandstone cliffs on two sides. It was really breath-taking. I can understand why the area is so well travelled.

The local parky at the Fitzroy falls visitors centre told us to visit Nellie's Glenn, on the same creek system as Carrington falls to the south east of Robertson. Of course it turned out that G had worked with her bridesmaid in Qld. Small world strikes again. 

After a cozy night by the fire with gale force winds keeping the tall wind breaker trees busy outside, the weather eased so we could check out the 'good' spots. Here r the girls at Carrington Falls. 

Nellie's Glenn is just a ways upstream from there. Check out the shape of this rock pool. But that wasn't the only highlight. There were smaller curtain style falls and a swimming hole. Gorgeous.

It was a scenic windy decent down to Jambaroo. On the way down, there was a lookout where you could see to Wollongong in the north down to Kiama in the south and of course a very blue sea against the super green valleys. Sure was pretty. Bit scary coming back up Macquarie pass to Robertson, and that was without the trailer! 

We said a sad goodbye to Robertson the next day and headed down that pass to Wollongong to catch up with my cousin. From the mountains back to beach country again. Fish and chips at the local beach went down well. Great to catch up with cous and his family. Then we pushed off to Jervis Bay down the coast road.

Robertson

After Filling up on Chinese at Moss Vale we arrived late to Robertson. But it was all good. Didn't have to set up here. Log cabin luxury set in picturesque countryside with rainforest and serious timber growing enterprises. Us grown ups slept in the loft but only after the kids had thoroughly checked it out a couple of times.

In the morning we added a snake (perhaps a red belly black - had a yellow belly so not sure as not supposed to get yellow belly blacks around Robertson) to the watch list. He was more scared of us than the other way around and didn't like that we were going close to his sunning spot in the front garden. We also added a Satin Bower bird to our watch list. He was a scaredy cat too but his bower was literally just out the front door so we could spy on him from inside. Saw his show a couple of times; once with a big enticing moth in his mouth! Any girl would surely b impressed and he did seem to have one hanging about. On our walk we found a feather with blue on it and left it on the steps for him. He later carefully added it to his display when we weren't looking! You can c the blue things in the pic below. The bower is just to the left of the blue bits. Hard to capture well, but u should get the idea.

We filled the water bath and he came out for a drink and a wash while we watched from inside.

His mate is the same shape but olive green. I was a bit worried putting the water in the bath as the snake was inhabiting the very same part of the garden.....i think the bower bird would have been too big for the snake tho. I tipped the water out after the photo just in case - too many other birds that were smaller and perfectly dinner sized!!! 

Despite a brave late night jaunt thru the forest to the burrows we had spotted earlier we were not lucky enough to add a (live) wild wombat to the watch list. With fresh wombat poo I was sure we would see one. But the girls were a bit freaked out in the forest in the dark, so we probably quit looking too soon if the truth b told. Here's why we thought that wombats might b about!!! Dead give away. 

Caving

I have deja vu. I posted a blog about our visit to the Jenolan Caves, but its not here....so trying again. 

They really r quite incredible. The caves that is. We toured the Chiffley cave. It was cold down there in stark contrast to the very warm weather out in the world. The formations were amazing. Em was a bit worried being so far in underground, but I think it was really the cold that was getting to her. Our tour guide was great. He had an affinity for engaging the kids. In my last attempt, I could remember his name...it's fallen out of my head now. 

He told us to check out 'blue lake' before we went. We did that and check out what we saw. Can u see what it is? Clue: look towards top of pic near where the shadow line is. Another clue: it has a bill and webbed feet but its not a duck! We watched as it climbed from this pool into the one behind. Our tour guide apparently told G to look out for it but u never actually expect to b that lucky. Usually u need to get up early in the morning or in the evening to spot them in the wild. What a bonus.

We added a rock wallaby and a wombat (deceased unfortunately - road kill) and then an impressive sized eagle to our animal watch list before the end of the day.

The road from Oberon to Goulburn was windy and hard work with the trailer, but rewarding. Interesting country. Then we headed slightly north again to Moss Vale and a cabin get away at Robertson. 

Sydney and the Blue mtns

Long drive to Sydney to c my brother and his family. Was great catching up. Girls spent early eve in the pool catching up with the cousins followed by awesome bbq dinner. Didn't know that steaks on the barby was my brother's hidden talent. His wife's fab cooking is finally rubbing off on him!! Was great to spend time. Would have been good to stay longer, but in the morning we got our selves set and headed off to the Blue mtns.

Checked out Katoomba and the sisters. Walked down the giant staircase to say a proper hello. Lots of great wild flowers on the way.

From Katoomba we drove on to Oberon. Girls had a great time playing with a couple of Dutch girls who were exactly the same ages. Their dad helped to translate when the kids ran into trouble trying to understand each other. They played 'what's the time mr wolf?' in a mix of dutch and english depending on who was asking. Classic. Hope we catch them up in Vic or Tasi later.  

Girls still having trouble adapting to NSW time. They rarely get to sleep before 9pm. Hard when the sun only goes down at 8pm local time. We r all having trouble adjusting really. Fits with our general mode I guess.... Always running behind schedule. Only no schedule here. Yay! 

South West Rocks - part two - in the rain

Wet, wet, wet. Great weather 4 ducks. Torrential rain over night. Seeped thru the seams and into the sleeping bags and bed clothes. In the morning even the kangaroos were doing great water rat impersonations. The kookas were looking for perches under tarps too. 

Spent the morning of the 30th drying out between more showers. The sun came out just long enough. Yay! We all had fun making each other fly into the air on the giant jumping pillow at the camp ground between sunny patches. Something the whole family can enjoy. It was under cover. Perfect for sun and rain. A good workout too. It's like a jumping castle but without the walls. 

In the afternoon we went hunting for waves. Dead flat at Trail Bay beach, but found some at Honeymoon Bay. Sure is pretty there too. Even if overcast. Met up with fellow camper friends on the beach for lovely arvo of conversation and boogie boarding. Girls rode waves all afternoon with their mate. We dragged them out at 5.30. Just when the rain was threatening. How lucky to b rain free when all around we could c it pouring on neighbouring headlands. Back to camp to start packing up...

South West Rocks

Cruised thru lots of roadworks to get to South West Rocks on Wed. Beautiful spot. We came via a quick look at Scott's Head. It looked good as well. Girls found some kids to play with as soon as we pulled up to camp, so not much help for the set up this time! Takes us about 2.5 hrs. Something we r determined to improve upon. Kangaroos in the camp ground and fat kookaburra's that I am sure have cholesterol problems!!

Checked out the Trial Bay Gaol (a ruin since 1922) and tried to put the girls into solitary 4 not helping the day before!!!

We also checked out the local beaches and Smoky Cape complete with operating lighthouse. They had keepers here until 1997!   

Awesome views from the Cape south to hat head as well as north. You can now stay in the keeper's cottage as a b&b. Would be a great w'end away. This would b the view from the front verandah...

The wind calmed today and clouds moved in, making it perfect to try out canoeing. They have a brackish water lagoon and creek to the sea adjoining our campground, plus canoes to hire. Very pretty with Hat Head national park backdrop. We swapped seats a couple of times so the girls had a good crack at paddling. The grown ups had more fun tho I think! 

 The rain has set in now so we have done a few adjustments to the lodgings and are settling in 4 a quiet afternoon....

Sure is windy

Not great beach weather today unless u like sand in your eyes. J and E still persevered tho to fit in some more wave riding. Seems a popular surf spot 4 locals - especially long board riders. Then we visited the local lookouts and beaches largely owned under reserve by the local Bundjalung nation (with a bit 4 the defence force for firing practice!); the Bundjalung reserve was one of the first bits to be given back. And here's a picture. It's from the lookout looking over the town and away from the reserve. The beach in view stretches all the way to Cape Byron. We plan to head south tomorrow, past Coffs at least. C how we go...

Evans Head

We shied away from the Darling Downs given the serious storm action out there over the last little while. Instead we have driven straight south and r camped at Evans Head; just past Ballina. 

Being the first time this car has pulled this camper trailer, we think they must b trying a little too hard on their relationship. Could not get them to let go when we arrived! Being a little rusty at this stuff we were obviously trying too hard ourselves.....broke the winder to the jockey wheel in our exuberance. U' oh. ... what do we do now??? 

We were nervous; girls starting to get worried.... We called the folks for advice....However, lucky 4 us our neighbours had obviously been itching to give someone a hand all afternoon. They were over the moment they saw us scratch our heads and start digging 4 the car jack. 

In comes Ted the neighbour with his mate Graeme and a super sized jack that made our car jack look like it was not up to the job. We were unhitched in no time, then levelled and wedged. I was disappointed they did not have dinner ready for us!! So good of them - we were in a spot of bother all right. But all fixed now.  Got to luv that. Cherie bear said to say hello to Cutie. We will all check out the beach tomorrow. Catch u later...

Getting ready

We have picked up the camper trailer, given the car a serious going over and are readying our gear for packing. Here's a pic to test out and hone my blogging skills! C if u can guess what it is...

Saturday 23 November we will be heading off in a westerly direction to Girraween National park for the first two nights of our 9 week adventure. Haven't been there for a while. Looking forward to introducing the place to our girls. 

We then plan to take 3 weeks to get to Tasi, spend 3 weeks there including Xmas, and then take 3 weeks to get home again.  I will try to keep this blog posted of our discoveries along the way.....