The sunsets here are incredible and the colours even more vibrant!
We are back in warmer climes after our trip to the colder southern states, although it is cooler than when we left (more UK summer temps now!) Being back at Mum & Dad’s has been nice and relaxing and we needed this time to get ready for the next part of our journey around Australia. It also gave the boys time to spend some quality time with grandparents and their cousins before we leave. A trip to Max Brenner’s chocolate restaurant for a chocolate pizza with Nan & Pop was a highlight for the boys. The arrival of my Auntie and Uncle from the UK, in time for a fantastic family celebration and party for my Dad’s 80th birthday, completed the family connection and ensured us all a memorable night and a big family send off.
Of course every part of this trip has meant a new experience and this time we’ve decided to do CAMPING!! Yes, we are towing a camper trailer and spending the next 9 weeks camping in the Outback. This all happened after Ben spent hours on Gumtree again – something I get very worried about now – and decided we needed a camper trailer. But after getting it set up and kitted out with everything we need for the next couple of months (much pilfered from my Mum’s pantry and my brothers garage – have you noticed your hot water heater missing yet Andrew?) we are all pretty excited about it- even if it means no en-suite facilities for all this time too! For those in the know it’s a Trackabout Safari off road camper trailer with built in kitchen – very cool.
We have been lucky to spend our last couple of weeks here staying near Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast in a lovely two bedroom holiday rental called Sandcastles on the Broadwater, with stunning sea views and great long walks along the front.
It also has a fantastic heated pool that nobody else is using (as it is ‘winter’ here) and of course the obligatory boat ramp to get in some last fishing trips before we store the boat away. Ben and my Uncle Ian have been desperately trying to catch a big one before we go but they remain as elusive as ever. Ben did spot some interesting ‘birdlife’ though on one boat trip around the expensive canal houses. Fishing is not all hard work it seems!
Fishing? No.. don’t think so!
Earning our keep with a little tiling with my brother. I made the coffee.
The last few days we are at my brothers house on the Gold Coast- sending this using his wifi – thank you Andrew & Jen – and generally packing and re-packing our now substantial amount of gear! And now we head off up the coast of Northern Queensland to Rockhampton, across the Capricorn Highway, to Darwin and finally down to Perth – over 8,000 km (5,000 miles for my cousin Stephen’s benefit!) in total.
Any suggestions of things to see en-route is most welcome! So please send comments below.
If you are interested here is a link to our OZ route map.
Finally, here is a our favourite road sign so far….
Wow, Adele – i seem to remember you saying ‘I don’t camp!’ Several years ago. You are going to find out that it is the best way to see the best places. I hope you love it – the boys all will I know! X Pen:-)
Hi Pen, yes I can’t quite believe it either! But so far so good, the camper is very comfy and cosy at night, and it feels like a real Aussie experience, roughing it a bit. Weather is superb so that helps- not sure how much fun it would be in the rain. The scenery north of Bundaberg is incredible. Should be in Perth by 2nd half of August. Ax
Hi Adele, Ben, Cameron and Ollie
Just to say I have read all of your blogs and am really enjoying them. Can’t believe you are still going so strong after all this time, what an amazing and fascinating time you are having, and lovely to see such beautiful pictures and smiling faces!!
Love Laura x
Thanks Laura, but we don’t put the pictures of us looking tired and grumpy after an 8 hour drive on here…or of the kids killing each other in the backseat over nothing…we’ll save those for people who are contemplating this length of time travelling together!! But have to admit even with those moments we are still making some great memories too! Adele x
An amazing route. Pedal to the metal, you could do it in 90 hours according to Google
You’d be back in time for the end of the cricket season
Cracking trip Mr and Mrs Ben, Olivia says high and do you need company on the next leg of your trip?
Cry havoc – and keep up the blogs
How embarrassing – that should have said ‘Olivia says ‘Hi”
Ha,no worries,put it down to predictive text!!! Hope all well with you guys, say “high” to Olivia as well, and say thanks for to Laura for her message – its great to have contact from our friends in the village. I also saw that you could do the drive in 90 hours, thats nearly 4 days of straight driving, I reckon the kids would get through a fair few DVDS and I’d be high on Pro-plus by the end of that trip!!