2023 Road Trip

Glenys and I had originally planned begin to take a trip to the eastern states of this great country beginning on the first of September. However, at my advanced age and general state of disrepair we had to delay our start date by a couple of weeks due to medical issues.

Having resolved my issues, and getting the caravan organised, we finally commenced our trip on Friday 15 September 2023.

DAY 1: Fri 15 Sep
An uneventful day spent travelling from Albany to a free camp spot a few kilometres east of Norseman.

DAY 2: Sat 16 Sep
Very much the same as our first day, this time travelling from Norseman to another free bush camp east of Border Village. The temperature managed to hit the 40-degree Celsius mark during the warmest part of the day! Along with the surprisingly high temperatures we were also surprised by the higher than what we are accustomed to fuel prices. $2.71 per litre for diesel at Eucla was the cheapest we found.

DAY 3: Sun 17 Sep
As we crossed the border from Western Australia into South Australia yesterday afternoon and lost an hour and a half because of the change of time zones we were up a little earlier this morning.
Another day spent driving, accompanied by 40-degree temperatures again along with strong winds, (thankfully mostly tail wind), dust and extremely friendly flies whenever we stopped to stretch our legs. We arrived in Ceduna at about 3.30 in the afternoon set up our caravan at the Big4 Caravan Park then made our way to the Foreshore Hotel for dinner and a small flutter on the poker machines. (Managed to win enough to pay for dinner!)

DAY 4: Mon 18 Sep
More of the same! Today’s journey took us from Ceduna, through Port Augusta, where we had lunch and did a little bit of shopping, then on to Peterborough.
Checked in to the local caravan park, unhitched the caravan, then sat back and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon and evening.

DAY 5: Tue 19 Sep
Rest day. Glenys caught up with some washing while I planned the next few days of our trip. After doing a walking tour of the town of Peterborough, a task that at a slow pace took us nearly 20 minutes, we had a pleasant lunch at the Crossroads Cafe. After lunch Glenys checked out the 2 x 3 metre Federation Quilt at the Town Hall while I had a wander around inside the building. Later we drove to the Greg Duggan Nature Reserve and Lookout where, accompanied by swarms of the local flies, we had a good view over the town. Dinner tonight was at the Railway Hotel followed by an evening at the Steamtown Sound and Light Show.

DAY 6: Wed 20 Sep
Today we had a leisurely meander from Peterborough through Burra and Morgan to Pinnaroo where we set up in the local RV Park for a relaxed evening.

DAY 7: Thu 21 Sep
Another uneventful day of driving, this time from Pinnaroo Glenys’ cousin Cheryl’s place at Burkes Flat. The condition of the road surfaces that we traversed were a little on the rough side of smooth and at times made what should have been a pleasant trip a little uncomfortable.

DAY 8: Fri 22 Sep
A very quiet relaxed day today. Spent the day catching up on gossip and doing what one usually does when having not seen someone for some time.
Spent this evening watching Collingwood narrowly defeat Greater Western Sydney in the first AFL elimination preliminary final.

DAY 9: Sat 23 Sep
Drove into Bendigo this morning to meet with a cousin that Glenys had not met in person before but had been in contact with through social media.
We met with Angela and her family at the Omari Restaurant for a great “getting to know you” lunch and afterward to their home for coffee and more natter.
Managed to get back to Burkes Flat in time to watch the last three quarters of the second AFL elimination preliminary final between Brisbane Lions and Carlton. (Very pleased that the Brisbane Lions won!)

DAY 10: Sun 24 Sep
Another journey into Bendigo today, this time to renew a friendship from our days in the Australian Army. Once again, we sat and chatted and reminisced about days gone by and caught up on each other’s current histories.
Quiet evening back at Burkes Flat.

DAY 11: Mon 25 Sep
Quiet day today. Pottered around the caravan this morning before taking Cheryl out to lunch at the Highland Club in Maryborough. Once back at Burkes Flat my time was spent updating this website.

DAY 12: Tue 26 Sep
Sadly, our time at Burkes Flat has come to an end. Today we headed to Echuca, stopping for lunch at the very popular Bridgewater Bakehouse at Bridgewater-On-Loddon.

We crossed the border from Victoria into New South Wales and setting up camp at the Moama West Caravan Park we did a little shopping before meeting with Glenys’ cousins Lindsay and Jan at the Moama Bowls Club for an excellent meal and conversation.

DAY 13: Wed 27 Sep
A very quiet day spent catching up on the washing and cleaning the interior of the caravan. After dinner had drinks with our neighbours and fellow travellers who hailed from Geraldton, WA.

DAY 14: Thu 28 Sep
On the move again.
As we headed to Wagga Wagga via Mathoura and Deniliquin, we wondered why the roads we were travelling were so busy. It transpired that we were headed for a long weekend holiday in New South Wales and a large number of people were going to the Deniliquin Ute Muster which was being held on the coming Friday and Saturday.

Arrived in Wagga Wagga mid-afternoon, set up the caravan in the free campsite at Wilks Park, located alongside the Murrumbidgee River. Dinner tonight with more of Glenys’ cousins, John and Bev. Another evening of convivial conversation.

DAY 15: Fri 29 Sep
Still in Wagga Wagga!
Glenys has cousins all over New South Wales and Victoria. This morning we had morning tea with cousin June at her unit. After our visit we had lunch before taking a walking tour of the city and me having a much-needed haircut.
Out to dinner again this evening with John and Bev as well as Bev’s sister and husband. Another very pleasant evening.

DAY 16: Sat 30 Sep
Next stop on our jaunt this year is the Sydney Tourist Park in Miranda, a suburb of Sydney. The journey from Wagga Wagga to Miranda was uneventful and although the temperature reached an unpleasantly “warm” 37 degrees Celsius, the air-conditioning in our vehicle kept us at a comfortable 18 degrees.
Once settled at the caravan park we headed to Colin, Leonie, Zoe and Caleb’s home to watch the second half of the AFL Grand Final between Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions. (Unfortunately, the team we were supporting lost by the “whopping” margin of 4 points.)
An evening meal with the kids before heading back to the caravan for a good night’s rest.

DAY 17: Sun 1 Oct
Daylight saving commenced here at midnight last night. (Western Australia is now three hours behind us here in New South Wales.)
Another 35 plus degree day today. Glenys again caught up with the washing before we headed over to the kids place to go with them to the National Rugby League Grand Final. Luckily, the seats that Colin and Leonie had purchased for the family were situated in a shaded section of the Accor Stadium.
We were fortunate to see the Womens Rugby League Grand Final between the Newcastle Knights and the Gold Coast Titans, as well as the main men’s match between the Penrith Panthers and the Brisbane Broncos. The Knights defeated the Titans, 24 to 18, and the Panthers defeated the Broncos, 26 to 24. (Both the teams that Glenys and I hoped would win were defeated. 😢😢)
Even though Glenys and I are followers of the AFL, rather than the NRL, we had a great night out.

DAY 18: Mon 2 Oct
After our full day and evening yesterday, we had a relaxed day today. Another scorcher of a day, but we managed to get a little shopping done, and Glenys got her hair cut, at the Miranda Fair Shopping Centre.
Quiet evening in the caravan with Glenys reading a book and me watching Australia play the West Indies in the second One Day International Women’s cricket match. Once again, the team I was barracking for lost.

Day 19: Tue 3 Oct
Another hot and uneventful day.
Did manage to cast our early votes in the upcoming referendum, and to take the car to a local car wash and have it cleaned inside and out.
Went to Colin and Leonie’s place for dinner again this evening.

DAY 20: Wed 4 Oct
Very quiet day today.
Today’s weather is warm, and it has been threatening to rain, although we have only had a very light shower this afternoon which only lasted for about 30 seconds.
Spent the greater part of the day updating this website. Am now going to sit back with a good cup of coffee and just chill.

DAY 21: Thu 5 Oct
The only activity of any consequence today was a journey out to Glenfield with Colin, Leonie and the grandkids to pick up Leonie’s mother, Brenda, before we all headed to Camden for lunch at the Camden Valley Inn.

DAY 22: Fri 6 Oct
Another day for a long lunch. This time with another of Glenys’ cousins. We met up with Tony and Lynne at Criniti’s Restaurant at Brighton-Le-Sands. After approximately three hours of conversation and a meal, it was time to head back to caravan for a quiet evening of relaxation.

DAY 23: Sat 7 Oct
Spent the greater part of today at the caravan park with Glenys catching up on washing and cleaning. (I helped by keeping out of her way!)
Went for a walk to the Westfield Miranda Shopping Center this afternoon to do a little shopping before heading to the family’s home for dinner.

DAY 24: Sun 8 Oct
Guess what!
Another long lunch!
Today we headed to the Cronulla Golf Club for a farewell lunch with the family before we head out of Sydney tomorrow.
(To Colin, Leonie, Zoe and Caleb, thanks again for the enjoyable time and the great meals that you provided over the past week. Looking forward to catching up again next year.)

DAY 25: Mon 9 Oct
Headed southwest to the Australian Capital City, Canberra, today. An uneventful trip with only a stop for lunch at Collector. Once we settled in our site at the Southside Village Caravan Park in the Canberra suburb of Symonston, we sat back and relaxed for the remainder of the afternoon and evening.

DAY 26: Tue 10 Oct
A visit to Floriade, Australia’s biggest celebration of spring, on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, was on the agenda for today. After several hours of perusing the many floral displays, we made use of the free shuttle buses to go into Canberra for a late lunch and a wander around the city, before returning to Floriade.

DAY 27: Wed 11 Oct
Out and about again today, this time visiting the National Arboretum and the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection in the Molonglo Valley, ACT. The Arboretum is a large area of living forests and gardens with excellent views over the city of Canberra. The bonsai collection highlights a variety of Australian native trees in miniature.

DAY 28: Thu 12 Oct
On the move again! Today we headed in a north westerly direction to Griffith. Stopped at Harden to stretch our legs and to view some silo art and the statue of “Bill the Bastard“. Bill the Bastard was a war-horse during World War 1, and the unlikeliest of heroes. At the Battle of Romani, Bill made an astonishing rescue and saved four soldiers.
Lunch was had at a pleasant roadside stop at Wallendbeen before finally stopping at a free camp beside the Main Canal in Griffith. The main canal feeds from the Murrumbidgee River diverting 6,600 megalitres of water per day to the surrounding farms for irrigation.

DAY 29: Fri 13 Oct
After breakfast this morning we sauntered into Griffith to explore the Banna Lane Murals. Found all the murals listed in the brochure but were not overly impressed, however the exercise did both of us no harm.
Lunch stop today was at Coleambally, before moving across the border from New South Wales into Victoria. A visit to Katamatite to view their silo art before moving on to our next camp stop at the Victoria Lake Caravan Park, Shepparton.

DAY 30: Sat 14 Oct
Breakfast this morning at the cafe Elsewhere at SAM, followed by a walk around Victoria Lake. After our walk we indulged in a little cultural enlightenment by visiting the Shepparton Art Museum, (SAM).
We filled in the afternoon by touring the regional area near Shepparton visiting silo art that we had not previously seen.

DAY 31: Sun 15 Oct
Time to move on again. Headed approximately 240 kilometres along rural roads to Ballarat today. Visited another silo art installation on the way at Colbinabbin. Once we arrived at the Eureka Stockade Holiday Park, we settled in for a quiet afternoon as the weather was rather cold and inclement.

DAY 32: Mon 16 Oct
Cold, (3 degrees Celsius), and wet night last night making it hard to get out of bed this morning. After a sleep in and breakfast, we walked the short distance to the Eureka Centre. The Eureka Centre is located at the Eureka Stockade Memorial Park, considered to be the site of conflict between gold miners and the government in Ballarat on 3 December 1854 and is now also considered the birthplace of Australian democracy and the most celebrated uprising in Australian history.
Met with friends Ivan and Shirley for a long lunch at the Red Lion Hotel.
Spent the evening updating this website.

DAY 33: Tue 17 Oct
Spent this morning taking a stroll around the picturesque Lake Wendouree before having a pleasant lunch at Pipers by the Lake. Spent the afternoon exploring the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and the city of Ballarat.

Day 34: Wed 18 Oct
Time to hit the road once again.
Departed Ballarat, eventually crossing the border from Victoria into South Australia and headed for our overnight stop at Culburra. On the way we visited silo art installations at Horsham, Goroke, and Kaniva as well as stopping for lunch at Natimuk.

DAY 35: Thu 19 Oct
Another day of motoring.
Journeyed to sister-in-law, Sue’s home in Auburn, South Australia today, only stopping to view silo art at Coonalpyn, morning tea at Tailem Bend and lunch at Mount Pleasant.

DAY 36: Fri 20 Oct
A very warm, (33^o Celsius), day after a sleep in. Did some shopping and had lunch in Clare before being visited this afternoon by friends from Kadina. A pleasant quiet and relaxed day and evening.

DAY 37: Sat 21 Oct
Temperature dropped somewhat today only reaching 17^o Celsius.
Drove to Aldinga today to have lunch with Sue’s daughter and granddaughter whom we have not seen for the past eighteen months.

DAY 38: Sun 22 Oct
Another cool day spent indoors relaxing.

Day 39: Mon 23 Oct
Another day spent lazing about the house at Auburn.

Day 40: Tue 24 Oct
Took a leisurely drive into Adelaide today. Had to visit my favourite store, Bunnings, to purchase a few items so that I could complete a couple of household maintenance tasks for Sue. Nothing else of particular interest occurred, not that going to Adelaide to do a bit of shopping is of any interest either.

Day 41: Wed 25 Oct
Another day of doing a few chores, but generally relaxing and doing as little as possible in the maximum amount of time.

Day 42: Thu 26 Oct
Glenys and I took a stroll around Auburn today, but otherwise chilled out for the day.

Day 43: Fri 27 Oct
Our final day in Auburn today. Did some shopping in Clare to stock up with the necessities for our trip home. Had another long lunch, this time at the UPPside Restaurant and Cellar Door at Penwortham. The modern Mediterranean-style food cooked by Chef Chris was delicious.

Day 44: Sat 28 Oct
Hitched up the caravan once again, said goodbye to Sue and wended our way to Ceduna for our first night stop the journey home. As per usual when undertaking this trip, we once again booked in to the Big4 Caravan Park then made our way to the Foreshore Hotel for dinner and a small flutter on the poker machines. (No wins this time.)

Day 45: Sun 29 Oct
A full day spent driving into a head wind. We crossed into Western Australia at the Quarantine Station at Border Village before refuelling at Eucla. As we gained an hour and three quarters on crossing the state border we continued on for a while before stopping for the night at a free camp site.

Day 46: Mon 30 Oct
Uneventful day motoring toward home. Another overnight stop at a free camp this time approximately 70 kilometres south of Norseman. We gained another 45 minutes of time just after Caiguna and before the “90 mile straight“.

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Day 47: Tue 31 Oct
Final day of following the white line down the middle of the road.
Made it home in time for afternoon tea.
Total distance travelled from the time we left Albany on 15 September to arriving home today was 9905 kilometres. (I dare not calculate what the total cost of fuel for the journey was.) The lowest price we paid for diesel fuel was 204.8 cents per litre and the highest was 277.0 cents per litre. (Border Village, where we did not refuel, was 299.0 cents per litre)

THE END
(UNTIL NEXT TIME!)

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