25th – 26th April

A very special day in the Australian calendar started as a very special day weatherwise.  Clear blue skies and a minimum temp of 11 degrees greeted our waking eyes.  We left Tamworth after a leisurely start and travelled through very quiet streets heading out along the Oxley Highway.  We had a plan as far as direction to go but no real sense of how far we would get.  The temperature climbed quickly to a very pleasant 23 – 25 degrees.  The country west of Tamworth is very flat grain growing country for the whole distance to Gunnedah.  Ian’s concern regarding heavy transports being on the road today was soon dismissed.  It really was very quiet traffic wise.

 After Gunnedah the road became less friendly climbing slowly to 650 metres and uneven in surface and alignment – not so friendly for driving. Farmland gave way to bushland apart for small areas of Milo cultivation.  We stopped for lunch at a beautiful creek side park in Coonabarabran.  It was full of local families enjoying the holiday and beautiful weather.  It made us think longingly for our own grandchildren and wish they were here.

Then off along a greatly improved road through Gilgandra to our destination for the night.  Our final stop for the day was true bliss in the bush. 

We have stopped at Terramungamine Reserve, a council reserve honouring a significant aboriginal site  approx 14 klms north of Dubbo.  It is on the banks of the Macquarie River.  There are about 20 campers (caravans & tents) here tonight and it is one of the most beautiful free stops we have experienced.  We arrived at 3:00pm and since then have enjoyed walks through the surrounding park and sat sipping coffee looking out over the tree lined river banks as the sun set.  In the park we saw aboriginal relics -axe sharpening rocks where they sharpened axes & spears in worn grooves in large boulders next to the river.  An abundance of birds fill the area.  Other campers set up camp fires and sat around together.  The temperature was a mild 23 degrees at 4pm so one might possibly get a glimpse of the peaceful setting, - so relaxing.  God’s creation is simply awesome!!

This stop was so good we have stayed on for a second night.

The camp site at Terramungamine 

 

The Grooving Stones



23rd – 24th April

Leaving Glen Innes we headed south down the New England Highway.  The morning was quite cool but the sky was almost clear so a pleasant day to drive.  At Guyra (altitude 1300m) we stopped for a coffee break.  The autumn colours were really evident everywhere.  The temp was 17 degrees and the locals were running around in shorts.  Not for us.

 

Trees in colour change on New England Highway

The traffic was light and we had a clear run across the mountain tops.  The bike and car clubs seemed to be all out having their public holiday car rallies.

At Bendemere we stopped for lunch at a creek side rest area.  There were many families enjoying the beautiful sunny day and having come down from the mountain the temp was much more enjoyable.  Across the stream the local hotel was serving lunch in the grounds and smell of steak cooking was very tempting.  As in Queensland the lowlands down here are still very green and frost has yet to have an impact. 

We lodged ourselves for two nights in Tamworth.  The weather here was much warmer and very enjoyable.  Ian has travelled through this city many times to and from Sydney but never stopped for more than fuel break.  This was a chance to get to know the place.

We went to church (COC) on Easter Sunday and it was great to meet with other like minded Christians.

We were able to pray with the Pastor there and hopefully encourage him.  God is good – all of the time.

Tamworth has some great parks along the river so Ian enjoyed a long walk along a path that followed the flood bunds.  Country towns really do close for Easter so it was very quiet but again many families were out enjoying the day together.  There are some great old stone houses here and some beautiful farms on the river flats.  A very prosperous city indeed.

The river beside our camp site.

2ist – 22nd April

It’s the Thursday before Easter and the park was filling with families quickly.  We headed off down the Pacific Highway to Grafton then westward along the Gwydir Highway.  The road was very picturesque especially once we crossed the Mann River.  We stopped for lunch at a beautiful “Lollback” Rest Area next to a high bridge crossing the river.  Then the road followed the river for quite some kilometres with some with beautiful glimpses of the fast flowing stream and broad sand banks on the river bends.

Then we began the steep climb up the Gibralta Range (1200m high).  As we climbed the constantly turning road through thick temperate rain forest we could continually hear the call of the Bellbirds.

Once on top we saw for the first time the changing autumn colours in the trees as we travelled across undulating grazing country.

Arriving at Glen Innes we booked into Craigieburn Tourist Park, a bush camp setting on the edge of town.  The park covered 40 hectares of granite boulder strewn country with cottages and powered camping sites intermingled between the boulders.  A small creek traversed the property trickling down between the boulders.  Kangaroos and rabbits grazed everywhere in the afternoons and rock wallabies came out at night. What a unique place to stay.  As we got to speak to others staying at the camp we found that there are many regulars who return there each year for autumn or for Easter.

Glen Innes is one of the friendliest towns we have ever experienced.  Just shopping in the supermarket was an enjoyable experience as shoppers and staff so freely interacted.  And one would not have thought we were strangers either although the luggage bag on the roof of the car is a bit of a giveaway.  It was really refreshing.

Good Friday was a very slow day for us and we spent quite some time reading, resting, and contemplating the reason for the special day.  Lots of opportunities to talk to people too. The weather was almost perfect so we enjoyed a wonderful walk through the park.  The old church buildings in G.I. are outstanding structures.  It is a beautiful and very tidy town.

Days 1 - 4

Well our journey has started and we are in Ballina.  The last weekend has been a wonderful, though a full time as we had opportunity to say goodbye to many of our wonderful family and some great friends.

Sunday came and we set off from Maroochydore reasonably early and after enjoying morning tea with Darren, Megan and great little Sam we travelled down the highway to Ballina.  The road is freeway almost all the way now so even in light rain it was a comfortable drive.

Even though the weather has been changeable at best we have had a very comfortable time here to date.  The aim here is to rest!!!

To tell the whole story – our original intention was to head north and travel around Oz in a counter clockwise direction.  Mid April start was chosen because traditionally the monsoons are over by end of March and all roads should have been open by late April.  Unfortunately this year that is not so and it appears the monsoon rains will be around until mid May at least.  Then time will be needed for road repairs and parks to open again.  Hence our decision to head south west and travel clockwise instead.  Then the unexpected happened with Alice contracting pneumonia and the doctors instructions to travel slowly and be within reach of emergency help in the instance that it may be needed.

So here we are in Ballina for four nights with the aim of resting.  Then comes the Easter 5 day break and all the parks on the coast are full so we are heading to Glen Innes for a couple of nights before slowly driving off into the sunset.

 

We have rested well here.  Alice has a little way to go before complete healing is evident but we know it is on the way.  So for Alice it is sleep, rest, enjoy and for Ian, work is over and it is rest, walk, rest.

Until next time

On the way at last.

Hi Guys,
Well we are finally setting off on our long desired trip around Oz. This has been years in the planning but we are still rushing to complete our preparation in the end.

We hope that you enjoy our Blog and can catch the spirit of our journey as we share our good times and our challenging times. Australia is a most amazing country and we are really looking forward to seeing more of it. Previous journeys have proven to us that the people we meet along the way are a major contributor to the fun of the journey so we want to share some of these stories with you as we go.

Hope you enjoy.