Didn't do the train ride this time. Only had 1 full day at Bundaberg
Bundaberg to Mooloolaba
Dist: 326km @ 14.6l/100km. Includes trip out to Bargara
Fuel: 47.48 @ 131.9¢/l
This was a nice drive, the Bruce highway now has heaps of passing lanes, all the drivers behaved themselves and with very few hills etc was able to cruise at 100kph without affecting fuel consumption.
Stop off at Childers on the way before joining the Bruce Freeway and finally turning off into Mooloolaba.
Childers
Have stopped here on previous trip up this way. Really improved RV friendly status. Huge park behind the main drag for buses and vans!
Walk through to the Main Street and enjoyed a lovely cappuccino and quiche for brunch at the Kapé Central directly opposite the infamous The Palace hotel.
Drive into Mooloolaba uneventful but the cane harvest is in full swing.
Mooloolaba
A slightly overcast sky kept the temperatures down but enough time after squeezing into our van site for a walk down the esplanade and a late lunch/early tea. We had site 41 at the end of the dead end lane so had to reverse the full length of the roadway to back into our site. No problems.
The Mooloolaba Beach CP on Parkyn Parade is a bit squeezy but so well placed near the beach and
Dining strip, it is the only choice as far as we are concerned, 'Location' beats comfort in this case.
Being at the end of the lane does give us lots of privacy and entertainment as we watch some of the bigger rigs try to get into their spots, how does 45min to maneuver in sound?
Most places close at 4:00-4:30pm after opening at 6:45am.
Some open again at 5:00-5:30pm for the Dinner diners.
This is twilight to dusk as the sun sets here at 5:10 and it gets dark quickly.
Second day:
Drive up the coast along the Esplanade and Sunshine Coast Highway to Coolum Beach before returning for a very refreshing Gelato and Cappuccino. Home cooked meal tonight but plan on Indian tomorrow night at a very nice little Indian restaurant opposite the Mooloolaba SLSC.
More pics added tomorrow.
PS: had a shower overnight, took about 3 mins to get the storm covers on over the bed end so everything stayed well and truly dry. So glad we bought these a year or so ago, no more damp mattresses for us.
Dist: 326km @ 14.6l/100km. Includes trip out to Bargara
Fuel: 47.48 @ 131.9¢/l
This was a nice drive, the Bruce highway now has heaps of passing lanes, all the drivers behaved themselves and with very few hills etc was able to cruise at 100kph without affecting fuel consumption.
Stop off at Childers on the way before joining the Bruce Freeway and finally turning off into Mooloolaba.
Childers
Have stopped here on previous trip up this way. Really improved RV friendly status. Huge park behind the main drag for buses and vans!
Walk through to the Main Street and enjoyed a lovely cappuccino and quiche for brunch at the Kapé Central directly opposite the infamous The Palace hotel.
Drive into Mooloolaba uneventful but the cane harvest is in full swing.
Mooloolaba
A slightly overcast sky kept the temperatures down but enough time after squeezing into our van site for a walk down the esplanade and a late lunch/early tea. We had site 41 at the end of the dead end lane so had to reverse the full length of the roadway to back into our site. No problems.
The Mooloolaba Beach CP on Parkyn Parade is a bit squeezy but so well placed near the beach and
Dining strip, it is the only choice as far as we are concerned, 'Location' beats comfort in this case.
Being at the end of the lane does give us lots of privacy and entertainment as we watch some of the bigger rigs try to get into their spots, how does 45min to maneuver in sound?
Most places close at 4:00-4:30pm after opening at 6:45am.
Some open again at 5:00-5:30pm for the Dinner diners.
This is twilight to dusk as the sun sets here at 5:10 and it gets dark quickly.
Second day:
Drive up the coast along the Esplanade and Sunshine Coast Highway to Coolum Beach before returning for a very refreshing Gelato and Cappuccino. Home cooked meal tonight but plan on Indian tomorrow night at a very nice little Indian restaurant opposite the Mooloolaba SLSC.
More pics added tomorrow.
PS: had a shower overnight, took about 3 mins to get the storm covers on over the bed end so everything stayed well and truly dry. So glad we bought these a year or so ago, no more damp mattresses for us.
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Mooloolaba
Day 3
A last day before heading south to Hastings Point.
A few showers predicted turned into a heavy downpour at about 6pm, lucky we left a little early for our dinner at the Indian restaurant armed with a brolly! 6mm in about 30mins.
Dinner was great . Marv had his share!
A few pics from earlier in the day
It wasn't hens this time but the seemingly ever present bush turkey
Glad we left the weather shield on!
The last pic was from the night before. The light strip on the tow bar I made up from a bit I had left over when I did the awning strip. I power it by a lead from the 12V plug under the TV by the door. No more sore shins when coming back from the showers in the evening. Although we have an ensuite, we use the CP's showers when nearby, saves our water for when we free camp on the way home.
Day 3
A last day before heading south to Hastings Point.
A few showers predicted turned into a heavy downpour at about 6pm, lucky we left a little early for our dinner at the Indian restaurant armed with a brolly! 6mm in about 30mins.
Dinner was great . Marv had his share!
A few pics from earlier in the day
It wasn't hens this time but the seemingly ever present bush turkey
Glad we left the weather shield on!
The last pic was from the night before. The light strip on the tow bar I made up from a bit I had left over when I did the awning strip. I power it by a lead from the 12V plug under the TV by the door. No more sore shins when coming back from the showers in the evening. Although we have an ensuite, we use the CP's showers when nearby, saves our water for when we free camp on the way home.
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Mooloolaba to Hastings Point
Dist: 312km. Was supposed to be 235km but a wrong turn at Nerang got us trapped on the west side of the M1. A tour through the Hinterland past the Hinze dam made for an interesting 77km extra tour. Bloody GPS does that sometimes, taking you an obscure detour! The Toll for the M1 over the Brisbane bridge clicked $4.75 from my GoVia account. Won't fill up until we get to Yamba tomorrow so won't know what that extra trip through the hills has done for my fuel consumption.
A pic just before Coochin approaching Brisbane well before the dreaded wrong turn at Nerang took us inland via Numinbah & Murwillumbah. We initially thought we could cut back across to the East and follow the coast road via Broadbeach, Coolangatta and Tweed Heads but no spot to turn with the van before we realized we were on the wrong track and decided just to go with it. Some very narrow roads and single lane bridges later we finally came out at Murwillumbah and could cut across to Cabarita. Following the gps without thinking can really get you in a jamb sometimes.
Hastings Point
Very nice! Hastings Point HP. Very neat, clean. Easy to park, 'grass', very clearly marked spots.
Amenities block modern and clean. Closest shops, cafes etc at Cabarita about 4km north.
Raining again so a drive up to Kingsciff and down to Pottsville will be on the cards.
A beach and Point pic from earlier in the day before the rain came.
Dist: 312km. Was supposed to be 235km but a wrong turn at Nerang got us trapped on the west side of the M1. A tour through the Hinterland past the Hinze dam made for an interesting 77km extra tour. Bloody GPS does that sometimes, taking you an obscure detour! The Toll for the M1 over the Brisbane bridge clicked $4.75 from my GoVia account. Won't fill up until we get to Yamba tomorrow so won't know what that extra trip through the hills has done for my fuel consumption.
A pic just before Coochin approaching Brisbane well before the dreaded wrong turn at Nerang took us inland via Numinbah & Murwillumbah. We initially thought we could cut back across to the East and follow the coast road via Broadbeach, Coolangatta and Tweed Heads but no spot to turn with the van before we realized we were on the wrong track and decided just to go with it. Some very narrow roads and single lane bridges later we finally came out at Murwillumbah and could cut across to Cabarita. Following the gps without thinking can really get you in a jamb sometimes. Hastings Point
Very nice! Hastings Point HP. Very neat, clean. Easy to park, 'grass', very clearly marked spots.
Amenities block modern and clean. Closest shops, cafes etc at Cabarita about 4km north.
Raining again so a drive up to Kingsciff and down to Pottsville will be on the cards.
A beach and Point pic from earlier in the day before the rain came.
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NSW camping regulations.
Got this with our receipt here at Hastings Point.
If these are active throughput NSW, there would be quite a few parks that will have to be rejigged!
Mooloolaba (Qld) wouldn't work nor would quite a few others methinks. They were quite insistent that we were at least 1.25m from the boundaries. Quite a few of the bigger vans wouldn't be able to be 1.0m from the roadway as well as the other distances.
What do others think, experienced?
Got this with our receipt here at Hastings Point.
If these are active throughput NSW, there would be quite a few parks that will have to be rejigged!
Mooloolaba (Qld) wouldn't work nor would quite a few others methinks. They were quite insistent that we were at least 1.25m from the boundaries. Quite a few of the bigger vans wouldn't be able to be 1.0m from the roadway as well as the other distances.
What do others think, experienced?
Must be fun setting up on these sites , not only has the co-pilot got to help you navigate your reversing antics onto a site, he or she also has to get the tape and theodolite to survey the site. The sites would need to be line marked to assist in setting up.
No wonder I like camping on State water dam sites.
Hastings Point to Yamba
Dist: 290km Includes sightseeing trips to Kingscliff, Pottsville and Iluka
Fuel: Mooloolaba to Woodburn on the M1
Dist: 460km @ 13.9l/100km
Fuel: 63.75l @ 124.9¢/l
Our second day at Hastings Point included a trip to Pottsville (Sth) and Kingscliff ((Nth)
Kingscliff
The weather was a bit miserable but the surfers were still out.
The obligatory Cappuccino with 'wedges' this time The Zanzibar, great place!
The main CP in town is getting a complete makeover.
http://www.tchp.com.au/tweed-coast-holiday-parks-kingscliff-beach/
Hastings Point Caravan Park
Nice surroundings and a Pelican this time.
The couple in the van next to ours says they regularly catche Flathead, Whiting and crabs, enough to keep them regularly fed.
Yamba
Very nice place. Stayed here before. View from the The Pacific Hotel lunch room overlooking Clarence Head. Big fishing industry history in Yamba.
Off to Port Macquarie tomorrow.
Dist: 290km Includes sightseeing trips to Kingscliff, Pottsville and Iluka
Fuel: Mooloolaba to Woodburn on the M1
Dist: 460km @ 13.9l/100km
Fuel: 63.75l @ 124.9¢/l
Our second day at Hastings Point included a trip to Pottsville (Sth) and Kingscliff ((Nth)
Kingscliff
The weather was a bit miserable but the surfers were still out.
The obligatory Cappuccino with 'wedges' this time The Zanzibar, great place!
The main CP in town is getting a complete makeover.
http://www.tchp.com.au/tweed-coast-holiday-parks-kingscliff-beach/
Hastings Point Caravan Park
Nice surroundings and a Pelican this time.
The couple in the van next to ours says they regularly catche Flathead, Whiting and crabs, enough to keep them regularly fed.
Yamba
Very nice place. Stayed here before. View from the The Pacific Hotel lunch room overlooking Clarence Head. Big fishing industry history in Yamba.
Off to Port Macquarie tomorrow.
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Yamba to Port Macquarie
Dist: 317km. Lots of new roads since we last travelled this way with still more upgrades in progress. Quite a pleasant drive actually, however it was Sunday morning
Fuel: Woodburn to Port Macquarie
Dist: 459km @ 14.3l/100km Not bad since I was cruising between 95-110kph.
Diesel: 65.54l @ 138.9¢/l. Nearly the most expensive so far this trip except for Coonabarabran.
Quick tour of the town this afternoon, picked out our lunch spot for tomorrow before settling down to watch Port Adelaide Power beat the Eagles in the West.
Good game in the end. Carn the Pear
Dist: 317km. Lots of new roads since we last travelled this way with still more upgrades in progress. Quite a pleasant drive actually, however it was Sunday morning
Fuel: Woodburn to Port Macquarie
Dist: 459km @ 14.3l/100km Not bad since I was cruising between 95-110kph.
Diesel: 65.54l @ 138.9¢/l. Nearly the most expensive so far this trip except for Coonabarabran.
Quick tour of the town this afternoon, picked out our lunch spot for tomorrow before settling down to watch Port Adelaide Power beat the Eagles in the West.
Good game in the end. Carn the Pear
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Port Macquarie Day 2
After filling one of the gas bottles, we toured along the coastal road, enjoying the many coves, beaches and lookouts finally ending in town for a long lunch at the Town Green Inn. Lovely cuisine!
Off on our way home tomorrow, first stop Coonabarabran.
The cool but sunny weather didn't stop the school holiday surfers having a go.
This Pano shot unfortunately distorts the reality but a fantastic coastline.
The Tackiing Point Lighthouse has particular historical significance.
You might just be able to see the whales if you look carefully. We were able to spot 2 but they were a long way out.
Can't forget Edmund Barton, Australia's first PM after federation who came from this area.
Memorial in the town centre.
Well Coonabarabran tomorrow on our trek home and after just 3 short weeks.
After filling one of the gas bottles, we toured along the coastal road, enjoying the many coves, beaches and lookouts finally ending in town for a long lunch at the Town Green Inn. Lovely cuisine!
Off on our way home tomorrow, first stop Coonabarabran.
The cool but sunny weather didn't stop the school holiday surfers having a go.
This Pano shot unfortunately distorts the reality but a fantastic coastline.
The Tackiing Point Lighthouse has particular historical significance.
You might just be able to see the whales if you look carefully. We were able to spot 2 but they were a long way out.
Can't forget Edmund Barton, Australia's first PM after federation who came from this area.
Memorial in the town centre.Well Coonabarabran tomorrow on our trek home and after just 3 short weeks.
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Port Macquarie to Coonabarabran
Dist : 490 km Through the mountains and finally out the other side.
Passed through Wauchope, Walcha, Tamworth, Gunnedah for fuel and onto Coonabarabran.
The nights are certainly more frosty over this way, clear skies mean zero to sub-zero mornings.
My wife doesn't like steep slopes so the windy road, often covered by the overhanging trees gave very little chance to take pics even of Mt Seaview, 80+km inland. Once through the GDR however, able to relax and enjoy the scenery. Avg speed through the GDR was probably 50-60kph with quite a few sharp turns much slower.
Fuel: Port Macquarie to Gunnedah
Dist: 384km @ 15.5l/100km
Diesel: 59.58l @ 129.9¢/l
Will probably top up with fuel at Dubbo on our way to a free camp at Forbes tomorrow (next to the river at the south end of town) and then onto Balranald.
Certainly enjoyed this short trip up to Qld and the NSW north coast so far, 3 days left now to get home
Marv
Dist : 490 km Through the mountains and finally out the other side.
Passed through Wauchope, Walcha, Tamworth, Gunnedah for fuel and onto Coonabarabran.
The nights are certainly more frosty over this way, clear skies mean zero to sub-zero mornings.
My wife doesn't like steep slopes so the windy road, often covered by the overhanging trees gave very little chance to take pics even of Mt Seaview, 80+km inland. Once through the GDR however, able to relax and enjoy the scenery. Avg speed through the GDR was probably 50-60kph with quite a few sharp turns much slower.
Fuel: Port Macquarie to Gunnedah
Dist: 384km @ 15.5l/100km
Diesel: 59.58l @ 129.9¢/l
Will probably top up with fuel at Dubbo on our way to a free camp at Forbes tomorrow (next to the river at the south end of town) and then onto Balranald.
Certainly enjoyed this short trip up to Qld and the NSW north coast so far, 3 days left now to get home
Marv
Coonabarabran to Forbes 316km
Fuel: Gunnedah to Forbes
Dist: 422km @ 15.5l/100km
Diesel: 65.5l @ 123.9¢/l
Coonabarabran
Left Coonabarabran with heavy frost over the BeasT and the caravan, delayed our departure for about 30min until ice on the windscreen defrosted.
Passed through Parkes on the way
Forbes
Nice easy trip. Camped at the free camp just south of town on the banks of the river/billabong.
Of course more birds joined us at our camping spot, this time it was pelicans.
Forbes is a very nice town with a long history.
A real pity to see so many shops along the two main streets vacant!
Still love the place though, been though here now 3 or 4 times.
Did a walk around Forbes. Who remembers ETA peanut butter?
Had to break out the gas heater that night as the temp dropped to -4°C!
Once the Sea Dragon warmed up, closed the door and thick Doona kept us warm for night.
Fuel: Gunnedah to Forbes
Dist: 422km @ 15.5l/100km
Diesel: 65.5l @ 123.9¢/l
Coonabarabran
Left Coonabarabran with heavy frost over the BeasT and the caravan, delayed our departure for about 30min until ice on the windscreen defrosted.
Passed through Parkes on the way
Forbes
Nice easy trip. Camped at the free camp just south of town on the banks of the river/billabong.
Of course more birds joined us at our camping spot, this time it was pelicans.
Forbes is a very nice town with a long history.
A real pity to see so many shops along the two main streets vacant!
Still love the place though, been though here now 3 or 4 times.
Did a walk around Forbes. Who remembers ETA peanut butter?
Had to break out the gas heater that night as the temp dropped to -4°C!
Once the Sea Dragon warmed up, closed the door and thick Doona kept us warm for night.
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Forbes to Balranald 498km
Fuel: Forbes to Hay
Dist: 369km @ 15.7l/100km
Diesel: 58.03l @ 127.9¢/l
Fairly uneventful trip cutting across the Mid-Western Highway between West Wyalong to Hay.
Nice park in Balranald for the night. Not looking forward to the weather we expect to meet tomorrow on our way south to Ouyen and then across to Adelaide via Pinnaroo and the SE freeway. Rain, wind and possible hail forecast, much like the weather we had last time we came back from Qld/NSW back in 2014.
Long last leg but we will be home at the end so then it will be unpacking and cleaning the van.
Will post a last summary post once I get home
Marv
Fuel: Forbes to Hay
Dist: 369km @ 15.7l/100km
Diesel: 58.03l @ 127.9¢/l
Fairly uneventful trip cutting across the Mid-Western Highway between West Wyalong to Hay.
Nice park in Balranald for the night. Not looking forward to the weather we expect to meet tomorrow on our way south to Ouyen and then across to Adelaide via Pinnaroo and the SE freeway. Rain, wind and possible hail forecast, much like the weather we had last time we came back from Qld/NSW back in 2014.
Long last leg but we will be home at the end so then it will be unpacking and cleaning the van.
Will post a last summary post once I get home
Marv
We stayed at the Melaleuca CP (Top). Have stayed there before, great park, would recommend it.
Balranald to Adelaide.
Trip: 532km
Fuel: Hay to Ouyen: 284km @ 17.5l/100km, 133.9¢/L
Ouyen to Adelaide: 377km @ 15.0l/100km, 124¢/L
Not a lot to report for this last leg. The bridge work at Tooleybuc has finished, still a narrow crossing.
The bad weather forecast for the 13th July turned out to be much better than we expected, winds 15-25kph and patches of rain, no huge downpours or hail as was originally expected.
Summary of the trip:
Left home on 24/6/2017 and arrived back on 13/7/2017. We had to fit our trip in between a number of other engagements we had just before we left and the day after we got back so 20 days in all. A quick trip by most other standards but it was the only way we could fit this trip in. Our next trip is planned for 3 weeks in Oct-Nov.
Days: 20
Dist: 6043 km @ 15.7L/100km(avg)
Fuel: 938L @ 128.8¢/L(avg) Total: $1140
Accommodation: $703 ($32.78 avg/day)
Food: $988 (coffees, meals, snacks, groceries)
We did bring 12 main meals along with us. Had very little vegs/fruit that we had to dispose of at the Vic border.
BTC= 378 (You will have to look at previous travelogues to work that one out. I will tell you if you beg. lol)
Trip: 532km
Fuel: Hay to Ouyen: 284km @ 17.5l/100km, 133.9¢/L
Ouyen to Adelaide: 377km @ 15.0l/100km, 124¢/L
Not a lot to report for this last leg. The bridge work at Tooleybuc has finished, still a narrow crossing.
The bad weather forecast for the 13th July turned out to be much better than we expected, winds 15-25kph and patches of rain, no huge downpours or hail as was originally expected.
Summary of the trip:
Left home on 24/6/2017 and arrived back on 13/7/2017. We had to fit our trip in between a number of other engagements we had just before we left and the day after we got back so 20 days in all. A quick trip by most other standards but it was the only way we could fit this trip in. Our next trip is planned for 3 weeks in Oct-Nov.
Days: 20
Dist: 6043 km @ 15.7L/100km(avg)
Fuel: 938L @ 128.8¢/L(avg) Total: $1140
Accommodation: $703 ($32.78 avg/day)
Food: $988 (coffees, meals, snacks, groceries)
We did bring 12 main meals along with us. Had very little vegs/fruit that we had to dispose of at the Vic border.
BTC= 378 (You will have to look at previous travelogues to work that one out. I will tell you if you beg. lol)
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