In 2005 we spent a year travelling around Outback Australia. Read the blog, see the photos!

14/01/2005 - Finished up at work today.  We did the usual - out for most of the day celebrating! Had a ball and will miss working with a great team (but sorry guys not enough to make me change my mind! )

20/01/2005 - Moved out of the house and the renters have moved in.  We've already lost track of the days - I think that's because we've been working non-stop every day cleaning and packing the house.  Certainly we could have started this a lot earlier - we've been in the house for 7+ years and accumulated a lot of 'junk' - we ended up doing daily trips to the tip/recycle/Vinnies.  Big thanks to all our friends out there who've helped out and are making it possible.

26/01/2005 - Tying up all the loose ends before leaving Brisbane.  It's amazing how much needs to be organised particularly around the finances and making sure that all the bills are paid while we're away.  We've also gone to the trouble of updating wills, POA's etc.  I'm also making final checks to the car and trailer - and replacing yet another car aerial broken off-roading.  I'm trying out a fixed one with spring base this time.  ETA for departure still looks good.

30/01/2005 - Left as per schedule (just!).  Made a slow journey to Blue Dolphin Caravan Park (CP), Yamba (which had been recommended as a great place for kids) stopping for plenty of breaks for the kids and fixing a problem with the trailers brake lights (turned out to be a loose lead).

03/02/2005 - Yamba.  Left Yamba after a very pleasant stay. The CP had two large pools with slides that Arthur just loved.  He also cycled along the little beach they have along the river.  We drank too much and both sat around looking a bit shocked (I think it was amazement that we'd actually started the trip after nearly three years of talking and planning).  We also sorted through what we'd brought so that it would pack up better and be more accessible.  I also had to fix the trailer brakes while here (cleaned the connections).   The only real hassle was all the mossies - they'd put me off coming back. 

FYI, the CP was clean, well equipped and cost us $39/night.  All sites were powered.

07/02/2005 - Crescent Head.  Stayed in the caravan park right on the beach/river mouth.  The park was a bit busy but great for facilities all around you.  We all enjoyed the beach, floating down the river and taking in the spectacular views from the top of the head.  We also took a trip down to Point Plomer which had a great natural camping spot.  Here our small battery charger (for AA batteries and the like) failed and we ended up going into Kempsey to pick up a new one.  Whilst it was a nice stop we decided that  by travelling down the NSW coast we were never going to get away from the, well, people, so we decided to head inland and go bush - i.e.. Barrington Tops.

FYI, the CP was clean, decent amenities and cost us $23/night.  All sites were powered.  We'd stay again (or at Point Plomer) except for a Friday when the locals live it up in the club across the road.

10/02/2005 - Barrington Tops National Park.  For me this was more like it - We set up camp at Polblue Swamp high up in the Tops.  There was only a pit toilet but the location was great - in amongst the bush, lots of space and hardly anyone else around.  We chilled out, went 4wd'ing, took photos and the boys played in the dirt (their idea of fun!).  The drive up from Gloucester was scenic with plenty of lookouts over the valley's, the only problem we had was that the car got a bit hot towing the trailer.  The road was actually 'unsuitable for caravans' which I think was just because of the long climb over gravel.    

We were just starting to enjoy the solitude went a huge storm arrived - it bucketed down, day and night.  Whilst we stayed snug and dry in the tent there was no playing outside anymore (for us or the kids).  In the end we decided to pack up in the rain and leave a day early.

 The drive down the other side to Scone must rate as one of the best I've ever done.  Before descending from the tops you come out of the forest and look down on the valley's below.  Well it's a panoramic view to say the least and it looked like we were above the clouds.  Very memorable.

This time, the 12volt to 240volt converter packed in and by now Judith was sawing that I was jinxed with electrical appliances.  I just blamed it on my magnetism but she just rolled her eyes!

FYI, camping was free (a bargain!), and facilities were basic (pit toilet and sometimes water).  Would definitely return.

14/02/2005 - Windamere Dam.  This stop was just South of Mudgee, around a large dam that is open for boating, fishing, etc.  We camped near the playground (guess why) and again there weren't many people around at all.  The view was great, looking out over the lake and thankfully the rain stayed away so that we could all dry out.  We took advantage of Mudgee being close by stocked up on food and replaced all the electrical items that had conked out.   We did a day trip out to Hill End which is an old Gold mining town that had plenty of historic features.  While we were there we went down an old (small) mine.  Henry (who's only 19 months old) managed to climb 7 ladders getting out of the mine!  We also stopped off in the local pub to put some money back into the local economy ;-).  We also took our blow up boat out on the lake for a paddle.  The boys played on the hills, riding the trolley I'd made like a toboggan down the slope.

FYI, the CP was $10 night, has clean, old, facilities.

18/02/2005 - Wombeyan Caves.  We continued our trip via the less used roads (gravel) down through Oberon and onto the caves.  By now we're really starting to relax - the boys are settling in and playing well together, creating their own toys out of wood, rocks...you name it.  There's heaps of space, firewood for camp fires, hot showers (yeah!) and running water.  We've explored some of the caves and been amazed by what's here.  Judith's been snapping away with the camera and has tried camp cooking potatoes, eggs and damper (I won't comment on her level of success but needless to say we'll keep practicing!).

FYI, camping was $15/night and facilities are clean if  a bit old.  There's plenty of firewood and water.  The camp ground is large and must get busy in peak periods.  There's even a cricket pitch area and tennis courts to play on.

22/02/2005 - Murramerang National Park - Pretty Beach. We were lucky to arrive late on Friday and still score a spot overlooking the beach.  There was a fair crowd of weekenders from Canberra and Sydney.  However, come Sunday we were alone - well if you don't count the groups of kangaroos!  We all spent quite a bit of time down on the beach -Judith and  I even tried surfing on a boogie board.  The waves were good for us to try it out but not so good for swimming (strong waves).  The boys spent most of their time building sandcastles and digging holes out the front of the tent.  It's amazing to see that really all they need to have fun is somewhere to dig, a few sticks, couple of cars and what ever else is lying around. 

The location was great - a small beach in the National Park, some 4wd tracks and not  far from Batemans Bay where we topped up our supplies (when it rained one day).  We were relaxing so much that we changed our plans (again!), staying longer, missing out a stop and going straight to Koscuizko.

FYI, camping was $10/night with showers, toilet and water.  The camp ground is large and does get busy at weekends.

25/02/2005 - Koscuiszko National Park - Tom Groggin.   A big travel day, with a long steep climb up from the coast.  We stopped a couple of times when the boys were getting ropey and asking 'are we there yet?'.  Eventually we got to Jindabyne to check park facilities and work out likely camp spots.  We decided to pick Tom Groggin, a large quiet location past Thredbo and near the Vic border.  On the first day we went back to Thredbo to do the tourist things and clean up.  First off we went for a swim in the leisure centre (and had the place to ourselves) and had a welcome hot shower.  We then went up the mountain on the cable car.  (Judith was worried about going up and needed an alcoholic shot before coming back).  We walked part way up the mountain and even saw bits of snow (a first for the boys!).  After that we picked up more supplies (we seem to spend all our time stocking up when in a town with some food choices:-)).  We were all impressed with Thredbo - it looked like an European Alpine town, with stone, small streets, and active feel to it. We promised to come back again when the boys were older - either to ski (in winter) or even mountain bike (in summer).

On the following day we went for a 4wd trip into the bush, checking out some Alpine huts, and crossing streams (after sending Judith out to walk them first!).

Of course the whole area is spectacular, with mountains where-ever you turn.  Truly an area where you could spend a few weeks, stopping off in different areas.

Tomorrow, we're off over the border via some tricky 4wd tracks.  We've also to find a not-too deep crossing over the Murray for us with trailer.  Should be fun!

FYI - camping is free, but you need a day ($16) or annual pass ($85).  We happened to have an annual pass that covers all the NSW parks.

26/02/2005 - Alpine NP (Vic) - Davies Plain Hut.   We took the Davies Plain 4WD track into Victoria, making an exciting crossing over the Murray (which marks the state boundary here) - have a look at the favourite photo and you'll see what I mean.  Following that we had more fun 4wd climbing up to the top and reaching Davies Plain.  There was some steep sections that pushed our abilities but the Challenger pulled us, and the trailer, through.  On arriving at the Hut we immediately decided to stay for the night.  It was just a beautiful place - and there was no one else around.     The boys enjoyed running around, in and out of the hut, helping make up the fire and boiling the billy. We spent a starry night, watching the fire and eating one of Judith's delicious curry's (made on the fire no less!).  During the night we were also woken by brumbies in the clearing - a first for all of us and just went to reaffirm what a special place it was.