Category Archives: New South Wales

The Sapphire Coast, NSW

New South Wales, The Sapphire Coast, NSW, Trips, , , , ,

After 5 wonderful days, today we leave the Sapphire Coast and head north to Batemans Bay.

The Sapphire Coast is the tourist name for Bega Valley Shire. It stretches from the Victorian Border in the south, to Bermagui in the north. Being peak summer holiday season, all camp grounds including national parks are booked out along the beach. We stayed at Kalaru Countryside Caravan Park, a very pleasent, spacious and shady camp ground 10 minutes drive to the coast. They also sell nifty tick removal twisters which we found worked extremely well….on humans.

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Sydney, NSW day two

New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Trips, , ,

The highlight of our Sydney trip was catching up with friends we hadn’t seen for years, going to Carriage Works to see the amazing exhibition ‘Hereby make protest‘, and then seeing the Bangarra dance companies ‘Patyegarang‘ at the Sydney Opera House. Such a powerfully emotive performance.

We then headed home to Melbourne, stopping overnight at Holbrook. Another wonderful trip.  

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Sydney, NSW day one

New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Trips, , , ,

After Katoomba we then headed to Sydney and stayed at Sheralee Caravan Park, Rockdale. Not where I would stay for a holiday but a great base for visiting Sydney as it was quiet and walking distance to the train station. While in Sydney we did all the touristy things like the art gallery, a ferry ride to Manly, lunched at ‘The Australian Hotel’ in the rocks (fantastic food).

Katoomba, NSW

New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Trips, ,

Road trip number four. Stopped overnight at Yeong Creek Camp Ground on the way to Katoomba Falls Caravan Park. While there we visited ‘Scenic World’, The Three Sisters and Jenolan Caves. Such a wonderful place. The last time I was at the Three Sisters was with my family when I was about 7 or 8 years old. My two sisters and I walked to the three sisters. The irony was lost on me back then.

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Mildura / Buronga NSW

Country Victoria, New South Wales, Trips, Victoria, ,

Again we are close to water which is lovely. Paddle Steamers and surf boards on the Murray River, who would  have thought. The Buronga Family Caravan Park is a very very dog friendly place. Also very clean and well kept. There is a doggy wash and a separate doggy washing machine for your pets blankets, perhaps next time we will bring Homer with us.  The Australian Inland Botanic Gardens is an interesting place to visit, if you take the little train/tractor ride around you get a guided tour and history of the place.

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Howlong, NSW

Brisbane, QLD, New South Wales, Trips,

From the Warrumbungle National Park we headed home to Melbourne. Stopped at Oberon Caravan Park NSW, for a couple of nights. Then two nights at Howlong Lions Rest Area, right beside the mighty Murray.  A nice spot, free camping so no power or water. The only thing I had not tested in the van was the gas oven, so I made a cake.

Warrumbungle National Park, NSW

Brisbane, QLD, New South Wales, Trips, Warrumbungle National Park,

The Warrumbungle National Park, ‘Blackman Camp No.2’. We had the place to ourselves which was fantastic. There is an amenities block, well designated camping areas, no water or power but that’s no problem, great internet and phone coverage due to the close proximity of Siding Spring Observatory.

2013 wildfires followed a few weeks later by devastating floods changed the landscape of this magnificent place but could not take away the magic and beauty of the Warrumbungle’s.

New England Highway, Qld to NSW

Brisbane, QLD, New South Wales, Queensland, Trips, , , , ,

We left Noosa and headed south, travelling through the Granit Belt. The first night we stopped at a free camp on the side of the road called Heifer Creek Rest Area, Qld, very  nice grassy spot, not too close to the road and a few other campers around. The next night was raining and as it was getting dark we pulled into a spot called ‘Mother of Ducks Lagoon’ in Guyra, NSW.  We bought apples and pies at Vincenzo’s Big Apple, visited the Golden Guitar at Tamworth, but the highlight was stopping at Girraween National Park and swimming in the river along with lots of little tortoises, such a relief to escape the heat in this magical place.

Heifer Creek Rest Area

1779842_10202005968603061_1383276333_n[1]The BIG APPLE, near Stanthorpe, Qld

golden guitar tamworthTamworth Golden Guitar

 

Tim Roper's photo.Girraween National Park