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The Great Road Trip 2026
  • Karen Cotton
  • Karen Cotton

The Great Road Trip 2026

A 95-day adventure by Karen Read more
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  • Karen CottonThe Great Road Trip 2026Karen Cotton

    Pubs in the Scrub

    August 19 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Today we took a day trip to visit the three pubs that are located deep in opal country in Grawin. The pubs are all located in shanty towns and are full of local characters. Our city dogs sure stood out!
    Had lunch at the Pub in the Scrub, which has a nine hole "golf course". Basically they have removed some trees and that's the fairway.
    From there we went for a quick tipple at the Grawin Hilton. There were some craft shops around that the girls enjoyed.
    Last stop was the Sheepyard Inn which is surrounded by broken down cars, trucks and machinery. It looked like the set of Mad Max 2.
    Another fantastic day in Lightning Ridge. It's sure delivering the goods.    Read more

  • Karen CottonThe Great Road Trip 2026Karen Cotton

    Last 2 days in Lightning Ridge

    August 21 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Yesterday morning we booked a tour of the property owned by Suzie and Mel, the bush poets and comedians who perform at our caravan park. Wasn't too sure what to expect, apart from scones.
    Well there were scones but much much more as well. The property was originally owned by local artist John Murray. A very interesting tour of the property and info on opal mining was to be had. Finished with outback scones and tea and a comedy show. Mel was at one time Australia's top rated female bush poet and competed all around the country. Once again, would highly recommend this if you are in this neck of the woods.
    We were all inspired after the tour and went to John's gallery to purchase some art.
    Today Graham and I completed another two of the car door tours (which we learnt yesterday were put together but John Murray). We saw some really quirky houses made from bottles and cans. Some people here have a lot of time on their hands, and obviously drink a lot. Graham should be able to construct one in our backyard.
    Stopped at Amigo's castle, which was single handedly built by an Italian immigrant from ironstone boulders he carted in the back of his ute. He piled 44 gallon drums on top of each other to use as scaffolding for the top of the castle. I imagine he was also in thongs. He built on mining land so the council were going to make him pull it down, until they saw it and could see the tourism potential. Easy fix - just change the town's boundaries. It's now in town.
    Met an interesting local who owns a cactus nursery. Rugged local opal miner whose wife does nails so he sported colourfully decorated nails.
    And now it rains. We are under the gazebo trying to stay dry, and wet Ruby is trying to get in our van. Not on your Nellie Ruby! But it could be worse, we could be at Mundi Mundi Bash. 🌧    Read more

  • Karen CottonThe Great Road Trip 2026Karen Cotton

    Hebel

    August 22 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    A quick jaunt up the road to cross the border to Qld and our next overnight stay behind the Hebel General Store. We are camped surrounded by slippery mud. Fun! We are quite proficient at managing all weather conditions now.
    Had dinner and drinks at the Hebel Hotel. So cheap - $8 for a spirit and mixer. You wander over the highway to order dinner at the general store and then wander back to pick it up. Lots of atmosphere here.
    So a bloke walks past and Dave in his booming voice announces he looks like the guy from Dumb and Dumber. Then he sets up his gear as he is the entertainment. Good one Dave.
    We stayed for his set and he was so good. Plus they had a fire out the front of the pub. Awesomeness.    Read more

  • Karen CottonThe Great Road Trip 2026Karen Cotton
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    Hebel postscript and Charlotte Plains

    August 23 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    So after I posted from Hebel Pub last night things took off a little. We are now bestest friends with Dane (Zane for Dave), the singer. Nothing like singing Country Road at the top of your lungs around a pub campfire. I think he had as much fun as we did.
    At one stage I was in the bar ordering a drink and could hear "hello Lassie" at the other end of the bar. Lassie happened to be Ruby, who had wandered in the bar and was doing a meet and greet with the locals.
    Every time a truck went past Pete would go to the highway and try to get the truck to blow the air horn, like what a child would do. See video exhibit A. The car blowing his horn is Zane leaving this morning.
    Gail, Anne and Jules left the pub a couple of hours before the boys and I to go to bed. Or so we thought. Got back to the vans to find Gail and Anne rolling drunk. Way to go girls!
    We headed to Charlotte Plains station stay today. A fabulous bush camping experience with thermal pools. And fabulous cocktails! Once again an amazing place to stay!    Read more

  • Karen CottonThe Great Road Trip 2026Karen Cotton
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    Charlotte Plains part A and part B

    August 25 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Part A
    Had the most glorious day yesterday, in and out of the hot baths, having a great cocktail, going for walks, doing a jigsaw puzzle and of course eating! I made damper over the fire, and it was surprisingly good!
    Part B
    And then it started raininglast night, and didn't stop. Looks like we will be spending the day huddled under awnings. I think we'll need a canoe soon. But the boys are putting a positive spin on it and have buckets and bowls everywhere collecting rainwater for our tanks. Plus we still have a camp fire.
    This morning Pete saw six kangaroos come past our camp-site flat out. One came through the middle of the vans without hitting anything. I can barely walk through the camp site without tripping on a rope.    Read more

  • Karen CottonThe Great Road Trip 2026Karen Cotton
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    Charleville

    August 27 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    I am pleased to say we are now having fabulous weather. We certainly deserve it after the mud at Charlotte Plains. Mud and all, it was still a great place to stay. Plus our water tanks are full from the boy's enthusiastic water farming.
    We have moved on to a great little caravan park just outside of Charleville, and we are all just a tad relaxed.
    This morning we did a tour of the Secret WWII Base, which was set up by the US in 1942. There were thousands of personnel and over 100 structures, and they were here for only eight months. Really interesting.
    Had a bit of a wander around town, and tonight we are off to the Cosmos Centre for a bit of stargazing. Fingers crossed for no cloud cover as it is near to a full moon.    Read more

  • Karen CottonThe Great Road Trip 2026Karen Cotton
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    Charville Cosmos Centre

    August 28 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Another contender for the holiday highlight reel.
    We ventured out to the Cosmos Centre last night for some stargazing. It was definitely a wow moment for me, hearing about the universe and seeing the moon and stars close up. We even got to see Saturn and its rings. Amazing.
    The second highlight of the tour was the young bloke who was operating our telescope. He was only 15 but had us in stitches. Lachlan started very serious and professional, but once Pete had a rather loud fart Lachlan decided he could let his sense of humour out. Good job young man!    Read more

  • Karen CottonThe Great Road Trip 2026Karen Cotton
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    Kinka Beach, Yeppoon

    August 30 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We spent a couple of days on the road, with a quick overnighter in Muckadilla and another at Theodore.
    Camped out the back of the Mucka Pub. It's free camping as long as you pop in for a drink or meal. We did both, plus bought shirts, so we definitely paid for our camp-site. The pub is in good standing financially until our next return.A great pub in the middle of BFN. Muckadilla is mentioned in "I've been everywhere man" - google it.
    Stopped in Roma on the way to Theodore and poor Pete was dog sitter while the girls shopped. Graham and Dave owe him big time!!
    Last night we camped at Theodore Showgrounds. The boys decided to take a quick walk to "town". There is only one thing in town and that's a pub. You can I only imagine how thrilled us girls were when they came home in the dark.
    We had quite an adventurous drive over Mount Morgan today. It was 40kph all the way winding down the mountain, but oh what a view. Anne's view is pretty much static, being the rear of our van, but at least now she has an emu sticker to look at.
    And now we are in paradise. Kinka, which is near Yeppoon. We haven't left the caravan park yet, but we may never leave.    Read more

  • Karen CottonThe Great Road Trip 2026Karen Cotton

    Kinka

    September 1 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Have had a couple of lazy days in Kinka and wandering around Yeppoon. Yeppoon is lovely but a very touristy town with some stupidly expensive clothes shops. I still managed to support the local economy.
    Graham's uncle Dave came for an overnight stay, which was lovely to spend some time with him.
    Over the road from the caravan park is Kinka Beach, so the dogs are loving a 6am run at the beach. Such a lovely way to start the day! I am getting slack at taking photos so will take plenty tomorrow at Great Keppel Island.
    I don't know how we will ever cope returning to normal life.    Read more

  • Karen CottonThe Great Road Trip 2026Karen Cotton
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    Great Keppel Island

    September 2 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Had the loveliest day at Great Keppel today (this sure beats working).
    There was a bit of fun loading the dogs on the ferry. Poor Peppa was determined not to climb the stairs onto the ferry, but thanks to one of the crew she was hoisted on board, like it or not. Was a lovely calm trip over. Stevie was terrified, Pep was still traumatised by the onboard process, Ruby was very excited and Mace just calmly took it all in, like she does with every situation.
    Great Keppel was not what I imagined at all. A cafe and bar and not much else, apart from a beautiful beach. Really peaceful - so my type of vibe.
    To get to other beaches you take a hike through the middle of the island. Sounds like fun, let's do that. It's not fun. The start of the hike had a danger sign, but of course we ignored that.
    After half hour or so of up and down the mountain most of us waved the white flag. Dave and Graham continued on to go snorkelling at Monkey Beach and the rest of us turned back. Ruby is such a loyal dog that she headed off ahead with Anne, Gail , Pep and Mace without a backward look. I could have fallen off the side of the mountain for all she cared.
    Anyway we all made it safely back. The boys had a great snorkel, I had my first ocean swim (was lovely) of the trip, the dogs had a run and swim and everyone got to relax at the pub. Wins all around I think.
    Funny story. There was a man at the caravan park with a baby in a pram and a toddler. He was trying to get the toddler to go with him but there was a firm no. After a while I went over to see if I could help. Turns out the toddler wasn't his, he didn't even know his name but didn't want to leave him. I found out the description of the van for the little boy and wandered up to ask if they had a son. Yep they both said and pointed behind them to a child. "Do you have another boy?" A flash of recognition past over their faces and they both jumped up. This kid must be trouble if his parents can't remember they have him!
    We are all a bit tired from today's adventures so might be an early night. Famous last words!    Read more

  • Karen CottonThe Great Road Trip 2026Karen Cotton

    1770 Eco Camp

    September 4 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    So here we are at our next location - 1770 Eco Camp Agnes Water. Once again this is a pearler of a spot, thanks to the numerous YouTuber travellers we have followed.
    Set up camp last night, then headed to the communal area to watch the Hawks v Dockers semi final. Before we went Pete drank a bottle of wine or so. Needless to say it was the most entertaining footy game I have watched in a long time! Pete fell asleep at half time so we were all mean and told him Freo won when we woke him at the end of the night (Hawks won - yay!!). Pete thought it was Christmas when he checked the scores this morning.
    The best thing about this camp is the smell of lemon myrtle and eucalypt in the morning, plus the sound of kookaburras. By the end of the stay they may be the worst thing about this camp as they are quite vocal!
    We headed up the top of the hill for yoga this morning. Dave and Gail took one for the team and took the bush path up the hill, but the rest of us drove. We were grateful we had after they described the climb. Yoga was so fantastic! It was on an outdoor deck looking at the mountains in the distance, with meditation at the end. Bliss!
    This afternoon we had a drive around Agnes Water and 1770. Lots of lovely homes but quite busy. Managed to find a dog beach, so we have some very exhausted but happy pooches now.    Read more

  • Karen CottonThe Great Road Trip 2026Karen Cotton
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    Bush camping

    September 5 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    If you stay in a bush camp there may be snakes. I don't like snakes. There is a photo of a snake that was near the toilets last night. I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing that it's not there this morning. Apparently it was a very beautiful and harmless carpet snake. Apparently.
    Pete has become the bird whisperer. He has some kookaburras and magpies eating chicken from his hands.
    Enjoy the video of Graham trying to work out how to get in the hammock.    Read more

  • Karen CottonThe Great Road Trip 2026Karen Cotton

    Rainbow Beach

    September 8 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Had a quick two night stay at Rainbow Beach. There's a really cute town here and a beautiful beach. Our caravan park backs on to the estuary. Fabulous sunset views. Unfortunately there are midgies, birds that sound like they are being murdered in the middle of the night and a lace monitor lizard that climbed the tree over Anne's van.
    Had dinner at the Rainbow Beach Hotel and I found the gaming room. I put in $5 and won $63 with absolutely no idea what I was doing. Beginners luck.    Read more

    Trip end
    October 28, 2026