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Kenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023
  • Lauren and Brett Kenny
Jan – Dec 2023

Kenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023

The last year of our epic three year lap around Aus! Read more
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  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler
    Relaxing amung the trees

    Hello South Aus

    March 11, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    After a long day fossicking, what better way to end the day then to cross into SA and relax in this stunning free camp.

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler
    1333

    Rob’s Place - Port Mac

    March 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    We were cruising through Port McDonnell so we thought we would call in and see Rob from Cactus.

    We pulled into his amazing place, then he took us on a tour of the crayfish factory where he works.

    We also got a tour of the sites in Port Mc, and then back to his place for a fish cook up!

    The kids cuddled his Guinea pig and I drooled over Andrea’s shell collection!    Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler
    Ewen Ponds
    1Spiny crayfish - caught by RobLittle Blue Lake2Lachie's JumpBrett's jumpPeacful arvo dip

    Ewen Ponds

    March 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    This time we did it! We snorkeled Ewen Ponds, it was cold, it took our breath away, but it was stunning, crystal clear and deep.

    2 years ago, we came through here, we marveled at its beauty, but only Brett had a wetsuit, so we gave snorkeling a miss.

    This time we were prepared and I was not leaving without going in, and it was worth it! Brax even spotted some endangered spiny freshwater crayfish.

    The kids were first to get out, then Brett then me! Then we cranked the heater in the car.
    The kids warmed up at the skate park.

    Brett and Lachie were not to cold to finish off the day doing the big jump at Little Blue Lake. 2 years ago we would not let Lachie do this jump and he was cranky! This time he jumped off, and didn’t even hesitate!    Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler
    1SunriseMorning squid off the jettyDinner with a viewLunch with with a viewWe did it, we got scallops! Only one featuredWe got more scallopsThe leather jacket that attacked me!Jetty snorkel1

    Rapid Bay

    March 15, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    The last two years, we missed coming here. When we met people, they would ask if we went to Rapid Bay! so we thought we better come and check it out.

    We got ourselves a prime beach front spot and we can see way people rave about this place. A stunning protected bay, a jetty to jump off and snorkel under, a cave to explore, shells, squid and scallops. Not a bad way to spend a week!Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler
    1

    Lachie Turns 10

    March 17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Lachie’s 3rd traveling birthday!

    This year he spent his birthday chillin at Rapid Bay. He got a ripper of a day, it started out cloudy, but by lunch time the sky was clear and it was a scorcher.

    He did all his favourite things, a huge waffle breakfast, jetty jumping, skurfing, hotdogs, paddleboarding, swimming, bike riding, gaming, playing with his tech decks, piñata, cake and garlic prawns and the best bit was he had made a great mate here to share it all all with, so he was stocked.    Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler

    Silo Art

    March 21, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    First silo art of the year at Coonalpyn.

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler
    3The hole - 5-6 meters deepLou's home made winchLachlan climbing out from level oneSmokey quartz geod - the crystals grow in a geod and when they are to big they break outSmokey quartz in the wall1Smokey quartz geod11Smokey quartz crystals1Toast on the fireToast on the fire11The Grampians in the backgroundWendy and Lou with the Dogs

    A fossicking good time

    March 23, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Whist fossicking for peridot, we got the hot tip about Beear Fossicking ground at Moorella. After the fossicking hosts showed us their goodies, we could not resist stopping in ourselves.

    We rolled in in the dark! Brett had a doctors app during the day, so we were running a tad late. We could only see one other camper as we rolled in, but in the morning Brett and I were straight out scoping the place out, when we bumped into Lou.

    Lou was super keen to give us the run down and show us what he and his partner Wendy had been collecting for the last few weeks. They had some amazing pieces, Brett and I were chomping at the bits to get digging, we mentioned the kids back at the van, but he was a talker ( not a good combo with Brett 🤣! ). Before we knew it he had us over at his massive hole, showing us what it was all about, then he invited us down for a dig! How could we say no 🤷🏼‍♀️. By this time the kids had joined us. Lachlan was super excited to get down the hole, this is what mining was all about! He got his boots, long pants, head torch and pic! He was set. Brax, Lachie and Brett spent a few hours in the hole pulling out stunning gems and geods, while I did some sieving and geod cracking on the surface.

    The boys used their muscles to twist and turn the winch and bucket the dirt out of the hole, taking turns being up the top and in the hole. We were all on a high. We could not believe how lucky we were to find Lou and Wendy and how generous they were to let us dig in their hole, teach us how to find these gems and let us keep these precious gems.

    Something that stuck with all of us was something Wendy said to the boys when she was explaining the formation of the gems and how special they were, she also said that “ we were the first people in the entire world that has ever placed eyes on that gem, that it has spent hundreds or even millions of years under ground forming and as we pull it out of the ground we are the first people to see and touch it”. We had never thought of this before when we are fossicking, and now our gems are even more special and we feel even more amazed each time we find one.    Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler

    Southern 80 - Echuca

    March 25, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Uncle Dan was racing in the Southern 80, so we decided since we were not that far away we would head over for the weekend.

    The kids could not wait to see Uncle Dan.

    We headed down the river, and scored a ripper of a spot. The van had river front views, the kids had trees to put their hammocks in and the neighbors had already dug the hole for the fire pit.

    Uncle Dan was towing 2, 10 year old girls, it was their first time in the Southern 80. We stood on the edge cheering them on, the girls did a wonderful job completing the whole race.

    Uncle Dan and Jodi came and hung out at the river and we also checked out the house they had rented in town. The kids were stocked as there was a bunch of kids staying there. They played pool, played music really loud ( thanks Dan!) and then got into a game of hide and seek. This did not end well with 2 kids kicking their toes in doorways! The last one being quite bad, with the screaming lasting over 10 mins. That put an end to the running games.

    We spent Sunday on the river watching the big boats race. They came flogging down the river at a scary speed of 220km/h completing the whole 80km race in about 30 to 35 mins! Wow!

    It was so great catching up with Dan and Jodi even if it was only for a day!    Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler

    More Silo Art - Rochester

    March 27, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 18 °C
  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler
    Night off from cooking 🙌
    2Window views - cold and rainy, snuggle time1Special dinner by Braxy - he sat us next to each other 🥰3Amazing dinner cooked by Braxy - ckn parmy and ceaser salad

    13th Wedding Anniversary

    March 27, 2023 in Australia

    Bush camp
    Dinner cooked by Braxy
    Prosecco served by Lachie
    Hanging with my boys
    Bliss 🥰

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler
    GoldsmithGoldpanningThe barBowling1

    Sovereign Hill - Ballart

    March 28, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Today we took a step back in time, to the Gold Rush. The kids learnt what it was like to live in Ballarat 170 years ago, before electricity, in little tents which slept 10, the muddy roads and drinking the water you bathed in. I think the thing that stuck in the kids heads the most though was the cost of sugar 170 years ago! They were shocked to find out that lollies were for adults, and children only got ONE hard boiled lolly on a Sunday if they were lucky and completed all their school work, had gone to church and completed their chores. I suggested we start this rule, the kids were not impressed.

    Alcohol was banned on the gold fields however it could be bought from underground distilling operations which then used women dressed as mothers holding babies to dispense the potent beverages by replacing the baby with a bottle of plonk and discreetly pouring it into thirsty gold miners cups for a very hefty price. Some very unique ingredients were also added to the alcohol including opiates and even gun powder for that extra kick 💥

    We all got to experience going down in the gold mine, and what a small dark space it was to work in.

    We tried our hand at gold panning, let’s just say we probably would not have survived the gold rush, and may have starved to death.    Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler

    Urban Surf Wave Pool

    March 29, 2023 in Australia

    What a typical Melbourne day, raining, windy and freezing……. But the waves were on song 🤙
    Although the weather was awful, there were glimpses of sunshine between the showers and urban surf has outdoor hot tubs and hot showers which were great for thawing out between surfs.
    The first two intermediate sessions were very enjoyable and the kids had a great time surfing the small right in the corner. They also really enjoyed swimming in the hot tub after.
    It was then time for my advance surf session where they crank it up to maximum, half hour of the biggest waves then half hour of beast mode which produces the small slabbing barrels. Nervous? Yes!
    I stood in the line up ready to head out in the company of some very advance surfers Layne Beachley, Connor O'leary, and Jack Robinson who is currently leading the WSL and wearing the yellow jersey going into Bells Beach next week, essentially he is the best surfer in the world right now! Jack and Connor headed to the left hand wave but Layne was on the right with me. I surfed and got some great waves however they were quite tricky with many in my group not even able to make the take off. After feeling the wave out I planted some better turns, but it was then turned up to beast mode. I got some great head dips but then one barrel that felt great and topped off a great session.
    When I left the pool Brax came running up and said super excitedly, did you see that old chick, she was awesome….. she was ripping it up better than all the guys and she was getting the deepest barrels and still making them. I knew exactly who he was talking about and had to enlighten him, I said “Brax, that is Layne Beachley, she is one of the best women surfers in the world and has won the world title seven times” 😂 Brax still amazed said “she’s is like Nans age and still ripping it up” 🤙
    I wish I got a photo with Jack and Layne but I didn’t want to hassle them, I chatted to Layne in the water and Jack gave us a shuka as he so casually cruised passed the hot tub on his way out. Such cool chilled champions, what an epic end to an epic day 😊    Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler
    1Saturday Qualifying

    Formula 1 GP Friday

    March 31, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    WOW! We saw in the flesh 1000hp, 800kg Formula 1 cars accelerating from 100 to 200km/h in under 2 seconds, washing off 200km/h just in 2.9 seconds. These cars are incredible, they are crazy fast and with all the down force bite through corners at 300km/h, but braking is insane, they can come to a complete stop from 100km/h in just 15 meters, as Lewis Hamilton said “it’s enough to pull tears from your eyes”.
    There were other classes including the V8 Supercars, F2 cars, and the F3 cars which were by far the loudest (ear plugs in).
    In our travels we have often heard stigmas around weather and climate but found them mostly to be untrue however Melbourne weather is just horrible, we had a freezing morning, sun out sweating, sprinkling on and off, cloudy windy and freezing, and proper rain as we left and walked the streets trying to find our way home lol.
    Melbourne locals love saying “if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute and it will change”…….. Soooooo True!    Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler
    1

    Formula 1 Race Day

    April 2, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    We arrived as the gates opened, people were running to get their spot on the track. We were lucky enough to score a spot on the fence at turn three with an un-interrupted view of the track and a big screen behind us. We were partly shaded and could sit and relax between races. That was it, we weren’t moving for six hours.
    We watched F3, F2, and V8 Supercar drivers race with little to no regard for each other and their machines as they muscled their way around the track forcing each other into early retirements, making for some very exiting racing. The time flew by with so much happening on the track and before we could blink the F1 drivers paraded around in the back of convertibles, the excitement was building exponentially.
    The race was nail biting for the first laps with cars being tossed from the track. The drivers then settled into a grove for the mid part of the race. Things i will remember are Charles’s Ferrari crashing right in front of us on the first lap, the Mercedes both leading after an incredible start but then George Russels engine catching on fire which retired him. Lewis lead for a while before Max passed and then seemed to pull away with ease. Magnussen also stopped right in front after kissing the wall and loosing a wheel. The late part of the race was awesome with a standing grid restart with 2 laps remaining, bunching the cars up and many drivers throwing everything at it to improve their positions. This resulted it carnage all over the track and great entertainment for spectators, with a lot happening right in front of us at turn 3. But after the dust settled, Max Verstappen was victorious in his Red Bull, and incredibly his team mate Sergio Perez started P20 in Pitt Lane and climbed back to P5.
    I have never been to an event where the crowd was so electrified, people were on the edge of their seat shouting, gasping and applauding the F1 gladiators as they raced around the circuit. The crowd even commiserated strongly with the fallen soldiers as they exited their mangled machinery after being hurtled into concrete walls at ridiculous speeds. Even the race officials were applauded for swiftly removing cars from the track.
    We stayed late to watch bands Sneaky Sound System and Birds of Tokyo which had everyone up and dancing.
    All in all it was a spectacular day that I will remember for ever……..
    Attending a Formula 1 event 😊✅    Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler
    2

    Torquay

    April 5, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    We are now officially broke 🤣🤣!

    We came to Torquay to watch the Bells Beach surfing comp and whist waiting for the surf to pick up and the competition to start we were having some lazy days. The kids have been riding down to the local bmx track and we have been catching up on school work and penguins posts.

    We thought we should go and check out the town! Well, maybe we should of stayed at the caravan park because the 1st and last stop was the Ripcurl factory outlet! 3.5 hours and $1050 later we walked out with 6 wetsuits, a wetsuit shirt, 7 pairs of swimmers, 4 pairs of board shorts, a dress, 2 pairs of pants, stickers, a life jacket, wax, sunnies, 2 beanies and some complementary tickets to the Bells Comp 😬.

    We never got around to sight seeing, as when we came out it was almost dark!

    After all that shopping we decided to treat ourselves to maccas for dinner!    Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler
    Owen1Jack RobinsonJordyKelly SlaterToledoMedinaSteph & Sally1MonksMolly

    Bells Beach Pro 🔔🏄‍♂️🤙

    April 6, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Seeing all the top surfers in the world competing at Bells was incredibly special. They are amazing, carving massive turns and explosive airs on any wave dished up to them, and to witness it first hand was spectacular.
    We only booked accomodation for the first 3 days of the 10 day waiting period because everything else was booked out for Easter. After some poor conditions over the first 2 days we were hoping and wishing they would run the event on the 3rd day with some better conditions expected.
    We left the caravan park in the dark, boys on bikes and us on foot, making the 3.5 kilometre trek to Bells not knowing wether or not it was on or off. It was on! They surfed Winky Pop which has very limited viewing, however we were early and secured a bench seat we could stand on for uninterrupted views. As they started the comp they cranked the speakers up and blasted AC/DC Hells Bells, apparently it is tradition and boy did it get you exited. We watched all of our favourite surfers ripping it up. Jack Robinson, Toledo, Medina, Owen Wilson, John John, Molly Picklum, Sally Fitzgibbon, Steph Gilmore and more however we were all very exited to see Kelly Slater, the greatest surfer of all time. We were expecting something special when Kelly entered the water with Jack Robinson however he had a shocker, barley landing anything in the choppy conditions. Jack dominated the heat demonstrating why he is leading with multiple airs, massive turns and big scores, he was un believably good.
    Kelly is still the greatest and is so inspiring with all the things he has achieved. We heard he was signing and posing for pictures in the car park after his horrible performance, the kids got their hats signed and a photo with the legend. Kelly even smiled though you could tell he was devastated, it would have been so hard for him however he is a true champion and I hope he fights through the elimination round.
    Meeting Kelly Slater is something I will remember and talk about forever 🤙    Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler
    Hunting
    Looking1Sorting ( Boss Brax is onto it 🤣🤣)Happy with their collection1Happy chappy - sugar high11Lake Bumbunga was pink this year, when we drive past in 2021 it was white 🤣2Passed through Kimba, half way across the country on Easter Day1When you dont put your clothes in the dirty clothes basket and miss laundry day!Skate at Ceduna to work off the sugarSkate at Ceduna to work off the sugarHand washing at the breakfast stop 🤣 Happy Easter Boys!Melting some eggs on the fire, because they haven't eaten enough today 🤣And a ripper fire and a few fire works to end a big day1Brax on dinner duty, meatball subsDinner is served 👌🏻3The tree that caught on fire 😳

    Happy Easter

    April 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

    The kids didn’t disappoint, waking us at 5.20am to collect their Easter eggs. Even though they are getting older, they are still just as excited for the Easter Bunny.

    This is our 3rd Easter in the van, but the 1st one where we had not already been at Cactus Beach. We are on our way though, so after all the eggs had been collected, sorted and taste tested we jumped in the car and headed to Ceduna.

    The boys got out some built up sugar energy at the skate park on Ceduna and then we hit up a bush camp for a fire. Not a bad way to spend Easter.    Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler

    Sushi Time

    April 10, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Lachie, Brax and Brett are all obsessed with Sushi! Me, not so much! So we decided to give making it a go. Whilst we were home Brax did a sushi making lesson, so the pressure was on him to teach us all.

    We gathered all the ingredients, everyone picking their favourites and hoping like hell that the rice would work out!

    I nailed the rice, and we made enough sushi for dinner, and our lunch and dinner the following day 🤣🤣🤣.

    The kids were stocked, and it is actually quite easy to make. I even gave it a go, and it wasn’t to bad.    Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler
    Annie and Milly
    Chris the camp hostSteve, Chris, Rob, Andy, Jerry, AnnieJerry and Annie1Snake eating a mouseBeautiful sunrises from bed1Lizzy the lizard2Mornings spent reading 😍2Prime spot right next to the beach accessPreping the fire for dinnerCuttie, doing the rounds

    Cactus Crew

    April 14, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 21 °C

    Cactus, a home away from home.

    Where you pull up and feel so welcome and see the same crew from year to year.

    Where a month flies by and feels like a week. No-body gets bored and no-body wants to leave

    Where you have a morning cuppa with half the camp at the ‘chair’

    Where you walk up and check the surf 100 times a day, but this is normal

    Where the kids can roam free and no-one has to worry

    A place we all love and can’t wait to get back too.    Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler
    1Grommets surf sess at Catus
    1Cupcake dessert

    Cactus - play time

    April 16, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Do we have kids?

    A few days after we arrived, some of the kids from last year arrived, but they set up at the opposite end of camp! And then a few more kids arrived and they all set up down the other end too! Soooo we pretty much haven’t seen our kids the whole time we have been here, they come home for food and to sleep or if they want a lift to the beach the other kids are going to.

    But, they have had a great time, which is what counts. They have been riding bikes, exploring, making and selling jewelry and surfing.    Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler
    1Some of the old crew, Annie and Milly
    1Pop up braclet shopThe pop up bar sunset spot1Grabbing a drink at the bar2The cube - nailed it4

    Sunset Bar - Cactus

    April 18, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 19 °C

    One of the regulars always puts on this awesome pop up Cactus Sunset Bar, this year it was to celebrate Sarah’s 50th.

    What a great night, the drinks were disgusting 🤮, but the dancing was on point. Unfortunately, the kids were better than the adults which resulted in a good old style dance off. Sad to say the kids won this round.

    Guess will have to come back next year for round two!    Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler
    Matt Moran's Black Peppered Blue Swimmer CrabMacro Sperm Worm

    No Boat, but Still Plenty of Seafood

    April 22, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    Two first today, caught a big gummy shark and my first large Mulloway (jewfish) ✅
    It was a beautiful arvo so Chris and I attacked the beach chasing Mulloway. We had plenty of action and landed a monster salmon, big gummy and an 83cm Mulloway which was only just over the legal size limit of 82cm. Unfortunately the Mulloway was full of worms. They looked like macro sperm and wiggled after being squeezed out of the flesh, there were heaps, so we decided to turf it. The gummy was good and tasted delicious in beer batter then shared with friends, there was heaps for everyone including the neighbours and still enough to freeze for another couple of meals.
    The neighbours Richard and Jacintha returned the favour supplying some beautiful blue swimmer crabs and I cooked them up using Matt Moran’s black pepper blue swimmer crab recipe, and owe my god! it is now my favourite recipe….. yum yum yum!
    Cactus is a community, its a home away from home and the people you meet make it so special.    Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler

    Abalone, absolutely 🤤

    April 24, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    One of my favourite things to do at Cactus is get out and get some of these delicious beauties.

    It may mean that there isn’t much surf around because you need a calm day to get out and get them, but it is well worth it. Their meat is delicious and their shell is spectacular, no wastage here.Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler
    11

    Lake MacDonnell

    April 24, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Lake McDonnell was the first pink lake we saw on our trip, back in 2021. We were all so excited to finally see a pink lake.

    In 2022, it was not pink, but this year it was pink again, but I was the only one who was excited this time 😂. We have seen a few pink lakes on our journeys now and they don’t seem to have quite the same effect on the kids as they did the first time around.

    I made Brett get the drone out to take some pics. He was not impressed, he was worried his mates from Catus would see. He put it up, took a few quick snaps and got it down asap, before anyone could see.    Read more

  • Lauren and Brett KennyKenny’s Aussie Adventures 2023Traveler
    2Lots of weed today. Brax, Lachie and Seb decided to build a tower out some!

    Hanging on the Jetty - Cactus

    April 25, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    The days have been busy the last two weeks, kids everywhere.

    Today was Seb and Meki’s last day, so it was a surf a Shelly Beach then a jetty jumping session.

    The day was hot, hot, hot so it was perfect for lots of swimming.

    From the group of 11 kids that have been terrorizing the camp we are now down to the original 4, the next few days should be a little bit more relaxing.    Read more

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