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The Wedding Road Trip
  • Pauly G
  • Claire Giess
Jan – Feb 2025

The Wedding Road Trip

We’re taking a two week road trip to include Emma and Jason’s wedding at Austinmer Beach south of Sydney. Read more
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  • Trip start
    January 28, 2025
    The Wedding Road Trip
    The view from the lookout on the headland.
    The Beach House on the waterfrontClaire chilling with a cold cider.Prawn and crab spring rolls and curry puffs.Pad-see Eu and s chicken laksa. Both were lovely.Our home for the night. It was an easy walk to everywhere from here.465kms on Day 1. Fairly easy drive.

    Day 1 - Port Macquarie

    Jan 28–29 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 28 °C

    This morning we left home heading for Port Macquarie, half way to Sydney. After a quick stop at the Ballina Service Centre for lunch it was an easy trip down the motorway to Port Macquarie.
    Tonight we’re in the Surf Beach Motel which has renovated rooms that are modern and clean. The king size bed feels comfy so looking forward to a great night sleep.
    We explored the town centre along the waterfront after a walk around the headland, had a beer at the Beach House before having dinner at the Glass House Thai. Crab spring rolls followed by chicken laksa, yum!
    Port is a lovely relaxing spot perfect for an overnighter.    Read more

  • The Wedding Road Trip
    A morning stroll around the beaches is a must!
    Our Meriton in the background with Eat street at the front.1Amazing flavours of Messina got Claire excited!Load me up big boy!!

    Day 2 - Port to Sydney

    Jan 29–31 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    After a morning walk around the waterfront and beaches at Port Macquarie we headed for Sydney. An uneventful trip apart from some heavy rain as we got closer to Sydney.
    On arriving at Parramatta and checking into the Meriton Apartments we ventured out and around Eat Street in Parramatta. A mandatory stop at Messina for a gelato of course.
    Having collected some items for Emma we headed over to see Jason and Emma and load my car with wedding paraphernalia ready for the next journey on Friday. We’re all getting excited with the wedding only 3 days away now.
    Tomorrow will be a leisurely day relaxing around Parramatta, including some Italian food at a lovely looking restaurant we saw today. Yum!    Read more

  • The Wedding Road Trip
    The view from our balcony. Sydney CBD in the distance.
    The view down Eat Street.Temasek restaurantNeyvine restaurant

    Day 3 - Parramatta

    Jan 30–Feb 1 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Today was a rest day spent wondering around Parramatta exploring shops and restaurants.
    We had lunch at Temasek for some amazing Malaysian dishes.
    Dinner was in a restaurant below our hotel called Neyvine. Lovely Italian seafood pasta dishes, yum!Read more

  • The Wedding Road Trip
    The Headlands Hotel
    The views2The view from Emma's balcony.1$5 schooners, loving that!2Found a jellyfish eating a crab, looks like neither survived.Dinner with friends JB, Gemma, Leeanne and Fiona

    Day 4 - Off to Austinmer Beach

    Jan 31–Feb 3 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    It was a relatively short drive to the wedding location of Austinmer Beach but quite stressful as we were transporting the cake. 🥶 After considerable thought on how to pack it into the car with all of the other wedding bits we set off. Aircon at full speed so it was like sitting in the fridge. Good for cakes, not for humans. Nervously we felt every bump but ultimately the cake arrived in pristine condition.
    Austinmer Beach is a gorgeous location with our accomodation at Headlands Hotel looking amazing. A wonder around the area when we arrived followed by an afternoon rehearsal suggests tomorrow will be an exciting day. Emma and Jason have done an amazing job planning for their wedding.
    Speech notes prepared, rehearsal done, just a bit of ironing to go and I’m ready!    Read more

  • The Wedding Road Trip
    The ceremony setup on Little Austinmer Beach
    Bride and bridesmaids getting readyMy daughter the Bride. She looked amazing!!The gorgeous coupleThe speeches began. I was nervous but told later my speech was great.The other gorgeous couple 😂

    Day 5 - The Big Day

    Feb 1–4 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    What a great day! The weather was fine and sunny with a cool breeze so it was always going to be a great day for a wedding. After an early breakky I was under instructions to be suited and booted by 11.30am. The bridal party were obviously preparing before that with the photographers arriving by 11. After hours of getting ready and many many photos I walked with the bride and bridesmaids to the top of the headland at 2pm. We were like celebrities with most of the people in the hotel coming out to watch.
    The guests were all seated on the beach so we made our way towards them. It was a long walk and I couldn’t have been prouder of my little girl. The couple had asked not to take lots of photos to allow them to post their own so I don’t have many for this blog. The bridesmaids and groomsmen looked almost as good as the bride and groom and the ceremony was perfect. Afterwards we all walked back to the grassed area below the hotel were Emma & Jason had arranged for a Gelato cart to serve ice creams for everyone while photos continued.
    That was followed by the bridal party and immediate family walking over to the northern beach for more photos. That location was just as spectacular as the other but obviously made for more great memories.
    Around 5pm we entered the reception area which was beautifully arranged. Emma and Jason had done a lot of work themselves to make the room very special. The food was fantastic and the entertainment was very good. Apart from my nervousness about making the Father of the Bride speech, the whole night was amazing. I was so pleased for them and so proud of both of them.
    It was a great night!    Read more

  • The Wedding Road Trip
    Sharky's beach
    The view of Headlands Hotel in the distance from Sharky's beachThe menu at Rosie's Fish shop. Beef dripping chips, amazing!The menu at the Airstream. Apple pie dumplings for desert, wow.The Airstream on the right with views over the ocean to the left. A magic spot for some $5 drinksThe $5 beer selection 😎Birthday cocktails with the Bride & Groom

    Day 6 - The Day After (and my Birthday)

    Feb 2–5 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    I awoke to my phone pinging with birthday well wishes. That was a nice surprise. It was a late start so Claire and I walked up to The Austi Cafe for breakky and met JB & Gemma.
    It had been an amazing night with everyone having a fabulous time. Even though the alcohol was free flowing all night there didn’t seem to be any casualties, at least we didn’t see any. The youngens lived on the dance floor most of the night while the oldies, like me, conversed outside on the balcony. It was quite a memorable night.
    After breakky we walked up to the beach to the north of the hotel called Sharky’s beach. As it was Sunday and the weather perfect the beaches were very busy. After walking back to the hotel we went down for a swim in the ocean. Water was crisp and clear and cool enough to awaken all senses 🥶
    JB & Gemma shouted me fish & beef dripping chips for birthday lunch at Rosie’s Fish Shop at Sharky’s beach, supposed to be the best around. Delicious!
    Relaxation was the theme for the afternoon. To be followed by an early dinner in the hotel.    Read more

  • The Wedding Road Trip
    The views at Gerringong
    1Gerringong SLSCGerringong beach rock poolsThe views from GerroaCrooked River inlet, a gorgeous spot!The Boathouse fish & chips at Batemans BayWe ate at 3 Fish cafe at Batemans Bay, delicious!Waterfront Cafe at Merimbula

    Day 7 - Austinmer to Merimbula

    Feb 3–4 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Today we drive about 500kms down the NSW coast to Merimbula. We stopped at many gorgeous locations with beautiful views and beaches.
    Gerringong, Batemans Bay, Tathra and even the beaches around Port Kembla were beautiful.
    We had morning tea at the bakery at Gerringong, lunch at Batemans Bay and about to have dinner in Merimbula.
    Felt like a long day but enjoyed it all. Will sleep well tonight.
    1350kms so far over 18 hrs of driving.    Read more

  • The Wedding Road Trip
    Merimbula beach
    Pipers lookout on the Snowy Mountains Highway1Inside the Banjo Paterson Inn

    Day 8 - Merimbula to Jindabyne

    Feb 4–6 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    After a leisurely start taking in the waterfront and Short Point Beach at Merimbula, we swapped the coast for the mountains today and headed up to the alpine town of Jindabyne, on the edge of the Snowy Mountains.
    The lush, green rolling hills of the dairy country along the Candelo-Walumla road were truly stunning.
    We tried to stop at the Bemboka bakery for one of their bee sting cakes (a great find from our October trip), but sadly being Tuesday, they were closed. Seems that’s a thing around these parts. 😞
    We climbed up Brown Mountain to Pipers Lookout (904m above sea level) and headed on to Cooma for a brief stop, before making our way to Jindabyne (The Jindy Inn), our home for the next 2 nights.
    Had to try a couple of the Kosciuszko Brewery’s best ales at the Banjo Paterson Inn in Jindabyne.    Read more

  • The Wedding Road Trip
    The Banjo Paterson Inn from last night
    Statue recognises the Irish immigrants who worked on the Snowy Hydro SchemeLake JindabyneLake JindabyneEntrance to Wild Brumby Schnapps1Wild Brumby Schnapps tasting roomWild BrumbyThe Jindy Bowlo happy hourThe Jindy Bowlo viewsScotch fillet and a chicken snitty

    Day 9 - Exploring the Snowy Region

    Feb 5–7 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    A slow start to the day with a morning walk by Lake Jindabyne, then a drive out towards Thredbo to check out the Wildbrumby Distillery (gin and schnapps). Had to buy a couple of bottles of schnapps (butterscotch and peach nectar) to take home for winter.
    In the evening we had dinner at the Jindabyne Bowling Club (Jindy Bowlo) with happy hour offering $5 schooners and $3 glasses of wine. Food was great as were the drinks!    Read more

  • The Wedding Road Trip
    Too many animals on the road 😂
    The lookout looking towards Mt KosciuskoOur Jeep in front of Murray 1 Power StationMurray 1 Power Station. 250,000 litres per second through the 4 pipes.Mural on the Khancoban Cafe wallMacadamia slice and rocky road, yum!Live feeds on the power stationsSnowy Hydro modelEntrance to Gone Barny cafe2A long way to anywhere... except the dunny 😂The Big Barny cut in half2Couldn't get anything else in it if you triedThe Big Cherries at Young

    Day 10 - Jindabyne to Young

    Feb 6–7 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Having left Jindabyne early we went up through the snowy mountains to go over the Mt Kosciusko National Park. After Thredbo we went over Dead Horse Pass at 1350m above sea level and headed down to Khancoban where we stopped for morning tea, great cakes! We stopped to look at the Snowy Hydro Murray Power Station #1. Quite spectacular when you understand it was built in the 60s and has fed Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide for decades. The cafe at Khancoban houses a model of the Snowy Hydro scheme along with a live panel showing outputs from each of the power stations. Well with a visit if passing through.
    From there we headed to Rosewood and the home of the Gone Barny Cafe. We’d seen this cafe on TV on “The Food Dude” so we were keen to try their signature burger, the Big Barney! It was huge. Luckily they offered to cut it in half so Claire and I shared it. It was amazing!!
    With full bellies we headed to Young, had a Chinese takeaway for dinner and had an early night. Tonight we’re staying in The Colonial Motel.    Read more

  • The Wedding Road Trip
    The Grove Vineyard
    The Grove VineyardThe Grove Wine selectionCowraKendal Street Cafe in CowraMudgee Bakery & CafeThe Kooty BowloAsian delights in the Kooty Bowlo2The trip so far

    Day 11 - Young to Tamworth

    Feb 7–8 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    First up we visited the Grove Vineyard having seen a few specials on offer. 9.30sm is early for wine tasting but todays itinerary didn’t allow much time. A dozen bottles of sparkles and we were off.
    We had morning tea at Kendal Street Cafe in Cowra, lovely little town in regional NSW.
    For lunch we ate at the Mudgee Bakery & Cafe. A quick tour of the town and we were off towards Tamworth for the night. We decided to stay in Kootingal about 20mins out off Tamworth. Dinner was at the Kooty Bowlo. Starting to love the Bowlo meals 😂
    Nearly 600kms today with trip total now at 2638kms.    Read more

  • The Wedding Road Trip
    Alternate Root Cafe at Uralla
    Alternate Root CafeEbor FallsThe waterfall at Ebor Falls

    Day 12 - Tamworth to Home 😎

    Feb 8–9 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Our last day also included over 600kms making the last few days tiring. First stop was in Uralla to get coffees for morning tea. The Alternate Root Cafe was very busy and everything in there looked great. Uralla is a lovely little town which will have to visit longer next time.
    After a long slow drive over the range between Armidale and Grafton lunch was in Grafton at a garage, pies again 😂
    We stopped once more at the last Service Centre before the border before arriving home about 4pm.
    Total trip distance 3186kms at 9L/100kms. OK for a big SUV I guess. Cheaper in the Merc 😂
    One tip for long drives…. Listen to good podcasts to make the time fly. We listened to some great crime stories which were so interesting we’d been lost in the stories and home before we knew it.
    Overall, great road trip highlighted by my daughter’s wedding. A can’t remember driving though rain so we had 12 days of great weather too.
    Until the next one…. Safe travels!    Read more

    Trip end
    February 8, 2025
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