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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Day 622
Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 9:52 PM
☁️ 23 °C
Altitude: 32 m
Australia Racecourse Beach -35.361776, 150.47590435°21’42” S 150°28’33” E
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A hot one
March 13 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Nice sunrise and visits from our resident kangaroos start the day off right. Long and hilly ride in the heat makes for a tough day. Ice cream to cool off before ending in Ulladulla. A soak in the pool cools one off.Read more
Traveler Oh wow!
3/16/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Day 621
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
☁️ 24 °C
Altitude: 6 m
Australia Jervis Bay -35.136956, 150.72487835°8’13” S 150°43’30” E
A Bushwalk and beach day
March 12 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Lazy start as we are laying over. Ride back to Murray’s Beach and walk through forest, up on cliffs and back down to the beach. Attempt to snorkel but the water is too stirred up. Do see 2 wallabies on the beach. Ride back and prepare site for the return of the possum posse (which doesn’t come).Read more
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Day 620
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 8:42 PM
☁️ 22 °C
Altitude: 12 m
Australia Jervis Bay -35.137225, 150.72068735°8’14” S 150°43’14” E
Booderee NP
March 11 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Attempt to watch the sunrise but clouds get in the way. Early drizzle keeps us moving quickly even though only going 10 miles. Stock up on food and ride to Booderee National Park. After setting up, walk along the white sand beach and cool rocks to Murray Boat dock. See dolphins right off shore and then get a great view of the creatures under the sea. In addition to lots of fish saw manta rays and a shark. Walk back to camp and see 2 kangaroos munching grass. Another dinner from the Barbie. Back at our site, get surrounded by shat seems to be possums. Hung up our food in hopes of keeping them out of it.Read more
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Day 619
Monday, March 10, 2025
☁️ 27 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Australia Huskisson Beach -35.043474, 150.67638535°2’37” S 150°40’35” E
Jervis Bay
March 10 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
Get an early start to try and beat some heat and have beach time. Nice riding under the canopy of trees before heading into farmland and then the busy town of Nowra. First signs for kangaroos but none to be seen. After peeling off on side road hear and then see a very large Goanna. Arrive in Huskisson, a small town along the white sand beaches of Jarvis Bay. Sit by the beautiful, yet windy beach. Invited to dine with an Australian couple.Read more
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Day 618
Sunday, March 9, 2025
☁️ 26 °C
Altitude: 32 m
Australia Boxsell Oval -34.748129, 150.82731234°44’53” S 150°49’38” E
Gerringong
March 9 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
Rainy morning but manage to dry out for the most part. Continue along cycle way into Wollongong. Lose a bit if time looking for gas. Follow cycle route along the coastline, winding around bays and headlands. Stop at Shell Harbor for lunch and then pass the Blowhole by Kiama before making last climb to Gerringong. Arrive hot and sweaty but cool off in the pool!Read more
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Day 617
Saturday, March 8, 2025
☁️ 24 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Australia Happy Valley Reserve -34.378213, 150.91693134°22’42” S 150°55’1” E
Along the Great Pacific drive
March 8 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Woke to squawking birds. Quickly packed up but still got a bit wet. Back to town got coffees and breakfast. Sun pops out a bit as we head into Royal National park. Climb through bush land and then drop down into thick rain forest. Appreciate patient drivers who move over for us. Finish our climbing and stop to watch paragliders and eat lunch. Continue along Great pacific drive, passing small towns on our way to Corrimal. Sit on the mostly deserted beach for a bit before dinner.Read more
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Day 616
Friday, March 7, 2025
☁️ 25 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Australia Berenice Forster Park -34.083073, 151.13644634°4’59” S 151°8’11” E
Bunadeena
March 7 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Pack up, and after hanging out by the beach while Doug went to Dr’s appointment, headed back towards the airport. Stay mostly on dedicated cycle paths as we made our way south along the bays. Arrive in Cornell’s and catch the ferry to Bundeena. Quite crowded with school kids returning home. Learn of a shark interaction (aka attack) in Bundeena. Ride to Bonnie Vale campground, get food and have good steak dinner serenaded by very loud white macaws.Read more
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Day 615
Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 7:12 PM
☁️ 24 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Australia Coogee Oval -33.918483, 151.25729633°55’7” S 151°15’26” E
Sydney - Day 2
March 6 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
A cloudy and drizzly morning quickly dries up as we catch our bus back to the city. Check out the Great Synagogue and stroll along busy streets full of high end goods. Admire Queen Victorias building before crossing over the Darling harbor towards the fish market. Beautiful seafood on display. Opt for interesting seafood dough balls and skewers. More walking along the shoreline before returning to the central quay, which today houses a huge cruise ship. Take a ferry to Rose Bay and walk again to Bondi beach and back via the coastal walkway.Read more
TravelerI’d love to see Sydney. Maybe someday when Christine gets there. Wishful thinking, I know.
3/6/25Reply
Helene RimbergBeautiful city! Should definitely go
3/8/25Reply
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Day 614
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: 13 m
Australia Coogee Oval -33.918738, 151.2575333°55’7” S 151°15’27” E
Sydney Explorations
March 5 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Took the bus into the city to save some miles of walking. Walked through parks amongst the downtown area on our way the harbor. Got our first views of the Opera House as we walked towards the harbor bridge. Great views as we walked across the bridge and then as we walked right alongside it. Walked through the Botanical Gardens, through Bondi, finally ending at Bondi Beach. Surf was rough so walked along coastal walkway again, stopping for a dip in a narrow cove. Finally return to the hostel after 14 miles of walking.Read more
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Day 613
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 13 m
Australia Coogee Oval -33.918611, 151.25738533°55’7” S 151°15’27” E
Welcome to Oz
March 4 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Early rise as we re-sort and check in. Again they allow us an extra checked back. Shake our way to security and relax for a bit in the lounge. Board our plane and jet across the Tasman Sea. Shortish flight and breeze through security. A few hours later we are heading into Sydney. After a brief moment of confusion, we find a beautiful cycleway and make our way to Coogee Beach. Check in and go to the beach. Walk along the coastal walkway. Amazing cliffs and big waves. Soak in the Aussie beach culture.Read more
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Day 612
Monday, March 3, 2025
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 46 m
New Zealand Big King -36.890976, 174.7472836°53’28” S 174°44’50” E
Back to where we began
March 3 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Said our goodbyes, sadly, Tom Christine and John as they headed home. Finished our packing and determined we could get everything in the car. Took a short beach walk and then on to the airport. Chaotic resorting as everything was way over weight. Fortunately they let us check 2 extra bags for free. But they didn’t check us all the way through. Hence we had to retrieve our belongings in Auckland. No way to get to hotel so “slept” on the floor amongst others in our little camping area.Read more
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Day 611
Sunday, March 2, 2025
☁️ 27 °C
Altitude: 13 m
New Zealand Christchurch -43.534936, 172.64757343°32’6” S 172°38’51” E
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A day to sort ourselves out
March 2 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
Up early to retrieve our bikes. Extend ride by riding along lovely beach. Pack and organize for the rest of the day. Nice dinner out at an upscale ‘food court’.
Hannah Boe Cuuute!
3/3/25Reply
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Day 610
Saturday, March 1, 2025
☁️ 26 °C
Altitude: 18 m
New Zealand Christchurch -43.533961, 172.64843843°32’2” S 172°38’54” E
Back to Christchurch
March 1 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
Long drive back to Christchurch, covering alot of the route we had already been on. Visited our seal friends again. Nice townhouse awaited us. Tasty lamb dinner.
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Day 609
Friday, February 28, 2025
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 9 m
New Zealand Nelson Haven -41.252427, 173.30755741°15’9” S 173°18’27” E
Nelson wanderings
February 28 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
After enjoying watching the huge tides from our deck, set off into Nelson. Stopped at Japanese Garden and climbed up to the geographical center of NZ. Wandered through town before heading into wine country. Others tasted as I agreed to be the DD. Picked up seafood for dinner.Read more
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Day 608
Thursday, February 27, 2025
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 40 m
New Zealand Nelson Haven -41.255852, 173.30741941°15’21” S 173°18’27” E
Abel Tasman Kayak - day 2
February 27 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
Rise early and catch a beautiful sunrise. Paddle out into the calm waters. As its high tide, we are able to explore the tidal estuaries and rivers. Continue making our way down the coastline. Relax on a few beaches before ending our journey where we started and meeting up with Christine and John. Relatively short drive to Nelson and our Airbnb.Read more
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Day 607
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
☀️ 18 °C
Altitude: 13 m
New Zealand Tonga Roadstead -40.888725, 173.04625940°53’19” S 173°2’47” E
Abel Tasman Kayak - Day 1
February 26 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Up and out in time to catch our kayak trip. Get our gear and get oriented before catching the water taxi to our starting point. Paddle the calm waters in search of seals. Head for a big beach for lunch. As we leave, clouds form and wind picks up. Carry on into the swells only making it to where we started. Busy little campground on the beach, full of weka.Read more
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Day 606
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 11 m
New Zealand Riwaka -41.104209, 173.01370641°6’15” S 173°0’49” E
Abel Tasman
February 25 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Quick drive to Abel Tasman park and pick up the coastal track to Apple tree beach. Lovely walk and incredible beach. Swim, picnic lunch and relax. Quick walk back. Steak dinner as we prepare for our kayak adventure.Read more
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Day 605
Monday, February 24, 2025
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 13 m
New Zealand Thorpe Bush -41.106033, 173.01147841°6’22” S 173°0’41” E
Looong drive to Motueka
February 24 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Big drive to get to the north coast. A few interesting stops. Hokitika - lots of jade shops and pretty beach with driftwood sculptures. Pancake rocks and then a quick walk into a cave. Arrive at 7:00 -phew.Read more
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Day 604
Sunday, February 23, 2025
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 159 m
New Zealand Tatare Stream -43.385571, 170.18467543°23’8” S 170°11’5” E
Franz Josef glacier
February 23 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
Early start though the kids on the hop on/hop off bus are up before us. Beautiful clear sky as we make our way up the trail towards Alex Knob. Nice vistas along the way. I alone go up to the top carry though it’s socked in with clouds. Nice eerie effect. Back down I go, carefully scrambling along the rocks. Long hike but well worth it. Nice pasta dinner.Read more
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Day 603
Saturday, February 22, 2025
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 153 m
New Zealand Tatare Stream -43.385809, 170.18388243°23’9” S 170°11’2” E
Glacier Valley
February 22 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
Up and out for our drive up and over the mountains to the west coast. Beautiful and windy road. A few little stops and then a walk to Monro Beach. Beautiful but buggy. Arrive in Franz Josef and our set of double bunk beds.Read more
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Day 602
Friday, February 21, 2025
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 322 m
New Zealand Wanaka -44.708082, 169.14249944°42’29” S 169°8’33” E
A day of silliness
February 21 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Got up early to go back to the hike for sunrise. Walked up a bit and watched sun poke through the clouds. Back down for breakfast and then went to Puzzling World. Crazy illusion rooms and then an almost impossible maze. Finally finished after walking about 2 miles. Strolled along the lake and hung out before shopping and dinner.Read more
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Day 601
Thursday, February 20, 2025
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 354 m
New Zealand Wanaka -44.705985, 169.10800744°42’22” S 169°6’29” E
Roys Peak
February 20 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Beautiful morning as we set off on a hike up nearby Roy’s Peak - 4000 ft over 4.5 miles. Although many people go up for sunrise, we get a leisurely 9:30 start. Incredible views make it all worthwhile. Gelato and soaking feet in the lake are additional rewards.Read more
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Day 600
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
☁️ 19 °C
Altitude: 354 m
New Zealand Wanaka -44.705626, 169.10825544°42’20” S 169°6’30” E
Wanaka
February 19 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Meander through Queenstown before hopping in the car and heading out. Scenic route to Hayes lake and a quick walk about. Take the very windy Cardrona Range up and over into the next valley. Stop at Cardrona distillery - sampling some tasty beverages. Continue along to Wanaka, trying to stay ahead of very dark clouds. Check into campground and take walk along the lake into Wanaka town. Back at campground, tuck into the barbecue area for fish dinnerRead more
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Day 599
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
☁️ 20 °C
Altitude: 336 m
New Zealand Peninsula Hill -45.034438, 168.66515245°2’4” S 168°39’55” E
Queenstown
February 18 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Rainy morning makes for moody mountains. Rain ends though clouds persist. Quick walk to nearby waterfall before the drive, retracing our steps, to Queenstown. Skies clear as we head north. Head into the hills for a hike up then Queenstown Hill. Great views of lake and city built into the hills. Ominous clouds in one direction and blue sky in the other. Check into Blacksheep Hostel, explore the touristy city, and back to make chili.Read more
Hannah BoeChili! I don't suppose you made it in the shower this time...? 🙊
2/19/25Reply
Helene RimbergNot this time. Very crowded kitchen though - shower might have been easier
2/19/25Reply
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Day 598
Monday, February 17, 2025
☁️ 20 °C
Altitude: 348 m
New Zealand Te Anau -45.046258, 168.01018345°2’47” S 168°0’37” E
Milford Sound
February 17 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
5:15 wake up time to drive the rest of the way to Milford Sound for our Sunriser kayak trip. Get our safety briefing and outfits. Alana, our guide, leads us around the inner third of the fjord (it’s not actually a sound). Towering cliffs and waterfalls and the occasional seaplane or helicopter. Sun pops out and we peel off as we paddle back. A few quick stops including spotting a Kia. Lunch spot down the Hollyford road by very cold swimming hole. Quick walk to Humboldt falls. Great lamb dinnerRead more
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