The Grand Adventure

A bike trip with no end Read more

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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Abel Tasman Kayak - Day 1
February 26, 2025 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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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Abel Tasman Kayak - day 2
February 27, 2025 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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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Nelson wanderings
February 28, 2025 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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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Back to Christchurch
March 1, 2025 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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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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A day to sort ourselves out
March 2, 2025 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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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Back to where we began
March 3, 2025 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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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Welcome to Oz
March 4, 2025 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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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Sydney Explorations
March 5, 2025 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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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Sydney - Day 2
March 6, 2025 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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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Bunadeena
March 7, 2025 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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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Along the Great Pacific drive
March 8, 2025 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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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Gerringong
March 9, 2025 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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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Jervis Bay
March 10, 2025 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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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Booderee NP
March 11, 2025 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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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
A Bushwalk and beach day
March 12, 2025 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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A hot one
March 13, 2025 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
Bateman’s Bay
March 14, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 34 °C
Short day planned as the heat continues. Get an early start which helps. Quite a bit of inland road. End up in meh campground but right across the road from the beach. Relax and cool down.
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Turros Heads
March 15, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Another short day planned as still hot. Fortunately under shade and by water for a lot of the ride. Stop by a Saturday market (mostly stiff vs food) before finishing the last hills to the turnoff for Turros Heads. Find the campground, check in and head for the beach. Dine out in our first Aussie pub.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Lazy day
March 16, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 23 °C
Though the day is overcast, it remains toasty. Go on a short walkabout, attempt to do long range planning and sit at the beach. Forecasted wind holds off until the evening and then it lets loose! Thankfully tent stands!Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
A change in the weather
Mar 17–19, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 19 °C
The storm overnight brought in cool weather and wind. Quite the change! Head into the winds yet the coolness makes riding more pleasurable. Stop at little town of Bodalla for a wee break. Continue on, spending the day wandering inland over the hills and then back to the coastline. Even manage a corned beef sammie in honor of St. Pattys day. Stop at Bermagui. Check out the Blue pool but too chilly for swim.Read more
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Hobart Beach
March 18, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
A few viewpoints over a calmer ocean as we head along scenic highway south. Day is sunny and wind is light but the hills await. SE corner of Australia is hilly and green. Nice tree cover for most of the way. Spot a number of animal crossing signs but no animals. Finally a fur ball crosses the road. An echidna. Continue on, stopping in another tiny town for food. A bit further and we make our way to Bournda park and our Hobart beach campground. Greeted by a pair of kangaroos and a wallaby. Nice quiet spot.Read more
Traveler Hard to tell which end is up and which end is down. Bird? Porcupine? Legs? Wings?
3/25/25Reply
Traveler !!!!an echidna!!! So cool
3/26/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Boydtown Bay
March 19, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Nice sunrise over a calmer lake. Hit the road and quickly begin our hills. Stop at a nice cafe/brewery/chocolate store for a bit of lunch and ice cream. Arrive in Eden and do food shopping for the next few days. Head out of town to Boydtown bay and large, mostly empty campground right on the water.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Day 1: Overland to Genoa
March 20, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Set off with our 3 days worth of food as few services for the next 100 miles. Though we are on A1, it’s relatively quiet. Lots of rollers and it’s hot and humid. Stay amongst forestland with no towns in sight. Enter Victoria, our second Aussie state. Arrive in tiny Genoa and our free campground. Manage to set up before the rain starts. Huddle under the gazebo for the remainder of the day.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
A soggy day
March 21, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Very rainy night and the resident roosters complained loudly all night. Get ourselves up during a break and again huddle in the gazebo (with the soggy chickens). Wait a bit for rain to pass and set out. Sadly it begins again and though it’s relatively warm, the sogginess gets irritating; particularly after Doug gets a rare flat. Finish off our climbing and arrive in Cann River - an actual town. Opt to stay in hotel for some comfort and eat at the pub.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Back to the coast
March 22, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
A cloudy start to the day but it’s dry. Begin our last overland day with hills of course. Though they are longer, they seem easier with gentler grades. Stop at McKenzie river and rainforest walk. Eat lunch and finish up our time on A1, turning off it and heading south. Very nice quiet road to Cape C park and Banksia campground. Set up and go check out beautiful beach. Too cool to swim but nice anyway.Read more
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