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The Grand Adventure
  • Helene Rimberg
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  • Helene Rimberg

The Grand Adventure

A bike trip with no end Read more
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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Abel Tasman

    February 25, 2025 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Franz Josef glacier

    February 23, 2025 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Glacier Valley

    February 22, 2025 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    A day of silliness

    February 21, 2025 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Roys Peak

    February 20, 2025 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Wanaka

    February 19, 2025 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Queenstown

    February 18, 2025 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Milford Sound

    February 17, 2025 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

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Key Summit

    February 16, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Mega shopping trip to stock up for our jaunt into fjordlands. Packed in like sardines as we wind our way into the valley. Beautiful stops along the way before our hike along Routeburn trail to Key Summit. Quite windy at the top but find a nice lunch spot. Side trail to a lake on the way down. Check into Eglinton Valley campground.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
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    Te Anau

    February 15, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Long drive through the plains, over mountains and along lakes. Amongst the brown hills, lots of grape vines and orchards pop up. Finally make it to Te Anau - gateway to Milford Sound. Nice lakeside walk before checking out the town. Out for best pizza this far in NZ.Read more