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Travelling Oz in our PearcyPod
  • Brad and Mandy Pearce
  • Brad and Mandy Pearce

Travelling Oz in our PearcyPod

We have the van and now the plan is to travel around our great land. From East to West and North to South we hope to take our time exploring all the states (and territories) in 2025. Read more
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  • Brad and Mandy PearceTravelling Oz in our PearcyPodBrad and Mandy Pearce
    Coffin Bay
    Views over Coffin BayOyster leasesEmus wandering around the caravan parkCoffin Bay National Park - Golden IslandCoffin Bay NP - lovely beachHad to get one of BradKing George WhitingTumby Bay silo artTumby Bay jettyMy artistic photo - ha!Tumby BayCowell silo artCowell jettyWhyalla circular jetty

    Eyre Peninsula - part 2

    Oct 15–20, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 20 °C

    We spent a few nights at Coffin Bay - drove out to the National Park - as few nice beaches and off shore islands. Coffin Bay is famous for oysters... but as neither of us like oysters, we cannot comment on whether they are good or not. Brad had a go at fishing and managed to catch 2 King George Whiting - fresh fish for tea. They were nice, but we were going to buy some fresh fillets from Port Lincoln (in case Brad was unsuccessful in catching any) and were surprised to find they were almost $80/kg.

    Visited Tumby Bay - on the eastern side of the Eyre Peninsula - a nice town with a jetty (all the towns seem to have a jetty), pretty cool silo art and a great bakery. Stayed at Cowell - another jetty, another silo art, and a million flies, not to mention strong winds all night.

    Finally, we closed the loop and finished a half lap, arriving back in Port Augusta where we were in early June. We called into Whyalla on the way (you guessed it, another jetty - this one circular), but the weather had turned quite cold and windy. We move away from the Eyre Peninsula and start to explore the Yorke Peninsula.    Read more

  • Brad and Mandy PearceTravelling Oz in our PearcyPodBrad and Mandy Pearce
    View from our caravan park at Moonta Bay
    Our view (should have opened the screen)Jetty - Moonta BayHuge mounds of sea grass on the beachMoonta Bay jetty (on a windy day)Brad's surf n turf chicken schnittyPort Hughes jettyPort HughesPort Hughes jetty - nearly got blown off this oneJetty at Port BroughtonPort BroughtonBeautiful hotel at Port BroughtonRed Devil monoplane - Minlaton

    Yorke Peninsula - North

    Oct 21–24, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 20 °C

    Leaving the Eyre Peninsula behind, we moved onto the smaller Yorke Peninsula. We stayed at Moonta Bay and loved the location overlooking the Gulf although the wind has been pretty shocking. There are many, many jettys - most towns in the area have one and they seem to be a tourism drawcard - we certainly wandered along many of them.

    Apart from walking upon jettys, we rode our bikes to Port Hughes, into Moonta and out to the lolly shop where the mining museum is (copper). Love the towns that provide wonderful bike paths. It was the one nice day we had for doing that. We also drove around the neighbouring towns of Wallaroo and Kadina (this is the main shopping centre for the area)

    Only 3 nights at Moonta, then we moved to the Southern Yorke Peninsula. On the way, we stopped at Minlaton and read an interesting story about the Red Devil Monoplane captained by Harry Butler (a Minlaton local). He was a WW1 pilot and there were very few of these planes made. This is the only one in existence in Australia. I love these little stories about local characters. I'll cover Southern Yorke in next footprint.    Read more

  • Brad and Mandy PearceTravelling Oz in our PearcyPodBrad and Mandy Pearce
    Edithburgh jetty and seals
    Enjoying the sunMural wall at StansburyWater tower art - StansburyMosiacs at EdithburghWater tower art - Edithburgh1Wool Bay jetty and lime kilnHeaps of wind turbinesRocky coastlinePacific gullLipstick lips

    Yorke Peninsula - South

    Oct 24–27, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Driving down to the south east side of the Yorke Peninsula and the countryside has changed again. There are quite a few salt lakes (some pink) although we didn't take any photos. There are quite a few art works, from wall murals, water tank art and mosiacs, and I've included a few examples.

    Plenty of wind turbines and probably a good place for them, because once again it is really windy. We got caught out when an unexpected squall came up in the middle of the night and we ended up pulling in the awning at 5am. Wind is the bane of caravanning life.

    Edithburgh (where we stayed) had the usual jetty with the addition of a couple of seals sunbaking on the wall. Around the area there is the usual rocky coastline and lighthouse. There was a lime kiln (decommissioned) at Wool Bay. Lime kilns were used to burn limestone that would be used as mortar in buildings (among other things). Check out the seagull - they are quite large and look like they have lipstick lips.    Read more

  • Brad and Mandy PearceTravelling Oz in our PearcyPodBrad and Mandy Pearce
    View from Granite Island back to Victor Harbour
    Horse drawn trolley1Remains of original causeway

    Fleurieu Peninsula - Victor Harbour

    Oct 27–Nov 3, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 15 °C

    We based ourselves in Adelaide for a week but didn't really spend time exploring the city. We had some business stuff we had to attend to, as well as the usual stock up on supplies. We managed to catch a movie (Roofman - it was OK), and had a nice bike ride from Semaphore (where we stayed) up to Port Adelaide. Thank goodness for the ebikes because the strong headwind on the return would have been very difficult on an ordinary bike.

    Took a run down to Victor Harbour, about an hour south of Adelaide. It was a beautiful day and we were quite impressed with this town. Probably the main attraction here is Granite Island. You can access it by a horse drawn trolley (for a fee).....or you can walk. We walked! Then we proceeded to walk around the island - lovely views but pretty tired by the end of the day.

    We had toyed with the possibility of visiting Kangaroo Island, but decided the cost of the short ferry ride was just ridiculous. Maybe some other time.

    All the photos are from Victor Harbour.    Read more

  • Brad and Mandy PearceTravelling Oz in our PearcyPodBrad and Mandy Pearce
    Larry the Lobster (+ classic cars?!?)
    Perfect evening at KingstonRobe's well known markerRobe coastlineMt Gambier blue lakeThe tourism photoUmpherston sink-hole gardenSun came out a bit in this one1Inside sink hole looking out1Bee hive on wall of sink hole garden

    Limestone Coast - Kingston to Mt Gambier

    Nov 1–5, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    We arrived in Kingston SE on a beautiful day and managed to get a nice bike ride in along the foreshore and visited Larry the Lobster (one of Australia's BIG things). Even had a nice sunset to finish off the day. Then the weather turned Yuk! again - cold and windy and sometimes wet. Seems to be a bit of a pattern - 1 nice day followed by 4 very ordinary days.

    We visited Robe, about half an hour away, and it looks quite a nice town although we didn't see it on the best day. The iconic red and white marker is fenced off as it is only a matter of time before the sea collapses the rock it is sitting on.

    After 2 nights at Kingston, we spent another 2 nights at Mt Gambier. The famous blue lake wasn't really showing its true colours - not sure if it hasn't quite turned yet or if it was because the days were a bit grey. I've included the tourism photo compared to our view. The Umpherston Sink hole Garden was interesting - very pretty.

    With that, we say goodbye to South Australia as we enter Victoria to continue our journey.    Read more

  • Brad and Mandy PearceTravelling Oz in our PearcyPodBrad and Mandy Pearce
    The 12 Apostles (only 6-7 stacks left)
    RazorbackLoch Ard GorgeLoch Ard GorgeThe Loch Ard ship was wrecked off here - hence the nameBakers ovenLondon Bridge (was still connected ~ 40yrs ago when we last saw it)The GrottoBay of IslandsBay of MartyrsPort CampbellPort CampbellFishing on the Great Ocean RoadCalm small waves at BridgewaterLookout to BlowholesBlowholesPetrified forest - they do sort of look like treesPetrified forest close upTower hillWarrnambool coastline1At least someone was enjoying the wind

    Portland to The 12 Apostles

    Nov 5–9, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 15 °C

    Now in Victoria, we based ourselves at Warrnambool to explore the area from the 12 Apostles in the east to Portland/ Bridgewater in the west. We headed down early on the first day to the 12 Apostles because the weather was sunny in the morning but would deteriorate during the day. So glad we did because this part of the coastline - the Great Ocean Road - is really spectacular. It's rather clichè, but the photos don't do it justice. Check out the rather surprising photo/s of fishermen.

    The next day we headed west to Portland and Bridgewater, where the protected bay had sets of small perfect waves that looked quite inviting (if it wasn't so cold). On the exposed side there were Blowholes and petrified forest which was quite interesting. It looks like tree trunks turned to rock, but it is actually hollow limestone pipes.

    The final day we checked out the sights around Warrnambool. Tower Hill is like driving into a volcano - something different. Much smaller than the caldera we live near at home.

    Our intention was to continue along the Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay, but the weather for the next week is still windy, wet and cold, so we will bypass that for now and head inland to Ballarat - we'll see how that goes.    Read more

  • Brad and Mandy PearceTravelling Oz in our PearcyPodBrad and Mandy Pearce
    Lake Learmonth
    Nice and greenSovereign HillEnd of main streetLooking up main streetLooking down main streetStaff are all dressed in period costumeThe parade....that was itGold mining campI wonder if the kids found any gold?Views from the shaft head2

    Ballarat

    Nov 9–13, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    We headed inland to Ballarat to try and escape some of the bad weather. We actually stayed in a small town about 20 minutes from Ballarat beside Lake Learmonth, and the wind howled across the lake, and the temperature struggled to get to double digits. Crazy Victorian weather! It's a pretty little town, but there didn't appear to be any shops open, and we hardly saw any people - maybe they stayed inside because of the cold.

    Ballarat is a fairly large city with lovely historic buildings and gardens, etc. The major tourist attraction is Sovereign Hill - a gold rush village where everyone is dressed in period costume and you can try your hand at gold panning, or candle making, or watch demonstrations from the blacksmith. It wasn't too bad - but very popular with the school kids. There was one school group of at least 100 year 5 kids with half a dozen teachers looking a bit frazzled - obviously on their annual excursion.

    Apart from walking along the lake and up and down the main street reading all the little heritage signs on the various buildings, we didn't do much more in the area. We considered going to the tram museum, but the weather was horrible, and it wasn't open on the other days we were there.    Read more

  • Brad and Mandy PearceTravelling Oz in our PearcyPodBrad and Mandy Pearce
    Alowyn gardens
    Wisteria arch1This is what the wisteria arch looks like in full bloomZen gardenKokoda MemorialBrad took lots of photos of steps to show what I was missing out on1I'm glad I didn't do it!I remained at the bottom of the track1Was it worth it for the view?

    A few days in Melbourne

    Nov 13–16, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Just a few days in the Yarra Valley region of Melbourne. We didn't go into the city because had visited last year and done many of the touristy things then. A pretty area - we visited the lovely Alowyn Gardens - unfortunately their famous wisteria arch had finished flowering as it would have been magnificent.

    We would have liked to have a ride on the puffing Billy, but unfortunately that was booked out for weeks in advance. We went instead to the Kokoda 1000 steps memorial track. Well, Brad walked the track and I waited at the coffee shop at the bottom (I had a sore foot - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it! ). He reported that it was indeed steep and he thought they had transported part of the Kokoda track to here.

    Just a short one this time. This was just a base to get from western Victoria to Eastern Victoria.    Read more

  • Brad and Mandy PearceTravelling Oz in our PearcyPodBrad and Mandy Pearce
    Inverloch coastline
    Eagles Nest , near InverlochDame Edna made of chocolatesClose up1The statue of David and the paintings are made of chocolateChocolate Zoetrope (stationary)1Spinning with a strobe lightSeal Rocks at Nobbies Cove, Phillip IslandSame view but better weatherCape Barren GooseFairy Penguins in their burrowWilson's PromontoryHuge rock - i think it is Skull Island

    Phillip Island to Wilson's Promontory

    Nov 16–20, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 11 °C

    We had initially planned to stay a couple of nights on Phillip Island and then another couple on Wilson's Promontory but then decided it was better to find a central base and do day trips to each. That central base was Leongatha - why did this place sound so familiar? (I'll just leave this here - 🍄- IYKYK)

    First day we visited Inverloch and Venus Bay - fairly typical small coastal towns. The next day we drove to Phillip Island. The Victorian weather was doing is usual of being wet and windy but we could see it was going to clear later so we did a tour of the chocolate Factory (something a bit different - quite novel). Check out Dame Edna made from chocolates and the chocolate zoetrope. Out at the far end of the island they have boardwalks and penguin centre (closed at the moment as it is being renovated). The scenery is awesome and we saw a couple of Penguins nesting in burrows. Heaps of Cape Barren Geese wandering around too including all over the road. I didn't mind Phillip Island and can see why it is popular destination - would be busy during the holidays and when the Grand Prix is on.

    Final day we visited Wilson's Promontory. Apart from a couple of interesting places, we were a bit disappointed with it. Went to the Visitor Centre for a map of walks etc but they are paperless and offered QR codes or take a photo of the map on the wall. The maps were not very detailed and there didn't seem to be any signposts to direct you to the start of a path. We found a boardwalk but that was closed halfway as they were doing repairs to the suspension bridge. Even the only food outlet was being renovated and only takeaway food offered - no sit down in the dining room. Quite strange, as most national Parks are usually well set out.

    Off to Lakes Entrance for a few days and then we will be back in NSW which will be good because Vic roads are rubbish (I'm talking about the national highway A1)    Read more

  • Brad and Mandy PearceTravelling Oz in our PearcyPodBrad and Mandy Pearce
    1From the lookout
    All following photos are scenes from our bikeride

    Lakes Entrance - last stop before NSW

    Nov 20–24, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Spent a few days at Lakes Entrance and were fortunate enough for one nice day (yes, just the one). Lovely day for a bike ride along the waterfront. It's a nice little town, possibly one of our favourites in Victoria - but then we did have a day of fine weather and that makes all the difference.

    Didn't really do anything else - had intended to drive to Paynesville and take the ferry to Raymond Island where there are heaps of koalas, but the ferry was closed for maintenance.

    A short footprint this time and just photos of the area.    Read more

  • Brad and Mandy PearceTravelling Oz in our PearcyPodBrad and Mandy Pearce
    1One of the Eden lookouts
    Lots of swans and pelicans on our ride around the lakeOne of several sculptures near the info centreThe Ned Kelly one was amusingEden Port - our caravan park was over the other side in BoydtownThe inlet near our caravan parkPambula Beach- look at that waterShort Point MerimbulaTathra historic wharfLyrebird sculpture between Lakes Entrance and Eden

    Eden - the Sapphire Coast

    Nov 24–30, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Moving from Victoria into NSW we noticed 2 things - firstly, the roads (A1) are in much better condition in NSW (Vic roads are in very poor condition); and secondly, the weather has improved (for now, anyway)

    Stayed at a nice park about 8km out of Eden in a deluxe site for a bargain $20/night that I picked up on one of their specials. We had the car booked in for a service, so we dropped it off and explored Eden by bike. My goodness, Eden is hilly - thank goodness for ebikes. Cruise ships dock at Eden and they have a nice big visitors centre at the port which wasn't here 5 years ago when we were last in the area. There was one in the port the day we left.

    We didn't worry about visiting the Maritime Museum as I don't think much would have changed. We really like the rugged coastline of the south coast and the water is such a beautiful blue - it's no wonder it is called the Sapphire Coast. We explored Merimbula, Pambula and Tathra - all beautiful places. Brad played a game of social bowls - a couple of older locals pulled him onto their team and they won, coming away with some $$ - a good time was had by all.    Read more

  • Brad and Mandy PearceTravelling Oz in our PearcyPodBrad and Mandy Pearce
    Narooma breakwall
    Glasshouse rocksAustralia rockAustralia RockSeals at the breakwallOn cycleway between Narooma and DalmenyMystery BayBrad at Mystery BayCamel rockHorse head rockBermaguiTilba

    Narooma

    Nov 30–Dec 6, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Moving slowly north, we spent another 6 days at Narooma, and found some lovely hidden gems. It has been many years - close to 40 - since visiting this area, and when I was a child, Narooma was a very popular summer holiday destination for my local town.

    Narooma has some interesting rock formations, such as glasshouse rocks and Australia rock. There was also a seal colony basking on the breakwall. The first day we had a lovely bike ride from Narooma to Dalmeny (about 8km away) on a great bike path along the coastline. The bikes are starting to get a bit of use lately, and most coastal towns have wonderful bike paths.

    The next day we drove south to Bermagui (great burger lunch in the pub), called into Mystery Bay on the way down. It's a very quiet, secluded beach - lovely! Also saw Camel rock and horse head rock - although you may need to use your imagination. On the way back we called into Tilba - what a wonderful, quirky town. Lots of crafty gift shops with some unique items. Very pretty town too.    Read more

  • Brad and Mandy PearceTravelling Oz in our PearcyPodBrad and Mandy Pearce
    Our outlook for almost a week
    Murray's Beach Jervis BayDittoMurray's Beach, Jervis BayJervis Bay NPRock shelf - Ulladulla1Warden Head lighthouse - UlladullaMore rocky shelvesBridge over Burrill Lake (where we stayed)1Brad at Murray's Beach (?), Jervis Bay - look at the colour of that water

    Ulladulla and the Shoalhaven Region

    Dec 6–12, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    We have not visited this area for almost 40 years, and understandably the region has grown considerably. We camped up at a very serene spot right on the edge of a lake a few km south of Ulladulla.

    We spent a day exploring the Jervis Bay area and towns of Huskisson and Vincentia. The once sleepy coastal towns of 40 years ago are now popular, bustling areas. We enjoyed a nice bike ride and a little explore of the National Park - beautiful clear water and nice coastal scenery. The campgrounds will be seething with people come the school holidays, but mostly empty at the moment.

    Photos are just general pics of the area. Thank goodness for Google lens so I can identify the location as I've been a bit slow on catching up on my blog.    Read more

  • Brad and Mandy PearceTravelling Oz in our PearcyPodBrad and Mandy Pearce
    Kiama blowhole
    At the blowhole viewing platformThe brave boysOne of the last to jumpLighthouse at KiamaSea Cliff BridgeHistoric stone bridge at Kangaroo ValleyFitzroy FallsThis is how the big potato used to lookNow is the Pig Potato - Babe (front)... and back

    Shellharbour (Kiama and Kangaroo Valley)

    Dec 12–18, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Our last stop before heading to Queanbeyan for Christmas was Shellharbour just south of Wollongong. As usual, we used it as a base to explore the region, starting with a great bike ride up to Windang Island and around the Southern edge of Lake Illawarra.

    We took a drive down to Kiama to look at the blowhole - the sea was fairly flat and calm, or it was low tide or something, so the blowhole wasn't pumping, but we were rather horrified to watch a group of teenagers launch themselves off the top into the water below. We decided to take a drive up to the Sea Cliff Bridge that you often see in advertising (usually car ads), thinking there would be a nice view point to get a good photo. However, it was a Sunday and every man and his dog was out, and while I think there was a lookout, we couldn't get a park. So we just had to be satisfied with driving across and taking a video. Doesn't really show the engineering marvel.

    We went to Kangaroo Valley, driving on some very narrow, winding roads but very pretty scenery. The historic stone bridge at Kangaroo Valley is definitely worth a photo. From there we headed on towards Fitzroy Falls then back via Robertson. The "big potato" (which looked like a big poo) has had a facelift, and is now pink with characters from Babe. (Babe was filmed in Robertson 30+ years ago).

    We visited some friends in Bowral which was lovely, and returned via Macquarie Pass - all these roads are not suitable for taking a caravan on. I can't believe in 60 years I have never seen a lyrebird in the wild, and in the space of 5 minutes we saw 2 as we were coming down the pass. Not fast enough to get a photo though.    Read more

  • Brad and Mandy PearceTravelling Oz in our PearcyPodBrad and Mandy Pearce
    New Years Eve fireworks over Lake Burley Griffin

    And that's a wrap .... for now.

    Dec 18–Jan 7, 2026 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C

    So, after almost 300 days, around 19,500 towed km and 34,500 total km, our Travelling Oz adventure is coming to an end.

    Our final stay in the van was two and a half weeks in Queanbeyan where we had Christmas with the family. It was lovely that they travelled to join us. We also caught up with my brother and his family at the farm on Boxing Day, and we did some touristy things with the grand kids in Canberra like Questacon, The Reptile Park and the War Memorial. New Years Eve we watched the fireworks over Lake Burley Griffin and in early January we packed up the van and made tracks for home, stopping at Heatherbrae overnight. Our last hook up and tow was the longest drive we had done in one day, but we were looking forward to returning home.

    It's only a short turn around however as we return to Tasmania to do the little lap (without the PearcyPod)    Read more

    Trip end
    January 7, 2026
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