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McDermotts Travel Oz
McDermotts Travel Oz

McDermotts Travel Oz

We haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on our list. Read more🇦🇺Sydney
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  • McDermotts Travel OzCairns Road Trip 2026Traveler

    Townsville QLD

    Yesterday in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Today we redefined bravery – wearing Blues gear deep inside enemy territory, north of the Tropic of Capricorn.

    We departed Airlie Beach at a respectable time this morning under yet another sun shower. Honestly, Queensland’s weather seems incapable of committing to a single season for more than about 20 minutes.

    It was a relatively short drive today, with a detour for coffee and breakfast/morning tea in Bowen. Naturally, no visit would be complete without stopping for a happy snap at the Big Mango. At around 10 metres tall and modelled on the iconic Kensington Pride variety, it’s a fitting tribute to one of Australia’s biggest mango-growing regions. At this rate we’ll need a separate album just for oversized roadside objects.

    We rolled into Townsville around lunchtime to a gloriously sunny 27 degree afternoon. After checking into our lakeside ensuite site at Townsville Lakes Holiday Park, the boys headed straight for the pool while Anthony tackled the day’s most important task – fixing the caravan TV aerial so it points in the right direction for tonight’s State of Origin decider!

    Come game time however, we followed a hot tip from a local (potentially risky move in itself 😳) and ventured to the Seaview Hotel on the Townsville waterfront. Apart from us, just about every person in the place appeared to be wearing Queensland colours. So if there are no more Penguin posts after tonight, assume we made one critical mistake… we cheered too loudly.

    P.S. Final score 30-12, Go the blues! Our local team curse prevails - wherever we go the local team loses 😆    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzCairns Road Trip 2026Traveler

    Whitsundays QLD

    July 7 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 21 °C

    Today we boarded the SeaLink Reef Quest III for a day cruising through the spectacular Whitsundays.

    The itinerary included a full circumnavigation of Whitsunday Island, taking us past secluded bays, historic inlets and some of Australia's most breathtaking island scenery before visits to the iconic Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout.

    After an entertaining shuttle bus ride from our accommodation, on which the driver took great delight in convincing the various international guests that almost every creature in Australia is out to get you, we departed the marina at Shute Harbour and motored out past Daydream Island and South Molle Island via the rather ominously named Unsafe Passage - somewhat fitting given the weather at the time.

    Queensland is currently experiencing what's being dubbed a "second summer", delaying the arrival of the dry season. As a result, the morning wasn't exactly inspiring confidence, with looming grey skies and scattered showers.

    We arrived at Whitehaven Beach beneath a blanket of cloud. However, by the time the tender dropped us ashore - albeit after an almost hour-long delay due to a mechanical issue - the sun had burst through, revealing the beach's famous white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water.

    The sand is around 98% pure silica, giving it its extraordinary colour. It's so pure that NASA reportedly used samples to test equipment destined for the Moon. Back in the 1960s, there were also plans to mine Whitehaven's silica deposits for glass manufacturing. Fortunately, conservationists won the battle and the proposal was abandoned.

    From the beach, we completed a short uphill walk to the Whitsunday Lookout, where sweeping views stretched along Whitehaven Beach and across to Hamilton Island.

    Back down on the beach, with the sun still shining, the boys enjoyed a refreshing swim and a game of ball in the shallows.

    Back aboard the boat, as we set off for Hill Inlet, the heavens opened. However, no sooner had we dropped anchor in the bay and made our way across to the island than the rain eased. By the time we'd completed the short rainforest walk to the lookout, the clouds parted once again, bathing the famous Hill Inlet in sunshine just as we stepped onto the viewing platform. Positive vibes for the win!

    The constantly shifting sands and tides create one of Australia's most photographed natural scenes. The tide was high when we arrived, so we didn't quite get the full effect, but it was beautiful all the same.

    On the way back down, we also sampled green ants. Who knew they made their nests in trees and one colony can take over up to 100 trees! Surprisingly citrusy, with a lingering tingle on the tongue. We'll have to try the gin they make from them one day... 😋

    We ended with dinner at the Airlie Beach Hotel, reflecting on a day that somehow delivered all four seasons without ever really getting in the way.

    Fun Fact: The Whitsundays were named by Captain James Cook as he sailed through the islands on 3 June 1970, the day on which Christians celebrated the Festival of Whit Sunday that year. However, he forgot to allow for the International Date Line, meaning he was actually there on the Monday. So technically, they should probably be called the Whit Mondays 🙃    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzCairns Road Trip 2026Traveler

    Airlie Beach QLD

    July 6 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 21 °C

    Argh Queensland - beautiful one day, cyclonic the next!

    A long travel day today, made even longer by slow roadworks zones along the Bruce Highway and an unscheduled stop at Jayco Mackay to resolve an issue with the caravan’s hot water system - fortunately a quick and simple one button fix.

    What started as a beautiful sunny morning soon gave way to drizzle and grey skies. Along the way I had plenty of time to perfect the fine art of windscreen photography from a moving vehicle at 100 km/h. Hardly award-winning material, but it did keep me entertained for at least a few minutes 😂

    We finally rolled into Discovery Parks Airlie Beach around 3:30 pm under sunny skies, only for the rain to return just in time for us to unhitch the van and set up camp. The weather clearly has a sense of humour 😐

    Channeling positive vibes for tomorrow’s Whitsundays boat cruise 🤞🏼    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzCairns Road Trip 2026Traveler

    Yeppoon QLD

    July 5 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Today’s drive took us from Bargara to Yeppoon, with a small detour for lunch in the historic town of 1770 (or Seventeen Seventy). This was the site of Captain James Cook’s second landing on the Australian mainland in May 1770, giving it the distinction of being regarded as the birthplace of Queensland.

    It was actually quite charming and far more impressive than I remembered from my previous visit in 1990, with funky cafes and some fancy new developments.

    The rest of the drive was a mixed bag as we ticked off a couple more entries from Australia’s “Big Things” collection: the Big Crab at Miriam Vale and the Big Whale at Rockhampton - both worth exactly the amount of time it takes to pull over, “take a photo Fi” and keep moving.

    The highway featured some of the roughest surfaces we’ve encountered so far, up there with NSW standards 😆, while the Great Dividing Range provided a constant backdrop to our left.

    As we rolled into Rockhampton we officially crossed the Tropic of Capricorn and entered the tropics. We celebrated by promptly turning the air conditioning up a notch to counter the balmy 27 degrees outside.

    By late afternoon we rolled into Yeppoon and checked into the NRMA Capricorn Yeppoon Holiday Park on a spacious ensuite site before making a beeline for the town centre. We were genuinely impressed - the beachfront foreshore has been beautifully done, with landscaped parklands, wide walking paths and a fantastic free lagoon pool overlooking Keppel Bay. Unfortunately, a howling wind ruled out any thoughts of a swim.

    Instead, we sought refuge over dinner at the Keppel Bay Sailing Club (where we’re now its newest members), enjoying great food and an even better position overlooking the beach.    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzCairns Road Trip 2026Traveler

    Bundaberg QLD

    July 4 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    An early 4 am start this morning to watch Australia crash out of the knockout round of the Football World Cup in an agonising penalty shootout. A heartbreaking way to go, but on the plus side it meant we were all awake, packed and on the road bright and early for our next destination: Bundaberg.

    We enjoyed the Bruce Highway fatigue-zone trivia signs as we headed further north - a great initiative and fun until one of the question signs had been knocked over (#ironic). The answer board a few kms down the road proudly declared “tie-row”, but without the question we’re still trying to reverse-engineer it like some bizarre road trip version of Jeopardy! So far we’ve got absolutely nothing - any ideas?

    We rolled into Bundaberg just before midday and headed straight for the Bundaberg Rum Distillery where we perused the museum. It turns out the Bundy story started with ten minutes in the Royal Hotel where a room full of sugar growers agreed that pouring molasses down the drain was madness. Over 130 years later, Australians are still reaping the benefits of what may well be the nation’s most successful pub meeting.

    A few tastings and a bunch of merch later, we headed for the other notable attraction in town - Bundaberg Brewed Drinks - where we’re now immortalised on our own ginger beer bottle 😁

    From there, a quick drive through the main street was uninspiring so we promptly headed for our campsite for the night at the Discovery Park Bargara in the ‘fancy’ part of town.

    This is definitely the place to be. It’s got a great relaxed vibe with spacious shady sites immediately opposite the Surf Club and beach. And even better, the host remembered my name from check in and personally wished me a lovely evening as she rode home along the beachfront. You don’t get that every day.

    We enjoyed a leisurely stroll long the beachfront before joining fellow campers for dinner the camp kitchen.    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzCairns Road Trip 2026Traveler

    Australia Zoo QLD

    July 3 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Crikey, what a day! Can you even call yourself an Aussie if you don’t visit Australia Zoo at least once in your lifetime?

    By the time we arrived just after 10 am, the place was already heaving with people. We headed straight for the reptile exhibits, then made our way to the Asian precinct, where we managed to score seats in the small amphitheatre and patiently waited for the tiger presentation.

    It was a bit of an anti climax. Despite an elaborate setup featuring meat suspended from bamboo poles and another piece temptingly placed in the middle of a pool, accessible only via a log bridge, the tiger they brought out was blind and consequently didn’t discover any of it. Instead, it wandered around while the presenter fumbled through what felt more like a conservation fundraising pitch than an animal demonstration. We all walked away a little underwhelmed.

    Things picked up in the African precinct with giraffes, rhinos, cheetahs and meerkats - always crowd-pleasers. We snapped the obligatory photos before making tracks back to the Crocoseum to secure good seats for the famous Wildlife Warriors show.

    It was slow to get started but once the crocodiles came out it did get entertaining. We were genuinely impressed to see actual Terri, Bindi and Chandler Irwin all presenting the show in person. We certainly weren’t expecting that, and it was a nice surprise.

    By day’s end (close to 15,000 steps later), I think we’d covered the entire park at least twice. I have to say the animal enclosures were all well thought out, the grounds were immaculate, and the whole place was incredibly well organised. I think we just expected a little more spectacle in the spirit of ‘Crikey’.

    To cap off a top day we cashed in our trivia winnings for happy hour drinks by pool. Thanks Sunshine Coast, it’s been great.    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzCairns Road Trip 2026Traveler
    Coolum

    Noosa QLD

    July 2 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Now this is my kind of winter! ☀️

    Today we headed to the northern end of the Sunshine Coast to beautiful Noosa. Having never been before, I have mixed feelings...

    The beach was absolutely stunning – crystal clear water, rolling waves and wide stretches of golden sand. But Hastings Street - OMG, hectic! To be fair, it was vibrant and buzzing with cafés, restaurants and boutiques, but definitely a bit too busy and fancy for our style.

    We enjoyed a refreshing swim in the surf before settling in for lunch at the Surf Club (much more our vibe), where we scored a prime table overlooking the beach.

    While wandering along Hastings Street afterwards, the boys suddenly spotted “Catman” and insisted on getting a selfie. I had absolutely no idea who he was, but apparently he's a Japanese cyclist who became an internet sensation after riding across Australia dressed as a cat 🙄 Of course, we have social media to thank for our brief brush with a celebrity 🤦🏽‍♀️

    To top off a great day, the ‘McSmart Meals’ (aka us - team named by the boys) dominated caravan park trivia, taking out the win by a single point! 🏆

    Not a bad way to spend a winter's day.    Read more

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    Glass House Mountains QLD

    July 1 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Today we packed in Australia’s biggest art and craft market, a 1 kg doughnut, an unexpected back-road adventure, a giant pineapple and a beach sunset!

    First up, we headed to the Eumundi Markets where we wandered the hundreds of stalls selling everything from coffee, handmade jewellery, hot chilli sauces, t-shirts, bratwursts and the “I definitely don’t need this but I’m buying it anyway” purchases! We got them all, almost… Fortunately my sanity was saved by the old bloke selling bird whistles who could only operate in cash, which we “didn’t have” 😉

    The markets were impressive, though I challenge the claim to Australia’s biggest - I’d say the Salamanca Markets in Hobart would give them a good run for money. Mind you, by the time we made it back to the car around 10:30 am, the traffic queue waiting to get in stretched for what looked like at least a kilometre. Glad we arrived early!

    Next stop on our Sunshine hinterland adventure was the Kenilworth Bakery for their famous 1 kg doughnut. We (all 5 of us) devoured the custard and cream creation effortlessly. That said, we have a new respect for the current record holder who somehow demolished the entire thing solo in under two minutes 😳

    From there we headed to the Glass House Mountains Lookout at the mercy of our GPS, which clearly decided adventure was in order as we quickly found ourselves on increasingly questionable back roads, culminating in what can only be described as a goat track with a gradient pushing 10%. I was very happy to engage 4WD for that one.

    Ironically, some of the best views of the Glass House Mountains came from that random back road. When we finally reached the official lookout it was actually a bit underwhelming, you couldn’t even see all of the peaks! Surely they could have found a more inspiring vantage point?

    A few quick photos later we moved on to the Big Pineapple, reliving a childhood memory from decades ago. We duly ticked it off the list. Suffice to say it’s still just a giant pineapple - a now a very expensive one - that definitely doesn’t need revisiting again for at least another 40 years 🍍😂

    We wound our way home along the Sunshine Coast, beach hopping before returning to the caravan in time for happy hour and dinner.    Read more

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    Caloundra QLD

    June 30 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    We left Tenterfield early and in no time crossed the border into Queensland. A quick photo opportunity to mark the occasion and we we off again: destination Sunshine Coast.

    Roadworks on the way to Ipswich made it a slow trip, but on the plus side it did give us plenty of time to soak up the spectacular views of the Scenic Rim.

    We had a bit of excitement navigating the caravan through Brisbane's north-western suburbs. Lesson learned: forget the GPS and just follow the street signs - they actually know where everything is!

    We rolled into the BIG4 Waterside Caloundra around 2 pm and credit to Anth for successfully manoeuvring the van onto our site via one of the narrowest roads imaginable, packed with cars, kids and general holiday chaos - no to mention an audience. Definitely earned happy hour and an afternoon spent by the pool after that effort.

    Now let the holiday begin ☀️🍹    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzCairns Road Trip 2026Traveler

    Tenterfield NSW

    June 29 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Leaving Tamworth this morning we followed the Bushrangers Way, passing through country once roamed by the infamous Captain Thunderbolt, Australia’s longest-roaming bushranger. Apparently known as the “gentleman bushranger”, he was said to politely relieve people of their valuables while generally avoiding unnecessary violence. What a guy 😐

    We stopped along the way at Armidale for a quick drive‑through tour and pit stop. While we may not have uncovered its hidden gems, we left feeling a little underwhelmed.

    Moving on, we passed through Guyra, which at 1,330 m above sea level boldly claims to host Australia’s highest caravan park, before stopping in Glen Innes, where we happily joined the the Grey Nomads for a picnic lunch in the sunshine at Anzac Park.

    By mid‑afternoon we rolled into Tenterfield and checked into The Lodge Caravan Park, where we are very obviously the youngest guests by several decades. The ladies’ amenities are a delight - spotless, with historical displays about the local area, softly playing music, a dressing table with scented candle and complimentary make‑up wipes, a hairdryer and even bath mats - not to mention lovely old ladies’ chatter 😊

    A walk down the main street of town delivered some valuable dinner intel from a local shopkeeper who, after seeing my crew in train, generously shared her tips on where to find the best “quantity meal” for the most bargain price. Exactly the kind of local knowledge we appreciate. Bowling Club Chinese it is!

    And of course, we couldn’t leave without finding the legendary Tenterfield Saddler, immortalised in song by Peter Allen as a tribute to his past and his grandfather, George Woolnough. It’s a genuine living piece of Aussie history, though sadly not open today.    Read more

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    1

    Tamworth NSW

    June 28 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    After an average coffee from the Denman Bakery, we departed town in a shower of rain and arrived a couple of hours later to a glorious sunny afternoon in Paradise (aka the Big4 Tamworth).

    The drive took us through a string of quaint country towns, framed by the Liverpool Ranges with their golden cliffs and cloud-shrouded peaks. Between towns we passed some seriously impressive horse studs, which we could only imagine are breeding the next generation of Melbourne Cup winners.

    After parking the van, it was a case of “when in Tamworth” as we headed straight for an obligatory photo at the Big Golden Guitar, followed by a visit to the Guitar Museum and Wax Museum at the Visitor Centre, where we paid our respects to country music royalty.

    Ten minutes later 🤣 we’d ticked country music off the list and moved on to explore Tamworth’s lovely main street, including a $1,300 pair of snakeskin boots 😳, before heading up to Oxley Scenic Lookout for a panoramic view over the city. Tamworth is actually much bigger than we’d expected. Who knew?

    Back at the caravan park, the boys made the most of the heated pool - and when I say heated, I mean properly heated. It only took Anth only about a minute to fully immerse himself, rather than his usual ritual of cautiously negotiating with the water one limb at a time. Winter? What’s that?

    Happy hour and a DIY dinner in the impressive camp kitchen rounded out our second day on the road this trip.    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzCairns Road Trip 2026Traveler
    1

    Denman NSW

    June 27 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    We’re away!

    Notwithstanding a slow start we’ve made it to Denman near Muswellbrook in the Hunter Valley and from what we can see, in the dark after a couple of the region’s finest Shirazs, it’s quite pretty.

    We’ve pulled in for the night behind the Denman Hotel, a beautifully restored grand two storey heritage building with an expansive beer garden, landscaped grounds and a great free camp set up complete with defined sites, hot showers, flushing toilets, dump point and even a laundry! Highly recommend.

    After taking advantage of the last 15 mins of happy hour we enjoyed a yummy pub meal before retreating to the van for an ambitious attempt at family movie night with Despicable Me 2. It claimed to be the ultimate family movie - we all promptly fell asleep. I think we’re too old LOL 😝    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzCairns Road Trip 2026Traveler

    Ready to Roll

    June 27 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    All packed and ready to head north, escaping winter.

    It will be a different adventure for us this time, flying solo without our bestie travel buddies. Happy hours just won’t be the same xx

  • McDermotts Travel OzEyre Peninsula SA 2026Traveler

    Home Sweet Home

    January 19 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    We made an early departure from Wagga Wagga and hit the road heading home.

    We stopped briefly in Gundagai at the ‘Coffee Peddler’ and reportedly at the oldest continuously operating bakery in Australia. The coffee was advertised as “the best between Sydney and Melbourne” but I’m not sure who’s judging as it was seriously overpriced and, while not terrible, average at best. The bread in comparison was worthy of its longevity.

    By the time we hit Goulburn we’d found the first rain of our whole trip, along with the unwelcoming return of east coast weather - a chilly 16 degrees.

    All up, this trip has been a winner. Big skies, beautiful weather, long open roads and the kind of scenery that has you constantly pulling over to “take a photo”. Most of all, we’re grateful for the laughs, the memories and good friends along for the ride. Now it’s time to unpack the chaos and start planning the next adventure.

    P.S. I do love a country town main street where you can literally park a caravan. Meanwhile back home I’ve done two full laps of the local Woolies carpark just to find a spot to grab one bottle of milk 😬    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzEyre Peninsula SA 2026Traveler

    Wagga Wagga NSW

    January 18 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 25 °C

    As we made our way cross country from Swan Hill to Wagga Wagga we rolled through a few regional towns that were new to us.

    At Deniliquin we stopped for fuel at a classic 1950s style servo diner that felt like stepping back in time. We also chanced Josh’s Bakehouse which naturally we had to stop for pies and thick shakes. Good job Josh, my pie was great!

    Moving on through Jerrilderie and Lockhart we arrived at Wagga Wagga by early afternoon, where we checked in at Horseshoe Tourist Park in Cartwright Hill after discovering the Big 4 was fully booked. It’s a worthy overnight stop - nothing fancy, but simple, clean and doing the job. We’ve got a spacious drive-through site, while Dan and Helen managed to score the only ensuite site. We're just opposite and about as close as you can get to the main amenities so everyone’s winning 👍

    We spent the afternoon swimming in the Murrumbidgee River at Wagga Wagga City Beach where it was noticeably colder than the Murray River and much faster flowing as well. It would’ve been the perfect spot to have brought the floating lounges!

    Ironically, after making our way back into NSW after almost three weeks, we ended the day with dinner at the Victorian Hotel on the main street of Wagga Wagga. The steaks and red wine were great, but the schnittys not so much. Still, it was a lovely way to finish off our last night on the road.    Read more

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    Pioneer Settlement VIC

    January 17 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Today we explored Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement for a glimpse of what life was like in a regional Australian town in the 1800s. The whole area is set up like an old townscape, with historic buildings and machinery throughout.

    The highlights of our visit were the rope making and butter making demonstrations. The rope making demo was a simple but fascinating look at how rope was traditionally twisted and formed by hand using basic tools and steady technique. Ryan got to experience 'rope surfing' as the twine twisted together and it was interesting to see that when it was let go, it didn’t unfurl because of the opposing twist directions. The butter making demo was just as engaging, with the kids having a turn at churning cream into butter and learning how normal these kinds of tasks were in everyday life back then. The best part was sampling the end result with fresh damper.

    We also enjoyed rides around the settlement in both an old-fashioned car and a horse drawn omnibus. Plus we came away with a lucky (aka “positive vibes”) horseshoe with our initials stamped onto it.

    Tonight we headed back to the Pioneer Settlement to experience the 'Heartbeat of the Murray' show, a 360 degree light, laser, water, fire, sound and special effects presentation telling the story of the Murray. It was a multimedia spectacle that transported us back 30 million years, before travelling forward through time to the Murray River as we know it today. Although shorter than expected, it was definitely a unique experience and well worth the detour to Swan Hill.    Read more

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    Pink bottom clouds, a feature of the outback sky

    Swan Hill VIC

    January 16 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    “Before the dollar, and before the pill, we went to a rock dance in Swan Hill.” Lol… John Williamson (and Spotify) have a lot to answer for with the classic Aussie country pub anthem 'Boogie With M’ Baby' 😆 #carkaraoke

    But first, we made a quick stop on route at Lake Tyrrell, a giant salt pan that looks like it belongs in a sci-fi film. Interestingly, the name 'Tyrrell' is derived from the local Wergaia word for 'sky', the Boorong Aboriginal people of the area being distinguished for their interest in star-lore. It was fascinatingly scenic until a mini bus of tourists rolled in with cameras and selfie sticks invading the view - our cue to move on.

    On arrival in Swan Hill we checked in at the BIG 4 Riverside Caravan Park and scored a prime riverfront site. It’s a great park with café, basketball court, ice cream cart, swimming pool and even on-site food trucks serving dinner.

    While the river behind our van looked inviting for a swim, two steps in we discovered shin deep mud with the consistency of wet concrete so we made the swift and dignified decision to retreat to the pool.

    Later in the afternoon, Dan, Helen, Anthony and I ventured out to Brown Snake Brewery & Distillery in Murraydale (technically in NSW) before finishing with a lovely Thai meal at Java Spice in Swan Hill’s town centre. The décor was authentic - even the rafters had been imported from Bali, which feels like a very committed choice for a regional restaurant. We’d definitely recommend it.

    Meanwhile, the boys enjoyed the Mexican offerings from the Hangry Monkeys food truck back at the park, washed down with a side of milkshakes and basketball 🏀 🤢

    Back at the van, we all entertained ourselves hand-feeding the ducks that gathered behind our site. Who knew ducks came with such a wide range of personalities? Some are polite. Some are bold. Some are clearly running on pure entitlement!

    Now as we attempt to relax watching the sun set over the river, we’re being serenaded by a full symphony of screeching corellas. Ah the serenity 😆🤦🏽‍♀️    Read more

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    Mungo NP NSW

    January 15 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 32 °C

    After the disappointment of last year’s tour attempt being cancelled, today we were excited to be up before daybreak to make the 1.5 hour drive out to the World Heritage listed Mungo National Park, where we joined a local guide for a tour of the Mungo Lunettes - a truly remarkable outback landscape, a bit like the Pinnacles in WA but with more of a surface of the moon vibe.

    Along the way we learned about Mungo Man and Mungo Lady, both ancient Aboriginal remains discovered at Lake Mungo and among the oldest human remains in the world, dating back over 40,000 years. Their stories reveal remarkable cultural practices and rituals, including Mungo Lady’s cremation and Mungo Man’s ochre burial.

    Happily, the road out to the visitor centre had been recently upgraded, which meant the 86 km of corrugated dirt track we’d been mentally preparing for was reduced to just 44 km of fairly decent driving - save for a 3 km stretch where even the NPWS felt compelled to warn of ‘rough conditions’.

    The early start was worth it, but definitely only because of the tour. If not part of a tour group you can only access the boardwalk viewing platform, which barely scratches the surface of how incredible the landscape really is.

    The rest of the day was spent floating at the river, before dinner at the Mildura Brewery Pub (home of the Mallee Brewing Co.). A definite winner and fabulous way to end our repeat visit to Mildura 😊    Read more

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    Mildura VIC

    January 14 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    A lazy start leaving Clare following breakfast at the local bakery with its tripod cat before hitting the road once again heading east.

    We dutifully pulled in at the quarantine checkpoint to surrender our contraband fruit and vegies like responsible citizens. With a bit more forethought, we should have had salad for dinner again last night and avoided the whole situation. Instead, we stood on the side of the road and hastily scoffed a punnet of qukes. Waste not, want not, we say.

    We made a strategic stop in Renmark at 23rd Street Distillery to sample the local produce (raspberry and finger lime gin for the win!) followed by a sophisticated sandwich lunch by the river.

    After eventually rolling into Mildura (no thanks to the very fresh L driver we got stuck behind for way too many kms), we checked in at Apex River Beach Caravan Park and immediately committed to the afternoon’s main event: floating on the Murray.

    Last year we were floating novices with only improvised pool noodles. This year we upgraded the experience to luxury craft. We were the envy of beachgoers, drifting past like we were starring in a low-budget lifestyle commercial: living the dream in ‘Tropical North Victoria’ 😁 An entirely pleasant way to spend a summer afternoon and evening: relaxed and refreshed. Exactly as planned.    Read more

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    Clare SA

    January 13 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    It was a long travel day today. Although only 335 km as the crow flies from Port Lincoln to Clare, we covered more than 530 km by road as our planned crossing of the Spencer Gulf on the SeaRoad Ferry was cancelled due to urgent maintenance!

    We stopped briefly on route at Harry’s Homemade Fine Foods just south of Port Augusta hoping for a bite for lunch, but promptly moved on when we realised the signature offerings were pickled prawns and ‘humpalicious’ camel milk 🤢😳

    After arriving in Clare and setting up at the Discovery Park on a spacious drive through site, the boys hit the pool and basketball court while Dan, Helen, Anth and I sampled some of the regions’s finest fruit juices starting at Claymore Wines, where we came away with a yummy ‘Joshua Tree’ riesling, followed by Mitchell Wines cellar door, where we grabbed a bargain case of cleanskin rosé - which upon opening later in the evening turned out to be dry reds! 🤦🏽‍♀️    Read more

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    North Neptune Island SA

    January 12 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Today was one of those days we’ll be talking about for years. We cage dived with Great White Sharks and it was fantastic!

    In the lead up to this trip we’d been jokingly mocking Dan about booking our repeat Calypso Shark Dive tour for the “statistically most probable” day to see sharks, based on analysis of the past 10 years of data. After all, there hadn’t been a sighting since 11 December 2025… Until today! Somehow he picked it - what were the chances? Turns out we should’ve trusted the data and the power of positive vibes.

    It was a much calmer three hour boat ride out to North Neptune Island compared to last year, which meant we could get up close to the smaller islands along the way to watch sea lions laze about and playful dolphins surf our bow wave.

    Our first turn in the dive cage was unremarkable. No sharks. Not even a frenzy of fish when the burley went in. We resigned ourselves to another no-shark expedition, until… a giant 3.7 m male Great White appeared out of nowhere, putting on an unforgettable show! Everyone quickly regrouped and cycled back into the cage.

    The shark was calm, curious and completely unbothered by us, everything we’re taught Great Whites are not, as he cruised beneath and around the boat. And he hung around for ages, circling, retreating and returning on repeat. Both in the water and on the boat we were afforded an extraordinary up-close encounter with one of the ocean’s most powerful creatures. And as if that wasn’t enough, a school of bluefin tuna and kingfish decided to join the party.

    The highlight came when the boys were in the cage and the shark breached, swallowing the bait that had been thrown out, revealing its jaws and teeth in all their raw, awe-inspiring glory. And in a rare moment of perfect timing, I managed to capture it from above. Something we could never have planned and will never forget.

    A fantastic bucket list day was topped off with a succulent Chinese meal and the bottle of Boston Bay ‘Great White’ sauvignon blanc we acquired in anticipation two days ago. Turns out it was a good omen 😁    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzEyre Peninsula SA 2026Traveler

    Coffin Bay SA

    January 11 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Another flawless, sun-drenched day on the Eyre. Nature is really showing off for us.

    Today we headed back to Oysters HQ in picturesque Coffin Bay to relive one of our trip highlights from last year - an amazing local seafood platter. While the seafood was still excellent (how could you go wrong in the seafood capital of Australia), unfortunately this year’s version lacked the wow factor of last year’s effort. Apparently the place has changed hands recently, which may explain the different approach. Notwithstanding, it was still a lovely relaxing spot for lunch overlooking the bay. The kids enjoyed fish and chips and ice creams from the takeaway up the road 😁

    Post lunch indulgence we moved on to explore Coffin Bay NP, including Golden Island - easily one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve been to anywhere. Unfortunately, it was so windy the car was gently rocking while parked! Hence, while swimming was theoretically possible it would have been practically absurd as sand was already infiltrating every crevice of our existence.

    So we sensibly moved on to spend the afternoon at one of Port Lincoln’s signature establishments - Jump Ship Brewery, where Dan and Anth sampled a tasting paddle and Helen and I enjoyed a very civilised sparkling rosé. A perfect wind down (or up) in preparation for shark day tomorrow 🧐

    P.S. Coffin Bay remains my favourite place on the Eyre Peninsula. I would happily return at any time, except for the minor detail that it’s a really long way from absolutely anywhere else!    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzEyre Peninsula SA 2026Traveler

    Port Lincoln SA

    January 10 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 19 °C

    We were in no hurry to leave Elliston this morning, so enjoyed a lazy start. Dan and Helen on the other hand departed early to get their compromised tyre checked out and replaced in Port Lincoln.

    As we rolled into Port Lincoln around lunchtime, it was once again (as last year) cold, windy and cloudy. Clearly we’re developing a reputation with the weather gods, but we’re channeling positive vibes for brighter skies over the next few days.

    After setting up at the Port Lincoln Tourist Park on a waterfront ensuite site, we headed into town to stock up on groceries, before finishing the afternoon with a tasting at Boston Bay Wines. We came away with a bottle of ‘Great White’ sauvignon blanc - hopefully a good omen for Monday’s cage dive🤞🏼

    Dan and Anthony made a final stop at the Port Lincoln Brewing Co. before we all headed to dinner at the Boston Hotel with its superb outdoor area overlooking Boston Bay.

    P.S. The cat was still stubbornly stuck in the tree as we pulled away from Elliston this morning. Hopefully it sorts itself out sooner rather than later, it’s coming on a week now!    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzEyre Peninsula SA 2026Traveler

    Eyre Peninsula SA

    January 9 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 22 °C

    We spent the morning exploring the rugged highlights of the western side of the Eyre Peninsula, starting at the Talia Caves, including the Woolshed and The Tub. We timed our visit to coincide with low tide so we could scramble down into them for a closer look. The drive out there (and back) was an adventure in itself with relentless corrugations - a real tighten the bra straps kind of ride 😝

    Next stop was the small township of Venus Bay, which was picturesque and quietly charming. Unfortunately, our timing coincided with a generator failure at the only shop, meaning no cold drinks and no snacks for us.

    So we continued on to Port Kenny, where we learned that just because a place has a sign pointing to it does not mean you should go there. It smelled terrible and gave strong “past its prime” energy. Definitely on the list of places we never need to return to.

    Somewhere we would return to however, was Walkers Rock just north of Elliston, a stunning sweep of beach reminiscent of Lucky Bay in WA, if not for its reputation as the site of a fatal shark attack in 2023.

    Back in Elliston, we again enjoyed a delightful afternoon at the beach, followed by a scenic coastal drive around the Anxious Bay loop road (sans kids), admiring the randomly placed sculptures dotted along the headland. A lovely way to finish our time on the west coast of Eyre.    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzEyre Peninsula SA 2026Traveler

    Elliston SA

    January 8 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 21 °C

    Happily, after a shuttle mission and fortunate encounter with an agreeable mechanic who repaired the punctured tyre in Wudinna, we’ve all made it safely to beautiful Elliston and are enjoying a very civilised 27 degree afternoon by the sea.

    It’s a great pleasure to be back on the coast and out of yesterday’s complexities at Minnipa. That said, full credit to our hosts at the Minnipa Hotel who could not have been kinder or more accommodating while everything else did its best to be memorable for the wrong reasons.

    Upon arrival at the Waterloo Caravan Park in Elliston we were delayed getting onto our site because the owner’s cat was stuck in a tree. In a move inspired by Dumb and Dumber, he tried coaxing it down with the fire hose. Of course the now wet Pussy (yes that was her actual name) responded by relocating to the absolute top of the tree and refusing to move. Apparently she’s been there for four days already. We’re now awaiting the inevitable meeeooowww, followed by thud, around midnight 😐

    This afternoon we embraced the true spirit of summer holidays with a lazy beach session in Waterloo Bay just across from the caravan park. A few classic catches, jumping off the pontoon and a lot of relaxing. Minimal effort for maximum satisfaction - just how we like it.

    We’re now enjoying happy hour at the vans, followed by a casual stroll to the headland before dinner. This is living. We’re back in our happy place 🥰    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzEyre Peninsula SA 2026Traveler

    Minnipa SA

    January 7 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 43 °C

    In years to come, today will be a story we retell with humour and laugh about. But for now… not so much.

    It was already 43 degrees at 10 am as we departed our beautiful waterfront site in Whyalla to voluntarily drive straight into an inland heatwave. We’re clearly insane!

    Our intended itinerary was to spend an off-grid night at Pildappa Rock, but given the conditions we pivoted and headed instead for the nearby Minnipa Hotel where electricity, air conditioning and a cool-ish pub exist, all luxuries we suddenly feel deeply entitled to.

    On route we stopped at Kimba marking halfway across Australia. We all posed for the obligatory photo before taking refuge from the heat in the roadhouse, where we enjoyed a lunch break that was longer than necessary but entirely justified.

    Back on the highway, the car informed us it was now 47 degrees outside 🥵

    After arriving in Minnipa (apparently famous for its ‘concrete crappa’) and setting up behind the pub we took a short drive out to Tharkulda Rock (pronounced ‘charcoal dah’), as recommended by a local who, in hindsight, was disproportionately proud of it. We were politely underwhelmed.

    Hence we promptly returned to the pub where, upon discovering it receives only two TV channels, neither of which featured the cricket, even I conceded the best available option was listening to the cricket on the radio, in the air-conditioned car, parked under a big shady tree 🤦🏽‍♀️

    This afternoon we braved the heat to check out the region’s premier attraction and the reason we’re in this place at all, Pildappa Rock - think a mini Uluru meets Wave Rock, but with fewer people and more flies. Some people claim it’s better than the big ones - they’re delusional. It was somewhat interesting… right up until trouble struck. Dan and Helen got a flat tyre, which wouldn’t be so bad except that the spare is a space saver and entirely unsuitable for towing 😳

    With tyre preservation the clear priority, we limped back to the Minnipa Hotel where we’re now stuck formulating a plan involving repairs, replacements and getting the hell out of here! We’re crossing our fingers the mechanic at Wudinna is on duty tomorrow and able to assist🤞🏼

    But every cloud has a silver lining - Josh won $500 on the pokies while waiting for dinner 😂🍀

    P.S. You know you’re properly in the outback, and that it’s a casual 47 degrees, when the pub skips the glass entirely and serves your drink straight in a stubby holder - labelled and misspelled in permanent marker no less. Bush efficiency at its absolute finest 🍺

    P.P.S. In the rock’s defence, our appreciation was hampered by the tyre drama and heatwave conditions, which both in part meant we didn’t make the climb to experience an amazing sunset overlooking the Gawler Ranges - kinda why we came. Maybe next time...    Read more

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