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Year off around Australia
  • Andrea McClure
  • Andrea McClure

Year off around Australia

Roger and I setting off in the Dmax Ute with our Goldstream caravan in tow to explore our country Read more
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  • Andrea McClureYear off around AustraliaTraveler

    Marilyn and Ray's for send off BBQ

    December 27, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Lovely get together organised by Marilyn and Ray with family and friends. Simple BBQ was how Marilyn put it - all we bought along was some marinated chicken wings (Aldi) and there was another lovely feast. Marilyn and Ray had made some yummy salads, provided sausages and home made rissoles, so by the time others provided their meats and desserts (Marilyn's Maureen Cake her Mum used to make was in amongst these) we were not going hungry!
    The attendees: Lee with her daughter Emily; Liz and Jim with Isabelle and Kurtis; Rachel and Nigel with their gorgeous boys Bruce, Raymond and Nigel; Mark and Jenny with their youngest son James; and lucky us!
    Marilyn and Ray have certainly looked after us with this visit. Enjoy a beaut evening.    Read more

  • Andrea McClureYear off around AustraliaTraveler

    Dwellingup

    December 29, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Find somewhere to park with our caravan and head to the Visitor Centre ta ask about the train rides - directed to the railway office straight away as the this morning's train may already be fully booked. Make it by the 'skin on our teeth' - can now relax for 20 minutes before boarding. We go back to the Visitor Centre, Cafe there to have cuppas, and grab some tourist info brochures to check out while we're on the train.
    After our train ride, we go back to the Visitor Centre again and hire a couple of ebikes. Before we set off on them we buy some lunch from the cafe, and I go back to the caravan and pack my light backpack with snacks, rumballs and apples, and other requirements. Our hire doesn't start until around 1pm. Once we're ready we go back to start our bike ride.
    We return the bikes around 3.30pm. Now time to get driving to our Farmstay near/towards Bunbury.    Read more

  • Andrea McClureYear off around AustraliaTraveler

    Hotham Valley Railway Forest Train

    December 29, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    All aboard a full train - lucky we got tickets as soon as we arrived (we hadn't pre booked) otherwise we definitely would've missed out today. Weather is being kind - no wind, overcast and mild.
    This train trip is lovely. A 45 minute trip out in the forest, then 30 minute stop to get off and stretch your legs (toilet here and volunteers offer snacks and drinks to purchase) - a short walking trail for those who want to - of course I do and Roger comes along as well. Then 45 minute return journey.
    Great family outing for sure! Roger and I certainly enjoyed it.    Read more

  • Andrea McClureYear off around AustraliaTraveler

    Bike Hire Dwellingup

    December 29, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Forgot to get photos of the bikes we got! Roger had the 'top of the range' ebike with you beaut suspension (large frame) while I had the base model ebike (medium frame). I followed Rog throughout our ride - and kept getting the giggles about the difference (appeared to me!) in our bikes handling! Great to have ebikes for us though - no way I could have covered the distance we did without the extra 'help'. Was great fun following the trails that the 'hire lady' recommended for us - quite a challenge for me! So much so, just as I was getting 'over confident' and gaining more speed - I zigged when I should have zagged- and got myself tangled between some rocks, and over I went. Gave myself a good fright, face planting (just- thankfully - good reason to wear helmets) and scraping a knee and pinching my thumb in the twisting handlebars! Roger missed this buster (yay no photo evidence) and kept on going, so I had to get up and 'shake it off' and get back riding again to catch up. He did wait for me, but didn't realise I'd fallen off so resumed again. Probably best this way as it gave me time to get over the shock! Anyway we keep enjoying the trails until we finished what we'd set out to do. We get back into Dwellingup with an hour still to go on our hire - so we ride about the town for a while. Lovely place. We eventually agree we've had enough, and we're happy to get the bikes back early (1/2 an hour).Read more

  • Andrea McClureYear off around AustraliaTraveler

    Farmstay Leschenault

    Dec 29–Jan 1, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 26 °C

    Find our way to this lovely spot. There are other caraveners here already, but plenty of space - so doesn't feel crowded. We arrive and meet Brett, property owner/host, he's lovely and welcoming - telling us we can park up the caravan wherever we like in the camping area. After paying Brett for 3 nights stay, $20 per night, we select our spot - total agreement!!
    Get ourselves settled and ute unhitched. Meet Margaret, another camper who is walking by with her Cavalier spaniel Evie - taking her for a walk. Enjoy a nice chat, before they head back to their spot.
    Now relax before Roger cooks our tea. Steak and boiled vegetables, followed by more rumballs. Roger then has his shower, I do the dishes. Now to relax, reading until bed.
    30/12/24 Monday. Roger gets up nice and early and I follow just after 6am. We have a leisurely breakfast and get ready to go for a day trip to Collie and surrounds. Roger packs some sandwiches - cheese & Vegemite, and peanut butter - with some snacks, apples and rumballs. We leave before 8.30am.
    Return around 4pm. Relax outside our caravan, enjoying watching the birdlike on the nearby water - dam/Lagoon. I get a call from Raels - we have a lovely catch up chat. Tea tonight - pizzas Roger cooking in the Baby Q. We've bought 2 pizza bases and topping one with chicken and the other with salami, and the usual other stuff we love to add. Very full after this! Haven't created many dishes tonight, so we decide we'll leave them and do them with the breakie ones in the morning. Roger has his shower, relaxing listening to all the different frog calls! Won't be long until bed tonight.
    31/12/24 Tuesday New Year's Eve. I wake up and go for a run - leave just after 6am and get back around 7.15am. Good paths and lovely to go along beside the water - I turned around at Australind boat ramp. Plenty of people out crabbing this morning, and I'm certainly not the only one out getting some exercise around here. Roger has had his breakfast, so while my porridge cooking on the gas stove I have my shower. Roger gets a phonecall from Ewin McKenry - just to say g'day, have a catch up and pass on his best wishes for New Year etc. So nice.
    I get dressed into my bathers, as it's going to be another warm day. After my breakfast, we get the dishes done and Roger packs provisions for a picnic lunch - we'll get some fresh bread rolls in Bunbury. We leave around 9.30am to spend a day out looking about some of Bunbury's offerings.
    We get back to our camp just after 4pm. It's still warm so we just enjoy sitting outside in the shade of our awning - catching a nice breeze. Margaret calls in with Evie after their evening walk, nice chat and find that like us, her and her husband are having a quiet night - not going out for New Years Eve to see the New Year in. We agree, we'll watch ABCs telecast of Sydney's fireworks - then be ready for bed. After Margaret has gone (there's only 3 caravans on site here tonight) Roger cooks up our tea of chops and boiled vegetables. Our dessert tonight is a real 'sweet tooth' treat from Taffy's - marshmallow and caramel choc coated bars. I do the dishes, Rog has his shower - and we do watch Sydney's televised NYE fireworks. Now Roger's in bed and I'm writing this up before I go to bed as well. Thinking of family and friends - wishing us all a Happy New Year 2025.
    1/01/25 Wednesday We get up around 6am, I decide to go for a walk, I take the path beside the Estaury and go the other way (right). When I get back Roger has us sorted ready to go, so I have a shower while my porridge cooks, then do my bit to get us ready to go too. We're in no rush to leave - as Roger has to return the gadget he got from JB Hi Fi Bunbury yesterday (it's not 12V compatible) and they're not open until 11am today (we think lucky they are for us on New Years Day!). We leave this camp after 8am and head to Australind boat ramp to fill our caravan water tanks. Then we go down the road (on our way to Bunbury) to a RV dump point for our 'housekeeping'.
    Now into Bunbury to the shopping area that has JB HiFi - carefully find a park with our caravan. Still have over an hour until the shop is open, so we decide to fill in time looking in the shops that are already open nearby. Bunnings and The Reject Shop. Purchases made in the 1st, none in the 2nd.
    Once JB Hi Fi open, Roger exchanges for the correct gadget (costs more naturally!), then we get on the move again - off to Busselton.    Read more

  • Andrea McClureYear off around AustraliaTraveler

    Collie

    December 30, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    We park near the Visitor Centre and go for a walk about the town. Beautiful historic buildings nicely maintained, combined with more modern buildings - quite a contrast.
    This place exists due to coal mining - very important in Australia's history.
    After our walk we go into the Visitor Centre, the lovely staff help out Roger with filling up our water bottles with drinking water. We stock up on brochures and with recommendation decide to check out the Museum across the road.    Read more

  • Andrea McClureYear off around AustraliaTraveler

    Minningup Pool Collie

    December 30, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Check out this nice spot beside Collie River. A day trip area for picnicking, swimming and canoeing. This becomes our lunch spot - very nice sitting at a table in the shade beside the water - watching the ducks and others enjoying the spot too.
    Next we drive along the Tourist scenic drive from here - stop a couple of times to checkout a lookout, then a suspension walkway bridge.    Read more

  • Andrea McClureYear off around AustraliaTraveler

    Wellington Dam

    December 30, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Park here and do the walk across the dam wall. Then continue to check out the other areas of interest. Go to the kiosk before we leave and purchase an icecream each.

  • Andrea McClureYear off around AustraliaTraveler

    Honeymoon Pool

    December 30, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Another spot on the way back from Wellington Dam.
    Fabulous set up here for swimming in the river and camping.
    Roger enjoys 'bombing' off the platform here and floating about in the clear, very cool water. I'm happy to just watch others enjoying the water today.Read more

  • Andrea McClureYear off around AustraliaTraveler

    Leschenault Inlet

    December 30, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Rather than go straight back to our caravan, we decide to follow a 'TripAdvisor' suggestion on things to check out near us - and come up with this one.
    Wondered where we were heading for a while as it took us past an industrial area that felt like had nothing to do with nice touristy spot!
    Turns out - didn't need to doubt - end up at what is obviously a prime spot for fishermen and also people who enjoy parking on the beach while enjoying the water. Roger has a quick dunk in the water here too.    Read more

  • Andrea McClureYear off around AustraliaTraveler

    Leschenault Estuary

    December 30, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Now we're heading back to our Farmstay, and call in and check this out on our way past.
    Can see people out in the shallow water - crabbing for Blue Swimmers. The crabs caught have to be over a certain size and there is a bag limit of 10.
    This is another nice area to walk about - and set up for picnicking and water fun.    Read more

  • Andrea McClureYear off around AustraliaTraveler

    Bunbury

    December 31, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    As we drive into Bunbury we stop at a shopping centre as Roger wants to get something from an appliance store JB Hi Fi will do. Get's what he's after - Bluetooth Audio Receiver. Now we continue on our way to Bunbury Visitor Centre.
    After being there, we go to the recommended Bakery to get our lunch rolls - but no it's not open on Tuesdays. So we go and get fresh rolls from nearby Coles. Now drive about Bunbury, checking out places and having a lovely day    Read more

  • Andrea McClureYear off around AustraliaTraveler

    Bunbury Visitor Centre & Museum

    December 31, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Have a nice wander about the free Museum here, before chatting to the Visitor Centre staff and getting a good run down on things we can look at and do for the day.
    Unfortunately there is not fireworks happening in Bunbury for tonight's NYE. Closest fireworks would be in Busselton 45 minutes drive away - not going to happen with us, much prefer to not have a drive tonight.Read more

  • Andrea McClureYear off around AustraliaTraveler

    Koombana Beach Bunbury

    December 31, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Come and park here, knowing we'll have lunch and a swim later. First we walk to the Dolphin Discovery Centre. I detour onto the beach as I see that a dolphin encounter is happening. I quickly wade into the water in the required area (between the official volunteers) and love seeing 'Crackers' a female bottlenose dolphin swimming within metres of me. Then I head to meet Roger at the Dolphin Discovery Centre (he's patiently waiting for me in the shade).
    After we finish our explore here, we return to our ute to collect our eski, chairs etc that we want for our picnic lunch on Koombana Foreshore. We set up in the shade of a tree near the beach - wonderful breeze and sea view. Have a lovely lunch, making up chicken salad rolls, then having fresh fruit and a rum ball. Roger goes in for a swim, I'm quite content to read my book, relaxing and enjoying the scenery. When Roger returns (to keep with our gear), I go for a walk along the foreshore to find the confectionery shop the lady at the Visitor centre was worth a look - Taffy's. Yes I had fun here, taste testing, and purchasing some favourites and new to me yummies!
    When I get back to Roger, he's ready to go for a drive to check out Back Beach, so we pack up our stuff and head off.    Read more

  • Andrea McClureYear off around AustraliaTraveler

    Busselton

    January 1 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Arrive in town - looking for the Visitor Centre - find it no worries, but then have to drive around until we find a parking place with the caravan. Not too bad - we end up along the foreshore area. Good spot to be, if we end up swimming later... Now walk back to the Visitor Centre, enjoying looking about Busselton - easy place to like!
    After checking out the Visitor Centre we walk about until we find a good spot to have our lunch. Millies Restaurant.
    Then we walk back to the Jetty.
    After doing the walk out there, we return to our caravan and change into our bathers. We go to the foreshore beach. Gorgeous- the water is great temperature today.
    After our 'dunk' we get going to our Farmstay - it's about 20kms south out of town.    Read more

  • Andrea McClureYear off around AustraliaTraveler

    Busselton Jetty

    January 1 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Just have to walk out Australia's longest Jetty! Especially after our big lunch today. Naturally with school holidays and public holiday today, this Jetty is quite busy! Glorious - so glad the town 'rallied' to save this after it got closed and became 'redundant'. It's now a wonderful tourist attraction - allowing fishing, swimming, snorkling, diving, train rides and of course walking along! There is a charge to enter onto it - but can understand this for its upkeep. $4 per adult / person (not sure about children rates).Read more

  • Andrea McClureYear off around AustraliaTraveler

    Farmstays Metricup

    Jan 1–4 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    This property is called Yelverton Brook Conservation Saunctuary and is approximately 20kms south of Busselton. Once in, and met up with our host Joy at the office, we are shown to our camp spot by following Joy and her partner on the quadbike. They have quite a few other campers here - as Joy explains that with the school holidays - people are ringing 'begging' for a spot to stay. We agree on our position offered and are happily 'left to it' to settle. This we do with awning and mat out. All windows open to catch any breeze. Unfortunately I left our caravan top hatches open (after getting changed into our bathers in Busselton) so we have a broken panel (only the front one - luckily) and it's still there so Roger's hopeful he can fix it somehow... Next we relax until tea outside in the shade of our awning. We have a snack of Taffy's fudge mmmm. Tea tonight, Roger cooks up some chicken that we make up into burgers with salad and bread rolls. Roger has his shower, then washes the dishes - I'm catching up on our budget books. Roger's now in bed, while I'm writing this. I'll put the dishes away next and head to bed too.
    2/01/25 Thursday. My good friend Sharon's birthday. We get up around 6am, we have made plans to go for a drive to go for a walk then find a spot for us to cook up our breakfast. Roger has packed an eski and a cooler bag for our breakfast requirements so once we're organised off we go.
    We return from our day tripping around 4.40pm. Very happy to just relax - we have some nibbles with our drinks, savoury this time - dip, cheese and baby pickled cucumbers with dry biscuits, while seated under our awning. Tea tonight is leftover chicken with chopped salad. Roger has some fruit and yoghurt, then has his shower. Roger does the dishes while I work on our budget books. I dry and put away the dishes later. Roger now asleep, I'm just writing up today's going's on before bed for me too.
    3/01/25 Friday. I get up just after 6am and go for a walk to have a look about this property we're staying on. Nice spot. Get back and have my shower while my porridge cooking. Roger has packed stuff for our lunch today - says we just need to buy some fresh bread along the way. I get organised and we head off to go as far as Augusta today - checking out some surrounds on the way there and back. Leave by 8.30am and get back around 4.30pm. Relax until teatime. I ring Barb for a catch up, then we have sausage casserole (yum) followed by yoghurt and fruit for Rog, Bear Claw chocs (from Taffys) for us both. Robert returns our call, enjoy a catch up - and check on our mail. Roger has his shower, dishes get done. We work out how to use SBS on Demand with our TV. Roger watching a program - Samson and Delilah, while I'm writing this. I'll pay some bills when I finish this - then it'll be bedtime.
    4/01/25 Saturday. Thinking of my Mum today RIP her birthday. I get up just after 6am and go for a run around the property here. Come back and have a shower then breakfast. Roger has us ready to go so once I'm organised we do. Leave before 9am.    Read more

  • Andrea McClureYear off around AustraliaTraveler

    Cape Naturaliste

    January 2 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Drive here and park to go for our walk. We're abit confused by the walking map, but decide we'll head off and see how we go. Great morning for it - not too hot. The flys aren't bad - just happy to sit on our backs while we walk. We eventually work out the mapping and successfully complete the walk we originally set out to do. We walk a couple of loops to cover over 6km. When we finish this, I'm abit keen to check out the lighthouse here, but Rog is ready to go find our spot to have something to eat. Fair enough, he's hungry. He drives us to Meelup Beach from here.Read more

  • Andrea McClureYear off around AustraliaTraveler

    Meelup Beach

    January 2 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Our late breakfast - become brunch. We find a park - very popular spot. Roger checks where the public BBQs are - so we load up with our eski etc and get over to the picnic tables and BBQs. Enjoy another yummy egg & bacon toast - done our way, avocado, tomato, goats cheese with cooked mushrooms. Happy days - Roger has even packed our tea and coffee 'stuff' - so we can have a drink of our choosing. Have a nice wander about here before leaving - perfect family beach spot.Read more

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