MarkTula Exploring Oz

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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Horsham
July 5, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
We spent a few days in Horsham and looking around the area.
We completed the Silo trail that we started at Easter and went to the Stick Shed.
I finally bought myself a winter jacket it is very much needed.
The Stick Shed was the first bulk wheat storage solution built in 1941. It was built with 560 unmilled sticks. The shed is 270 metres long, 60 metres wide and 19 metres high. It was the first grain storage shed built and the only one remaining.
The silo art was amazing, the detail that the artist can get onto the silo blows you away.
If you are travelling pick up a brochure and follow the trail.
Pink lake wasn't as good as it could be too many clouds. The pink is still visible just not as vibrant.Read more
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Hamilton
July 8, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
We have now done the the 3 H's. Halls Gap, Horsham and Hamilton.
Loved the caravan park we were on the trees dividing each site were amazing.
We were waiting to go back to Geelong for a scan for Mark before heading to QLD.
It is a pretty town. Bigger than we thought.
We did a drive to Dunkeld. That is a small town. We did buy another beanie for me and some possum/merino socks for us both to wear to bed.
Made my first batch of chilli pickled onions and only 2 months until we can try them.Read more
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Returning to QLD - Part 1
July 14, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
This blog is a long time coming. We have been in QLD for 3 weeks.

On our trip north we will be testing the new 12volt system and staying off grid.We started our journey north with a stop at Benalla. We stayed in the show grounds and had dinner at the local pub across the road. We looked at a free camp site but looked a little shady to us newbies free camping.

Next stop was The Rock in NSW. It is a small town that allows free camping at the recreational reserve very quiet
We did stop and see the Ettamogah Pub it is closed in winter as they can't heat it.
Next stop was Woodstock where we camped up with family. It was great to catch up with Sonja and Craig.
We did a night in Dubbo at a private camp ground, Blizzardfield. Great little spot though near the airport no night time flights but did start again about 6am.
We are spending the night in Coonamble at Nakadoo farm stay. It is brilliant. It is a donation camp, we even scored the ensuite. (LOL) A nanny goat had 3 kids last night they are the cutest things. There are cattle, cats, dogs and horses.
We walked through town and had a looked at the Nickname Hall of Fame.Read more
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
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Returning to QLD - Part 2
July 20, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
We spent 2 nights in Lightning Ridge and it rained which is good for the town but makes sight seeing a little hard. The roads turned to mud as soon as you leave the main town centre. The cactus farm was closed due to flooded paths. We did see the sunset at Nettleton first shaft lookout.
From there we went to St George and then onto Goondiwindi. Pretty town with plenty to see.
We went onto Stanthorpe and onto Bellmere to stay with family. We were able to catchup with my dad for his birthday and my brothers and their families.Read more
Traveler I love Goondiwindi
9/2/22Reply
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
The Queensland Adventure
August 2, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
We had a fantastic time at the Buck camping weekend. We caught up with friends and made new friends.
We then went to Gum Tree Lodge for a few days before heading to Moffatt Dale for some port. ( So we planned)
Unfortunately while at the Buck weekend I came down with covid. We then had to isolate for 7 days, which turned into 10 as Mark also tested positive (Asymptomatic unlike me). We had to miss my sister in-laws birthday.
We managed to dodge covid for a long time. We did spend time at my brother's to only get the flu also.
Happy to leave QLD.
Next step is to go back to VIC for Mark sister's 50th birthday.Read more
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Back to Victoria
August 30, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
We are back in Victoria. We have travelled back for my birthday (the first one I have had with our kids for a while) and Jodie-Ann Hand birthday.
We left my brother's place and started south first stop Hastings Point just south of the border.
Iluka is a beautiful little town berry quiet will be going back again. Hopefully we will be able to fish. On the way to Iluka we stopped at a little town called Wardell they had the best pies in the cafe. Mark had the chilli pie he said was great and spicy.
Next we spent the night at Armidale we were try to get away from the rain.
Tamworth was next we went to the big guitar, the wax museum, hall of fame and looked around town.
It is amazing what you can see on the road. Love looking at the fields of gold (canola fields). They are truly gold in the sunlight.Read more
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Back to Victoria part 2
September 7, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
Merriwa was an overnight stay as they were predicting rain. Drove through Mudgee to get to Bathurst. There are a lot of wineries near Mudgee that we will have to visit next time.
Bathurst is an extremely beautiful town. We only had 2 nights I would love to go back and look around some more. We both drove the Bathurst race track, it was amazing. I am not a rev head but I really did enjoy it.We also went to Abercrombie House all I can say is wow. So much to look at and admire. Lots of information about the house and the original owners and the current owners. So much work has been done to restore the house. It is wonderful to see it is still a family home.
We spent the night in Young the rain is still around and it isn't cherry season yet looks like we need to come back.
The last stop in NSW is The Rock we stayed at the rec reserve it is peaceful.
Onto Glenrowan.
We had a great time.
NSW has many beautiful towns and bendy hilly roads.Read more
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Glenrowan
September 12, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
We made it back to Victoria again. We stopped at Glenrowan as we wanted to see the place of Ned Kelly's last stand. Unfortunately most of the shops were closed we made a rookie mistake by not coming to a small town near the weekend. The shops and animated show opened again on Friday.
What we did see was very interesting. Lots of information about Ned Kelly and the family.
We are going to Geelong for 12 nights to celebrate a couple of birthdays.Read more
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Geelong
September 14, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
We spent a couple of weeks in Geelong. We came back for a couple of birthdays.
For my birthday we trained it into Melbourne for the day.
We visited the Queen Victoria market, had lunch at Spice World and went to Trapt the escape room. I had a fantastic day. We were lucky this year we were able to spend all our birthdays together.Read more
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Going to Canberra
September 26, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
We left Geelong to head up to Canberra. We are going to take 4 nights to get there.
Night one we stopped at a rest stop, Mokoan just off the Hume Freeway near Winton,VIC.

Next we went to Holbrook and had a pub stay at the Riverina Hotel. We had a look at the town and then had an excellent meal in the pub. We are still following the rain so we didn't see the submarine, Otway this time.

Next we had 2 nights in Gundagai (bet you sang the name). We went on a self guided tour of the old gaol, the look outs, captain Moonlite's grave site and the dog on the Tucker Box. At the visitors centre we saw Rusconi's Marble Masterpiece all the marble is from around NSW. The work took 28 years and is very intricate. Well worth the look.

The next night we were at our destination. We were staying at a friend's property in Captains Flat.Read more
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Canberra/ Captains Flat
September 30, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
We thought Victoria was cold that is nothing compared to Captains Flat.
We have come to see some of Canberra and catch up with Pat Watson. We are staying at her sister and brother in law's property. Thank you Julie and Trevor for allow us to stay on your property it is truly beautiful.

Pat showed us some of the places she used to haunt when her and Darryl lived in Canberra.
We visited the War Memorial, Cockington Green, Floriade and of course Costco.

The War Memorial is spectacular I recommend booking 2 sessions (entry is free but you need to book a 2 hour session). Two hours is not long enough to see everything. We will be going back when we are in Canberra next. I was in awe of how many brave men and women we have in this country. The tomb of the unknown soldier is beautiful.

Cockington Green is incredible. The amount of detail put into all of the miniature displays. Well worth a look if you are in Canberra.

For the first time ever we went to a Floriade. The colours were vibrant.Read more
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Flowers of Canberra
September 30, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
I take a lot of photos of flowers where we go I thought 1 post with only flowers is appropriate.
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Tasmania here we come
November 21, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
We are on the move again. We have boarded the Spirit of Tasmania 2 for our overnight sail. We are spending the next 3 months in Tassie.
Not looking forward to the early morning wake up of 4.45am.
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Low Head/George Town
November 22, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
We were woken at 4.45am to disembark the Spirit of Tasmania at 5.30. OMG I am not an early morning person.
Our first night in Tassie was spent in Low Head Tourist Park. We pulled in to book a site for the night before going to stock up at Woolies in George Town (right on the York Cove). When I told Sarah we had just got off the Spirit of Tasmania that morning she allowed us to check in straight away instead of waiting. We got set up and then I went for a nap.
We didn't do alot in Low Head as the wind was strong at least there was no rain. I did get all my washing dry.
The 2 photos of the York Cove were taken from the Woolies carpark.Read more
Glad you have arrived safely in Tassie to start the next leg of your adventure. Looking forward to the photos and updates. Enjoy and stay warm. [Carol]
11/23/22Reply
Travelerthe weather in Tassie so far is beautiful.
11/23/22Reply
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Launceston and surrounds
November 23, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
We are staying in Launceston for 5 nights at Old Mac's Caravan and Motorhome Farm Stay. It is a lovely green farm with animals. Every afternoon a train comes through behind the farm. They even blow the whistle for the kids.
We are near the end of our time in Launceston. We have really enjoyed our time here. Launceston is so hilly I can't believe how the houses are built into the side of the valley.
While we were here we saw Beaconsfield, Grindelwald, and Beauty Point.
We have visited Hillwood Berry Farm and Lees Orchard. Of course I will always find a market if I can and this time we went to the Harvest market. The fresh produce was amazing. We got fresh brussel sprouts, chilli bacon, normal bacon and a couple of steaks. We found a stall selling cheese, milk and yoghurts. Safe to say we spent some money.
After the markets we went to Cataract Gorge and went on the longest single chairlift.Read more
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Touring around Launceston
November 24, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
We ventured to Grindelwald, Beaconsfield, Beauty Point, Hillwood Berry Farm and Lees Orchard. In all about 115 km round trip. Had a great day.
Grindelwald is a replica Swiss village. It is very cute. I do love ducks. I have decided Mark now has a sock fetish and we seem to buy him socks everywhere we go, he likes the ones that keep his feet warm.
Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre was eye opening. It is interactive so there is something for everyone. Reading all about the rescue in 2006 of Todd Russell and Brant Webb. The buildings from 1904 are beautiful even in the state of disrepair they are in. After we left the heritage centre we stopped at the bakery and Mark got to try his first scallop pie. (It was very nice)
On the way back we called into a Berry farm and an apple orchard. The apples are so fresh and crunchy.Read more
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
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Cataract Gorge
November 26, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
The sun was out and the wind was tame (unlike some days we have had lately.) Cataract Gorge has the longest single chairlift span in the world. The views in the gorge are spectacular. Unfortunately there is no swimming due to a flood warning the river is flowing really fast.
We caught the chairlift over to the other side. Walked to the suspension bridge and then did the Cataract walk.
The wildlife is abundant especially the peacocks it is mating season here and the males are out to impress. Well worth a look but we came home exhausted.Read more
Looking good and obviously not too cold. [Carol]
12/10/22Reply
Travelernot that day. There have been some cold days
12/10/22Reply
Traveler That looks good
12/22/22Reply
Traveler They are so beautiful, have you seen a white one yet?
12/22/22Reply
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
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Scottsdale
November 29, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
We spent a couple of days in Scottsdale. We stayed in a free camp at Northeast Park. The park was lovely with a couple of ponds and large grassed areas with ducks that are mighty friendly. We went to Springfield to look at a wood sculpture and a roadside produce stall. Lots of yummy produce but the fresh peas are the best. The free camp was a bit crowded but still good.
Our next stop is Weldborough we are spending a couple of nights camped up out the back of the pub. On the way we stopped at Legerwood to have a look at more wood sculptures. The trees at Legerwood were planted in 1918 and the sculptures were carved in 2004. They were amazing.
After stopping at Legerwood we stopped in Branxholm for coffee for Mark and apparently when you stop in Branxholm you must get a pie. I must admit they are tasty. (Sorry no pictures)
We spent the day in Pyengana. (see next footprint) to
Next destination is Bay and Fires.Read more
Traveler Well that is a bit different
12/22/22Reply
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Pyengana
December 1, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 12 °C
Day trip from Weldborough to Pyengana it is only a 30km drive on one of the windiest roads we have been on. (we need to bring the van the same way tomorrow to get to Bay of Fires)
There were three things we wanted to do in Pyengana. The St Columba Falls, The Pub in the Paddock and the Pyengana Dairy Company.
Firstly the falls grade 2 walk with a moderate uphill walk on the return. The falls are one of the tallest in Tasmania. They have never been known to run dry. They are magnificent.
We then went to the dairy and watched them make some cheese. Bought some chocolate and milk. Then went to the pub for lunch. It is a beautiful pub with a couple of fire places to keep you warm. Mark really liked his scallops.Read more
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Bay of Fires/ Cosy Corner North
December 2, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
We parked up in Cosy Corner North in The Bay of Fires. It is a free camp right on the ocean.
We had some great weather but it was still too cold to swim. We did wet our feet but that is all.
We were going to try fishing but the waves were too big.
We did a couple of beach walks and just enjoyed being outside.
The orange lichen-cloaked boulders are striking.
The nearest town was St Helens. Very pretty but not as big as I thought.
We drove up to the Gardens from there you could see the whole Bay of Fires from tip to tip.Read more
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
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Mathinna/Campbell Town
December 5, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 12 °C
We have come to Mathinna to get away from the high winds on the coast. Though it is a lot colder here today.
Campbell Town is beautiful. We are at free camp for the night. It is a short walk into town. We visited a couple of antique stores and the bakery.
Our next stop is on the coast again. We will be staying at the Pondering Frog Cafe.
We will be in Huonville for Christmas.Read more
Remind me to tell you about our experience in Mathinna [Carol]
12/10/22Reply
Traveler Looks great
12/22/22Reply
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Bicheno
December 7, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
We had a lovely 2 night stay at the Pondering Frog Cafe 12 km out of Bicheno. From here we were able to go to Coles Bay, Swansea and Melshell Oysters.

Bicheno blow hole was great and when you look at the photos no Mark didn't get wet.

We drove to Coles Bay and looked at the Tourville lighthouse and the 2 lookouts. Thankfully we had a beautiful sunny day and we could see forever.
We drove to Swansea (see next footprint). On the way back we had lunch at Melshell Oysters. I am not the biggest oyster fan but they were yummy and creamy and oh so big. We bought a dozen to take home also to have for dinner as Kilpatrick.Read more
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Swansea
December 8, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
We did a day trip to Swansea.
The views of the coast never cease to amaze us no matter what the weather is.
It was wonderful to see the town decorated for Christmas.
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Triabunna
December 9, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
We arrived at Triabunna and we are spending 1 night. We were going to book a cruise around Maria Island but the weather isn't looking the best so we decided to come back early next year and do Maria Island then.

We did the washing and then went to the fish van for lunch amazing Mark got scallops and chips and they were soooo yummy.

On the way we stopped at Spiky Bridge, 3 Arch Bridge and the Abandoned School.Read more
Good excuse to go back, looks beautiful. [Carol]
12/13/22Reply
Traveleryes definitely
12/13/22Reply
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MarkTula Exploring Oz Traveler
Tasman Peninsula
December 10, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
We spent a few nights at a donation camp behind the Dunalley Hotel. A bit rough to get into but there were only a few vans in so very quiet.
The Dennison Canal is in Dunalley it was great to see the swing bridge in action letting the boat through to East Bay instead of having to go around.
We went to the Tessellated Pavement, amazing what mother nature can do, Port Arthur Lavender Farm, Pirates Bay, Officers Quarters Museum, the Dog Line Statue, Fossil Bay, Tasman Arch and of course Port Arthur (next blog).
We are doing quite a bit of walking but with such amazing scenery we don't mind.Read more
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