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MarkTula Exploring Oz

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Day 343
Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at 10:30 AM
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 95 m
Australia Lock Lagoon -35.945, 144.46535°56’42” S 144°27’54” E
Torrumbarry Weir
March 29, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
The Weir is about 30min out of Echuca.
When we pulled up it was so peaceful. It wasn't untill we saw the down stream side of the weir that I realised how much water is being released. We even saw fish using fish pass.Read more
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Day 341
Sunday, March 27, 2022
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 102 m
Australia Echuca Airport -36.16333, 144.7836°9’48” S 144°46’48” E
The Great Aussie Beer Shed & Heritage
March 27, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
We visited a rare icon The Great Aussie Beer Shed it is amazing.
Wow there is so much to see in the beer shed. Owned and sourced by Neil Thomas if you ever come to Echuca you must come. Everything is Australian (except for beer cans) he has everything from old buggies to Holden cars. Original Petrol Bowser to poker machines and old farm machines and a drovers wagon.Read more
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Day 339
Friday, March 25, 2022
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 100 m
Australia Horseshoe Lagoon -36.12, 144.7466736°7’12” S 144°44’48” E
Echuca
March 25, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
While we were in Echuca we had a great time. So many things to see and do. We even crossed into NSW several times. It is strange being on the border.
We had a first with going on a paddlesteamer up the Murray.
Echuca has many eclectic things to see. We went to the National Holden Motor Museum, the Great Aussie Beer Shed Museum along with the Discovery Centre at the Port of Echuca.
Echuca could be a place I would live.Read more
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Day 330
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
☁️ 17 °C
Altitude: 225 m
Australia Bendigo -36.76333, 144.2783336°45’48” S 144°16’42” E
Bendigo
March 16, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Well it is 8 weeks post Mark's triple bypass. We were very lucky to have the support of family and friends (that we now count as family) while Mark recuperated from his surgery.
We went from Geelong to South Dandenong to Bendigo.
While we were in South Dandenong we had dinner with Kevin, his fiancee Casey and her parents. We are super excited for them. We had a meeting to talk about upgrading our 12V system in the van and caught up with family. We also went to the drive inn for the first time in years.
We met up with friends from Darwin who were in Bendigo. Chris and Dave have a block with 3 dams we tried our hand at yabbing we got 6. They were the sweetest tasting thing I have had.
While in Bendigo we went to the markets, the Great Stupa, the Vintage Talking Tram and Central Deborah Gold Mine. We had a fantastic time our next stop is Echuca.
Bendigo has some amazing architecture.Read more
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Day 262
Friday, January 7, 2022 at 12:12 PM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 450 m
Australia Ballarat Central -37.56167, 143.8516737°33’42” S 143°51’6” E
War History walk in Ballarat
January 7, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
We visited the Information Centre and found information about War History walk.
I have always had the greatest respect for our service men and women. Seeing the monuments erected on their honour was amazing.
The most poignant was the National EX-POW Memorial. Seeing the names of all of the men and women captured is astounding so many.a truly beautiful Memorial. ( Please take time to read the 3rd last photo)Read more
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Day 261
Thursday, January 6, 2022
☁️ 21 °C
Altitude: 450 m
Australia Ballarat Central -37.56167, 143.8516737°33’42” S 143°51’6” E
Ballarat (not Warrnambool)
January 6, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
We were meant to go to Warrnambool. The park and a session in the hot springs all paid for then we get a message from the caravan park to say some guests have tested positive for Covid and along with close contacts were isolating in the park. So we cancelled Warrnambool and made plan B, Ballarat.
We spent 2 nights. Rained both nights. We did manage to find a pub open for lunch (not as easy as you think) and did the war memorial walk (see next blog).
Ballarat has some very nice architecture.
I did want to go to Kryal Castle but will do that another time.
We are moving onto Landsborough to stay with a friend.Read more
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Day 259
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
☁️ 21 °C
Altitude: 156 m
Australia Irrewarra -38.32, 143.63538°19’12” S 143°38’6” E
Colac
January 4, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Just a couple of days in the Colac area. It has been drizzling with Rain and a bit chilly. We went for a drive to Beeac and saw the Windmill Park and Lake Beeac. Would have been better without the rain.
We went and had a look at the historical train station in Birregurra. It was a pretty station needs a little work but the external of the building was beautiful great brick work.
We were going to have lunch at a pub but it was still a little early going to have dinner instead.
We move onto Warrnambool tomorrow for one night.Read more
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Day 232
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 62 m
Australia Highton -38.18, 144.3166738°10’48” S 144°19’0” E
Geelong
December 8, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
When we left Lily Dale we spent 2 nights at Sylvan Caravan Park. I don't recommend it. It was the closest park to Mark's sister and her family. We loved catching up with them. We then moved onto Geelong for the Christmas New Year period and leave here on the 4th of January.
We have enjoyed our time it is amazing how much time Christmas takes and then the public holidays.
We went strawberry picking and to Ocean Grove Beach (the water was freezing).
We have also visited as many markets as I could. I will have to start taking photos of the markets. We are again on the lookout for pickled eggs for Mark.
We are heading to Colac tomorrow and then onto Warrnambool in a couple of days. We are heading to Ararat to catch up with a mate.
We will be in Victoria for a while.Read more
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Day 228
Saturday, December 4, 2021
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 131 m
Australia Healesville Sanctuary -37.68167, 145.5316737°40’54” S 145°31’54” E
Healsville Sanctuary
December 4, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Spent the day with Kevin and Casey at Healesville.
It was great to catch up and see the animals.
We called into the Coldstream Brewery on the way home. They were extremely busy
Every one enjoyed the atmosphere and drinks.Read more
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Day 225
Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at 3:02 PM
⛅ 30 °C
Altitude: 177 m
Australia Woori Yallock -37.8, 145.5516737°48’0” S 145°33’6” E
Lilydale
December 1, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
After leaving Dingley Village we went to Lilydale to see some of the Dandenong Ranges. We visited a couple of markets and caught up Kevin and Casey a few times.
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Day 220
Friday, November 26, 2021 at 1:54 PM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Australia Fingal -38.41833, 144.8638°25’6” S 144°51’36” E
Mornington Peninsula
November 26, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
We spent the day visiting a few locations.
First up we went Cherry picking at Red Hill Cherry Farm. Being a Darwin girl I never realised how good fruit is fresh from the tree. The cherries were so sweet and juicy. We definitely will go cherry picking again.
We then went to Red Hill Brewery and to St Andrews Beach Brewery. Both places had wonderful beers so Mark said.Read more
TravelerThose cherries look yum
12/20/21Reply
Travelerthey were very nice. Want to pick more.
12/20/21Reply
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Day 219
Thursday, November 25, 2021
☁️ 16 °C
Altitude: 71 m
Australia Mcclelland Gallery Studio Park -38.14667, 145.1783338°8’48” S 145°10’42” E
Frankston
November 25, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
We spent the day in Frankston. We went to the pier, McClelland Sculpture Park and then finished the day at Dainton Brewery and Taphouse.
The weather was very ordinary and of course we left the jumpers in the car while we walked the Frankston Pier.
Next we went to McClelland Sculpture Park. We did have a little rain but we were wearing our jumpers (Mark didn't take his off for the rest of the day). There were an amazing amount of sculptures. Several I liked but my favourite was the Tree of Life. (See the first video). I highly recommend the park to everyone make sure you wear sturdy shoes.Read more
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Day 217
Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 10:16 AM
☁️ 20 °C
Altitude: 38 m
Australia Burden Park -37.96833, 145.1483337°58’6” S 145°8’54” E
Dingley Village
November 23, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
We left Oakey on Wednesday and made the dash through NSW.
We spent a couple of days in Geelong and then moved onto Dingley Village.
The van was serviced and we visited a few of the local sights.
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Day 207
Saturday, November 13, 2021
🌧 12 °C
Altitude: 130 m
Australia Morsons Island -36.78667, 145.1316736°47’12” S 145°7’54” E
2
In Victoria at Nagambie Lakes
November 13, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 12 °C
We have arrived in Victoria. Staying at Nagambie Lakes. It is beautiful. Here for one night and then on to Geelong for 3 nights and then onto Melbourne for a few days. The van is going in for her first service.Read more
Traveler those ducks must be following you
11/13/21Reply
Traveleryep
11/13/21Reply
From hot to cold, grow that hair Mark 😂 [Tony]
11/17/21Reply
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Day 206
Friday, November 12, 2021
🌧 14 °C
Altitude: 172 m
Australia Bundidjarie Hill -34.735, 146.6166734°44’6” S 146°37’0” E
On to Narrandera
November 12, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
Free camping tonight. Should be cool enough. Mark said 9° tonight.😄
It has been a wet old day.
We did stop to have look at 'The Dish'.
We are only 165km from the Victorian border.
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Day 205
Thursday, November 11, 2021
🌧 20 °C
Altitude: 262 m
Australia Peak Hill -32.68502, 148.191732°41’6” S 148°11’30” E
Bingara to Peak Hill part 2
November 11, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 20 °C
Just a few photos of the day. Really loving the Silo Art.
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Day 205
Thursday, November 11, 2021
🌧 20 °C
Altitude: 263 m
Australia Peak Hill -32.68667, 148.1916732°41’12” S 148°11’30” E
Bingara to Peak Hill
November 11, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 20 °C
We had a long drive today. Passed through a lot of towns. We are going to have to come back to see NSW properly. We are now a little bit closer to Victoria.
TravelerVery quick trip through NSW
11/11/21Reply
Traveleryes want to make sure we can get in
11/11/21Reply
TravelerAha good idea, Xmas with family
11/11/21Reply
Traveleryes
11/11/21Reply
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Day 204
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 290 m
Australia Bingara -29.86418, 150.5775729°51’51” S 150°34’39” E
Oakey to Bingara
November 10, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
We left Oakey this morning using plan C or D I am not sure which one. We have had to be very flexible. Kept an eye on road closures as there has been a lot of rain.
Well it happened we were going to go out through Goondiwindi but not stop due to Covid then the Gore H'way on the way to Goodiwindi was closed due to flooding. We crossed the border at Texas and made it to Bingara. Expecting lots of rain tonight will have to check road conditions tomorrow.
We had plans to be in Victoria on the weekend, but it may be a little later.
Hopefully we will make it to Peak Hill tomorrow.Read more
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Day 201
Sunday, November 7, 2021
☁️ 26 °C
Altitude: 456 m
Australia Oakey -27.45833, 151.73527°27’30” S 151°44’6” E
Oakey and Toowoomba
November 7, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
We are staying at Dennis and Sharyn's place in Oakey. We first meet them when we were staying at August Moon Caravan Park in Innisfail. We have caught up with them a couple of times since then. It is amazing the friends we have made on the road.
We had a wonderful few hours in Toowoomba and the surrounding area.
We visited the museum (I don't think Mark has many more in him) we then went out to see the train station at Spring Bluff. It is still a working station but only has trains a couple times a week. It is very peaceful lots of room for kids to run around.
From here we are heading to Victoria.Read more
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Day 197
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 88 m
Australia Wongawallan -27.875, 153.2266727°52’30” S 153°13’36” E
Fox and Hound
November 3, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
On the way back from Tamborine Mountain we stopped in at the Fox and Hound for a drink. We were both so full from breakfast that we didn't need lunch.
This old English pub has so much memorabilia in it. It had everything from the double decker bus, the TARDIS and other Dr Who props, the queen as well as everything you would find on an English pub. Next time we are on the area we are having lunch.Read more
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Day 197
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 545 m
Australia Eagle Heights -27.92, 153.227°55’12” S 153°12’0” E
Tamborine Mountain
November 3, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
We went for a drive (as if we don't do enough). Tamborine Mountain is beautiful. The drive up is gob smacking. We started off with a late breakfast and then went for a walk along the main street. So many beautiful shops. Being in small towns like this is when I wish I had a lot more storage space, so much I wanted to buy. If we had a house then we wouldn't be seeing the places we are.Read more
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Day 197
Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 6:50 PM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Australia Helensvale -27.91167, 153.31527°54’42” S 153°18’54” E
Australian Outback Spectacular
November 3, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
What a great night. We weren't sure what to expect. The food was good and the show amazing. Not only a great story of life in the outback but also spectacular horsemanship. The lighting was magnificent in parts you really thought the was a river flowing and rain was falling. A must see if you are ever in the area.Read more
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Day 189
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: 34 m
Australia Rochedale South -27.58964, 153.1115427°35’23” S 153°6’42” E
Brisbane Gateway Resort
October 26, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
We had a great stay in the south of Brisbane caught up with family and friends. We did a little bit of exploring ( see the next couple of blogs). Off to Oakey to catch up with Sharyn and Dennis and pick their brains about travel in NSW.Read more
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Day 182
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 51 m
Australia Upper Mount Gravatt -27.56833, 153.09527°34’6” S 153°5’42” E
Brisbane Holiday Village
October 19, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
We spent a week here catching up with family and friends.
We loved watching the family of ducks wonder around the park
James, Kylie, Harley, Archie and Jasper came for the afternoon. We had a wonderful time in the pool. Great to spend the time with familyRead more
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Day 178
Friday, October 15, 2021 at 10:51 AM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 23 m
Australia Beerwah -26.83333, 152.9633326°49’60” S 152°57’48” E
Australia Zoo
October 15, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
We spent the day at Australia Zoo. The zoo is an amazing place. I think after going here we may not visit another zoo for a long time.

We started at the tortoise talk and learnt about these amazing creatures.
Then we went to Africa and saw Mark's favourites the meerkats and the rhinos.
We then went to watch the tiger show and Bindi's Island.

We stopped for lunch and then watched the crocodile show.

We saw so much more but too much to mention. Well worth a visit. Must thank Mark's nephew Bradley for the tickets.Read more
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