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Day 456
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 141 m
Australia Lightning Ridge -29.428333, 147.97666729°25’42” S 147°58’36” E
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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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Day 450
Thursday, July 14, 2022
☀️ 11 °C
Altitude: 155 m
Australia Gateway Island -36.1, 146.9136°6’0” S 146°54’36” E
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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Day 444
Friday, July 8, 2022
⛅ 11 °C
Altitude: 197 m
Australia Hamilton -37.733333, 142.0237°43’60” S 142°1’12” E
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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Day 441
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
☀️ 16 °C
Altitude: 130 m
Australia Sawyer Park -36.723333, 142.19833336°43’24” S 142°11’54” E
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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Day 438
Saturday, July 2, 2022
⛅ 11 °C
Altitude: 229 m
Australia Little Joe Hill -37.171667, 142.54333337°10’18” S 142°32’36” E
Halls Gap
July 2, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
We finally made it to Halls Gap. We were meant to come here back in January. So only 6 months late.
Halls Gap is stunning. We stayed at the Lakeside Tourist Park (behind Bellfield lake). So much wildlife around. Birds, emus and kangaroos.
We hired a firepit and enjoyed the fire until it was too cold. ( When you had a fire pit you had to keep a bucket of water next to the fire. Overnight it was that cold that ice formed on the top of the water.)

We visited Boroka lookout, Mackenzie Falls lookout, Broken Falls lookout and Reed lookout ( at sunset).
We walked about 3km.
We visited a winery and a farm that produced local jams and sauces.
We missed the zoo and so many more walks we will have to go again.Read more
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Day 433
Monday, June 27, 2022
⛅ 12 °C
Altitude: 271 m
Australia Landsborough -36.995, 143.14166736°59’42” S 143°8’30” E
Landsborough
June 27, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
We tend to stay places for 3 nights and we stayed 4 in Landsborough.

While in the Landsborough region we went to Beaufort, St Arnaud and Ararat.
We love to investigate little towns and Beaufort was beautiful as we drove through it. It has a fantastic memorial garden.
St Arnaud was a lot bigger than I thought with many places to eat. We stopped for lunch at the Dancing Kelpie Bistro. It was the best food we have had for a while.Read more
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Day 398
Monday, May 23, 2022
☀️ 18 °C
Altitude: 96 m
Australia Ian Cowie Recreation Reserve -37.73, 144.6583337°43’48” S 144°39’30” E
Melbourne
May 23, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
We stayed in the Melbourne area for several weeks. Unfortunately most of the time it was raining.
We were without the van for a week as we had the 12 volt system upgraded.
We spent time with family and enjoyed a couple of birthdays.
We stayed in Rockbank, Melbourne, Dandenong, Moe, Healesville and then back to Geelong.
When we were in Moe we drove past the Yallouran North Power Plant. It is a massive structure.
We spent a few nights in Healesville. Visited an organic farmers market and bought the freshest milk I had ever had. Went to a market at the Punt Road Winery. It wasn't very big but had a great selection of fresh food.Read more
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Day 395
Friday, May 20, 2022
☀️ 16 °C
Altitude: 137 m
Australia Seymour -37.025, 145.13537°1’30” S 145°8’6” E
Seymour
May 20, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
We had a great time in Seymour. We caught up with friends for lunch. I hadn't seen Haley since they left Darwin for Pucka nearly 7 years ago.
Seymour is a very defence focused town.
We did the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk and the Australian Light Horse Memorial Park. (Which we nearly got lost in.)
We took a drive out to Avenel and had a look around the town where Ned Kelly grew up and saw the old stone bridge. We will have to get up to Glenrowan next time.Read more
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Day 392
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 159 m
Australia Lismore -37.955, 143.3466737°57’18” S 143°20’48” E
Lismore
May 17, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
We stopped into Lismore for a couple of nights. It is a small town. Sits on the highway. We took a day trip into Camperdown to look at what is there it is a lot bigger than I thought. Had lunch at the bakery wow a great selection. We will be going back to Geelong for a night to collect some mail and then onto Seymour to catch up with a friend.Read more
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Day 388
Friday, May 13, 2022
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 560 m
Australia Table Hill -37.34167, 144.1333337°20’30” S 144°7’60” E
Daylesford, Jubilee Holiday Park
May 13, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
I have heard alot about Daylesford. It is as beautiful as I heard we stayed at Jubilee Holiday Park I was a little sceptical at first. Not the best site. But after the welcome from the peacocks and the walk around the lake, wow. The walk around Jubilee lake waa only about 30min long but the colours were spectacular. The trees took my breath away.
We looked around town and the Amazing Mill Market and the farmers market. While at the farmers market we went on the historical train ride to Musk. We do love our old trains.
We are moving onto Lismore.Read more
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Day 369
Sunday, April 24, 2022
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 12 m
Australia Portarlington -38.11167, 144.64538°6’42” S 144°38’42” E
Geelong and Portarlington
April 24, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
We spent 2 weeks in the Geelong/Portarlington area. We had a couple of appointments along with Nathan's birthday and Mother's Day.
We tried our luck at fishing/squiding again with no success.
Portarlington 3 Nayda's 0
St Leonards 1 Nayda's 0
We will keep trying.
The weather is starting to get really cold. Not much sitting outside under the awning.Read more
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Day 366
Thursday, April 21, 2022
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 289 m
Australia Castlemaine -37.06667, 144.2216737°4’0” S 144°13’18” E
Castlemaine and Maldon
April 21, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
We spent 3 nights in Castlemaine. We had a look around town and went for a drive out to Maldon.
The vintage markets were good. We had lunch at Das Kaffeehaus.
Maldon is a beautiful little town outside of Castlemaine. We decided to go for a drive on a day that the Vintage Bike Rally was on.
It was amazing to see the bikes roll in. They closed off the main streetRead more
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Day 365
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 110 m
Australia Barraport -36.00833, 143.6716736°0’30” S 143°40’18” E
Spsnnerman Part3
April 20, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
John also loved animals, but he truly loved birds.
The driveway is lined with old farm equipment.
TravelerHe is a very talented person…
4/29/22Reply
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Day 365
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 110 m
Australia Barraport -36.00833, 143.6716736°0’30” S 143°40’18” E
Spannerman Part2
April 20, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
John started making smaller items with horse shoes and when he had an excess of spanners he started to use them.
John bought the spanners at swap meets.
He started to buy new spanners so that he could get the two tone effect and they were easier to bend.Read more
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Day 365
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 110 m
Australia Barraport -36.00833, 143.6716736°0’30” S 143°40’18” E
Spannerman part 1
April 20, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
There are several blogs on the Spannerman sculptures. A little background.
John Piccoli is the sculptor. He contracted polio when he was 9 and confined to a wheelchair.
He sculpted his creations from his chair. He never used a picture everything was sculptured from his memory.
Unfortunately John passed away one year ago. His last sculpture was half finished.
After speaking with his step-daughter and hearing his story we watched a short video of John explaining his work.
When you enter the property lining the drive way is old farm machinery. John didn't want to see them scraped.Read more
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Day 364
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 133 m
Australia Charlton -36.26833, 143.3536°16’6” S 143°21’0” E
Charlton
April 19, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
We did a 2 night stop in Charlton ( I don't want to stop for a night if we can help it) I am so glad we did. We got information on the area and wanted to see the Spannerman sculptures. (See the next 4 blogs).
On the way we called into Glenloth to look at the old pub and hall.
Spannerman sculptures are just outside Boort. Boort is a pretty little town also.Read more
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Day 362
Sunday, April 17, 2022
⛅ 28 °C
Altitude: 74 m
Australia Patchewollock -35.38333, 142.1866735°22’60” S 142°11’12” E
Silo Art Trail
April 17, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
We did more KMs on the Silo Art Trail than we normally do travelling to a new destination. It is amazing to see the murals on the silos. So much detail. It was great to have a pamphlet giving details about each mural.
We did nearly 300km which is only a fraction of the Silo Art Trail.
We will do more from Horsham when we get there.Read more
TravelerLove these
4/21/22Reply
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Day 360
Friday, April 15, 2022
☁️ 24 °C
Altitude: 78 m
Australia Lake Lascelles -35.725, 142.3683335°43’30” S 142°22’6” E
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Hopetoun and surrounds
April 15, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
We spent Easter in Hopetoun. We were near Lake Lascelles and being Easter it was extremely busy. We did try fishing again, no luck.
We did part of the Silo Art Trail see next blog.
On the way back to Hopetoun after the Silo Art Trail we went through Woomelang they had mini silo murals.
We had a couple of days of rain so I was able to make pickled eggs. On the way to Charlton we passed through Birchip the home of the Big Mallee Bull.Read more
Traveler Very nice
4/21/22Reply
Traveler Cute
4/21/22Reply
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Day 358
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 52 m
Australia Lock Island -34.17167, 142.1683334°10’18” S 142°10’6” E
Rothbury
April 13, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
We travelled on the Rothbury going down stream and through lock 11. Mildura is the only place where the lock and weir are separated by an island. There is a 3.6 metre water level difference.
Cruising speed of the Rothbury is 10km. The water temperature in the Murray ranges between 9-27°c.
There are some very expensive properties along the Murray.
We loved the feel of the paddle wheel going through the water.Read more
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Day 357
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 27 m
Australia Charles Sturt Memorial Park -34.11, 141.9134°6’36” S 141°54’36” E
Mildura, Red Cliffs, Merbein & Wentworth
April 12, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
We arrived in Mildura for a four night stay. We visited a few of the smaller towns around Mildura. We even ventured into NSW again. (Wentworth)
Mildura is a pretty town not as small as I thought it would be. We had another experience on a Paddlesteamer, we even got to go through the weir. ( See the next blog, Rothbury).
We visited Wentworth to see where the Murray meets the Darling. The 2 rivers are different colours.
We spent the afternoon in Red Cliffs where we saw the red Cliffs. In Merbein we saw the white cliffs. Red Cliffs is the home of Big Lizzie the tractor was used to clear the land from 1917.
We leave here on Good Friday to go to Hopetoun.Read more
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Day 350
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 57 m
Australia Robinvale -34.57833, 142.7683334°34’42” S 142°46’6” E
Robinvale Riverside
April 5, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
We spent a week in Robinvale. When I went into the information centre to see what there was to do I was told nothing people come to relax and fish or ski.
We did try fishing but didn't catch anything. I fished with worms for the first time.
The Murray becomes busy over the holidays.

We move onto Mildura next. (The quickest way to Mildura from Robinvale is via NSW).Read more
Great to see you back on the road having a fantastic time. Enjoy and hope you catch a fish soon. [Carol]
4/12/22Reply
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Day 349
Monday, April 4, 2022
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 82 m
Australia Nyah West -35.185, 143.34535°11’6” S 143°20’42” E
Scrap wire sculptures Nyah West
April 4, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Stopped in to look at the scrap wire sculptures in Nyah West. They were really good.
The sculptures were created by Jim Watson. A farmer who saw something similar in a museum and thought I could do that.

On to Robinvale.Read more
TravelerIf near Aramac, Qld check out one of the sculpture trails
4/13/22Reply
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Day 346
Friday, April 1, 2022
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 70 m
Australia Lake Boga -35.45, 143.6283335°27’0” S 143°37’42” E
The Flying Boat Museum
April 1, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
We visited the Flying Boat Museum today. I wasn't sure what it was going to be like.
I truly enjoyed it. There was a short video about the base and why it was established. It was even a secret base to start with.
Being able to wander around the museum and see all of the artifacts.
In 2008 when the lake was drained they found a crate of .30 shells that had been sitting under water for 62 years and they were still live.
We are able to see the telecommunications bunker which was mostly manned by WAAF.
There was a Catalina in the museum. (See video) It is amazing to think that we used to fish over them in Darwin Harbour .Read more
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Day 344
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 75 m
Australia Lake Boga -35.46167, 143.63535°27’42” S 143°38’6” E
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Lake Boga
March 30, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
We arrived at Lake Boga and it was a lovely day with minimal wind. However ever since the wind is phenomenal. We were wanting to go fishing, (got all of our licences completed) but we are waiting for the wind to die down (hopefully tomorrow).
We did manage to fish for an afternoon but caught nothing.
The sunrises were amazing.
We have visited The Flying Boat Museum it is amazing (see blog).Read more
Traveler Looks like a great spot
4/7/22Reply
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Day 343
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 99 m
Australia Horseshoe Lagoon -36.12, 144.74536°7’12” S 144°44’42” E
National Holden Motor Museum
March 29, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Oh no not the Holdensss. I am not a car person but I can appreciate a beautiful vehicle. Mark has owned FJ, EH, HR, HT and HG Holdens.
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