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MarkTula Exploring Oz
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MarkTula Exploring Oz

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  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler

    Oatsland to Launceston

    February 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 9 °C

    We left Hobart heading back towards Devonport in preparation for catching the ship back to the mainland.
    Drove to Oatlands for a night and then onto Launceston.
    We stopped at Ross to have a look around beautiful architecture again Tassie is full of wonderful buildings. We drove Jacob's Ladder in Ben Lomond National Park.
    Jacob's ladder is only a short section but wow it is amazing.
    Managed to get a couple of pictures of the silhouettes this time.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    1The view from the pub1In real lifeThe mural

    Sheffield

    February 17, 2023 in Australia

    We left Launceston and stopped in Hagley to pick blueberries. It is near the end of the season but we were able to pick the tart late ripening blueberries (Mark's favourite). We were also able to taste as we went.
    Next stop was Sheffield. We stayed behind the pub and enjoyed a meal.
    Had a look around town at all of the murals and we bought Mark a pair of Blundstones.
    We had a beautiful sunset the colours were spectacular.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    1Our final Kings Rock Cherries
    At Ulverstone Golf ClubDinner on the fire1Penguin beachThe big penguin1Clock tower in Ulverstone1Mersey Bluff in DevonportSunsetIn the queue heading back to the mainland

    The last week in Tasmania

    February 19, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Our last blog for Tasmania.
    We are sitting on the ship heading back to the mainland. The queue to check in and board was long.
    Our last stops were in Ulverstone and Devonport.
    From Ulverstone we went to Penguin and Burnie. The beaches in this part of the world are amazing. Too cold for Mark and I to swim in but the locals are swimming.
    Oh what a trip we have had, neither of us can pick a best place or experience. We loved it all.
    Tassie we will be back. (In a few years)    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Grampians
    Ducks again1Hilltops everywhere

    Back on the Mainland

    March 5, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    We got back late Saturday night the 25/2.
    Spent the Sunday with all of our kids. We had a great time for lunch and a couple of games. We then saw the build so far on Mel and Nat's house. We spent a couple of days doing general work on the car and van before making our way to the Hilltop family reunion (caravan company) in Halls Gap. We met some wonderful people. It was great to see so many Hilltops in one place. Approx. 70 vans.
    We are heading back to Geelong and Melbourne for our final week before heading west to WA. We are going on a cruise with good friends Pat, Julie, Kylie and Allan before exploring WA.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Lake at Lake Bolac
    Sunset at Lake BolacSunrise at Lake BolacWood carvings at the memorial walk in DartmoorAlpacas at the caravan park

    Heading west Lake Bolac

    March 17, 2023 in Australia

    We are heading west. We have finally made it to South Australia. We are going to WA and have to be there early May to catch our cruise with Pat Watson and Kylie and Allan McColley.
    We stopped at Mount Gambier for 3 nights. There is so much to see and do here.
    Our first stops were at Lake Bolac and Dartmoor both beautiful places    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    221Little Blue Lake1Dipping the toes in Little Blue LakeBlue LakeBlue LakeBlue LakeBlue Lake

    Mount Gambier

    March 19, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    We had Three nights in Mount Gambier. All I can say is wow. It is a very pretty town with so much to see.
    We drove out to Port MacDonnell (it was so windy we were nearly blown over), Little Blue Lake, Blue Lake (must see between November to March otherwise it turns grey over winter), Cave Garden (in the centre of town), Umpherston Sinkhole (see next blog) and many gardens.
    We had some of the best asian food since leaving Darwin and the scrolls from the Scroll Queen were delicious (no photos ate them too quick).
    Next destination Beachport    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Umpherston Sinkhole at night

    Umpherston Sinkhole

    March 21, 2023 in Australia

    Umpherston Sinkhole is spectacular.
    After seeing the Cave Garden it gave us a taster of what we were going to see.
    It is beautiful to walk down into the sinkhole.
    All of the plants are lush and green. We even saw a possum.
    We went back at night to see it with the lights    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Tantanoola Tiger Hotel
    Mark in front of the wind turbine bladeSo far back to get the whole bladeSo cute looking out at us when we pulled up to see the wind turbine bladeBeachport jetty1Sunset in Beachport from the jetty while fishing for squidBackler's lookout

    Beachport

    March 22, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    We left Mount Gambier and made our way to Beachport. On the way we stopped at Tantanoola and saw the Tantanoola Tiger Hotel and then Millicent and saw the wind turbine blade. They are so large.
    Beachport is a beautiful little town. It was very windy while we were here. We did relax for a bit. We tried our hand at squiding again but we have still not caught one.

    On to Robe next.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler

    Robe

    March 27, 2023 in Australia

    On the way we stopped at Woakwine CuttingThis place has been on my bucket list for a while. It is beautiful here I wish the sun had come out for a bit.
    We drove out to Cape Jaffa and tried our hand at squiding and fishing. I caught a small weedy whiting and double hooked small trevelly (which we threw back) and Mark caught a 40cm King George Whiting. (We ate well that night)
    We visited the Obelisk and the old Goal.
    Next stop is Kingston SE.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    1The big lobster
    The lighthouseMore squidingSchool of Australian SalmonKingston SE from the jetty1Interactive sun dial. But the sun was behind a cloud1

    Kingston SE and Tailem Bend

    March 30, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    We had a great time in Kingston SE. Did some fishing and squiding
    Caught no fish but got a couple small squid. The RV stop Is across the road from the jetty. A long jetty with half of it being over land not water.
    We met some lovely people. Had a great time squiding with Em.
    Next was Tailem Bend to catch up with David and his partner Sharon (no photos). It was great to chat and go to the Beerenberg farm. We also caught up with Kim and Vonnie in Murray Bridge.
    Next stop is Victor Harbor.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Bunny Beach Farm Stay
    Bunny Beach Farm StaySunset at Bunny Beach Farm StayYabbies from the damGoing to Granite Island on the horse drawn tramThe view from Granite IslandGranite islandEncounter BayRocks in Petrel CoveMark looking at the old surf location, MiddletonMiddletonPort Elliot ObeliskMouth of the MurrayMouth of the Murray

    Victor Harbor and surrounds

    April 10, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    We spent Easter in Victor Harbor, staying at the Bunny Beach Farm Stay.
    It is a beautiful farm stay that has only been open for a month, for a couple nights of our stay we were the only people there. Neil is a fantastic host and is always open for a chat and some information about the area.
    We start the reminiscing for Mark he showed me where he surfed as a teenager.
    We again tried our hands at squiding and fishing without any luck. It is so windy here.
    Had a brilliant time in the horse drawn tram over to Granite Island and then the walk around.
    Next stop Hahndorf.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Hill View Farm Stay
    21The house Mark grew up inPort AdelaideLight houseWool storeExpress way over street

    Hahndorf and more

    April 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    This time we were at Hill View Farm Stay (we are loving farm stays) near Mt Torrens. We were the only people here. We did get visited by a couple of cows they were very cute.
    We went into Adelaide and saw the house where Mark grew up and also some of Port Adelaide. The high school he went to was demolished and also the primary school, which was rebuilt but had a name change.
    We visited Hahndorf and had a great time walking around the main street.
    There is so much to see but we have to make our way to WA for the cruise.
    Next stop Port Wakefield.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    View from the site
    The lagoonHe got oneOld Locheil Ness MonsterNew Locheil Ness MonsterSouthern end of the Flinders Ranges

    Port Wakefield and Pirie

    April 17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    We have started our drive west, we are still taking it slow.
    We visited Port Wakefield and Pirie.
    In Port Wakefield we stay in a caravan park and our site backed onto the lagoon very interesting boat display on the lagoon. We visited Locheil and viewed the Locheil Ness Monster in Lake Bumbunga. (pink lake that wasn't very pink)

    In Port Pirie we stay behind the pub. A bit muddy as there was rain before we arrived. We visited the Stories from the Road Transport Museum. It was a very eclectic assortment of items. Some quirky and some strange.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Whyalla foreshore
    1The marina and jetty3The house Mark lived in until he was 5Steel worksSunsetSunset going back to the vanGoing to Iron KnobThe view on the way to the KnobMonarch mineMonarch mineElectric machineIron KnobThe footy oval where Mark's dad played footyGrandfather's tombstoneKenneth Henry Nayda on the Honour Roll

    Whyalla and Iron Knob

    April 20, 2023 in Australia

    Visited Mark's hometown. He was born in Whyalla and moved to Adelaide when he was five.
    We managed to find the house he lived in and Errol and Lorraine's house.
    Went to the jetty and tried squiding but it was too windy and cold. (if you haven't guessed we really want to catch some squid)
    Mark's dad was from Iron Knob. We did a day trip out to see what is left of the town. Mark often talks about different places in Iron Knob, the store and the pub (owned by a couple of his aunt's). We tried to find his gran's house but couldn't. We lucked out and were able to do a tour they drove us around the town explaining where buildings were.
    We did find his grandfather's headstone in the cemetery and his dad's name on the honour roll for WWII veterans.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler

    Cowell

    April 22, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    After Whyalla we stopped in Cowell for a couple of nights. We had heard it is good for squiding and fishing. What they didn't say was you need a boat. We did try squiding from the jetty but no luck.
    Cowell is a pretty little town but is really a Mecca for fishermen.
    We stayed at the Harbor View Caravan Park (most people had a boat and had been coming here for years) they were lovely and included us in the happy hour.
    We were able to buy some oysters. They were nice we tried our hand at kilpatrick.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Arno Bay
    Arno Bay jettyArno Bay beach3Tumby Bay silo artNorth Shields jettyClear water at North ShieldsOur view at Tiatukia Farm StaySunrise at Tiatukia Farm StayAnother sunriseMatthew Flinders and Trim his catTuna Pole FishermanMakybe Diva StatueMark's catchGoing into Coffin BayJust walking along the road

    Port Lincoln

    April 25, 2023 in Australia

    On the way to Port Lincoln we called into Arno Bay and Tumby Bay. Starting to love jetties. The silo art in Tumby Bay is very impressive.
    We stayed at Tiatukia Farm Stay. We were the only people here and had a magnificent view.
    We caught a couple of squid at the North Shields jetty and watched a sea lion swim under the jetty.
    Tried our luck at the wharf jetty and as we were giving up mark caught a fish.
    We went into Port Lincoln for Dawn Service on ANZAC Day, it was beautiful.
    Had a look around town and the jetty on the Esplanade very pretty
    We went into Coffin Bay to do an oyster tour at Oyster HQ. Thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Loved the waders. Saw some emus walking along the road.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Sculptures at CleveMore on CleveKimba halfway across Australia from East to WestBig GalahSilo artMore sculptures at KimbaOcean view from CedunaWindmill in PenongPink lake

    Heading west Cleve to Penong

    April 28, 2023 in Australia

    Well I am a little behind. We have been in WA for a little while now.
    We started our westward journey from Cleve, SA. We stopped here to get our flu jabs. There are some amazing sculptures. We had some wild weather the wind was wild, there was a tent that was blown over. Glad we are in a van. Next stop was Kimba the center of Australia from East to West. The camp (donation only showers and toilets all clean) at Kimba is amazing as well as the silo art.
    We stopped at Ceduna for a couple of nights (got our covid jabs) did a bit of squiding and caught nothing. We went to Penong and looked at the windmills. Drove out to Lake MacDonnell to see the pink lake. The road was rough to say the least. We went back to Penong for fuel i checked the van to see how we went on the pot holed road. I am sad to say we lost the microwave plate one hole too many and it bounced right of the microwave and broke into a 100 pieces. I have decided not to keep the microwave as we didn't use it much. We are not staying at Penong we will spend the night at Bunda Cliffs.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Never saw any animalsBunda CliffsBeautiful morning at Bunda CliffsSunrise at Bunda CliffsBorder crossing into WARescued Eagles at Cockle BiddyCaiguna Blowhole campTin camels in Norseman

    Bunda Cliffs to Norseman

    May 1, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Stopped at the Nullarbor Roadhouse and had a look at the old roadhouse. It is amazing what they made do with.
    We then headed off to Bunda Cliffs (a bucket list item for Mark and I)
    We were very lucky as there wasn't any wind it was a beautiful night. It is hard to believe that you are only a couple hundred metres off the road.
    We finally crossed the border into WA. We had an easy crossing as we had used all our fruit and veggies.
    We stopped at Cocklebiddy for a look and then made our way to Caiguna Blowhole Camp Ground. We weren't going to go that far in one day but gained 2hrs so we kept driving.
    We both had a drive on the 90 mile straight.
    Our final destination in WA was Baldivis. (For now)
    We went on a cruise with fantastic friends. (See the next blog)
    We will start our travels again after the cruise.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    The only view of ExmouthPaspaley Pearl farm Kuri BayPearlsGoing back to the shipLooking over Kuri BayBoab tree1Carvings during kitchen tourGoing into Port DouglasAmazing sunsetWelcome to CairnsCairns

    P and O Cruise - Fremantle to Cairns

    May 22, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    A short break from the van while we take a cruise from Fremantle to Cairns.
    Our first port was meant to be Exmouth (due to the winds we weren't able to go into Exmouth) so our first stop was Kuri Bay. We did the tour of the pearl farm.
    Our next stop was Darwin (i was never going back) it was great to catch up with family and friends. We only went as far as the water front. I did get some great food though.
    Port Douglas was our last stop we got off to have a look even though we were only there a couple of years ago.
    We spent a couple of days in Cairns before flying back to Perth.
    We had a great time. The cocktails and shows were fantastic. What made the cruise was travelling with fantastic friends, Kylie, Allan, Pat and Julie.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    The old with the new
    London CourtMagnificent buildingsColumns are amazingSwan RiverIn Elizabeth Quay1Kings Park LookoutWar memorial

    Perth

    June 2, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Before heading north we put the car in for a service and Pat suggested travelling to Perth by train to have a look around.
    Perth is a beautiful city. Some new buildings mixed with the old.
    We went to Kings Park some amazing views and great memorials and had a look at the Swan River from Elizabeth Quay.
    Will definitely come back to Perth to look around some more.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Some hail before we left.
    Sunshine at SeabirdEnjoying the sunBeach at SeabirdLancelinSurfboard fenceBeautiful waterSand dunes at the back of LancelinGuildertonMouth leading to the oceanLizardLighthouse in Guilderton

    Seabird

    June 8, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    We left Baldivis (rain and hail) and have started our northward journey.
    First stop is Seabird about an hour north of Perth. We are here so we could see Mark's niece and lucky we did we caught a rock to the windscreen on the way north and had a crack running across the screen so a trip to windscreen O'Briens was in order.
    In Seabird there is a general store, caravan park and the tavern which has a small caravan park behind it (where we stayed). It is very peaceful. There were only a few of us there.
    While we were at Seabird we went to Lancelin and Guilderton. Both towns are beautiful right on the ocean. They would be busy in summer not so much at the moment.
    Too cold to swim.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    At Wedge Lookout
    Start of the sunsetSun setting below the cloudsPinnacles DesertCervantes where we had our anniversary lunchStromalites at Lake ThetisThis vine is covering a lot of bushesHangover Bay the water was freezingJetty in Jurien BayOld jetty in Jurien BayRainbow at Green HeadGreen Head

    Sandy Cape

    June 14, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Sandy Cape is just north of Jurien Bay. It is an amazing place to camp and only $20 a night.
    From here we went back into Cervantes and had our 30th anniversary lunch at the Lobster Shack and saw the stromalites.
    We also went to Pinnacles Desert which was fantastic the limestone pillars spectacular all so different

    We went out to Lesueur National Park. The winter wild flowers are just starting to bloom (see next footprint) it will be a few more weeks until they all come out.
    We also stopped at Green Head to have a look, another pretty little town with fabulous beaches.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler

    Flowers from Lesueur National Park

    June 14, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Lesueur National Park is an amazing place to visit.
    It is the start of winter and there are only a small number of flowers at the moment.
    They are beautiful. I got a new phone that has a fantastic zoom on it. Love the shots i can get now.
    This one is all about the flowers.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Leaning treesPoint Moore LighthouseHMAS Sydney ll MemorialThe iris sundial. Very hard to use.The giant marbleThe giant marbleThe Burnt BarrelSt Francis Xavier Cathedral

    Cape Burney-Geraldton

    June 17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    We left Sandy Cape and had a one night stop over in Dongara before making our way to Geraldton. We had a quick stop at Greenough and saw the leaning trees.
    We spent a few nights in Gero doing a couple of jobs and seeing some sights. We went to check out the harbour and watched a ship, come in i was in awe of the manoeuvres needed for it to stay in the channel.
    We visited the Point Moore Lighthouse, the HMAS Sydney II Memorial, the Giant Marble and the St Francis Xavier Cathedral. We visited a couple of breweries and really loved the Burnt Barrel Outback BrewBQ. The food and drinks are amazing.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    First beach drive1

    Lucky Bay

    June 21, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 16 °C

    We spent a couple of days in Lucky Bay. Just resting. We spoke with the caretaker and got some tips on driving on the beach. So we did our first beach drive. The water is such a beautiful colour.
    The morning we left there was a little rain but I managed to get a photo of a rainbow over the van.Read more

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