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Wandering Ozzies
Wandering Ozzies

Wandering Ozzies

We’ve sold everything and are hitting the road for an extended length of time travelling Australia. Some of you might remember that we had the name “Wandering Oz” from when we had our first caravan, 20 odd years ago. After all, our name is Osborne. Read more🌍Burnett Heads
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  • Wandering OzziesOur Lap of Oz - Part 3Traveler
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    Kingston SE

    December 10, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    On our trip across to Tasmania we met a lovely lady who suggested the town of Beachport in South Australia as our base for the Christmas period. We could see why when we visited on our way through. What a lovely little town and so reminiscent of the Gold or Sunshine Coast towns of 30-40 years ago. It was such a pity that the wind was relentless and freezing cold so we couldn't enjoy the area a bit more. We moved on along the Limestone Coast to Robe for lunch. Another lovely seaside town with plenty to see and do before stopping in Kingston SE RV Park for 3 nights. The SE stands for South East as there are apparently several Kingstons in South Australia. This place is well set up for travelers with a very organised park near the beach and jetty. A short walk to town as well.
    We were lucky enough to be here when they had their Christmas Parade and Fair on the Friday night. The fair was held in the Lions Park right next to our campsite with lots for the kids to do as well as live music. All finished off with fireworks directly behind our van.    Read more

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    Carpenter Rocks

    December 9, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Time to move on from Mt Gambier so we headed for the Limestone Coast. Everything seems to have some snazzy marketing name nowadays. Had a look at a couple of camps at Port Macdonnell but they were right on the coast and very exposed to the winds that seem to be a permanent feature down here, so we headed further north to Carpenter Rocks. Quite a few small seaside towns along here that are either weekend getaways or fishing. They all seem fairly lifeless.
    We found a nice open campsite where we could park near some bushes protected a bit from the wind which was quite a relief.
    Exploring the little town in the afternoon saw us ending up taking a 7.5km trek up to the Cape Banks Lighthouse and back, again in the wind. A pleasant walk there but not so much on the way back.    Read more

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    Mt Gambier

    December 8, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    We were hanging around Mt Gambier because the car was due for a service and the Isuzu dealer here could fit it in. I dropped the car off in the morning and we headed off for a walk around the area. The showgrounds are a nice camp but they are located close to the state owned forestry sawmill which is a huge operation. And they don't stop overnight. The noise generated by the crashing of heavy lift cranes and forklifts is pretty intrusive and can easily disturb a good night's sleep.
    The Mt Gambier Harness Racing Club is also part of the showgrounds complex where we could see the pacers working out during the day.    Read more

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    Mt Gambier

    December 7, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Time to explore the Mt Gambier region. The area was part of a very active volcano system many years ago and the sinkholes and caves are the remnants. We visited Little Blue Lake where some young influencers were trying to get the perfect shot diving into the water. It was freezing so I hope it was worth it for them.
    Closer to town was Blue Lake which is the main water supply for Mt Gambier. It is pretty amazing as it actually changes colour during the year, Being summer we got to see it in it's blue phase. Just beautiful.
    Then right in the centre of town was The Cave Gardens, Not easy to get down to the bottom of this one evidenced by the shopping trolleys and kids scooters sitting on the floor. The surrounding rose gardens were lovely.    Read more

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    Mt Gambier

    December 6, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Mt Gambier Showgrounds is our base for the next few days. The car is due for it's next service which I had planned to be in Swan Hill but the change to South Australia meant changing service bookings as well. Luckily got in to Mt Gambier Isuzu quickly but it means staying a few days. There seems to be plenty to see around here so an enforced stop is ok.
    Catch up day. Several loads of washing done while we have good water. Managed to visit the Umpherston Sinkhole in the afternoon and had a bit of a look around town.    Read more

  • Wandering OzziesOur Lap of Oz - Part 3Traveler

    Mt Gambier

    December 5, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    The car was fueled up and I had a jerry can as well so we wouldn't have to have any interaction with anyone in Victoria as we drove. Leaving Melbourne we headed through Geelong and then west. 6 hours later we arrived at the SA border not sure how we would be received. We were half expecting a third degree and were ready with printed receipts from Devonport and onboard the Spirit to prove our movements. We needn't have worried as we breezed through with our passes and proceeded to Mount Gambier. A bonus of the whole Covid situation was the lack of traffic on the highways. Not many people travelling from Victoria to SA at the moment.Read more

  • Wandering OzziesOur Lap of Oz - Part 3Traveler

    Melbourne - Spirit Of Tasmania

    December 5, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Border closures rear their ugly head again! Well, threats of closures anyway. The South Australia Premier has been making noises about closing the border to Victoria because of the Omicron variant situation. We still want to head west on this trip so the decision was made to try to get to SA first and keep our options open. We could find no official advice about travelling through Victoria after leaving the Spirit so we dutifully filled out the entry permit information truthfully and were surprised to get the approvals back almost immediately.
    An overnight on the Spirit and this time everything was open on board. We pretended we were on a cruise again. Probably the closest we will get for a while. Dinner in the restaurant before heading off to bed for an early rise. Arrival in Melbourne at 6:00am Sunday morning to try to avoid traffic.    Read more

  • Wandering OzziesOur Lap of Oz - Part 3Traveler

    Devonport

    December 4, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    A last day in Devonport as we prepare to board the Spirit. The car and van have been washed and we are ready for the next stage of the adventure. Boarding at 5:30pm and hopefully not being locked in our cabin this time.Read more

  • Wandering OzziesOur Lap of Oz - Part 2Traveler
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    Port Sorell - Horsehead Creek, Devonport

    December 3, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    We find it hard to believe it has been 9 weeks since we arrived in Devonport and tomorrow we depart. On our way from Gravelly Beach towards Devonport we diverted to Port Sorell on the north coast. The weather for our last week in Tassie has been wonderful and today was no different. Port Sorell is a place I could see us living if every day was as pleasant as this. Camped up at Horsehead Creek RV Stopover for our last night on the island.Read more

  • Wandering OzziesOur Lap of Oz - Part 2Traveler

    Gravelly Beach

    December 2, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    We really regretted having to leave Lake Gairdner but there were a couple of other places we wanted to visit and time was unbelievably running out. So from the Cradle Mtn area we drove back towards the north coast and up to the mouth of the River Tamar. The weather was again kind as we visited Green's Beach, Yorktown, Beauty Point and Beaconsfield before stopping at Gravelly Beach in an RV stopover. While it was just a bitumen carpark it had a lovely outlook across the river and boat harbour.Read more

  • Wandering OzziesOur Lap of Oz - Part 2Traveler

    Lake Gairdner - Cradle Mountain

    December 1, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    An easy drive from our camp to the Cradle Mtn Visitor Centre where we caught the shuttle bus up to Dove Lake. A lot of construction work going on at Dove Lake where they are building a massive new Viewing and Interpretation Centre where the old Dove Lake carpark was. Very different now to how it was 15 years ago. The weather turned it on for us as we took the 6km Dove Lake circuit track. It even got warm! A beautiful day.Read more

  • Wandering OzziesOur Lap of Oz - Part 2Traveler

    Lake Gairdner

    November 30, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Well this was probably, no definitely, our favourite campsite in Tasmania. On the banks of the beautiful Lake Gairdner just 30 minutes or so from Cradle Mountain. The 1½ km drive in (and out) was a little hairy as most of it was winding, steep, single lane gravel road. Glad we didn't come cross any traffic going the opposite direction. The gravel was covered with a fine grey/white dust that blew up everywhere. The van and car were a mess. No sooner had we setup than Faye spotted a platypus in the creek next to us. We watched him scurry about for ages.Read more

  • Wandering OzziesOur Lap of Oz - Part 2Traveler

    Burnie - Cooee Point

    November 29, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Back to the north coast today for some housekeeping. Faye had finally decided to get her hair cut and managed to score an appointment that suited our timetable. She had had enough of not being able to blow dry her hair whenever we were off grid, which was most of the time. We camped again at Cooee Point and were lucky enough to again see the penguins returning to feed their babies that night. They are so cute but really do tend to stink the place up. We met another couple camped there from Redland Bay of all places.Read more

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    Arthur River - Corinna

    November 28, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Still based at Arthur River we drove to Corinna in the South Tarkine on the advice of multiple locals. They failed to mention the 90kms of gravel road, much of which has seen better days. Two and a half hours later we arrived at Corinna on the banks of the Pieman River. This was an early piners and mining explorers settlement with a notoriously treacherous bar to cross at the mouth of the river. Memorials to many people lost on the bar were peppered through the township. The only way south from here is across the "Fatman Barge" that runs on demand. The barge operator seemed to spend his time in the local tavern waiting for his next fare. We ventured out on the Whyte River walk which was a circuit from the town to the Whyte River/Pieman River junction. A lovely walk that turned out a bit harder than we originally thought. The 2½ hour drive back to Arthur River awaited us.Read more

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    Arthur River

    November 27, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Over to the wild west coast to stay at Peppermint Campground at Arthur River. This was a Tasmania Parks & Wildlife camp where we had to get a permit from the Parks staff at the visitor centre next door. When we arrived there was hardly a place to park because of the number of vehicles towing ATVs parked there. It was a real thing on the west coast, probably because of the open beaches and wild terrain. I parked the van and setup while Faye went to arrange the permit. 30 minutes later I wondered where she got to so went up to the centre. The "very" helpful ranger was explaining in great detail every point of interest, walk, lake or bend in the road of the area. I could see Faye's eyes glazing over. We finally escaped and went for an explore to the "Edge of the World" which I Never knew actually existed.Read more

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    Smithton - Tarkine Drive

    November 26, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Based at Smithton we drove the Tarkine Drive Circuit. The drive itself is a bit of a marketing ploy that ties a few roads together under a catchy name. Some of the spots along the way are quite spectacular though. The Sinkhole, Trowutta Arch, Dempster Plains and the Julius River are all worth a look.Read more

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    Smithton

    November 25, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Camped at Tall Timbers Resort in their RV area. A bit amazing that a commercial establishment like this allows caravans to park in their grounds for free. No power or water but a lovely spot.

  • Wandering OzziesOur Lap of Oz - Part 2Traveler

    Stanley - Highfield House

    November 25, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Highfield House, overlooking Stanley, is a wonderfully restored example of early colonial architecture. Built for the Van Diemen's Land Company in 1826 by convict labour, it has now been restored by NPWS. We spent a couple of hours there before moving on to Smithton and the Tall Timbers Resort grounds.Read more

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    Stanley

    November 24, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    The tiny town of Stanley, in the shadow of the The Nut was next on the list, but before leaving Burnie we visited Burnie Park that we had driven past the day before. The rose display here was just magnificent and as it was early morning they were all in full glory. Some with delightful scents and some without but all just beautiful. They grow so well down here. Photo is in the Burnie stop.
    In Stanley we stopped at the RV Park that the Golf Club provides, again (almost) right on the beachfront. After setup it was off to The Nut. We had visited on the last trip but thought it was worth a return. The afternoon was quite misty but the winds were light. Lucky we did as the next day the chairlift was not operating because of strong winds. We took the chairlift up and walked down after walking around the top. It really is an incredible natural structure.    Read more

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    Waratah - Burnie

    November 23, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Heading north towards the coast we made a small diversion to visit the old tin mining town of Waratah at Mt Bischoff. A pretty little town with an impressive waterfall conveniently in the middle of the town. The public gardens were really well maintained with lovely displays of tulips. The tin deposits were discovered in 1878 by James "Philosopher" Smith and were described as the richest tin lode in the world. With the waterfall being so handy the tin deposits were extracted by stampers that were powered by the flow of the water. In 1883 the first industrial use of hydro-electric power in Australia was generated here to help light the plant and other buildings.
    Continuing on to Burnie and finally back to the north coast. We camped at the Council provided site at Cooee Point, right on the shoreline. Again there was only one other camper there.
    To pass the afternoon we visited the lovely Fern Glade which is right in the middle of a bustling Burnie suburb. There are reportedly platypus in the creek but this time we didn't see any.
    As the Cooee Point campsite is only a couple of hundred metres from the Penguin Observation Centre we were hopeful of spying some penguins at night fall, and we weren't disappointed. The penguins turned up right next to our van to feed the chicks that we had no idea were there. The rock walls along the shoreline make perfect nests for them and the chicks started to make a noise when the adults arrived. So cute, and smelly.    Read more

  • Wandering OzziesOur Lap of Oz - Part 2Traveler

    Lake Mackintosh

    November 22, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Finally! A day warm enough and still enough to hazard a paddle in the kayaks. I was worried they had actually become permanently attached to the roof racks. We geared up and hit the water for a lovely morning's exploration of the lake. Had another try to catch some breakfast (or anything) but no luck.
    The water is stained by the tannins from the vegetation but incredibly clear when you are up close. Just a lovely day.    Read more

  • Wandering OzziesOur Lap of Oz - Part 2Traveler

    Lake Mackintosh

    November 21, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Heading north we passed through the small town of Tullah and turned off to Lake Mackintosh, one of the hydro storage lakes along the west coast. We found a lovely camp spot overlooking the lake and not another camper in sight, although I had a nagging feeling we weren't actually in the designated camping area. Oh well. The weather was fine for a change and had warmed up a fraction. We cracked out the fishing gear and went in search of some brown trout. No luck though.
    Had a visit from the local wildlife around sunset.    Read more

  • Wandering OzziesOur Lap of Oz - Part 2Traveler

    Queenstown Tasmania

    November 20, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Catch up day before moving on from Queenstown. The car received a long overdue wash, inside and out. Washing, shopping and cleaning the van were all jobs that needed to be done.
    A lovely sunset to finish our stay here.Read more

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    Strahan - Gordon River Cruise

    November 19, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    After suffering through a dismal Queenstown day yesterday we were glad to see a little sunshine for our cruise day. The Gordon River wilderness cruise with World Heritage Cruises. The cruise departed Strahan at 9:00am so an early start from Queenstown for another winding drive through the mist.
    We did this same cruise 15 years ago but the boat we had then has now been replaced by the Harbour Master II, a purpose built $9m catamaran. Once on the water we could explore the boat and we were even welcome onto the bridge to sit and chat with the captain.
    Again it was obvious the lack of tourists here. The boat could not have had any more than 40 people on board with a capacity of probably 250. Just a few minutes into the cruise we were accompanied by some dolphins having a play in the bow wave.
    The weather was kind if not sunny and the water was calm. So calm that we were lucky enough to be able to cruise out through Hells Gates and into the Southern Ocean. We cruised as far as the Cape Sorrell Lighthouse which apparently is unusual to be able to reach on these cruises.
    Back through Hells Gates into Macquarie Harbour we had a tour of the salmon and trout farms in the area. Many many more that were here 15 years ago. The mixture of the huge amount of fresh water and sea water creates a brackish mix that the fish thrive on.
    Next to the old convict settlement at Sarah Island. The guided tour was quite enjoyable apart from one fellow passenger. Anyone who has travelled has come across one of these people. Must be first in the line, first off the boat, right in the face of the guide and just generally rude and obnoxious. Faye was sure he was stalking her.
    Back on the boat for a lovely lunch although no drink was offered as part of the lunch at all. You could buy from the bar.
    Next on to a rainforest walk at Heritage Landing, about 10km up the Gordon River. A film showing the history of the river, the piners and the environmental protests of the 70s was a great way to pass the time. We cruised past a fisherman in a small boat that enjoyed showing off his brown trout catch. It must have been close to 1m. Sorry I didn't get a picture. Enjoyed the short walk through the rainforest, back on the boat for the trip back to Strahan. A fantastic cruise.
    A quick walk around the town and a drive out to Ocean Beach before we headed back to Queenstown.    Read more

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    Queenstown - Wilderness Railway

    November 17, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    West Coast Wilderness Railway trip today. We love a good train ride and this was a GOOD train ride. Boarding at Queenstown station, it is so obvious that the tourist industry down here is struggling. We had 10 people in our carriage that would normally hold 26. To start the day off properly we were greeted with a glass of bubbles. The carriages look like they are brand new but are done in the style of the old carriages. Very comfortable without being luxurious. The steam locomotive is the original that first came to Queenstown in 1897. I won't go into the history here as there is plenty elsewhere. Suffice to say it was a fascinating trip with spectacular scenery and was most enjoyable.
    We can now say we have been on the the steepest gradient climbed by a regular train in the Southern Hemisphere, between Dubbil Barril and Rinadeena (1 in 12 or 8.33%). This is achieved due to the ABT Rack and Pinion system that is still in perfect condition.
    After we returned we took a short drive out to Horsetail Falls and Iron Blow Lookouts. This is rugged country.    Read more

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