Reset search
First Quarter Lap
  • Travelling Wilsons

First Quarter Lap

Central NSW, some of SA, VIC and TAS Read more
FollowInsightsCalendarShareShareBucket list
Newest first
  • Trip start
    December 14, 2021
  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    1

    Mt Kaputar National Park

    December 14, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    2 campgrounds, we stayed at Bark Hut. The other is Dawsons Springs. Well set out sites, plenty of fire pits, BYO timber, clean amenities with open ceiling, clean free BBQ. Walked to the Euglah Rock lookout & waterfall first thing in the morning (after a coffee of course!). We drove to the summit, stopping at 2 lookouts on the way, parked and then hiked the Dawson Springs Loop trail and the summit track. Dawson Springs campground is nice also with cabins to rent. Came across 3 rangers putting up a sign. And a family going for a hike/ride also. Not many people around...maybe because it's mid-week and not school holidays? Absolutely cracker of a day...blue skies and a slight breeze. Forecast is 27 degrees. Car went well on the drive here, impressed so far. Mt Kapatur NP only has an unsealed Rd entering the park for maybe 1-2 kms then it's sealed...alot of the walking tracks are sealed as well which we've not seen before. Plenty of flowers springing up due to all the recent rain. And lots of wildlife- saw some Wallabies and goats on the way in yesterday evening. Wasn't quick enough to get a photo though! Had a fire last night which was nice...making the most of it as not many places allow fires after this. Loving all the new gadgets Pete has organised- headlamps (so good for setting up in the dark last night), walkie-talkies (which I've been taking to the loo with me), Bluetooth selfie stick (from Aldi for $29) and the impact gun which brings the stabiliser legs down without any effort and so much quicker! 2nd night of steak and salad so did something different and sliced up the steak and marinated in sriracha sauce. Made for a nice meal 😋Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    Enjoying the view...
    1Jokers SpringsHiking thru the plateauThank God for sign posts!A cairn we came across near Lairds Lookout.Standard location pose haha!Red faced (me) from hiking uphill...2

    Day 2 Mt Kaputar

    December 16, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Had a great nights sleep last night...9.5hrs! Up at 8am, muesli and a coffee before setting off on the Kaputar Plateau Walk. 8km return the info board says. First stop - Lairds Lookout. Absolutely stunning views...we sat here for around half an hour soaking in the scenery. Further uphill was Rangers Lookout - not as awesome as Lairds but still nice. Lots of uphill walking...I was knackered...not very fit atm. So many trees down. You can see where the bushfire have torn thru the place and it has started to regenerate. So many wild flowers...really pretty. A sign read baits placed around for feral pigs...wish we had've seen one. Not much wildlife seen today other than birds. Thought we may have seen a lizard or snake but none around...12.72 kms according to my phone! Big day, need a Nanna nap 😴Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    1211

    En route to Bourke

    December 17, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    Woke up to a stunning morning...big breaky and a shower before setting off. Jacinta, from Carinya Station Eco Offgrid Camping (HipCamp) where we had booked for our stay at Lightning Ridge called to advise they are closing Lightning Ridge. We would be able to get in but not out. So we decided to head to Bourke but stop at Brewarrina for the night. After a discussion with the Ranger and a call to his Father-in-law who was Wee Waa born and bred, we took his advice and headed to Pilliga to then determine the best route to Brewarrina. And after speaking with Stacey at Walgett council and getting advice that the road from Pilliga to Burren Junction was open we thought that was the best route. Stopped at Pilliga to check on local advice...only a young bloke at the corner store/post office who wasn't sure but an older gent wandered in who said the road to Burren would be ok as we were in a 4WD. So grabbed a chicken and salad sanga and off we went. 10 mins down the road we came to some water across the road...yikes. I didn't like the look of it but the guy in front of us (in a Commo station wagon w/camper trailer) proceeded and was getting thru it. We followed...I was freaking out as the water was half way up the doors. We got back to the bitumen and we both breathed a sigh of relief. 10 minutes later Stacey from the Council rang me and said "sorry you won't be able to get through, the road has been closed". We were already though 😬 Ended up getting to the turn off which had just closed...so went a 170km dirt road alternative route...we saw emus, sheep, a few storms in the distance, many cattle grids and alot of red dirt! Finally arrived at Brewarrina...bloody hot here - 39 degrees...set up and headed to the RSL for dinner. Friday night - packed as for Christmas raffles with legs of ham-a-plenty and a comedy show to boot! Big day 😴Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    Great rig
    First souvenirView from our siteEagleSundownWe have arrived1Our awesome set upInformation Centre2Nearly passing out in 41 deg heat

    Gunderbooker National Park

    December 18, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 39 °C

    Stopped at Bourke Info Centre for updated information (great place, really helpful, bought my first souvenir) before heading into the park. The roads were great on the way in, well maintained...arrived at Yanda Camp-site 45 mins later. Loads of room for only having six sites and only one other person here. Limited facilities but clean. 41 degrees on arrival and nearly passed out. So hot. Lucky Pete is the best bartender ever and kept me going with cold beer! It's beautiful, the river is flowing fast and there's a bit of a floodplain. Lots of bird activity, have heard some really unusual bird calls. Made fish tacos for dinner and did a trivia - too tired for cards. Nice breeze when we headed to bed at 11:00pm.
    Woke up to a bang! Crash! at 12am. The wind had picked up and blown our annexe over. So up we got to sort it out. Won't be lazy next time and will put the ropes on 😬    Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    1The decent
    3Run Emu Run2The valleyMountaineer PeteEagle Rock?View of the valleyCairnPretty wildflowersView from the summit2View from the bottom2Goaty1Aboriginal ArtOn the way upThis evening

    Mt Gunderbooker

    December 19, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Had cooled down overnight so had a decent sleep...had a coffee and we were off to do the easy/medium grade Little Mountain Walk (4.2km) but the area was closed. Ok, so off to the harder Valley of the Eagle walk which was a 5.7km steep climb to the summit Mt Gunderbooka. Thank God it was a cooler day - 24°C @10.30am. It still nearly killed me - I don't handle the heat very well unless there's a pool/beach nearby lol. We came across kangaroos, emus and goats on the mountain. No snakes though. We did see a few Eagles hunting on our way out. The track was really rocky and steep but well maintained. We sat on a rock at the summit and ate some lunch while taking in the amazing view. The trek down was way easier haha! Although Pete did have a small stack but he's ok. 34°C once we finished. We decided to do the Yapa art site walk also...only 3km return walk to an Aboriginal art site. Had a great day exploring but well tired. Tried to stay awake on the way back to keep Pete company but I failed. Had a nanna nap when we got back to camp while Pete soldiered on an fixed the esky as the screws had all vibrated out! All refreshed and made chicken Buddha bowls for dinner - yummo! Afterwards we wandered down to the flood plain to do some bird watching as I was intrigued by all the different bird calls. Dusk was not far away so decided to head back for a shower - which was each of us holding the shower head up for the other while we stood in a bucket. One of the perks of no other campers, no need to put the shower tent up! Now for a couple of vinos and off to catch some zeds.Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    R&R time
    1On the banks of the Darling RiverPretty flowers...I don't know how they survive?More pretty...Birds (Swallow or Swifts?) mud housesDusk at YandaBirdwatchingThe Darling River

    Last day at Yanda Cmpgrd (Gunderbooker)

    December 20, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    For our last day here we decided to take a drive to Toorale NP (right next door but a 200km round trip) and do a couple of the walks they had to offer. No such luck - they were closed. So a lazy day it was! Hooray, I needed it after yesterday's hike...so got to lay down under a tree by the river, start my book and do some bird-watching while Pete collected firewood and did the books. Had our first fire this evening once the sun went down - mainly to try and get rid of the flies, they've been horrendous and to get rid of the last bit of firewood as no more camp-fires allowed after this one. Then packed up ready to head off first thing in the morning...Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    Great sign
    Last morning...Our exclusive ensuite named WindylooSilo art at BourkeReflecting...Pretty duskAwesome set upTwilight at Olive Downs...Our first visitorBig dusty rigThe stars are amazing!

    En route to Sturt NP

    December 21, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Up early to set off to our next destination, Olive Downs Campround at Sturt NP (3kms from Qld border). A quick stop at Bourke for breaky, fuel, groceries, beer & post office. The two supermarkets in Bourke are surprisingly well stocked. Funny though, the bottlo attached to the IGA is completely behind glass and metal bars, you have to tell the guy what you'd like and he gets it for you. Hit the road with 5 hours ahead of us...the road was alot better than we thought it would be, only letting the tyres down after a fuel stop at Wanaaring. Only passed a couple of road trains which was good, they are enormous and scary to pass as they stir up so much dust reducing your visibility to zero. Listened to a podcast called The Breakdown which is about Australian rugby's fall from grace...I thought this would keep Pete entertained when I fell asleep but I ended up interested also haha! Not saying I didn't doze off a few times because I definitely did. Stopped at Tibooburra for more fuel and to fill the water tanks in the trailer. Grabbed another couple of souvenirs and a postcard to send Grandma then sat at the pub for an ale before the hours drive into the NP. Saw some roos and some emus on the way in...one Emu was really funny and didn't which way to run and just ran in circles, it cracked us up!! Arrived at the campsite around 6.30pm, there's not much here at all and we definitely feel like were in the Outback. Not a lot of wildlife even...there are a couple of birds nearby and that's it. Flies aren't as bad here and hardly any mozzies which is awesome after Yanda. Night time was deathly silent and somewhat strange. Week one complete, nearly 2000kms travelled.Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    View from the top of the Jump ups
    The Jump Up Loop trackLooking down into the valley...25 million years ago this was an inland sea!2Crows everywhere...waiting for me to keel over so they can feast on my bones!RIP Mr RooMore bones...Alot of nest but not alot of birds

    Sturt National Park

    December 22, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 35 °C

    Woke up at dawn (well when the sun peeking over the horizon) and it had cooled down overnight thank goodness so had a great rest. Not an animal in sight...I thought I'd see some roos or a lizard out early but nada. Weird. Oh well, back to sleep then. Another couple of hours on and it was time to face the day. After a quick breaky, we headed off on the Jump Up Loop walk. The Jump Ups are hills in the area formed....it was a really rocky path but not too steep this time. Glad we set off at 9.30am because by the time we returned at 11:15am, it was around 36°C. A quick wash of the face then had a game of cards. It just kept getting hotter. I ended up lying on a towel on our outdoor floor in my undergarments for around 3 hours while Pete pottered around doing a few jobs that needed doing - he has become something of a novice plumber and electrician. Downloaded the 2nd season of The Witcher (back when we had wifi) so watched an episode of that before calling it a night 🌙Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    2At the corner stone
    Olive Downs Historic Homestead - including tennis courts!1Sculpture of a Western Quoll - made from old fencing wireBandicoot sculptureView from UNSW animal re-introduction project where they're trying to boost numbers of native wildlife.Paddy-melon...growing everywhere. They make horses and cattle go blind!Pretty outback flowers that remind me of baby's breath...Bilby sculptureSticker-laden sign at the border1It's a signLots of visitors take their hat off to The Corner Store 😉The Corner Store

    Drive out to Cameron Corner

    December 23, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Another eerily silent night...so different to Gunderbooker with all the bird and insect noise each night. Made bacon & egg rolls for breaky then headed out to Cameron Corner...named after John Cameron, a NSW Land Dept surveyor who led the first survey in 1879. It was approximately a 230km round trip. It was shaping up to be another 40°C day so was nice to sit in the air-con during the peak of the days heat. Again, only saw a couple of roos and emus on our trip. Visited the famed Corner Store for a nice cold beer and a chat with Kim the publican - a lovely lady who was Outback born and bred and took an obligatory photo with the corner stone where NSW, QLD & SA meet. Drove through a variety of different landscapes. One minute it's brown & rocky dotted with small shrubs, next it's red dirt and clumps of dry grass then it's sandy (almost white) with gum trees and green grass growing everywhere!Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    A natural waterhole
    1

    Overnight stop in Tiboorurra

    December 24, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 35 °C

    Time to hit the road again...overnight stop at Tibooburra (or Tiberoo as Pete calls it) to do some washing and enjoy some air-con before heading to White Cliffs (Opal mining town) for Chrissy Day. Came across an amazing natural waterhole on the way (we decided on the scenic route)...loads of birdlife with a bird-watching hut for people to use. Tibooburra pub was great, everyone was super friendly and the cook was a BFG Islander guy who made enormous meals! Murals have been painted on the walls by some of Australia's most renowned artists- Clifton Pugh, Russell Drysdale, Eric Minchin, Rich Amor walls had been painted I believe it started by an artist who was stuck there for a couple of weeks due to flooding so decided to paint the walls to kill some time. It was our first time in about 2 months that we'd slept in a "proper" bed and had our own bathroom. It was heaven.Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    Outback Christmas
    Christmas Day Lunch at White Cliffs PubDugout SkylightAerial shot of all the mines in White CliffsStairway to the viewing roomReading all the info about White CliffsThe underground hallways1The cellar

    White Cliffs (Christmas Day)

    December 25, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    We arrived at around 12pm as the woman we spoke to prior to arriving, agreed to let us check in early (12.30pm) as we'd booked Christmas Day lunch at the local pub. We sat and waited and waited in the 38°C heat. Thank goodness there was an undercover area outside reception. I was excited to see a pool as I hadn't had a swim since being out here in the unbearable heat but it was not to be...nothing but dirt in the bottom 😢. Two other patrons arrived (ladies from Broken Hill) and were devastated about the pool as they'd made the booking on the premise there was a usable pool - as per the website. They stayed outside huffing and puffing while I found an open door, so I let myself in to have a wander around (see video). It was awesome...quite dated and not entirely clean but awesome. I thought it was an old mine that had been repurposed but it was actually purpose built by a family then extended...sold and extended again until it became a 33 room underground hotel. The lady ended up turning up an hour later (with her two kids in tow) profusely apologising. All good, it was Christmas Day. She had only been working there for 3 days and the Manager had left her to run the place on her own till he returned on the 27th. Poor thing. We quickly threw our bags in our dugout (room) and headed down to the pub for lunch. Kim, from Broken Hill was driving so we bummed a lift. The pub was lovely...alot nicer than I expected. Recently renovated I suspect. Again, the Manager- Peter had only been there 3 weeks (he was from Newcastle also). The other attendees were a mix of locals and tourists...about 18 in total including us. The 3 course lunch was good and we went home with food babies in our bellies. Time for a nanna nap! Didn't do much for the rest of the night...had a few more drinks, face-timed the girls & Mum then watched a movie - Don't Look Up...new Leonardo movie on Netflix, a satire...a little funny in places...not great though. 5/10. Big day.
    Breaky and a coffee before heading out to Mutawindji NP for the next 3 days. Bummed there were no opal shops open before we left as I wanted to buy some opals.    Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    Sunset view at our campsite
    Mutiwintji GorgeWright's Cave w/awesome Aboriginal markingsIt's all about balance...Annexe set upAction Jackson1Fat (pregnant I think?) Blue TongueAwesome crevice along the trail

    Mutawintji National Park

    December 26, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Arrived after 2.5hrs on unsealed roads. No-one else here so we had the pick of the sites! Chose a nice shady site next to the dry creek bed. Amazing here, really pretty and about 20 degrees cooler which is a nice change. Hiked the Mutawintji Gorge Track (8.79 kms) the first day and the Homestead Gorge Walking track and Rockholes Loop walking track the next day (11.7 kms). The scenery is just stunning and is hard to get a photo that captures it (on my phone lol)! Great campsite with showers & flushing loos (yes!)...there was a resident baby snake in the men's and it finally moved on on our last day haha! Guided tours on the Homestead historic site didn't seem to be running...we tried to contact the Ranger but maybe on hols? Not as many flies & mozzies here but ants a plenty! Stand still for more than 2 seconds and they're up your legs...quite funny if you're not the one doing a jig to get them off you 🤣Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    Part of the largest canvas painting in the world
    Old BHP mine is the backdrop for the townThe Palace - a grand old pub on the main strip & famous for being in Pricilla Queen of the DesertAt the Miners MemorialPro Hart's artwork on one of his old Rolls RoycesOne of the sculpturesMy personal favourite - sculpted by an artist from MexicoFinally! Saw some desert pea flowers - the flower of the OutbackAt the Mad Max MuseumOld on gaol cellBroken Hill Street artAn old pit head-lots of mining artefacts placed around the town

    Broken Hill

    December 30, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Wow, this town is much bigger than we expected although quite deserted at the moment. Traditionally it closed down for 3-4 weeks when the mines closed down over the Christmas/New Year period, although now the mines don't close but alot of the pubs, shops etc still do. There are some gorgeous, huge pubs here and they are closed unfortunately. We have visited the Mint and Chocolate Shop which houses the world's largest canvas painting - 100m long, 12m high, took 2.5 years and 9 tonnes of paint to complete...it is going into The Guiness Book of Records this year...Pro Hart's Gallery was awesome also, I didn't realise he was a miner from Broken Hill. Visited the miners memorial which is on top of the old BHP reject hill - quite sad as it lists how they died eg: fell down shaft, crushed by cage, rockfall etc. We trekked up to the Sculpture Symposium at sunset which was outstanding. Did a 1/2 day tour to Silverton (15kms out of Broken Hill) with Milton our tour guide who had lived here since he was 3 years old and knew everything about the place...Silverton was the original mining town before everyone moved into Broken Hill, it's pretty much a tourist point-of-interest now with a population of only 39. It has a fantastic museum in the old gaol, a few art galleries, the Mad Max museum and a pub.Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler

    En route from Broken Hill to SA

    January 2, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Estimated a 5.5 hr drive to SA but decided to go via the Barossa for a look-see. Stopped for lunch in the Clare Valley at a nice little pub...the change in landscape was significant and ever-changing. Drove through some gorgeous little villages and was a nice change to see rolling hills and lush greenery - I even stayed awake for most of it! 😜Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    1In the main streetSculpture in the Park in the main Street1Hans Heysens gardenView overlooking Hans Heysens studio3Somerled Wine CellarThe Lane VineyardThe Lane VineyardA gorgeous old house in the the area 😍Shaw & Smith Vineyard

    Adelaide Hills - Hahndorf, SA

    January 2, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Arrived at Hanhndorf Resort around 4pm...beautiful camping/caravan park...tiered, level sites so really easy to set up. It's a Discovery Park - (like a BIG4) so quite a commercial, family friendly holiday park. No flies, no mosquitoes, no ants - PRAISE THE LORD!! Never thought we'd be so happy to be back in general population! It's also 20°C cooler and we've had to get our jackets out again! So good for sleeping though 😴
    The town was founded in 1839 by 54 Prussian families who immigrated due to their orginal Lutheran church unifying with another denomination - which they disagreed with - hence the German village-vibe. It's a very picturesque little town - think Berry on steroids? Its just gorgeous, pubs (German themed), cafes, restaurants, cellar doors, galleries, fudge shops, cute little gardens, a museum and a Birkenstock shop thrown in. Pete thinks he's very clever for taking me Outback Australia but ending up in Germany 🙄 We've visited -
    ▪︎artist Hans Heysen "The Cedars" property where he and his artist daughter lived and worked for many years
    ▪︎ the museum and art gallery
    ▪︎ a few wineries to sample the local selection...we bought 54 bottles. Kidding! Lol...only came away with 4. Our favourite was Nepenthe...    Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    Bat colony moved here in 2010
    Beautiful wave sculpture at the Botanical GardensSemaphore townFerris wheel on the promenade at GlenelgScooting to dinnerScoot scoot!Oysters & citrus cured Kingfish carpaccioWho has Campari whilst camping??Sunset view from the Palais

    Semaphore, SA

    January 5, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Stayed here for 3 days...miserable weather the whole time which was unfortunate as we were right on the beach. The first day, we wandered thru the Botanical Gardens - which were lovely and then drove through the city...its obvious why it's called The City of Churches! They're everywhere...rows and rows of them right next to each other. A church-goers heaven! We on the other hand were happy to admire them as we drove past...stopped in Semaphore on the way home to see what the town had to offer. Pretty much the usual, a few pubs, cafes/restaurants and a huge jetty which was too windy to walk along. Day 2 we took a drive to Southgate to have the car serviced and we were stuck in a two-bit town for 4 hours 😳. Walked a couple of k's up the road to the local mall which had about 20 shops. Luckily there was a nail place where I could get my toenails shellaced to kill some time. Pete sat in a coffee shop and read thru our book of maps (courtesy of Belinda & Simon) determining our next steps. It was a loooooong 4 hours. Visited Glenelg on the way back - lovely place! Hit the Surf Club for dinner - it aligned with Semaphore...very ordinary.
    Day 3 - we putzed around for the majority of the day then got ready and headed into the town for dinner. We were going to catch the miniture train in but we just missed it. We saw a couple of scooters nearby- they have motorised scooters everywhere for people to hire to get around town. So downloaded the app, scanned the QR code and off we went! It was heaps of fun. Headed to the Palais - a big pub on the foreshore...had an awesome meal and a few drinky poos. There was some excitement also as we had front row seats to a bunch of youths who had the Police come in and haul them away.
    There were some shady characters amongst them that's for sure. Enough excitement and beverages for one day...home to catch some zeds 😴 We're out of here tomorrow WOO HOO!    Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    1The sunsets were stunning
    14WD area on the beach...its popular!Cricket games going all dayView from the ocean walkCafé/restaurant on the beach1Double 🌈1View of Maslin Beach from the top1Walking down to Maslin BeachMaslin BeachLast sunset1

    Moana, SA

    January 9, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Needed some beach time so headed to Moana, which looked lovely when we were researching where to head - the campground was on the beach and they had an availability! The amenities were quite dated but clean, great camp kitchen and a tennis court lol. Our site was next to a lovely older couple from the area who were "retired" (had their own business and have handed it over to the son), but kept going to work everyday...puzzling. No pool in the park so all the families went to the beach all day! Moana Beach is in a gulf so it's like a lake...only tiny little waves which are great for kids learning to surf - of which there were loads. And stand-up paddleboards too. I just wanted to lay in the sun and jump in the water every now and again so that's what we did. 30-37°C for 3 days...Happy, happy, happy. Oh we did take a drive to find the local (famed, according to themselves) "optional clothing" beach (our 2nd one now, so brave). Maslin Beach. Absolutely stunning beach - "very Mediterranean" Pete kept saying. Very Mediterranean indeed with all the tanline-less bodies. It would be rude not to join in, so we did. How young, wild and free we are haha!Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    Rolling hills
    McLaren Vale1Best $12.90 breakfast EVER!On the ferry across the Murray River1THE BIG LOBSTER!Pine forests for milesZoom in to see CAMELS1Goal ruinsPretty pink fleursA great diving spot

    Èn route from Moana to the Limestone Cst

    January 12, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Up and away early...sadly...as it was set to be another beautiful 33°C day 😫
    Stopped at Strathalbyn for a quick breaky...best $12.90 big breakfast!!Drove the scenic route through McLaren vineyards to Wellington to catch the ferry across the Murray River...followed the coast road and visited Robe & Beachport before heading to the campsite in Canunda National Park. We saw loads of pine forests, rolling hills, the Big Lobster, some camels, Robes old gaol ruins and Obelisk.Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    3Searching for wombats
    Stunning coastlineExpedition Pete 👣Divers delight!Prepared for action!Beautiful contrast1View from one of the lookoutsHoles in the rocks from where trees used to standThis is why we need fly nets1Eddy Bay where I swam...only left footprints 😉

    Canunda NP, Limestone Coast

    January 12, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Camped at a place called Cot-Gee in Boozy Gully, Canunda NP- it was a must when we saw the name! Arrived late as we spent the day driving from Moana...nice campground with only 7 sites.
    2nd day - Hiked 12.88kms along the coast. What a gorgeous, rugged, amazing coastline! The water was so aqua blue I wanted to dive into every bay we saw but not all were accessible. Had a dip at Eddy Bay and it was very chilly (as its the Southern Ocean) but invigorating and refreshing! Pete only dipped his big toe in and did an about face! Haha 😄
    3rd day was overcast went for a drive to explore. Lots of 4WD tracks that require proper tyres (that we don't have on). Got bogged but managed to free ourselves then drove another track to find another couple bogged...we helped them get out too 😉
    Visited Coola Outstation, Geltwood Beach, Lake Bonney and Millicent (see pics on next footprint).    Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    The Blue Lake
    The Blue LakeSunnies off...and go!Pete missed the action shot but got my splash lol1Sinkhole Garden3

    Mount Gambier, SA

    January 15, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Mt Gambier has over 50 sinkholes in/and around the area...this wasn't on our original itinerary but as I love a sinkhole so decided to visit!
    Arrived mid-morning and hit the ground running as we were only here for a day and a night...first stop - The Blue Lake -WOW 😳 its a dormant volcanic crater that is filled with water...it is massive and is usually a grey colour but from Nov -Apr each year, the water turns a vibrant blue! A strange blue...like a dark aqua maybe? We walked the 5km track around the crater to see the different aspects. No swimming here as they still don't know why it's turns blue each year and they don't want to upset the ecosystem.
    Next stop - Little Blue Lake...a sinkhole filled with water and suitable for swimming in! Yay! The water was amazing. We jumped in off the smaller side...this wasn't as blue as the Blue Lake but a lovely swim.
    Next stop - checked out the towns pubs etc. Beautiful old sandstone homes surrounded by gorgeous rose gardens. And I have been stopping to smell them 😁
    Had dinner (seafood platter for $59!!) at Mt Gambier Hotel - then headed off to see another couple of sinkholes...one had a stunning tiered garden in it and the other had light show and a cultural narration.
    So all in all, we were happy we made the side trip here as there's lots to see and do 😍    Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler
    Portland
    Cape Bridgewater wind farmBreaky on the beach 😍Nearly ran over this guy!Cape BridgewaterSeals on the rock ledgesSeals on the rocks below usAwesome cave and Australian fur sealsNZ fur seals2Rugged up to watch the tennis lol - who would know its the middle of summer?!Extra pics

    Portland, VIC

    January 16, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Checked out Cape Bridgewater on the way in and had breaky on the beach...lovely little beachside town. Walked a couple of k's to see the blow holes but the swell wasn't very big that day so no exciting pics 😔 Turned up to our booked camp site and the place looked dodgy as! So drove back towards the town as we passed an NRMA holiday park...luckily they had plenty of spots! Set up and headed into town (a nice 15 min walk along the headland) to catch some live music at the pub and grab some dinner. Great duo playing so had a lovely afternoon 😊
    Next day up early and headed back to Bridgewater to hike the 9km (steep) return to see the seal colony. It was strenuous but I'm getting fitter with each hike. Home for a shower and to watch some tennis...the weather had turned and it was chilly sitting outside 🥶
    Portland, done and dusted.    Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler

    Port Fairy, VIC

    January 18, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Usually a really pretty little town...unfortunately we arrived on a windy 15°C day 😳
    The campground roads were narrow which didn't allow alot of room to manoeuvre your way in and no limit on vehicles per site so there were cars everywhere, including someone parked on our site when we arrived. We ended up getting another site.
    Alot of cafès, restaurants and bars were closed due to insufficient staff. Such a shame, I've heard really good things about this place. We wandered around the town and did the walk out to the point then found a pub that had Guiness on tap...Pete was happy but a bit disappointing really...luckily only here for one night.    Read more

  • Travelling WilsonsFirst Quarter LapTraveler

    Èn route to Princetown (Gt Ocean Rd)

    January 19, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Just WOW! 😍
    Those of you who've travelled The Great Ocean Rd, you'll understand and for those that haven't, the photos don't do it justice! The Apostles, Lord Ard Gorge, The Grotto, Razorback and London Bridge (which has partly fallen down) are spectacular. Put it on your list of things to do/see...Read more

  • 2025© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Help Center
  • Legal notice