Category: Places

National Park, Places, The Characters You Meet, Top Spots, WA2 Comments

Big Brook Arboretum, Pemberton

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In Western Australia the National Parks have a system of camp hosts. Camp hosts are volunteers who stay on site for about six weeks at a time. Their task is to manage the camp and the fees and keep the amenities clean. The system works very well and the camp grounds are a credit to the camp hosts. When we arrive at Big Brook Arboretum it is being hosted by Jim and Flo. “It’s a Conservation Park so dogs are allowed”. Says Jim as he puts his arm around Flo. We sit around the campfire and celebrate Jim and Flo’s … Continue reading Big Brook Arboretum, Pemberton

NSW, Places3 Comments

What Do Caravanners Do When They’re At Home?

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Take a nice warm Sunday, a long lunch and sit around with mates who are also caravanners. The talk will always end up being about the funny characters we’ve met and we’ll swap stories of great spots. Note to self: A spot that we passed by very close to last year needs a visit. Mirrool is just south of West Wyalong and just north of the Burley Griffen Way in the Riverina. This tiny town hosts an annual footy kicking competition ……over the grain silos! The Mirrool Royal Hotel kindly provides caravan sites. Continue reading What Do Caravanners Do When They’re At Home?

Events, Places, VicLeave a comment

Gimme That Ole Time Religion

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We’re camped at the Girgarre Moosic Muster in the tiny town of Girgarre in Victoria. At 10:00am on Sunday we rush off to gospel singing in the supper room. Our friend Meredith has been rehearsing since yesterday and she is up on stage singing her heart out. Then a group of gospel musicians take to the stage and they lead us through some old standards. The old town hall is positively rocking.  At every mention of God the guitarist rolls her eyes heavenward and the bloke sitting next to Brian punches his fist in the air. Yeehaa! And thus we just … Continue reading Gimme That Ole Time Religion

NSW, PlacesLeave a comment

Perhaps We Shouldn’t Have Parked There

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We’re on our way to Sydney and getting weary. At the little town of Tarcutta we choose the truck stop interchange to spend Saturday night. Being halfway between Melbourne and Sydney it has an enormous concrete apron where drivers can meet their counterparts and swap loads before returning to whence they came. As we figure that there is plenty of room for hundreds of trucks we park ourselves in the far corner and watch this fascinating activity. The amenities are excellent, separate heated bathrooms with toilets, showers and power points. Across the road is the very moving Truckers Memorial to … Continue reading Perhaps We Shouldn’t Have Parked There

Events, Places, WALeave a comment

Staircase to the Moon

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Mindful of the time it’s off to Town Beach in Broome, WA to watch the Staircase to the Moon. We knew that the markets would be on here tonight but had no idea of what an event it would be. Loads of food, art and musicians. There’s even a lady who carves your name on a grain of rice. I wonder why one would want such a thing and if you did you’d be pretty upset if it ended up in Friday night’s risotto, wouldn’t you? Hundreds of people have gathered in this colourful melee and the crowds are edging … Continue reading Staircase to the Moon

Places, WA2 Comments

Amazing Grace, Amazing Place, New Norcia, WA

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I find it difficult to write about New Norcia as it took me by surprise. It was a town that had been on my bucket list for a very long time and we just hadn’t had the time to venture so far out of Perth during more rushed holidays. But caravanning is a timeless way of travelling and distances, especially as small as 140kms, mean little. To say that New Norcia it is a monastery town is probably the most accurate description, but it is an understatement. New Norcia is a place that has to be seen to be believed. … Continue reading Amazing Grace, Amazing Place, New Norcia, WA

Places, QldLeave a comment

Double Handling

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We stop at the tiny town of Wallangarra, only because there is a sign pointing to an historic railway station, and we discover that this place is actually a border town. Wallangarra is in Qld and Jennings in NSW. The border line runs across the railway platform and in the old days when states had different railway gauges passengers would change trains at Wallangarra. In fact the Qld side of the station building has a bull nosed veranda and the NSW side has a sloping veranda. Even more confusing the goods sheds are in Jennings and the station in Wallangarra. … Continue reading Double Handling

NSW, Places, Point of InterestLeave a comment

Dubbo Zoo on Steroids

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After having travelled the Newell highway many times back in the eighties and with never enough time to stop and see the sights, we promise ourselves that we will go to the Dubbo Zoo this time. We arrive at 2:00pm with a scant two hours to see everything before the 4:00pm closing time. As you can drive (but without caravan), cycle, walk or drive one of the zoo’s golf carts, our only option is to hire the golf cart. Brian has left his licence in the car. Much to his disappointment I’m the registered driver. As soon as we’re out … Continue reading Dubbo Zoo on Steroids