Changes in attitude, changes in latitude

February 11, 2019February 1, 2019 Itching for Hitching

Winter 2018 It’s easy to travel from cold to warmth, happily stripping down from jeans and jumpers to shorts and tee shirts, but after mooching about the tropics for nigh on three months we wonder how we’ll acclimatise to August the coldest month of winter in Melbourne. But nature has its way when it’s time to go as not only do we count down (or is it up?) the latitudes but there are ranges to cross, higher altitudes, lower altitudes and inland regions with cold freezing nights and delightfully warm days. We cross from latitude 16˚S to latitude 37˚S, through … Continue reading Changes in attitude, changes in latitude

Point of Interest, Qld6 Comments

Eulo Bore

February 10, 2019January 30, 2019 Itching for Hitching

What’s a bore? Underneath the dry heart of Australia you’ll find the Great Artesian Basin. Yep, there’s another ‘Great’ gee we’ve got a lot of ‘Great’ things dotted about this country. The Great Artesian Basin is the largest and deepest … Continue reading Eulo Bore

Caravanning Hints, Weather4 Comments

Being fire aware

February 9, 2019January 29, 2019 Itching for Hitching

In a country with a myriad of climate zones planning to avoid the worst of the weather can be difficult. When we travel we try to avoid the coldest weather but sometimes that can be difficult when on our way home south through New South Wales and Victoria to Melbourne in late winter or early spring. The thought of bushfires sends shivers down my spine. Last September while we were complaining of the icy temperatures that we were experiencing in Gippsland, friends were racing home to avoid bushfires on the NSW south coast, not all that far away from us. … Continue reading Being fire aware

Caravan Parks, QldLeave a comment

Elliott Heads

February 8, 2019January 29, 2019 Itching for Hitching

Winter 2018, Elliott Heads, Qld A short drive east from Bundaberg through cane fields, sweet potatoes, zucchini and strawberries to Elliott Heads. The Elliott Heads Holiday Park is on a point. A gentle curve of ocean beach on the northern … Continue reading Elliott Heads

Point of Interest, Qld1 Comment

Submarine Lookout

February 7, 2019January 28, 2019 Itching for Hitching

The coastal walk at Elliott Heads near Bundaberg in Queensland takes in both the river and fine ocean views. As the name implies Submarine Lookout was manned by the 10th battalion during the Second World War. Continue reading Submarine Lookout

Qld, The Characters You Meet10 Comments

Clean up Oz

February 6, 2019January 28, 2019 Itching for Hitching

Winter 2018, Queensland On an afternoon walk on the beach I meet a woman with a large bag of rubbish which inspires me because the beach looks clean. In minutes I have found three cans and a styrofoam foam tray. I huff and puff trying to remove a chunk of fibreglass from the sand before realising that it may have been the whole boat. In future I’ll carry a knife to cut nets and rope from driftwood but I’m not going to dig up boats. Continue reading Clean up Oz

Caravanning Hints7 Comments

Get orf the road

February 5, 2019January 28, 2019 Itching for Hitching

If you want to see the best of what Australia has to offer get off the beaten track and for the non off-roaders I don’t necessarily mean hitting the dirt, just take the lesser roads. The B and C category roads that will take you through farmlands and tiny towns that need the support of visitors. You’ll have a much easier drive as the scenery is more interesting and you won’t have to contend with traffic and large trucks. Explore the valleys too. Take a wander into the Ovens Valley, the Kiewa, the Upper Goulburn, the Murray, the Mitta Mitta … Continue reading Get orf the road

NSW, Places19 Comments

Balranald a town of surprises

February 4, 2019January 28, 2019 Itching for Hitching

We always like to have a wander through towns to get a feel for the place. Sometimes they hold surprises, like the grain store with a few chooks next door or a goat or sheep keeping a vacant block mowed. … Continue reading Balranald a town of surprises

Caravan Parks, Wildlife3 Comments

Of midges and tides and lazing in the tropics

February 3, 2019January 27, 2019 Itching for Hitching

June 2018, Rollingstone, Qld The midges are winning. I’ve tried Bushmans, The Locals, long clothes and Elle’s pungent mixture of baby oil and Dettol. Elle’s mixture is the only one that does a half decent job of warding off the … Continue reading Of midges and tides and lazing in the tropics

Why Caravanning10 Comments

Can’t sleep?

February 2, 2019January 27, 2019 Itching for Hitching

Some people count sheep, if I can’t sleep I count the towns that we’ve visited on the current trip. It works every time. Which reminds me of a story we heard in Karijini National Park in WA back in 2015: “At the (Karijini) visitor’s centre we learn about the history of the area and life for the Aborigines after the Europeans arrived. There is a delightful story about a woman who learned to count while mustering sheep, all 29,000 of them.” Continue reading Can’t sleep?

itchingforhitching

a light hearted look at caravanning through the eyes of a couple of grey nomads.