Dating back to the 1860’s and designed by Baron Von Mueller (the designer of Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens) the Castlemaine Botanic Gardens give shady respite from the summer sun. Lake Joanna, excavated by inmates from the local gaol, is a centre … Continue reading Castlemaine Botanic Gardens
This morning I finished cleaning the van and hopefully found the last of the tiny pink prawn feelers that hide in grooves and corners just waiting to stink to high heaven. Yep we’re home and ready to go again, when the time and weather is right. With Christmas festivities fulfilled early this year we decided to embark on a Caravan Christmas. Having pleasant but hazy memories of what was to be forever deemed ‘Christmas at Sea’ back in ‘1980 something’ when we tied our trailable yacht to the Paynesville boat ramp jetty and set about cooking and feasting (in a … Continue reading A Caravan Christmas
The historic town of Maldon in Central Victoria with its flagstone footpaths and deep granite gutters was a forgotten town for many years. Thankfully being bypassed for a while preserved Maldon’s village feel for the enjoyment of future generations. Pretty little shops, miner’s cottages with rambling old world gardens and this old garage with kerbside (and for safety’s sake, modern) pumps. Continue reading Fill ‘er Up
There are only two places to be today: Sydney for the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race or In front of the TV watching the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race eating Christmas leftovers which always taste better next day. For a few days or even less depending on the weather all eyes will be on a screen any screen watching their progress as these mega yachts fly down the coast, cross Bass Strait, track down Tassie’s east coast and swoop into the Derwent River. Where thousands of yachting faithfuls are waiting to cheer them into … Continue reading Boxing Day
It is the eve of the eve of Christmas Eve, a warm Summer’s evening in Castlemaine, Central Victoria. And like a thousand other parks across the nation, Victory Park is filled with families on camp chairs and picnic rugs soaking up the atmosphere and singing along to the all familiar carols. The sun is low on the horizon and casting its golden glow on the trees. A drummer slipping behind the dais for a slurp of something wet … and cold drops his drumsticks on the ground. Those drummers have a reputation to keep you know. At the front of … Continue reading Peace on Earth
How could I not include this in the series. A modern beach toilet and shower block with a simple yet stunning mosaic on a white wall. I stood gazing at this for so long it’s a wonder that the police … Continue reading Dunnies of Oz – Nambucca Heads
Winter 2017 Three hundred kilometres north of Sydney at the mouth of the Manning River is Harrington, an eclectic mix of old holiday homes and modern two storey houses with stunning views. The river mouth is a small delta and has islands and a rock wall that blocks the sea. One would assume it directs the river to the southern mouth at Manning Point. There is a wide tract of sand stretching into the ocean and 4WD’s are parked on the sand, people are fishing. Bi centennial park is on a rise where the old pilot station once stood, the … Continue reading Harrington
A delightful and cheaper alternative in the Byron Bay area is the Alstonville Showgrounds. Situated a block behind the centre of a charming little town there is a choice of camping on the oval or under the protection of a … Continue reading Alstonville Showgrounds
The Australian coat of arms has both a kangaroo and an emu and it is said that they were chosen because neither can walk backwards, thus symbolising a progressive nation. Although both are plentiful it is always exciting to see them for two reasons. Firstly being such large creatures both can cause horrific damage to cars, so the navigator is always on alert for kangaroos and emus and shouting something like “Emu on the right!” Grey Nomads like ourselves aren’t on a strict timetable like younger drivers so we tend to stay off the roads in the early morning and … Continue reading The Coat of Arms
Mildura is in Victoria’s far north east. Quite possibly its most popular caravan park is the delightful Buronga Caravan Park across the Murray River in Buronga, New South Wales. The park has a laidback holiday feel. The paddle steamers toot toot back and forth all day laden with tourists and there are lovely views of the city of Mildura just across the river. Last winter up on the north coast we have a drink with our neighbours Don and G who are from Mildura and have a shiny new van. They tell us that they checked into nearby Buronga caravan … Continue reading A long drive huh?
