Tag: Caravanning

Well Bugger Me!6 Comments

Mixed Businesses

Itching for Hitching

I’m constantly fascinated by the colourful mixture of things that businesses sell in the bush. But of course these businesses have to run on a different mindset to those in the cities. City businesses have to stay focused on what they do well. Country businesses must provide what is needed by the community. I saw this sign somewhere on the road between Mudgee and Bathurst: “For Sale  – Wishing wells, geese, bird feeders” In February of 1879 Ned Kelly and his gang of bushrangers held up the town of Jerilderie, NSW. The blacksmith shop where they had their horses shod … Continue reading Mixed Businesses

Caravanning Hints13 Comments

The Cost of Living on the Road

Itching for Hitching

So often I hear people talk of how lucky we are to be caravanning. From a health perspective yes, we are lucky, very lucky. But from the financial perspective, well that is altogether different. From personal experience we’ve found that once you have the rig (van and tow vehicle) that suits your budget and needs, then life is cheaper on the road. “What about the fuel?”  I hear you say. Keep your hair on! We all bemoan the price of fuel at some time or another but if you travel a little slower you will spread out your fuel costs. … Continue reading The Cost of Living on the Road

The Pubs, Vic, Wildlife9 Comments

Blackwood Hotel

Itching for Hitching

Atop a ridge between the Wombat State Forest and the Lerderderg State Park in Victoria is the old mining town of Blackwood. We order dinner at the rambling weatherboard Blackwood pub, it is Pot and Parma night. The publican comes out with a heaped plate of strips of steak for a mob of waiting kookaburras on the deck. There’s seed for the King parrots and last of all a whopping parma for us. Oh, you beauty! Continue reading Blackwood Hotel

Point of Interest, WA7 Comments

Myall’s Bore

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On the outskirts of Derby in Western Australia you’ll find Myall’s bore. It feeds the Southern Hemisphere’s longest water trough. At 120 metres in length, 500 cattle could drink from this trough at the same time. One can just imagine the sight, smell and sound. In the droving days cattle were rested here overnight. The next day they would be moved a few kilometres closer to town to the Dinner Tree, a large boab, where they would be rested in the midday sun before being herded across the endless mudflats to the waiting ship at Derby wharf. Continue reading Myall’s Bore

Caravanning Hints, Vic5 Comments

Firewood Collection in Victoria

Itching for Hitching

With the bush fire season behind us we can think of cool evenings around the campfire once more. Of course that brings the other problem of whether to collect the wood, buy it in small packs at inflated prices or use the services of an old country wood merchant who delivers to camp grounds when phoned. There is a charming old gent who provides this service in the Upper Goulburn Valley. If you are up that way just look for his phone number on the tree at Skipworth Reserve. Remember that you will have to drive back into Jamieson to … Continue reading Firewood Collection in Victoria

NSW, Point of Interest20 Comments

The Living Desert Sculpture Park

Itching for Hitching

We slip out of Broken Hill to the Living Desert Park, which is 12kms away, to see the sculpture park at sunset. The sculptures are made from Wilcannia sandstone and almost glow in the light of the setting sun. The views of both the desert and back towards Broken Hill are sublime and it is wonderful to see the changing colours of the desert as the sun sets across the landscape. People have brought wine and there is a hush. They are sitting on rocky outcrops quietly toasting the end of the day and the sheer majesty of it all. Continue reading The Living Desert Sculpture Park

Freedom Camp, Vic2 Comments

Avoca Lions Club Park

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We recently visited the gold mining town of Avoca, Vic. Avoca Lions Club has kindly provided a spacious RV park on Dundas Street which is only a block back from the main street (Sunraysia Highway) and beside the Avoca River.  There is a modern amenities building, the site is level with plenty of turning room and a sheltered BBQ area. The Avoca Hotel is charming and has had a new lease on life. We once stayed there in the 1980’s and there was what looked suspiciously like a bullet hole in our bedroom window. The ‘old girl’ certainly looks more … Continue reading Avoca Lions Club Park

Qld, Wildlife6 Comments

A stalking stork amongst the stalks

Itching for Hitching

We drive out to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria, the remotest point of our trip. It is a 70km drive north from Normanton through savannah land and then the flattest flood plain of grassland and salt pans. In the savannah there are contented cattle and spider webs as big as flags that take ownership of their host shrubs. On the flood plain we spot a flock of Brolgas in a small swamp. Of course I’m breathless with excitement and I say to Woody that all we need now is to see a Jabiru and I’ll be happy. All of … Continue reading A stalking stork amongst the stalks

Qld, Wildlife10 Comments

What a Tally

Itching for Hitching

The giant Curtain Fig tree in Yungaburra on the Atherton Tableland in Queensland is far too large to photograph in its entirety but we do our best. One Japanese tourist lies prone on the boardwalk trying his best to ‘get it all in’. If that is not enough, my mate Cyril spots something way up near the top of the tree and starts to shriek. There’s a large dark shape groping about. We can’t believe our eyes, it’s a Tree Kangaroo. As a dozen gobsmacked tourists crane their necks he clambers about quite awkwardly. He’s certainly not as agile as … Continue reading What a Tally

Point of Interest10 Comments

Croc Lines

Itching for Hitching

Croc lines, sheep lines, cattle lines, cyclone lines, footy lines, even imaginary beer lines. Australia is an immense country spanning many climate zones and differing tastes. As we sail blissfully along miles of straight highways from north to south, we often notice that grazing land suddenly turns from beef cattle to sheep then much further south back to cattle but this time dairying in green pastures. While planning trips to tropical north Queensland I’ve found maps of where crocodiles are found. This is important as a southerner must be croc aware in northern climes. Those pre historic creatures didn’t survive … Continue reading Croc Lines