May to December, 2011

After 10 lovely weeks in Tasmania, it is time for me to head to Queensland. Apart from the winter weather, it is my time to catch up with family and friends. For the rest of the year, I travelled north as far as Port Douglas and south as far as Caloundra. I know now, that I can take as much time as I need. Coastal Queensland as far north as Port Douglas is very popular in winter. If you plan to be in popular places at school holiday time, booking ahead is probably necessary.  


My travels for the rest of 2011:

Brisbane

Laura Dance Festival, held every two years. Laura is inland from Cairns.

Cairns esplanade

If you like tropical plants, visit the Botanic Gardens in Cairns.

Port Douglas

Milla Milla Falls, Atherton Tableland

Charters Towers has good examples of old Queensland architecture.

Cania Gorge

Caloundra, Sunshine Coast

March 2011 in Tasmania

The weather determined where I went and for how long, in Tasmania. In the NW I went to Sheffield, the town of murals

and Burnie to see the papier mache sculptures at the Burnie Information centre.

Then I headed south to Mt Field National park, camping in the national park.

When I had been at Cradle Mountain in February, the weather became very cold so I didn't stop to see 'The Wall in the Wilderness'.  I went back to see it. It's a project taking more than a decade and I found it amazing. A man is carving the history of the area in slabs of huon pine (3m x 1m).

I waited for some good weather before visiting the east coast. This trip I went to Freycinet National Park

and the Bay of Fires.

 I then headed inland, driving through scenic farm land around Scotsdale

and stopping to see the chain saw sculptures at Legerwood.

I had time to visit Launceston and the Tamar Valley before I caught the boat back  to Melbourne in mid April. Ten weeks was not long enough for me in Tasmania. I planned to return another year.

February in Tasmania

I spent all of February and March, 2011,  in Tasmania. Because I had plenty of time, and the distances are so short, I could be in selected places when the weather was good. There are lots of free or very cheap camping areas in Tasmania, many small villages encouraging people to stay one or two nights. Many camping grounds gave me a cheaper price for 1 person.

During Feruary I went to Cradle Mountain,

Strahn on the west coast,

Port Arthur, Huon Valley and Bruny Island.

Bruny Island

I had one day of spectacular weather on Bruny Island and one day when it was very cold and wet. Unfortunately, that was the day I had booked to do a boat cruise. It was still excellent but I was very cold by the time I got back to the caravan park.

Port Arthur
There is so much to see at Port Arthur, that I took a two day ticket.  Apart from the historical significance, it is also quite scenic.

Huon Valley

The Midlands highway which connects Launceston and Hobart has bypassed many lovely towns. Ross has a caravan park on the river and Oatlands has a free camp beside their lake. It's the place to see lots of swans.

Oatlands is a beautiful town with Georgian buildings and dry stone walled fences.

December 2010, South Australia

There is so much to see in South Australia, I decide not to rush and made a plan to return for at least one more visit, another year. I decided to make my way to Tasmania. Tasmanian people I had met told me the best months to visit were February and March, so I made that my plan. It is expensive to take your RV across on the boat so that is why I decided I would stay for at least two months.

During December, I expored the Flinders Ranges.....

.... the Barossa Valley and the Fluerieu Peninsula.

Victor Harbor on the Fluerier Peninsula

Adelaide and Harndorf took up the first part of January, 2011. 

Harndorf reflects the heritage of the settlers from Germany.

By mid January, I needed to start heading towards Melbourne to catch the boat to Tasmania. I like to have enough time to be able to explore some areas along the way.

Almost on the border between SA and Victoria, I stopped at Mt Gambia to see the blue lake.

Eventhough it was school holiday time when coastal caravan parks are much more expensive and crowded,  I decided to travel the Great Ocean Road on my way towards Melbourne. 

People told me not to miss Port Fairy, not far from Warrnambool and the start of the Great Ocean Road. 

spectacular coastline along The Great Ocean Road

I was nervous about getting myself through Melbourne and onto the boat for Tasmania. I was catching the night boat so I had all day to sort it out. There is plenty of free parking a couple of streets away from where bording takes place, so I parked and had a good look at where I had to go. It is very well organised and I managed. The best tip I was given was to make sure I knew the deck and number after I was parked on board. It can be quite confusing next morning.

Arriving in Tasmania, ready for my next adventure.

            

off to South Australia

I was now ready for the big drive south along the Stuart Highway. I felt a bit nervous about this drive but I didn't drive more than 3 -4 hours a day and I always stayed in caravan parks where I felt it was more secure. I tried to keep my fuel tank about half full. I didn't want to run the risk of arriving at a small place, wanting to fill up and finding there was no diesel.  

I stayed a few days at Coober Pedy - different, interesting.

an underground house at Coober Pedy

I was very glad to reach the Eyre Peninsula. Lots of beautiful places, I followed the coastline around  to Ceduna.

emus walking through the caravan park at Coffin Bay

Sculptures on the cliffs at Elliston

From Ceduna, I turned around and headed for the Flinders Ranges.

winter in the Northern Territory - 2010

By May 2010, I was back in Broome and about to head east. When I visited Broome on the way south, I was in the peak of the tourist season and it was very crowded. This time, I was there just before the crowds and I found it much nicer. I had now been travelling for almost two years and I had enough confidence to use some of the free camps. De Grey river in the WA is very popular.

Back in Kunurra, I did a 4 wheel drive day trip to El Questo. A long day but really worth it.

Chamberlin Gorge, El Questro

June

Katherine Gorge and Kakadu took up all of June. There are many places to stay in Kakadu from camp sites to caravan parks and I tried most of them.

July took me to Berry Springs, Litchfield National Park and Darwin.

By August, I was starting to head south.

my campsite at the Devil's Marbles

Alice Springs and the West MacDonald Ranges in September   

 October.

Kings Canyou

The Olgas

Ready to go, head for WA - 2009

After a few months of confidence building, I felt ready to take off. I wanted to go to Western Australia while my motorhome was new. At this stage I was still thinking I would be a grey nomad for two years. I wanted to see the wild flowers in WA, so being there in the spring was my plan.  I thought I would do the circle around Australia.

I set off from Queensland, drove across the NT and started my WA adventure in Kununurra. After taking 5 days just to cross the NT, I realised how big Australia is. My two year plan was not going to work. I had plenty of time to get to the wild flower areas, so I decided I was now on an open time plan. I would stay in WA until I had seen everything. I ended up being there for 11 months.

the Bungle Bungles

boab tree at Derby

I planned to start my wild flower viewing at Kalbarri National Park. I arrived in September and it was a really good year for wildflowers. I ended up following the flowers for 6 weeks, covering a number of different areas each with different flowers.                                                 

I covered all the scenic coastal areas, the gold fields and Perth.

Esperance

Once I finished with Kalgoorlie, I decided to not go across the Nullabor but to drive north again, and I planned for winter in the Northern Territory. I saw some different places on my drive north and revisited some areas.