Peak Hill, Cobram, Melbourne

Tuesday we left Moree not knowing where we would stop for the night as more rain had been forecast for Central Western NSW and more flooding predicted. As we are on the boat Sunday wanted to make sure we got through before they closed the Newell Hwy. Mid afternoon we called it a day and spent the night at Peak Hill Caravan Park, a great little park for an overnight stop with drive through sites and Leighton pops around about 4pm with a scone jam and cream that Pauline has kindly cooked and shares with the travellers. Would have loved to have had another day there as there is quiet a bit of history to this old gold mining town, and one of the best antique shops.

Wednesday we were on the road by 7.45am a shock to Baz as we don't usually get on the road that early, there had been rain again overnight so after checking Live Traffic we thought it best to try and out run the rising rivers before they closed the Newell then we would have had to do a major  detour. We encounted klms of water across the road in numerous locations especially north of West Wyalong to south of Forbes in the worse effected crossings there would be an escort vehicle to follow making sure you kept to the highest part of the road. One time when we negotiating one of these crossings the vehicle that was in front of us moved to the right about a metre and we saw the rear of the caravan he was towing drop down in a deep pot hole where the road had been washed away, we made sure we didn't following in his tracks. Further down the Newell south of Narrandera we had to detour for a few klms because that section of the Newell was closed, we were lucky to get through as a couple of hours later they had closed the road to vehicles towing trailers and caravans, also small vehicles, only allowing trucks and four wheel drives through.

After a couple of long days on the road we made it to Cobram where once again we stayed at the Willows Caravan Park, a quiet little park that does not get effected by the school holidays also he does not increased his prices, some parks are getting beyond a joke with price hikes over the school holidays. While we were in Cobram we caught up with our friends Bridget and Don whom we had met when we first started travelling to the mainland in our caravan. We went to the Rich Glen Olive farm to replenish our supply of their beautiful flavoured olive oils where we sampled their many varieties of products that they now produce, they have also expanded their cafe and eatery which is a very popular destination.

As we were a couple of days ahead of schedule we thought we may as well go down into Melbourne and have a little retail therapy before heading home, we booked into the Dandenong Big 4 as that is handy to the DFO also good for picking up the M1 taking us straight into Port Melbourne and the ferry terminal. It just happened that our friends Judy and Merv were also staying there along with Alison and Rob who we know from bowls, as both couples tow a Jayco this is a handy park to the Jayco factory that is located just down the road. Saturday night we went to the Dandenong Club with Judy, Merv and their family the football game between the Bulldogs and GWS was being shown on a big screen the atmosphere was certainly intense with it being a close game and majority there barracking for the Bulldogs. 

Sunday we caught the Sprit back to Tassie ending another eventful trip.

One of many water crossings as we travelled the Newell Hwy

Waiting for the Spirit with Judy and Me

Moree

Upon arrival at the Gwydir Caravan Park we were allocated a site in our requested area of the park only to find the ground to be quiet boggy and wet, it ended up being one of the better ones as there were quiet a few sites that have been roped off due to damaged caused by vehicles during the wet days.

 We were expecting more rain yesterday but it did not come to later in the night so we managed to squeeze in a couple of dips in the thermal pool during the day. It rained constantly all night, as the ground was already saturated there are now larger areas of water laying around the park, we did think it was clearing around lunch time today only to get another period of heavy rain.

 As it is not very pleasant to use the thermal pools here at the park today we took the opportunity to visit their other facility that is being developed into an accommodation complex with an indoor 25mtr spa pool with cascading water outlets.

Our water logged site at Moree

Indoor 25 metre spa pool

Enjoying a water massage

Inside the complex other pools have been filled with cement

Yelarbon

Friday we left beautiful blue skies and sunshine on the Gold Coast and headed out through Nerang taking the hwy to Warwick which meant we had to pass over Cunningham's Gap, a good test for the replacement engine in the Paj.  Baz was very satisfied with the way it pulled up the range giving no indication of letting us down, looks like it will get us back to Tassie ok.

The only rain we had was a small shower as we were climbing the range, but as we approached Yelarbon where we had planned to spend the night, we could see low lying areas inundated with water. The area had constant rain for the previous couple of days so the small river near the recreation ground at Yelarbon had broken it's banks with a good flow of water.

Wow! how things change after only 400 klms heading south west, the previous night when we were on the GC we were laying on top of the bed to sleep as the night was warm and humid, the night at Yelarbon we were under the doonah with an extra blanket on top also the gas heater set on the thermostat to come on when it got really cold in the early hours of the morning. It sure is getting harder each year to head south to the cooler states. I think that after eight years of spending our winters in the North we are getting acclimatised and are not handling the cold very well!

After a good nights sleep snuggled up we were on the road heading to Moree by 8.30 am, rain had been forecast for later in the day so hoping to get there and have some time in the thermal pools before it returned. We encountered lots of pot holes and road damaged with road maintenance crews being kept very busy trying to repair the damage from the recent rain. North of Moree there was water over the highway with most vehicles taking care as they drove through it, we would hear on the CB that a few would hit it at high speed not thinking of the consequences to themselves or others.

One of the many swollen river crossings this one at Yelarbon

Yelarbon

An obsolete country store Yelarbon

Main St Yelarbon

Camp area Yelarbon $15 for power & water a good over night stop

Gold Coast

Our three nights on the Gold Coast went by far too quickly. We arranged for RV Coastline to install our new hot water cylinder on Thursday, they fitted us in by arriving at 7.30am! That was an early start for me but it also meant I was up ready for my retail therapy leaving Baz at the Caravan Park, much easier to shop without him.

 Around the Southport area there is massive construction happening in preparation for the next Commonwealth Games.

As usual we have been undecided which way we will travel south, now due to the current weather conditions with rain, thunderstorms and flooding forecast for SE Qld, NSW & Vic we think it is best to cut across Cunningham's Gap and head to Goodiwindi then travel south on the Newell Hwy. Looks like we will be able to call into Moree and the Thermal Pools on our way home.

Reece fitting the new hot water cylinder

Pelican feeding Calis Seafood Southport

Pelican feeding Calis Seafood Southport

      

Tannum Sands, Wuruma Dam, Broadwater Rec Reserve, Wivenhoe Dam

Our five days back in Tannum Sands went way too fast! Liv and Archie had grown in the weeks since we had last seen them. Baz had Fathers Day with family a first for the last eight years as we are usually on the road somewhere with only me to spoil him (not). Jason cooked a lovely breakfast which we thoroughly enjoyed sitting out by the pool, then late morning we took a short trip out to Awonga Dam where we enjoyed a BBQ lunch with Jason, Neat and their friends. Our friends Pauline and Les were spending the night at Tannum Sands Caravan Park on their way south, it was great to catch up with them later in the day and enjoy a meal at the local hotel.

Wednesday is was a sad farewell as it was time for us to leave and head south. we have less than three weeks before we need to be in Melbourne to get the boat back to Tassie.  We travelled via Biloela and headed to Wuruma Dam where we were meeting our friends Alison and David, Alison had heard that the campsite at the dam was clearing out, and it should be easier to get a spot. Upon arrival it was still quiet packed but we managed to get set up near the dam, our neighbour (bush pigs) were very possessive of the area and were quiet loud and not very pleasant. We didn't let them spoil our time there, just ignored them! We enjoyed our camp fires and good company, even when it drizzled with rain on Friday we were able to sit under the awning and had the fire pot alongside, lucky David and Baz had been and replenished our wood supply before the rain set in.  Our hot water system in the caravan was refusing to light on gas. luckily for us David had a generator with him (for his coffee machine) we were able to have hot water for a shower, Baz braved the cold water for a couple of mornings, finding it very invigorating, at least he didn't use a lot of water leaving more for me to enjoy. (Silly boy!).

After three nights at the dam we headed further south finding a peaceful campsite at the Broadwater Recreation Reserve situated about 20 klms north of Nanango just off the Burnett Hwy. When we arrived the weather was still very pleasant with blue skies, a couple of hours later as we were enjoying our lovely camp fire when a Thunder Storm passed over drenching the track that we had ventured along. Baz and David were a little stressed that we may have trouble getting out the next morning if we got too much more rain, lucky for us it moved over fairly quickly and we were able to continue on the next day. We stopped along the way at a country town Blackbutt where we strolled around a local show before paying a visit to another lushoius bakery, it was then time to say goodbye to Al & Dave for them to return to the Sunshine Coast and for us to head south.

Our next stop was at Wivenhoe Dam where we had a lovely campsite over looking the dam, it was a very peaceful location where we were subjected to amazing sunsets. It was so nice that we decided to stay an extra day as we are not very keen to get south too quickly, where it is cold and wet.  On our last evening at the dam we shared Helga & Claus's campfire, they were from Munich and had been living and working in Darwin for nine years, now travelling Aussie for twelve months before heading home to Germany. Our hot water system in the van still operates on 240v so it was very nice to have constant hot water again. We rang Coastal RV on the Gold Coast to discuss our problem with the gas ignition and what we thought was condensation coming from the gas vent, to discover we will need a new hot water cylinder as it is most likely leaking and will need to be replaced! This has been a very expensive trip, first the motor in the Paj and now a new hot water system 😡 

Father's Day Breakfast

Campsite Wuruma Dam

Wondering Livestock

Baz with his friends

Wuruma Dam

Broadwater Recreation Reserve

Great Vista

Early morning fog

Wivenhoe Dam Campsite

Baz enjoying the peaceful vista

Sunset Wivenhoe Dam

Bargara Beach

Hi Everyone

I have certainly been slack this year with my Blog, my reasoning is that I don't want to bore you with mundane ramblings as we have been spending numerous weeks in locations that we have previously visited.

The last four weeks we have been settled here at Bargara enjoying this beautiful location that suits Baz and I to a T. We love our large grassy site, the beach is directly across the road, lovely walking paths along the waterfront, great eateries, cafes all within walking distance of the caravan park. We don't need to go into Bundy unless we need some retail therapy, opening soon here at Bargara alongside Woolworths will be an Aldi Store. that will create a little competition. We have had lovely days around 24 degrees with heavy dew's overnight, the temp has been rising slightly over the last couple of days and we have had a couple of heavy showers pass through so the humidity has been rather high.

Once again on arrival it was a big welcome from our park friends with Ian calling out that we were booked into the Wednesday night meal up at the RSL/Bowls Club. We were inundated in the first three weeks  with friends calling in or coming to the park to stay so it was full on happy hours going out for meals enjoying a game of bowls or two, not forgetting the Bakery & coffee's. One of our friends Alan suggested we go on a river cruise on the Bundy Bell along the Burnett River, which left at 9.30am on Sunday then it grew from there with meeting them for breakfast at 8am following the cruise it was a game of bowls at 12.30 it didn't end there as next he said,"bring a change of clothes we will go for the Sunday Roast and the free entertainment at the Brothers Club". Baz told him he was like an Ever Ready Battery! That day we left the van at 7.30am not getting back until 9pm, we certainly needed a rest day the next day. Another time when Carlene and Rex came up from Hervey Bay for the day we went down to the township for lunch at the Rock Cafe we were lucky enough to see a whale fin slapping and lobtailing.

We have extended our stay here until 2nd Sept then we will go back to Jason's to say a final goodbye to his family before we start heading south. We left home 14 weeks ago we now have just on five weeks remaining before we arrive home, time just flies by! Hoping Tassie warms up by the time we get back,

Our home at Bargara, a large grassy site

Burnett River Bundy

Creek entering the Burnett River near the Bundy Factory

Red markers show the flood height in 2010 and 2013

Enjoying the sun at Bargara

Bargara Foreshore

Sea mist Bargara Foreshore

Sea mist Bargara Foreshore

Tannum Sands cont - Burrum Heads

We had a very frustrating & stressful time for awhile after the Paj broke down while we waited for the diagnosis knowing in our own minds it was something major. Mitsubishi Gladstone had our vehicle for five days before they were able to tell us that the piston was cracked and had damaged the head! Indication was that the injector was not distributing the diesel evenly onto the piston which then created a hot spot causing the piston to crack!  We were then given options, hopefully we have made the right one for us. The vehicle has now had another motor fitted that they were able to source from the Gold Coast, it had been removed from a written off vehicle. If we had gone with a reconditioned motor plus having to purchase another injector pump and injectors etc it would have cost more than the Paj was worth. Going with the second hand motor got us back on the road quicker and some what cheaper but still a very costly option all up a little over $8,300 !! The motor has a six month warranty so hopefully we get back to Tassie without any further problems then we will need to purchase a new tow vehicle. The annoying thing about this is that we had the injectors serviced before coming away!

 We were lucky to have a hire car provided by RACT for 7 days and then we had a courtesy car from Mitsy for the remainder of the time otherwise we would have gone bonkers. Carlene & Rex called into Tannum for a couple of nights on their way to Hervey Bay so it was lovely to catch up with them and to hear about their travels since leaving home. While we had the hire car we did a trip to Burrum Heads to catch up with our friends, a three hour trip down and then back in the same day but very worth it to enjoy a few laughs and great company. It was sad to see another caravan on the site where we should have been, as we had to cancel our time there this year. We also had a lovely surprise to see our friends Alison & David walking along the foreshore at Tannum as we were leaving the beach last week, we spent a great couple of days with them showing them all over the Gladstone area as we have become quiet knowledgeable getting around the place.

Last Friday we were reunited with the Paj with it's new heart beating to a much better rhythm after two weeks apart. During that time we spent it out at Tannum Sands with Jason and Anita, so that meant we were with them for a bit over a month, by the time we left on Tuesday it was feeling a lot like home. Since Friday we have driven the Paj around as much as possible getting our confidence back and making sure all was ok before towing the van again, the weather conditions didn't help much as all down the coast has been very wet not ideal for being on the road, so nice to see blue skies again. We are now at Burrum Heads the Paj behaved very well on the 297 klm trip and we managed to get an unpowered site for 5 nights, feeling much happier now. Sunday we will head back up the coast a bit to Bargara Beach for four weeks.

Our home base at Jason & Anita's Tannum Sands

Gladstone Harbour

HMAS Gladstone Maritime Museum

Fully loaded Bulk Carrier leaving Gladstone Port

Bulk Carriers at anchor waiting to enter the Gladstone Port

Burrum River

Enjoying a coldie with Brian Burrum Heads

Having a chat with friends