We finally picked up our magnificent new van on Tuesday, October 22, in Geelong, and headed cautiously for Creswick for 3 days of “get to know you”. We had been given a very quick rundown by the owner, but he assumed our previous vanning experience was enough. Only 3 calls to him on the first afternoon, before I reverted to the old “if all else fails, read the instructions!!” Funnily enough it worked….how strange?????” We also caught up with friends. It was freezing cold, so the heater got a great workout.

Basically all sorted, we hit the road for a truly beautiful drive cross country through the Macedon Ranges. It is so close to Melbourne, but generally only seen from the highway on our way to somewhere else. We free camped near Holbrook on the Hume overnight and all appliances worked according to the instructions…….amazing. Then a challenging drive over the Ranges into Bateman’s Bay, and south to Moruya, then inland to the Eurobodella NP at Congo, a spot we came across on a previous trip, and always vowed to return to. No power or water, but we are fully self-sufficient for a good 4 days. This campsite is truly memorable, nestled behind steep dunes and the prevailing winds. We saw heaps of whales and calves at play, and even caught 2 fully breaching in the binoculas at once. Nature at its best.

Then on to Kiola on the recommendation of a fellow camper at Congo for 3 days in a Caravan Park right on the beach again, and behind a protecting sand hill. Yet another magic spot, but we are noticing that fresh water is in critically short supply on the NSW south coast, so no individual van supply, and short showers are part of the regime. It continues to be very hazy from the bushfires, and one local told us that despite continuous water bombing from 10 helicopters for a week, it has now been decided that the fire inland from Ulladulla will be left to burn out. We did sneak inland on a 4WD track one day, and climbed up a steep firetrack to agree that the bushland is basically inaccessible.

Another recommendation from the same guy has us at Lake Conjola for 3 days. The Caravan Park has Lake and sea frontage, and we have a site right on the lake’s edge. It is one of the best sites we have ever stayed at.

The weather has been mixed on our journey so far, probably a little cooler and windier than expected, but punctuated by warm, still, picture perfect days. We don’t really mind, as we are away living our dreams. We are well and happy, enjoying the journey as much as the destination, missing our family and friends as always, but mindful of the wonderful Country we live in.

Have tried in vain to attach photos with no success, but will try again on future post