traveling0z

Sadly as a family we have decided that our journey must come to an end :(.   It is getting harder and harder to get the kids motivated to do their school work (there is so much more out there to do!!!!!).

We all decided that Bundaberg would be a GREAT place to live with Elliott Heads and alike just up the road, its also just like a country town but big enough to raise a family in we spent some time there trying VERY hard to get work ect, however NOTHING was happening.  So we spent some time in Hervey Bay with Matt's parents and made the decision to move back to just North of Brisbane.

We have been able to secure a nice home on 2 acres (although its just not the same.....) You have to do what is right for the entire family.

All 3 kids are in really great schools, they settled in really well and are happy,  Matthew is happy and has work just up the road (so no need to buy a 2nd car - we just bought a push bike!!! :D).   Caroline will now re-build another massage clinic (a lot of her clients will be happy - they were phoning whilst we were in Tassie, NT, W.A. and VIC).

We travelled over 40,000klm's and saw a LOT of this amazing country, you could tour for 10yrs and still not see it all.   We all  have some AMAZING lifetime memories.  Matt and I can't wait to get going again!!!   (the kids will eventually leave the nest - won't they??? hmy: LOL!!)

We have had a wonderful time being able to spend quantity and quality time together as a family unit.  We have NO regrets and would do it all over again in a heart beat!!

If this is something you are thinking of doing - JUST DO IT!!!!!!  throw caution to the wind and get moving!!!  It was the BEST thing we ever did.

If you have any questions regarding travel, rigs, set up, kids whilst travelling, Caravan Parks/Free Camps please feel free to contact us.

6th March 2010

Racheal celebrates a 2nd birthday on the road and turns the ripe old age of 8 :D.  For the first time in weeks - its actually sunny  so the kids can ride their bikes, swim in the pool and "just be outside" for a change.  Racheal decided on Pizza for dinner!! afterwards was the cake!!!

February 2010

On the way back up to Queensland we decided to spend a few days at Port Macquarie, a nice coastal town.

We leave Albany and head for Esperance,  We didn't spend a lot of time in Esperance the weather wasn't too kind so we headed for Norseman and the start of the Nullarbor.  Norseman is a small town, named Norseman after a mans horse dug up a HUGE nugget!!! (the horse's name was Norseman........).

The Nullarbor, we started out late Thursday afternoon so we free camped just 20 mins down the road from Norseman it took us a total of 4 days to drive from Norseman to Ceduna.  What a HUGE journey, our advice - take PLENTY of supplies and water because there are no Coles or Woolworths!!!!    Fill up the car at Norseman and get any supplies you need from ESPERANCE - Norseman is only a very small town.

Our first camp on the Nullarbor:

Sunset at our 2nd Camp in the Nullarbor:

The Great Australian Bite!!!!  Our last Free camp was just AWESOME!!!:

We are now currently in Blacktown (Western Sydney) visiting family and friends.  We drove via Ceduna, Port Augusta, Broken Hill, Cobar, Dubbo, Bathurst, Lithgow, Katoomba.

Monday 18th January 2010

We get an early start and head for Albany.  We check into the BIG 4 CP and see the sights of Albany, its a lovely coastline the pic's will tell the story.  We are staying here 2 nights as tomorrow the gearbox oil needs to be changed before we head across the Nullarbor.

Albany:

Tuesday 19th January

Matt takes the cruiser in for its gearbox oil change, tomorrow we will head for Esperance.

Sunday 17th January 2010 Con't

We enjoy our chat and dolphin experience then head sth on highway 10.  First stop is Busselton - LOVELY seaside town, wonderful coastline and the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere.

We keep on moving to Margaret River, nice spot (although we didn't stop and look around - the main street reminded us a little of Montville in QLD)  A longer stay at Margaret River is on our To do List.  We keep heading South and make our way to Augusta!!!  Well this is W.A.'s best kept secret, just Glorious coastline and crystal clear waters............... another town for the To do list.  We now sadly turn East....... make our way through Pemberton - another nice old town.  We drive onto the free camp and settle for the night, once again its quite, cool and nice and dark.

Sunday 17th January 2010

We check out of the BIG 4 Bunbury Glade and head straight for the Dolphin experience at the discovery centre - it only cost $21 for the entire family and we stand in the water with only a small handfull of people and watch a mother and calf frolick in front of us AWESOME!!!!   the information centre was more educational and hands on, the staff were VERY friendly and helpful so much better than Monkey Mia

Saturday 16th January 2010

We wake at our free camp - fairly good spot, a bit of traffic noise however its nice and cool!!!  We make blueberry pancakes for brekky and then head to Bunbury.  We check into the BIG 4 Bunbury GLADE, really nice park with lush green grass (yep we have been up Nth too long, forgot what green grass feels like...... still cleaning the "red dust" out of the van  :))   We do a HUGE load of washing and head off to see the sights of this lovely town!!!!

My Sister and her Hubby built their first home here in the late 90's (they now live in QLD) I reckon its grown a little since then, she was telling me they had to travel all the way to Perth for the home loan!!!!  Bit bigger than a small seaside town now Sis!!!

Thursday 14th January 2010

We settle into our VERY small caravan site - right next to the playground, tent grounds and camp kitchen - NOT happy Jan!! the place is FULL of tourist including children that have NO respect.............. We decide to go check out a few things including the foreshore and shops.  Mandurah kind of reminds us of some parts of the Gold Coast.

Friday 15th January 2010

We drop our van (HOME) off at Groper RV to have it serviced, we hit the shops for a few hours, then pick the van up just after lunch.  After sorting out the paperwork ect we head towards Bunbury.  We free camp on the side of the highway.

Friday 8th Jan 2010

Today we visit Whiteman Park a HUGE area for kids - there are 2 massive playgrounds, a water park, a lollie shop and rides on a mini train, there is also a motor museum $20 for the whole family Matt loved it here so did Caroline and the kids.  The park entry was free of charge.

Motor Museum:

Saturday 9th Jan 2010

We decided to stay here at Caversham for another night as we planed to visit Ron & Dawn in Lancelin today however the whole town was booked out due to Kite/Wind surfing championships.  (Matt worked with Ron back in Kununurra).  We didn't do much just lazed around the park.

Sunday 10th Jan 2010

We head Nth to Lancelin check out the local beaches and sights, still heaps of kite/wind surfers providing entertainment for those on the shore, we then spend the afternoon catching up with Ron and Dawn. 

Monday 11th Jan 2010

Didn't get much sleep last night as the winds in Lancelin were full on!!!!! and our site was right next to the beach. We make our way to Rockingham and stop at a really nice park for lunch.  We phone Groper RV's to have the van serviced, they fit us in on Friday (15th) so we spend 2 nights at Rockhingham checking out the beaches and local shops.

Wednesday 13th Jan 2010

Leave Rockingham and checking in just up the road at the Top tourist park at Mandurah ($51 per night EXTORTION!!!) its an OK park, however we can't wait till we can free camp again!!!.