A quick trip - only 3800km..oops 5500km trip report

[mbr37746]

Is it wrong to be hugging a Rum bottle at 10 am?

I think not! Drinking the limited release single barrel at 10:30 didn't seem to much of a problem either, although I had to allocate another driver.

 

[mbr37746]

Oops, context added..

 

[cruza driver]

You look like your enjoying that way to much @mbr37746 or were you just very thirsty :very_drunk:

 

[mbr37746]

Again, when I get my PC out I'll put up some proper posts and trip reports, but for now.......
Next adventure had today...Fraser Island.

 

[mbr37746]

So we've made it to the Gold Coast. Treasure Island caravan park, it's expensive, it's s big 4, but its got soooo much to do for the kids and whole family, I reckon its worth it for the bit of peace we get. There's a fair few Expandas here, not sure if any are members, yet, but of you're here let me know and we can say G'Day and have a quick bevvy. Anyway, we did the tour of surfers yesterday, and started on the theme parks today, we've worm the kids out, and they've fallen asleep no more than a minute after getting into bed, I've been the second biggest kid of all, with Mrs mbr beating me by a good length or two, seriously I reckon we did every ride at Dreamworld, with the boss doing some two or three times, good fun. Anyway back tomorrow to do the waterpark side of it. As always when I do finally turn my pc on I'll put up some proper trip reports.
Cheers.

 

[chartrock]

How long are you on the coast Matt @mbr37746 ?

 

[mbr37746]

Leaving here Sunday morning, heading to Yamba. @chartrock

 

[chartrock]

Leaving here Sunday morning, heading to Yamba. @chartrock

Just a flying visit to the theme parks.

 

[mbr37746]

@chartrock Hoping Saturday can be a down day where we do nothing but laze by the pool and relax, maybe even finish the last of the current book I'm on? Would easily spend a good couple of weeks here to have a look at the inland part of the coast, but hey, that's a great reason to come back now.
We had to drop into harbour town ships this morning for a new pair of joggers for little miss, I've noticed a few outlets there that should help me get through the rest of the year for business clothes too. Mrs mbr also spotted a few shops shed like to go back to, I reckon that alone will fill in another day!

 

[chartrock]

Next time up here with a bit more time, would be a good time to show you some of the better parts of the Gold Coast, away from the glitter strip.

 

[mbr37746]

Thanks. I'll take you up on that too. Cheers.

 

[mbr37746]

Quick update. At South West Rocks Arakoon NP at the goal for the next 2 or maybe 3 nights. This place is gold.

 

[mbr37746]

Well, been home a few days and thought I should pull the finger out and start writing up a report on this trip. Back at work a week and this holiday seems a lifetime ago, but time to keep going and start building up the all important leave to use for the next one..
All up we did a touch over 5500km, the Triton performed really well returning 14.3L/100km sucking up 790L of diesel.

Day one (well actually the one before) both Mrs mbr & I were to finish packing the van and get ready to leave, kids at school, quick coffee and let's hook in! We finished before lunch and decided there was no point in wasting a day, so we picked the kids up in their lunch break and hit the road, first stop, Mendooran campground.

Might look like every other road, about 2km out of Bathurst...but it was sooooo good to see after months of planning.

Arrived at Mendooran Campground, free camp in town, tucked in behind the Police station. Toilets and cold showers included. Large enough for a fair number of vans to be parked without being crowded.

Spent a relaxing night here, looking forward to the next 5 weeks. It's going to be busy.

 

[mbr37746]

Day 2 was a big drive, Mendooran to Nindigully Pub (we decided to not do much exploring on the way up as it is close enough to bight off in weekly blocks throughout the next couple of years)

Love driving through this country it reminds me of my childhood and the hours I spent in the truck with Dad.

Into Lightning Ridge for a quick bite to eat and a bit of fuel

Kids at the Bottle house

Across the border into QLD

A quick pit stop for a "refuel" at the Hebel Hotel.

More red roads.....good red roads though.

And arrived...

If you haven't been here this place is excellent! But more on that tomorrow - I'm tired.

 

[dagree]

Looking forward to the rest of the pics and report @mbr37746 ... So far looks great :encouragement:

 

[17triton]

You better have a week off Matt just so you can get the trip report done. Keep it coming. Love the pics:encouragement:.

 

[Smergen]

My favourite part of this forum... the trip reports. Can't wait to see the pics and read the updates as it looks like quite the adventure indeed!

 

[mbr37746]

So more than a day later, I'll add some more.
The campground here is just dirt and trees by the river - my kinda place! There's toilets and showers available and the feed at the pub is great.

By the river, Mrs mbr enjoying the serenity while having breakfast.

Apparently there's a few fish in there?

The pub itself was excellent for a family, coming in from dirt to a little oasis with lush green grass and kids playground, cubby houses stage etc.. Happy kids = happy parents.

This stop is a definite come back to. I reckon we'd go a few hundred km off course to do it again for a couple of nights.

 

[mbr37746]

Off to Mitchell, originally we were to stay at a free camp, Niel Turners Wier, however when we pulled up there was a bit of a "rough" crowd so we pushed on and stayed in town at the caravan park. This turned out to be a winner as we could walk across the river to town and the local pool and the Mitchell Bore Baths, nice!

Turned out the kids loved it,there was one pool at about 38C and another at about 26C. Got a cracker photo of the young fella relaxing in the hot bath.

Not many other photos from this stop, it was just a bed for the night on the way to Carnarvon Gorge.

 

[mbr37746]

The road up to Carnarvon Gorge was very scenic, took it easy and just enjoyed the drive as always photos don't do justice.

The wreckage and cairn in memory of Aussie and American personnel killed during a flight in 1943.

Onto Takarakka

Another nice open bush camping experience (this time with power, water and good clean amenities). As it was just before Easter we had very few others there, so we enjoyed some quiet time.

There was a big open area in the middle of the main area where I had a quick game of footy with the kids.

Then went for a cool off in the creek, nice and shallow and good for a paddle with little kids.

and a walk up to the lookout at the back of the campground.