Tues 13 June – It rained in the night (not forecasted). We drove from Toowoon Bay passed two large lakes, Tuggerah Lake and Lake Macquarie. These lakes are linked and also have outlets to the sea. We stayed at a little camp at Carey Bay. After a short walk we sat in the sun on the waterfront and read. I may have mislead you on the price of NSW public transport. We were surprised that we were only charged $1/day. Our credit card had further charges after a few weeks. Still good value however.
Wed 14 June – Only a very short drive to Newcastle, so we drove to the ferry terminal on the Stockton side of the harbour and caught the ferry into the city. We walked along the waterfront passing the huge apartments, bars and restaurants. Our aim was to find the site of the Parthenon Milk Bar on Hunter St (made famous in the song “Don’t you ever let a chance go by”) but it seems it has gone and replaced by a sky-scraper. Newcastle has light rail running the length of the waterfront so we travelled the full ride to the beaches and spied more humpback whales migrating north. We were in Newcastle in 2021 and biked most of the city. It’s a great city (slightly smaller than CHCH). Back to “Andy” on the ferry and to our camp. We booked flights home on July 20 and will store “Andy” at Hervey Bay.
Thurs 15 June – Still great weather as we turned inland for some time in the Hunter Valley. We are now repeating a road trip we did with our kids and the Bodger mob in 1990. Our camp was at the Cessnock Showgrounds. Good to be back to cheap camp fees again!! We biked back into the town and were surprised at its size. A stroll along the main street. We called into the library and a very helpful lady photocopied maps for cycling the wine region.
Fri 16 June – On the road passing many wineries, eventually parking “Andy” and biking a 6km trip with great views. Too early and too expensive to drink however.
Back on the New England Hwy west out of the wine region and suddenly into dirty open cast coal mines including a coal power station. We camped in the showgrounds at Muswellbrook. A nice sunny site so we relaxed outside.
Sat 17 June – Decided to stay another night here. When it warmed up a bit (frosty morning), we biked into the town with its many old buildings. We stayed here in 1990 but hard to remember where. Another sunny afternoon reading.
Sun 18 June – On the New England Hwy again thru Scone eventually leaving the beautiful Hunter Valley, over the Great Divide (673m) and onto the Liverpool Plains. Our camp for the night was a recreation reserve at the small country village of Willow Tree.
Mon 19 June – Another good frost as we drove 100km to Gunnedah. The Liverpool Plains are very fertile with huge paddocks of corn and cotton. Gunnedah is an agriculture service town. We camped at the Kennel Club, another cheap night! A nice walk to the main street returning via a painted silo.
Tues 20 June – West across the Liverpool plains to Tamworth. We have been in Tamworth several times so no need for extensive exploring. Our camp was out near the Golden Guitar. A cold overcast day and were inside early. We caught the “Pub Bus” down to the Longyard Bar and had drinks and a nice meal. The bus is free and run by 4 pubs in Tamworth - a great service.
Wed 21 June – A 100km run thru the Great Divide on the Oxley Hwy to Walcha. This is the town where we broke down in 2018 and had to catch a train and bus back to Brisbane to get home. It’s a great wee town set high in the Great Divide and we walked around the river banks, with its great sculptures, and the town bringing back memories of our last enforced visit. A lovely sunny day.
Thurs 22 June – Up earlier today as we have 190kms to drive. The first 80kms is on the Great Divide and then a very long winding descent to sea level. A great drive however. We booked a site for two nights at a huge camp on the river at Port Macquarie. I had arranged to meet my cousin, Drusilla Megget, for a drink just along from our camp. It was great to catch up with her as I had not seen her since 1996.
Fri 23 June – Warm and sunny, and breakfast outside, first time for quite a while. A walk up town where we bought a new shower curtain and spied this tree with a jersey.
In the afternoon we biked along the waterfront and beaches. My bikes gears backed up! Spent some time with limited success fixing the problem. Great to be back at sea level with a huge increase in temperatures especially at night.
Sat 24 June – A 80km dash along the Pacific Hwy before turning out to the coast and a camp at Grassy Head. What a great small camp with a short walk to a beautiful beach. We booked for two nights but may extend our time here. Sat on the beach enjoying people watching, reading and the sun. Back at our site, I had another go at fixing my bike and it is now much better.
Sun 25 June – Breakfast in the sun before a walk to another beach to the south. Decided to try and climb the headland back to our beach and ended up bush bashing up a near vertical slope but eventually got onto the headland and back to our beach. Beautiful sea views. More time sitting on the beach in the afternoon. We will stay here another night.
Mon 26 June – A warm sunny day. We walked the length of the beach watching a huge pod of dolphins just outside the breakers. After lunch we even put the awning out and sat with our heads in the shade. Val booked a camp and a National Park for the next few nights. This has been a great spot for 3 nights.
Tues 27 June – A kookaburra snatched the toast out of my hand at breakfast time. This has happened before a couple of years ago. Cheeky big buggers!! Shopped at Coffs Harbour before finding our camp. Discovered that a bottle of maple syrup had leaked in our food cupboard. Sticky stuff everywhere, what a mess!! Went for a bike ride along the waterfront to the harbour. Val’s bike had started to squeak so had to fix that when we got back. The old Kmart bikes are starting to show their age. Both bikes ok now, hopefully.
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