The Long Way Home

[Don Ricardo]

Some more great photos, Koalas! Much better than the travel shows on TV!!

I particularly liked the photo of the budgerigars - a beautiful shot.

Don Ricardo

[sutcac]

Fantastic pics Ken and Judy.

Thanks for taking the time and effort to post them up.

Really feels as if we're along with you in your travels.

Cheers , Sutcac

[Koala]

After having a great time at Ilfacombe we toodled off to try to find the Willows Gem Fields. What a place, there is a caravan park (sort of) but is more like a bunch of vans scattered through the bush. It was all quiet when we arrived but a lady suggested that at 5pm everybody comes in from fossicking to have happy hour around the fire. Haven't drunk much lately so Judy and I went along for a few drinks. It was like a meeting of long lost cousins even though we didn't know anyone and after a few more drinks and a bit of food a guy fetched his guitar and we all had a sing song and a few more drinks around a huge fire under the moonlight then I think I had another drink. I slept well that night
After being in the bush for so long we decided to treat ourselves to a couple of nights in a good caravan park at Yeppoon.
The second time we crossed the Tropic of Capricorn (Rockhampton)

Wind chimes at Yeppoon I think to celebrate when a bloke named Cook came past a few years ago. A bonus was that we were just in time see NSW flog Qld in the state of origin at the outdoor theatre in the caravan park.

We then moved on and found this nice free camp on the Calliope River. We day tripped to check out Gladstone.

Next we drifted around and found a pretty spot called 1770 which sort of reminded me that we were on holiday because nothing moved fast here. About 40 boat trailers at the ramp indicates the main activity here.

I had been told about the cane toads up this way but didn't realise that they can attack!!!! Maybe it was their way at getting back after the Origin loss.

In case I picked up a infection from the cane toads I visited this medicinal centre at Bundaberg.

I think a shot or two of this stuff should return me to good health.

Good health system up here. I copped a bit of flak for wearing the Jim Beam but they wouldn't give me a Bundy one to replace it.

[Koala]

Heading off down the coast we stopped at Tin Can Bay then found this nice spot called Inskip Point where they have low cost camping. Beautiful beaches.

After being inland for so long it was nice to get some sand between the toes

Judy only has a couple of cousins so we called in near the Glass house Mountains.

Heading back inland we went over the ranges into NSW following the Lions Road to Kyogle. This road is very steep in places and not really recommended for caravans. Very scenic but on one hill we were back to first gear. We camped at the Kyogle showground.

Nimbin rocks. Nimbin is a bit of a hippy town which seems to be locked into the 60's. Bit of a strange smell on the air around here

I was born at Lismore and raised on a dairy farm at Terania Creek. This was the old farm house when I lived there.

And as it is now...........even has a swimming pool, we just swam in the creeks We left when the dairy industry went into decline.

Camped at The Channon

One of my old girl friends came to visit, she has such lovely big brown eyes

Found this guy fishing in style at Evans Head. Just bolt your recliner to your boat.

We camped by the Clarence River near Yamba for a few days. It is actually a Big 4 park but I asked for a nice quiet spot so they put us here away from everyone and even gave us a fire drum and wood. Would be a good spot for a vintage Caravan Weekend.

The boys surfing at Yamba, a bit windy.

Nothing like a night by the river with a nice fire.

We timed the last part of our trip to coincide with the gathering at South West Rocks.

Well thats all folks, we hope that you enjoyed the photos and that some of you are now inspired enough to do something similar. Maybe in two years time we will do something similar again..............I wonder if there would be enough interest from the forum for a Vintage Caravan Trip up the centre??


Koala

[cobber]

G'day Ken,

Nice photos of a great trip, thanks for posting them.
A trip up the centre you're thinking aye ? It's something everybody should do at least once...twice is better, but I'm not sure I can handle it three times.... wish I could.

I believe that Lions road is now sealed, is that right ?
When we did it it was dirt so I reckon you had it easy     we camped up the top and my very first photo in that 'where's this ' thread was taken from that spot, I reckoned nobody would ever have been there...... it took bobandjacqui about an hour to come back with the answer..... so I don't play that silly game anymore       

Cobber.

[Koala]

Yes Cobber the Lions Road is now sealed, I didn't think it was too bad to take the van through although a guy coming the other way must disagree as he was shaking his head. as we passed each other. Beautiful country up that way.
Koala