Australia Van Trip Sept/Oct 2023 - WIP
Fri 22 Sept – Napier to Sydney – fine to cloudy, 18°
Up at 4am, taxi to airport for 5:15 checkin then onto flight at 6am, left on time at 6:15
Good flight to Auckland, arrived 7:20
Walked to international arr 7:30am
Straight into queue for immigration/customs. Very slow, out at 8:55 ( flight at 9am ), rushed ot gate and on plane at 9:10. Sat down and waited for rest of people to come. Took off at 10am, good flight ( had bulkhead row so good leg room etc ).
Landed at 11am ( Sydney time ) then through immigration/customs. Out at 11:45, grabbed money then lunch
Caught taxi to Tarren Point to Mighty Depot ( $35 ), and checked in for camper ( Deuce ); got a Maui version ( so newer ). Out into the traffic , drove to woolworths for groceries ( $180 ) then drove to Cronulla ( Wanda Beach ) for a sort out of the van and a walk to the beach.
Drove back to Miranda at 4pm, checked into Sydney Tourist Park ( Wongello Rd ) at 4:15 ( $56 ). Set up and relaxed. Tea at 6 then crashed to bed and sleep by 9 ( very long day )
Sat 23 Sept – fine 21° - Sydney to Newcastle
Up at 6am, got organised and breakfast then left at 8:45, drove to Sylvania Mall to go to Kmart ( camping chairs, 2x$16, fish bin $10 ) and Coles ( more supplies incl wine/beer ). Back to van at 9:30, drove onto Princes highway A1 and north. Missed turn so through Rockdale, then onto circular quay and onto Bridge ( had meant to avoid the bridge as it has a $9 toll ) through north Sydney then north and joined M1 at Pymble. North on M1 through to Hawkesbury River, stopped at park for icecream at 11:30, then north again and off at Tuggerah, through The Entrance then to Toukley at 12 for lunch in van, then north again through Swansea etc and into Newcastle. Drove to Stockton past the port area and checked into NRMA camp ( $86/night, last pitch ), set up at 4pm
Walked along beach and out onto breakwater at 4:30 then back to van. Waked to Stockton RSL for tea at 5:30 ( parmi and lamb roast $45) , home at 8
Sun 24 Sept – fine 22° - Newcastle
Up at 5:15 for the sunrise ( a little cloudy ) then rested in the van, breakfast etc. Out at 9, walked through Stockton village to the ferry, jumped on the 9:40 departure ( leaves every 20 minutes, 5 min crossing, $1 ea)
Off at Queens Wharf and walked to The Station ( the old Railway Station ) then up to Hunter St and along through the mall ( very quiet; Sunday but also looks like lots of empty shops ). Down to Crown Street Light Rail Stop and jumped on Light rail to Newcastle Terminal ( new train station and end of the Light Rail line ) at 10:30. Grabbed a coffee banana bread, then back on Light rail to the other end of the line ( only 6 stops ) at Newcastle beach, then walked back to The Station. Rented e-bikes ( $40 ea for 2 hours ) at 11:30am. Rode out to Nobbys Head then to end of breakwater, then back ( rode up to light house ) and grabbed a drink then followed the coastal path to Newcastle Beach ( back beach ) then up the hills and King Edward Park and up to Anzac Memorial Bridge Walk on top of the hill. Turned around rode back through Pacific Park and back to The Station to drop the bikes off. Good easy way to see the sights.
Had lunch at 2 at TabNab Café at the Station then walked back to the Ferry and back to the camp along the shoreline. Rested. Tea in the van at 6ish, bed at 10
Mon 25 Sept – fine 23° - Newcastle to Port Macquarie
Up at 5:15 for sunrise then got ready. Left at 8:45, drove back off Stockton peninsula and onto A43 and west into Hunter Valley, in through Abermain then to Cessnock then north through vineyard and wineries. Stopped at Roche Winery but mainly closed atm then on to Hunter Cheese Factory, bought some cheeses then north through winding road with lots of accommodation and wineries. Very pretty and calm feeling. Back onto A15 / M15 then east back towards Newcastle then onto A1/M1 and north at 11:30. Motorway driving through to Bulahdelah, pulled into pretty town, grabbed some supplies then lunch at a park ( rolls and cheese etc ) then back on A1 to Port Macquarie, turned off towards town, stopped at Bunnings, then into town to NRMA Breakwall camp, got unpowered site ( all there was ) $40, patchy wifi. Parked up in the massive camp ( 500+ sites ). Walked into town to mall, had drink then shopped ( bought knife and scissors ) then through main part of town ( bought new airpod pros $399 ea ). Back to van, relaxed tea in the van.
Tues 26 Sept – fine 28° - Port Macquarie to Dorrigo
Up at 7, got ready then left at 9. Drove south on the coast for a look then back to town and got diesel ( 64l $137 ). Drove through town and north west then back onto the M1. Drove to Kelsey, tourned off, parked by the river at 10am. Shopping at Coles ( $50 for 3 nights meals ), back to van then back to M1. Drove north and turned off onto B78 at Raleigh then to Bellingen, found a park ( eventually…not easy in an old town with a big van ) walked along main street then early lunch at café at 12:15pm. Left at 1pm, drove up the valley then up the escarpment ( through roadworks ) to Dorrigo National Park Rainforest Centre at 1:30. Booked on to the tour at 2pm. Walked with Arlo onto the skywalk then down into the rainforest ( slow paced tour ). Back up at 3pm and drove 5 mins t Dorrigo then north to Dangar Falls, and checked in at Danger Falls Lodge and Camp ( $35. ). Set up ( random patches , ok wifi) and relaxed. Walked to the falls at 5 ( lookout only 100m away ) then down to the base. Back to camp at 6 and had tea ( pasta and pesto ) and relaxed.
Wed 27 Sept – fine, 25 - 33° - Dorrigo to Grafton
Up at 8am, breakfast and packed up, left camp at 9. Quick tour around Dorrigo then back down the road off the plateau ( slow through the roadworks ) and back to the M1. North again. Slow through Coffs Harbour ( surface road + truck with large concrete beam on the back ). Stopped at the Big Banana at 10:30. Had banana bread and coffees, then took the obligatory photo and left at 11. North again onto M1, turned off to Grafton. Drove through town ( it is known for it’s Jacaranda, but a bit early ) stopped at Mall. Liz bought a dress from Target. Left at 12:30, drove to camp and checked in ( Glenwood Tourist Park $40 ) at 1. Had lunch then chilled. Temp in Coffs was 25, now 33 in Grafton. Liz went for a swim in the cold pool. Tea in the van at 6 ( pork loin and rice ).
Thurs 28 Sept – fine / thunderstorms 25-20° - Grafton to Kingscliff
Up at 8, packed etc and left at 9am, drove north from Grafton on Big River Way and back to the M1, then north. Drove into a front moving north with rain, then lightning and then torrential rain; a lot of cars were pulling over and stopping but we carried on slowly ( the front was moving north so if we waited we would drive back into it ). After 10 minutes of torrential rain it eased. Turned off at Kingscliff for a look through the town then to the camp at Chinderah ( Ingenia Kingscliff, $50 per night for 2 nights ). Drove back to Kingscliff and parked by the beach ( still raining ) and had subway for lunch then back to camp. Out at 2pm, drove north to Palm Beach ( 25minutes ) to visit Vicki Rohan and Wendy and Kianna. Left at 5, drove to Tweed Club for tea ( $50 for schnitzels ). Back to camp at 8pm.
Fri 29 Sept – fine 27° - Kingscliffe / Surfers Paradise
Up at 8, pottered around, left at 10am to head to Chevron Island to meet Liz’s cousin Chris. Drove through traffic/roadworks etc and arrved at 10:50 ( 50 min for 35 kms ). Had coffee with Chris and a catch up. Left at 12:30, drove through Surfers, along the beach then to Pacific Fair at 1pm. Had to park on the street. Had lunch ( McD’s ) then looked around shops. Left at 2:30, got diesel ( $139 for 61l ) then back to Kingscliff, then grocery shopping at Kingscliff. Back to camp at 4, relaxed. Steaks in thevan for tea ( $6 ea for the steaks! ).
Saturday 30 Sep – fine 32° - Kingscliffe to Texas, QLD
Up at 8, packed etc, left at 9:30, drove south on M1 then turned off at Bangalow, then through to Lismore and on to Casino. Stopped for morning tea in Casino ( pretty little town ) at 11am, then on to Tenterfield for lunch at 1:15. Lots of flat country driving with occasional windy hill sections. Left Tenterfield and kept heading west to Texas ( crossing the border into Qland ) at 4pm. Checked into Southern Border Accommodation Park ( $35 , self checkin ). Parked up. Went for a walk around the block at 4:30 then back to van and relaxed ( sunset 6pm tonight … clocks change in NSW tomorrow but not Qland ).
Sunday 1 Oct – fine 25° - Texas to Armidale
Up at 7:30, left at 8:45, but became 9:45 when we crossed the border back into NSW. Drove south the way we came through Bonshaw then turned off to Inverell. Stopped for diesel ( $130 for 60l ) and groceries in Inverell ( nice town ) the on south again. Turned off to Copeton Lake / Reservoir and looked around at 12:30, then back to main road and south to Bundarra for lunch ( rolls and cheeses in the van ). South again, turned off at Yarrowyck and east to Armidale. Drove into town then up the lookout at 2:30. Back through town to dump station ( having problems getting the grey waste to empty; feels like a faulty valve ) then to camp on east side of town ( Armidale Tourist Park, $40 ), then rested in the shade. Watched dogs playing, birds swooping and 10 puppies in the site next door. Out at 6:15, drove around looking for sunset shots, saw a troupe of Kangaroo at the University, then to Servies Club for tea ( Caesar salad and schnitzel $50 ). Drove back to camp at 9pm
Monday 2 October ( Labour Day in NSW ), fine 32° – Armidale to Tamworth
Up at 8am. Left camp at 9am, drove to New England Highway then southwest through to Tamworth. Mainly rolling countryside, with a feeling of generally heading downhill, then a big drop near Moonbi. Armidale is 1000m above sea level, Tamworth is 350m. Drove into Tamworth at 10:30am and went to Big W to buy a couple of things ( charging pad for wireless charging $55 ea ). Drove to camp and checked in at 12:15am ( Big4 Paradise $40 ). Parked up and went for a walk to town ( about 15minutes ). Walked along Pell St shopping area, lunch at café then carried on shopping ( Liz bought some clothes ). Left town around 2pm ( shops closing due to Labour Day ) and walked back to camp.
Laundry on and Liz went for a swim in the heated pool, then relaxed ( hot, so turned the AC on in the van ). Out for a walk at sunset then tea in the van at 7:30pm ( pasta and pesto ). AC on for the night as it was still 20+ degrees.
Tuesday 3 October, fine/cloudy, 32° – Tamworth to Dubbo
Up at 8, packed etc and left at 9:30. Drove up to Oxley lookout, then down to Gold Guitar for a photo. Then west to pick up road to Werris Creek, then west via some backroad to Premer then south. Stopped at Coolah for lunch and walk around at 12:30, then south to Golden Highway, then into Dubbo. Long drive on poor road; lots of potholes and dips.
Went to Woolworths in Dubbo for groceries and look at town then to camp at NRMA Dubbo Holiday Park ( $40 ), checked in at 3:30 ( 1st camp we tried was full, and this camp we got in after a cancellation ). Setup and relaxed in the heat. Tea in the van then bed ( with the AC on )
Wednesday 4 October, rain / torrential rain, windy , Dubbo to Orange, 20° in dubbo 12° in Orange
Up at 7:30; very windy this morning and forecast for rain. Had breakfast then packed up, left at 10am, drove to Big W on east side of town ( to exchange the charging device we bought in Tamworth; Liz’s was faulty ) then got gas ( $151 fir 64l diesel ). Starting to rain. Drove south towards Wellington, then after Wellington turned onto back road to Mullion Creek to see Uncle Bill and Aunty Maureen. Arrived at 12:30, left at 2. Drove to Orange then to camp at Canolobas Camping ( $40 ) and checked in. Headed into town and walked through a couple of shopping malls and grabbed a late lunch. Back to camp at 4 and parked up. Heavy rain and cold now. out for tea at Orange Ex-services club ( $50 for 2 roasts and drinks ) then back to camp at 8:30.
Thursday 5 October, fine/clouds, 12°, Orange to Katoomba
Up at 8, packed up and left at 9:30. Drove east to Bathurst, then through town ( in full race weekend mode ) then east again ( lots of roadworks ). Up into the Blue Mountains then to Katoomba; checked into Katoomba Falls Tourist Park ( unpowered site, $56 ). Set up then walked to the Skyway / Scenic World, grabbed some lunch on the terrace. Suddenly there are foreign tourists everywhere; after 2 weeks of only Australians it is a bit of a shock to the system. Walked back to camp and relaxed. Out for a walk at 4:30 to Witches Leap falls then back to the van. Out again at 5:30 to Katoomba Cascades for photos then to Orphan Rock lookout for sunset. Back to van at 7:30 and tea. No heating in the van ( AC only ) so dishes then early bed
Friday 6 October, fine, Katoomba to Sydney
Friday 6 October, fine, 16° - Katoomba to Sydney.
Up at 8, packed up and and left at 10. Left free stuff behind ( chairs, food etc ) Drove back to highway then east and down out of the mountains, onto the M4 then onto the A44, then the A3 and south east on surface roads to Sylvania. Stopped at Southgate Mall ( where we bought the chairs from ) and had an early lunch at 12. Back in the van and back o Mighty in Tarren point to drop the van off. Quick process, then taxi to Novotel Airport and checked in at 2pm ($232 for 1 night ). Up to the room and relaxed; so much space.
Out at 5 and walked to the International Terminal for tea ( 15 minute walk ), and back at 7pm
Saturday 7 October, fine, 18° - Sydney to Auckland
Up at 7:30; packed etc, had breakfast in hotel ( buffet $36 ea ) then on the shuttle at 8:47 ( $10 ea ). Dropped at international. Checked in and dropped bags then through immigration etc ( 20 minutes ) the sat in the food court and watched the planes. Liz bought earings and necklace. Our plan was delayed ( supposed to be 12:55 depart ), went through to gate 60 and waited, on board and left at 1pm. Strong tail wind ( 2 hour 40 flight ) and good flight, arrived at 5:40 NZ time. We had a tight connection ( 6:25 flight to Napier ) so got off plane quickly. ( nearly the first off ) through immigration etc but waited for 20 minutes for bags to arrive, then out of the terminal at 6:20, and got on bus to domestic at 6:25.
Arrived at domestic but our flight had gone ( first time ever missing a flight ). Talked to AirNZ staff and they rebooked for the 3:10 flight Sunday, and gave us a voucher for hotel incl dinner and breakfast. Jumped on free bus to hotel, checked in and relaxed. Grabbed some tea ( buffet ) then bed
Sunday 8 October, cloudy/thunderstorms,12° - Auckland to Napier
Up at 7, breakfast then checked out at 11am. Sat in bar area for a bit then caught bus at 11:47 to airport. Checked in at 12:30, dropped bags then grabbed lite lunch in restaurant and waited.
Through onto plane at 2:45, left on time ( in the rain ) at 3:10. Pilots promised a bumpy flight but it wasn’t too bad. Arrived in Napier at 4:15, taxi home and unpacked.