The good thing about doing a mystery tour is that we had so many options and could go wherever sounded interesting; the bad thing was that we spent ages most days trying to work out where to go and what to do. We are now safely home and this blog chronicles that final leg of our trip home, which included lots of socialising, bush camps and a final waterfall.
After the fun of The Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail, we revisited Lara Wetlands on the last day of the season that they were open. We were probably last to arrive and certainly last to leave in the morning! Did enjoy a soak in the very hot thermal pool.
A sunset soak in the lovely hot springs, after everyone else had left.This was our campsite in the now-empty wetlands. Normally the area is full of campers.
Since we were on a mission to get to Explorer Motorhomes on a set day, we did two driving days of over 500 kms each day; in a marked contrast to the rest of our trip. Spent one night in a free camp and then two nights in a lovely bush camp.
Barambah Bush Camp where we selected our own spot by one of their dams. Very peaceful until the hordes arrived for the long weekend, but still nice.
From here we had another social time in the Sunshine Coast. Lunch out in Noosa with Pamela and Rod, plus dinner and breakfast with Gordon and Joanne in Tewantin.
Afternoon tea with Janice & John in their lovely house overlooking Sunrise Beach.Another night in Allan’s driveway plus dinner out with Allan and Barbara.
Since we were getting a few things attended to in Belle, we decided to clean her up a bit in a carwash as she was pretty dirty, and we didn’t want it to look like we didn’t take care of her. The Explorer people attended to most of our issues in one day and we were able have a nice night out with our friends, Denise and Steve, who had just that day moved into their new house. As we had seen the various stages of the build over the last 10 months, it felt appropriate to be celebrating this occasion with them.
With Steve and Denise in their new house, at the end of dinner and a long day for ‘the tired unpackers’.
Our time in Queensland was finished as we finally decided to cross the border for home. However we did need to park in the street outside the caravan park to work out which route to take. That’s almost delaying a decision too long! Decided to take an inland route as we’d driven up the coast road.
This sign greeted us as we crossed the border back into NSW, although no one stopped us driving through the border.Drove around Mt Lindsay and over a mountain range before we ended up at another nice bush camp, Rainforest Gateway, near Kyogle.Our campsite was beside the creek. They brought us wood and a fire pit; so what could we do! It was a nice place, not crowded so we stayed three nights. Very relaxing and we enjoyed helping ourselves to the fresh herbs on offer, as well as buying a dozen eggs from the owner, who collected them from the chickens, 10 minutes before she gave them to me.Another lovely bush camp near Deepwater. Stayed here two nights so we managed to have five nights where we had a campfire and practiced our ukuleles. Finally getting in the swing of having a fire. Its only been five years without them.There were two sheep, lots of chickens and two horses at this camp, plus swooping magpies. This guy really wanted to get in the van and the magpies were determined to swoop us. The chickens were satisfied with just pecking at our feet and chairs.Good place for a practice!Our next stop was in Wild Rivers National Park, where we camped at the Apsley Falls campground. While we were viewing the waterfall, we met a Channel 7 cameraman. He took some video of us for his story about local tourism (one was used in their 6pm news) and then he used our camera to take this photo for us.Our last stop was with Kevin and Jenny at their property- our visit there was a nice re-introduction to being back home.Before we left we did a walk around the property, accompanied by the dogs and cats.
This map outlines our 2020 Mystery Tour, where we went up the coast and returned through an inland route.Here are the statistics we like to keep for comparing our trips.
Thanks to all who came with us ‘virtually’ on this trip. We appreciate all the comments and feedback that you give us. We know we are fortunate to have been able to travel when so many people cannot, and we hope that our stories provide some diversion for those who can’t. Even without a plan or focus we managed to find lots of interesting places to visit and we continue to learn a lot along the way.
Welcome home !!!! You’ve certainly seen some sights and had some wonderful experiences. Time to have a good rest and recharge your batteries before even thinking of your next adventures.
Wow! I didn’t receive the link to the Sculpture Tour blog – maybe it wound up in spam. I’ll have a look.
The sculptures are FANTASTIC! Aren’t people clever?
My favourite is the echidna.
The route you took is amazing too. You’ve certainly been to some great places and covered some territory.
Glad you are home safely and enjoyed your trip.
Cam and I watched one episode of Travels with Father….we prefer your blogs to help us discover the wonders of Australia. Thanks!
Thanks for your very interesting blog. Great to see you both again!
Jen
Welcome home !!!! You’ve certainly seen some sights and had some wonderful experiences. Time to have a good rest and recharge your batteries before even thinking of your next adventures.
I’m so glad you are both home safe and sound.
Jeanette xxxx
Wow! I didn’t receive the link to the Sculpture Tour blog – maybe it wound up in spam. I’ll have a look.
The sculptures are FANTASTIC! Aren’t people clever?
My favourite is the echidna.
The route you took is amazing too. You’ve certainly been to some great places and covered some territory.
Glad you are home safely and enjoyed your trip.