After a few years of unsuccessfully trying to visit Tasmania, the island state, in our motorhome, Belle, we finally made it in February 2024. Planning started in earnest when we had to book the ferry to Tasmania in September 2023. Who would have thought that ferry trip would be so booked out! We gave ourselves a leisurely five days to drive to Geelong, Victoria to get the ferry.
This is the map of our journey from Sydney to Geelong, where we got the ferry to Tasmania.Our first stop was a lovely free camp at Yass, NSWThe morning view of the river from my bedroom window.Night two was another free camp at Gadd’s Bend Reserve on the Murray River in Victoria, near Jingellic, NSW. It was a quiet, peaceful overnight stop.We did a nice walk along the river and I even managed some tree climbing. Then I almost walked into a large black snake on the path. Lucky Dick saw it in time to warn me! That ended our walk.Our free camp near Echuca was at Georges Bend on the Murray River. A nice quiet camp, probably because of the rough road in. We did a walk and played our ukes; no one close enough to be bothered by our noise!The sunset that night was pretty special.
Next stop was a great caravan park in Bendigo, with the best ever ensuite site (great towels, toiletries, and even our own clothesline). We did the laundry, had a dip in the pool and a lovely soak in the spa.
Finished off the day with a lovely dinner out with Steve and Sharon, who live near Bendigo. Good food and good company.On the day we were booked for the ferry, we spent our time in Geelong enjoying the sunshine and a walk along the waterfront near the ferry terminal. These wooden statutes adorn the waterfront. Being in Belle we could park anywhere, cook dinner and enjoy the views. In fact, we had to cook up or give away all our fruit and vegetables due to the strict biosecurity regulations that apply in Tasmania. Just as well we did as the inspectors entered the van and checked out our fridge; and also our gas bottles.Our sailing for the ferry, The Spirit of Tasmania, was scheduled for 11:30pm, but we joined the lineup to board at 8:15pm. By the time we were boarded, we were tired and went straight to our cabin and had a good night’s sleep.
The sailing journey went smoothly, the ship was well equipped (we could even get tourist information and buy our Tasmanian National Parks pass there). We were ready to start our Tasmanian Adventure! The plan was to visit new places, since we’d both had many previous trips to Tassie. We also had lined up time travelling in Tasmania with our friends, Denise and Steve. This seems a good place to end the first post for this trip.
In normal times I would have done a blog on our trip to the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland. This year has not been normal times. That trip started on 22 December 2022 after we celebrated an early family Christmas on the 20th of December.
Our early Christmas with the tree now located on the landing behind a baby gate.
This blog is a condensed version of that trip, which was our fifth trip to Queensland in 12 months, and a summary of all travels during 2023.
Our trip to Woodford was a social drive up the coast, coffee with Sue, Grae and Logan at Scotts Head amd a nice visit with Lesley and family at Moololaba before a night of beach camping at Teewah Beach, north of Noosa.
Lesley, Declan, Jenn, Jeff, Allan, Dick, Paul and Fiona at Allan’s place in MooloolabaChristmas eve on Teewah Beach – beach driving, beach camping & beach walking. What more could you want?
Arriving at the Woodford Folk Festival on Xmas Day at 3:40pm, we thought we were getting in early. Ha! Queued for 2 1/2 hours to get in and then looked for ages for a camp spot, which we found by 6:40pm. It was wet and muddy. Boxing Day was a rest day as the festival started on the 27th December. I started to feel bad and got worse when the festival started so only left Belle to visit the loo. I managed to visit the Festival on Day 2 and took in 8 shows including the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese (Albo) speaking amidst a crew of Climate protesters, Linda Burney and Noel Pearson speaking on constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and some interesting music acts.
The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, speaking; and signs from the climate protesters, who think the government is not doing enough.The Spooky Mens Chorale and Lily and King.
Dick’s birthday on the 29th of December was eventful. I woke to a worsening cough moving into my chest so we left the Festival to find a doctor, who said I had a virus and my chest was ok, Then on the way back to the Festival, we stopped at the Caboolture Showground to get water, dump the toilet cassette and shower.
THIS IS THE SHORT VERSION – Dick collapsed in the shower, hit his head which caused a bleed on the brain and a laceration in his head, and dislocated his collarbone. He ended up in the Caboolture Hospital for 8 days where initially they focussed on his heart (why did he collapse?) and then identified the bleed on his brain. It was an intensive time – lots of tests were done, monitoring, scans, lots of doctors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists etc; and lots of waiting ie for neurology reports from the Royal Brisbane Hospital to see what was going on in his brain. Throughout this time I was well supported with visits from many friends (especially Steve & Denise who visited at the hospital often and then looked after me in Brisbane, and Lesley who visited in hospital and on Bribie Island).
Eventually on the 6th of January Dick was discharged but not well. We had the weekend on Bribie Island but Dick was getting worse so I drove us to Brisbane where another brain scan showed that the bleed on the brain was expanding. We got him into Royal Brisbane Hospital before noon, he saw a neurosurgeon at 5pm and was in surgery by 7pm. That went well and three days later I drive us both home.
A token birthday celebration for Dick in hospital.Celebrating Dick’s discharge from hospital after the brain surgery with Steve and Denise who helped us immensely during this time and looked after me while Dick was in hospital in Brisbane.
FINAL RESULT – Dick saw a host of specialist doctors in Sydney and was eventually cleared by all at the end of August. It appears he had a vasovagul syncopy (passed out due to low blood pressure) due to dehydration, stress and a hot shower. He now knows the triggers to watch out for.
We did manage various other activities this year.
Campaigning for an independent candidate in the state election.Yes, Dick was well enough to also campaign in February and March 2023.Family time with the babies in the pool.Belated birthday celebrations for Dick and Helen in March and my birthday in April.Ruby turned one!Stunning light displays at Vivid in Sydney, especially in the Royal Botanic Gardens.Weekend away in the country.Campaigning on the Sydney Harbor Bridge for YES on the referendum to change the Australian constitution to provide Indigenous recognition and a Voice to parliament. We attended rallies, did letterbox drops, doorknocking, badge making and early morning sign waving on a local bridge in support of the YES case.We even combined our campaigning with our uke playing.
PLUS we did a trip to Queensland in June/July.
We had a leisurely drive up the coast, especially as I was doing all the distance highway driving as Dick was not allowed to do highway driving until August. First camp at Tahlee.Other stops at Grassy Beach and Brooms Head on the NSW coast.
Then we had four nights in a caravan park in Brisbane, close to the playing fields where Amy and Neil were playing an Ultimate frisbee tournament and we were looking after Ruby in Belle, our motorhome, while they played.
We had fun with Ruby and Amy and Neil got silver medals for their efforts on the field.
A round of Sunshine coast visits followed for the next three nights – we saw Roz and Don in Caloundra, stayed over at Allan’s in Mooloolaba, then stayed at Pamela’s in Noosa, then with Gordon and Joanne in Tewantin. In addition we fitted in a trip to the Eye Hospital in Caloundra for Dick, before we returned to camp at Teewah Beach for 2 nights.
The moonrise and sunrise at Teewah Beach, where we camped right on the beach, with no neighbors close to us.
From there we stopped at Rainbow Beach and the markets before driving on to Hervey Bay for retail therapy and laundry facilities.
Spent a couple of quiet days in a bush camp near Woodgate with lots of kangaroos around.
Got as far north as Bargara, where we visited the Mon Repos Turtle Centre. The area supports the largest concentration of nesting turtles on the eastern Australian mainland and has the most significant loggerhead turtle nesting population in the South Pacific region. They lay their eggs from Nov-Mar and 8 weeks later they hatch, so unfortunately we missed seeing any turtles.
The beaches at Mon Repos – will be a great place to come back to in turtle season and are a nice area to explore.
Had some nice walks at a place called Poona before dropping Belle off at the Explorer factory for a floor repair. Spent two nights at an AirBNB on Bribie Island – more retail therapy and R&R. After we picked up Belle we had another visit with Steve and Denise, James and Bertie, before heading south. Again we had lovely beach camps and more beach walks down the NSW coast. Finished up with a night in Anna Bay with Kevin and Jenny, and got home 31 days after we left.
Just in case it might be necessary at some stage, we had Seb and Jake over for a sleepover at our place – it was quite a change watching the sun come up well before 7am.
We all survived the sleepover night but Dick and I did not get much sleep and it was a new experience for the boys.To celebrate Amy’s birthday we had a mexican feast.Then little Zoe’s arrival was and is, a highlight of our year. She is 3 days old here and she and Helen just got home from the hospital.Zoe Olive Gibson arrived on the 15th of September.
To round off our travels for 2023, we attended a couple of music festivals and an Explorer Motorhome Meetup.
It was our third visit to the Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival. Its a beautiful valleyand not too far to travel for us. We reacquainted ourselves with some favorite acts and found some new favorites.
Just a week later we drove north to Dorrigo and attended the Folk and Bluegrass Festival.
Again more great music and we shared the experience with our friend Anne, who surprised us by being there.The top group in this photo are award-winning American Blue Grass performers, and they were amazing. All the music was good.
After a civilized overnight stop in a caravan park on the beach (as opposed to staying in showgrounds), we went to Wauchope for an Explorer Motorhome Meetup, where 100 vehicles that look like us all got together.
The bonus of being there was that we had lots of time with our friends, Steve and Denise, who are now also proud Explorer owners.
A final stop with Kevin and Jenny at Slippery Boards finished off our trip, before we got home to check in with the grandchildren.
Being with these four little ones has made our year very special.
