Jim and Nic go 'round the world in 180 Days

Home in Three Hours

jimandnicadventure — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:05:00 GMT

We're sitting in the Business Class lounge in Melbourne Airport and will be home in three hours. Can't believe that six months have passed since we left Sydney. We have had the most amazing adventure - so much better than we had hoped.

Thanks to all ouir friends around the world who made it so much fun and thanks to our friends and family in Australia who joined us on the blog.

We're looking forward to getting home to Petersham and planning the next big adventure

Lots of love

jim and nic xox

A day to chill

jimandnicadventure — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 11:02:00 GMT

Saturday 26^th December

Melbourne

Very quiet day today. Lovely sunny day outside. Brunch at one of the famous street cafes with the papers then a slow walk though the streets back to the apartment for a well deserved afternoon nap. Mind you, we might have been chilled but the rest of the city was buzzing – Christmas sales, street performers, cafes and restaurants pumping – such a great town.

Ho ho ho time!

jimandnicadventure — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 11:01:00 GMT

Thursday 24^th December

Melbourne

This morning we cleaned the van and threw out/ passed on a lot of stuff and clothes that had reached their use-by-date. Helen and Michael have given us one for their cars for the night to help with transfer from being Van-Boys to Five-Star-Hotel-Boys.... again, thanks.

After a few wrong turns we arrived at the van drop-off point and all went well with its return. Nic was following in the family car so we were then able to drive back into the city to stop off with Sarah (Nic's niece), her husband Mark and their beautiful kids Eve, Marcus and Curtis. We were treated to another delicious family dinner and then helped mum and dad (aka Santa) putting the kids presents together and under the tree.

Then headed into the city to our home for the next 6 nights at the Stamford Apartments. We've just realised that this will be the most time we have spent in one place since our little apartment in the Aeolian island of Lipari, all those months ago.

Friday 25^th December

Melbourne

Happy Christmas!!

Fab Christmas lunch at Helen and Michaels' with the family. The three kids made the event with their boundless energy and joyous response to the littlest things.

After lunch we popped into our friend Shelley's family Christmas at Port Melbourne and hugged and laughed for a few more hours.

Caught the tram back to the apartment in the city and crashed out contented and just a little full.

Melbourne - our final stop before home

jimandnicadventure — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 10:59:00 GMT

Wednesday 23^rd December

Melbourne

The weather forecast says that it will get to 38 degrees to day (100 F). What to do? Head to the beach of course. We loaded up the van for the last time and headed to the town of Mornington but on the way it started raining. Go figure – 38 degrees and showers – hey this is Melbourne.

Of course, we began with coffee and the papers then we walked around the corner to the beach. Lovely cool water, warm sand (that got hotter and hotter as the day went on) and lots of iconic multi- coloured beach shacks along the edge of the sand.

After a fish and chips lunch we drove into Melbourne proper with our final destination at Nic's sister's house. We were greeted by Helen and Michael like returning heroes and they treated us to a very welcomed family dinner. Thanks guys!

Last night in the Van

jimandnicadventure — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 10:56:00 GMT

Tuesday 22^nd December

Flinders

North of Jan Juc was another 'free' beach so this was our first destination of the day. It proved to be easily accessible (after a few wrong turns) and quite a lovely beach. Spent a few hours here topping up the tans and then back on the road east.

We intended to cross Port Philip Bay via the car ferry at Queenscliff The travel gods were with us again as we arrived at 1:58pm, paid for our ticket and drove straight onto the ferry as the gang plank was being raised, then promptly left at 2:00pm. It's a lovely crossing of the bay, very gentle and picturesque, and saved us about 4 hours driving through greater Melbourne. Dolphins joined us along the way...magic.

After our underwhelming spa experience at Hepburn, we were very happy to find that there were therapeutic hot springs in the Mornington Peninsula. We visited one this afternoon. All open air spring-fed pools. Just what we love. Very nice place.

Tonight is our final night in the van. We're in the semi rural town of Flinders, on the coast, in a caravan site. We've grown to love our van and the ease of travel that it's afforded us, but we're looking forward to real beds to finish off the trip.

Jan Juc

jimandnicadventure — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 10:55:00 GMT

Monday 21^st December

Jan Juc

We loved our our camp site overnight, hidden in the trees with a beautiful view over the ocean. We awoke to the sound of birds chattering away and soon had breakfast underway and the van packed for the second last time.

Driving out of the National Park was an obstacle course of cars parked on the side of the road with their passengers out looking up to the tree tops, checking out the koala bears. Evidently this colony of Koalas is quite famous – oops, we thought we had stumbled onto the great lost koala colony.

We again motored along the Great Ocean Road and the vista continue to gob smack us with it's beauty. We've done many of the iconic ocean roads in the world but this has to be the most impressive. We stopped in Apollo Bay for the morning coffee and papers, then found a little bit of sand to touch up the tans. Lunched at a cute river picnic area then continued onto one of the Victorian icon waterfalls at the picturesque town of Lorne.

Our second last stop of the day was one of the 'free' beaches in Victoria. The beach was near the town of Anglesea and quite dramatic. We went for a long walk along the beach but didn't disrobe due to the slightly cool breeze – enough said.

We set up camp tonight in a caravan park that was obscenely expensive - $40 for an unpowered site, and crawled into bed after dinner with our books and headlamps.

Great Otway National Park

jimandnicadventure — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 10:51:00 GMT

Sunday 20^th December

Great Otway National Park

Back down south today after another sumptuous breakfast at the B&B. The sun is out and the air is warming up again so it's back to the coast.

The main highlight of the trip south was driving through the vast Otway Forest. About halfway through the forest we came upon a stand of Giant Californian Sequoia trees that had been planted in 1938. Brilliant. Surrounding the trees were huge man ferns and a bubbling creek.

Our destination tonight was a camping spot on the tip of the Otway NP, but unfortunately it was full by the time we got there. But there was room at another camping site so we've set up camp overlooking Point Franklin and it's good to be back in the van again (and saving money).

On the way to the campsite we had the joy of meeting a mother Koala bear with her baby on the back - just ambling along the road. For Jim, it was the first time he had ever seen a koala in the wild. Probably the same for the six cars that stopped behind ours to get up close and personal with the cuties.

Spa Country (or not)

jimandnicadventure — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 10:49:00 GMT

Saturday 19^th December

Daylesford

Another slightly overcast morning so we headed to the famous Hepburn Spa to check it out. We thought that the springs around here would be those effervescent, hot bulbing kind. Actually, they are the cold smelly supposedly therapeutic kind. We were a little disappointed about this but it didn't matter (we've heard that they have the bubbling kind on the Mornington Peninsula where we are headed in a few days).

We made a circular tour that took us through the springs and gold country and ended at Ballarat where we decided to catch the movie Avatar. Jim booked us gold class tickets as a bit of a treat but when we arrived at our seats we were told that gold class did not present the movie in 3D! You'd think they might have mentioned that when we booked the tickets. The film was still entertaining but will have to go again to see the 3 version.

Back to our little B&B for the night – very very relaxing. Back to the same restaurant again for dinner - when you're on to a good thing...

It's a Miracle - only Nine Apostles!

jimandnicadventure — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 10:45:00 GMT

Friday 18^th December

Daylesford

We awoke to overcast weather and our decision has been to head a little north to try and get clear of the southerly storm front. When we were in Adelaide, one of the locals mentioned the springs of Hepburn and Daylesford. That sounded like our kind of place.

But the first half of our day was devoted to the great ocean Drive (Part 1). Our course took us from Warrnambool to Princetown, about half way along the GOR. It was a slow trip as we were constantly ducking on and off the main road to look at the mighty sea vistas, especially the 12 Apostles (Only nine are actually standing).

Our first stop was the Bay of Islands, then in close succession came The Grotto, London Bridge and The Arch. All equally spectacular and awe inspiring. We've wanted to do this road for many years. The real gem are the 12 (9) Apostles, jutting out of the ocean with such majesty – very impressive!

After leaving the Great Ocean Road we headed though picturesque forests and grazing land north through Ballarat to Daylesford, where we had booked ourselves into a lovely little bed and breakfast run by a couple of Gay boys from England. Kind of fussy and bossy in that ever-so-English way, but a lot of fun and wecoming. On their advice we had dinner at one of the local restaurants and it was a real treat. Fabulous lamb and home made pasta.... delicious!

Bed with a DVD and cup of tea – luxury camping, once again with the van looking little lonely in the driveway of some rather upmarketish establishment!

Windy and Wet in Warrnambool

jimandnicadventure — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 10:43:00 GMT

Thursday 17^th December

Warrnambool

Funny about the weather in Victoria! Yesterday it was in the high thirties – today, raining and cold. The rain started early this morning and by the time we awoke the ground around the van were saturated. Luckily we had power to the van so made ourselves tea inside with the electric kettle, then headed off back down the road to Portland to get back on the internet and book ourselves an apartment for tonight. We don't do camping in the rain.

As the day progressed, the rain continued so we were very happy to arrive in the town of Warrnambool and our quite sumptuous apartment with cable television, a spa bath, three bed rooms three toilets and a great kitchen. We slobbed out in the afternoon reading and watching movies as the wind and rain blew around us and then ordered pizza for dinner – total travel sloths!

Narrawong

jimandnicadventure — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:02:00 GMT

Wednesday 16th December
Narrawong VIC

Began the day with another dip in the river (with a troop of black swans) then continued along the tracks through the National Park for a little fun driving. Basically got lost but finally ended up on a black top road and headed east. The first big town today was Portland. From here we were able to visit the Discovery Coast and it's various tracks and beaches. We saw a sign for the Enchanted Forest so had to stop and go on that track. It was a 3km walking track through dense almost tropical vegetation covered by Moonah Trees. A little different to our Enchanted Forest back home but nevertheless delightful. After this we made our sandwiches and headed to Yellow Rock beach where we had lunch and derm-abrasion session from the wind swept sand. The water was great but a bit too windy to stay.

We headed into town for a quick internet check at the local library then back along the coast road where we found another beautiful beach and so had to stop for one final dip of the day. Calm, crystal blue clear water, white sand, not a soul in sight..... paradise! Tonight we have a powered site at a near-empty caravan park on Portland Bay. The day has been very hot but a cool breeze is bring the temperature down to a comfortable level (we've also put the air conditioner on in the van) - luxury.

Crossed the Border into Victoria

jimandnicadventure — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:57:00 GMT

Tuesday 15th December
Lower Glenelg National Park

We began the morning with higher expectations that the mozzies might have left and the good news is that they had. The bad news was that the blow flies and march flies had moved in. It was like they take it in shifts..... Flies 6am-9am, blowies 10am -2pm, March flies 2pm-6pm, gnats from 6pm-8pm, mozzies 8pm till who knows! We had the quickest breakfast of the trip.

After the fly debacle it was time for a quick swim before hitting the road but the damn flies had followed us. At one moment Jim saw a pack of them trying to carry Nic off but intervened just in time. They were bloody atrocious.

Leaving the camp site we came across an echidna crossing the road – sooo cute. A little further on, a tiger snake, not so cute.

We had our sights on crossing the boarder into Victoria today and headed through the town of Mount Gambier into VIC. The coastline is dotted with beautiful beaches and staggering rock outcrops plunging into the blue ocean. Mt Gambier itself was very self respectable.

The lower Glenelg National Park is based around the Glenelg River and a welcome diversion from the heat of the day. The Park has a fun 4x4 track running through it so it was great to get into the bush again. After trying a couple of camp sites that were full we found an 'unofficial' site and set up camp for the night. The great thing about it was that it was only 50 metres from the river where we had a dip to wash the day off. The weather is heating up – summer in Australia.

Sunday at Leisure & On the Road Again

jimandnicadventure — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:54:00 GMT

Sunday 13th December
Adelaide

Well, the night wasn't as late as we expected! The famous bar was a little underwhelming and the drag show didn't start until 2:00am so we were home in bed by 1:00am. The one and only drag queen spotted earlier in the evening was so scary, we felt waiting to see more was probably a waste of time.

We headed into down town for a little shopping this morning then back to the beach as the sun was shining again. A relaxing day before heading out on the road again.

Monday 14th December
Little Dip Conservation Park

Heading south from Adelaide, we decided to make a coffee stop at the town of Hahndorf, the oldest German town in Australia. We didn't really know anything about it.... just liked the name. It was like finding ourselves in a quaint German village, freaky really. We got some excellent coffee and the papers, picked up some German sausage and sauerkraut for dinner and headed back on the road.

Our trip took us through The Coorong wetlands region, which were, given the change in climate, only slightly damp and finally found our way to Little Dip Beach. We checked out a very pretty alternative camp site but were attacked by mozzies with attitude on arrival, so headed for our final site nearer the beach. All was going well until dusk (8pm here) when the mozzies found our campsite and attacked with a vengeance. Even Jim got hit! We quickly finished dinner and jumped into the van. Not a very nice experience. Think Tippy Heddron and The Birds, with the mosquitoes only slightly smaller.

Pilgrimage to Maggie Beer's Place

jimandnicadventure — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:44:00 GMT

Friday 11^th December

Barossa Valley/Adelaide

We awoke to a slightly overcast day but we weren't worried. Our destination today is the Barossa Valley on a pilgrimage to Maggie Beer's Farm Shop.

The trip to the Barossa took us north from Adelaide and it's only about an hour. It was fun to drive past some iconic wineries like Penfolds and Wolf Blass with their spectacular cellar doors.

We found Maggie's place down a back road and it was a treat. The staff obviously love her and the shop is packed with her provisions. We had pheasant and mushroom terrine for lunch, fresh out of the oven and a local “Beer” Riesling - fab! We also took over the kitchen/ studio where the ABC's Cook and the Chef is filmed, and did our own private photo shoot.

Back home to our apartment an we were pleasantly surprised to find that the cleaning fairy had been through. A lovely afternoon nap then we hit the town for a night out. Didn't get to bed until 1:00am – dirty-stop-outs :)

Saturday 12^th December

Adelaide

Whilst Nic slept in Jim popped out to collect the Saturday papers and then it was a long leisurely breakfast over the papers. As the weather looked promising we headed back to the famous Maslin beach for an afternoon in the sun then back for a late siesta. We're going out late tonight to check out the famous Mars Bar – the preeminent drag bar in Adelaida. Doesn't open until 10:00pm see who knows what time we'll get in.

Officially in Adelaide

jimandnicadventure — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:41:00 GMT

Thursday 10^th December

Adelaide

As the morning was gloomy and the clouds were heavy we decided to push on north continuing along the coast towards Adelaide.

Stopped off at a local cafe for some very average coffee and then to the supermarket to stock up again fro the next few days in the big smoke.

We've booked ourselves into an apartment for the next 4 days and look forward to discovering this city. As we've a full kitchen, Nic's cooking up baked dinner for tonight - yummy!

The famous Maslin Beach

jimandnicadventure — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:40:00 GMT

Wednesday 9^th December

Maslin Beach

As we are due in Adelaide (officially) tomorrow we decided to head back north along the coast. The day's touring started at a cafe that thinks a double-shot flat white means adding an extra sachet of Nes- Cafe. In the bin it went! Oh, Italy seems a long way away! We found out in one of the local tourist pamphlets that Australia's oldest official nude beach is at Maslin's beach about an hours drive south of Adelaide. This was our destination, hoping for an improvement from our last naturist expedition.

Found the beach and it's great! A long stretch of sand surrounded by red rock cliffs that look like a mini grand canyon. Beautiful. Spent some time there then headed to the famous Star of Greece cafe (Kylie Minogue's eaten there). This funky eatery is perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean and the food was visually ambitious and tasty too! After lunch it was back to the beach for a few more hours then to look for a camp ground for the night. It rained heavily again overnight, we felt sorry for those in tents. We were dry and warm, both with good books at hand.

South again to Deep Creek

jimandnicadventure — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:37:00 GMT

Tuesday 8^th December

Deep Creek Conservation Park SA

It rained over night so we were very happy to be curled up in the king sized bed and have access to another lovely big bath - totally therapeutic for a sore back!

Decided to head south today and travelled through more farm country following the coast. The day began to clear so we turned off to visit the wine area of McLaren Vale. A picturesque town filled with cafes and quaint shops. We stopped here for brunch and it was delightful. A bit of a treat after all the bush cooking. Great coffee, eggs Florentine and corn cakes, in the sun, with a row of eager finches waiting patiently for scraps from our table.... they will eat corn evidently.

Moving south we came upon the Deep Creek Conservation Park right at the tip of the coast overlooking Kangaroo Island. We drove around the park and headed down a gnarly 4x4 track to a beach that was windswept and not totally inviting. The track was great fun, except for Nic's back....boring ... and the land around the track was filled with kangaroos hanging out having a bit of lunch.

Finally settled on a camp site and set up for the night. Happy little campers again. Had to fend off the Kookaburras when the meat was produced.... we almost went hungry.

Unscheduled Pit Stop in Adelaide

jimandnicadventure — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:35:00 GMT

Monday 7^th December

Adelaide

We awoke to find a rock and a note on our camp kitchen – didn't expect that! Today has been declared a total fire ban in the Remarkable NP and so we can't even make a cup of tea! Evidently the ranger had popped by early this morning to give us the news. Fortunately we were still dozing in the van when he arrived. Our ever present community of emus were on hand to say cheerio.

Nic's back has been playing up after the long days driving so we've decided for another quick one off hotel experience tonight. On the way to Adelaide we stopped in the little town of Crystal Brook and were surprised at the stunning coffee that was available. Bought the papers and had a little break before continuing onto the big city.

Travelled south to Adelaide and booked into the hotel.

It's still a little strange being in a big(ish) city after so long in the bush.

Mount Remarkable NP

jimandnicadventure — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:33:00 GMT

Sunday 6^th December

Mount Remarkable National Park

Jim arose early and found a local Coles to reprovision the campervan for the next week and pick up a few muffins for breakfast.

Heading north up the Flinders Hwy we continued to follow the coast. Our morning had a little tension as we decided not to fill up until we reached one of the smaller towns on the coast – only problem: both smaller towns were either not open or has no working diesel bowsers. Finally we came slunk upon a road house where we filled up – crises averted.

The town of Whyalla is best known as a steel port town. But a little known fact is that it also has an official nude beach. We found this out in the official tourist guide so decided to make it our lunch stop for some local flavor'.

The beach was a little out of town (not unusual) and the road in certainly was a challenge. We found the parking area for the beach and then headed through the scrub. Our trek took us through inch deep mud and slush but we though it must be worth it. On climbing the last sand hill we finally saw the beach – a stretch of sand on a mangrove swamp with the ocean water about 50 metres out. Big let down – oh well, can't get it right all the time.

After lunch we headed back though the mud swamp, fully clothed, and spent a more than few minutes scrubbing the mud off our feet then continued north to Port Augusta and the Flinders Rangers.

Tonight we're camped at the Mt Remarkable National Park. It's a big site but only a few campers here. We're surrounded by majestic red river gums that follow a gently moving creek. A group of emus (who re reckon are locals) popped into say hello. After dinner as we crawled into be we were serenaded by kookaburras.

Port Lincoln SA

jimandnicadventure — Tue, 8 Dec 2009 09:42:00 GMT

Saturday 5^th December

Port Lincoln

Only 540km on the dial today-slack!

After a quick breakfast (always with freshly brewed coffee) and 20 or so Kangaroo's heading off the grasslands and into the bush before the heat of the day, we headed back to the main road and through to the little town of Ceduna. We were able to pick up the papers and a coffee as well as check the Internet.

Continuing our coast hugging driving we headed south towards Port Lincoln. The dry scrubby plains have now been replaced with rolling hills of wheat. There has been such a dramatic change in the landscape over the past three day. Australian is certainly a vast country of extremes and scenic beauty.

After 15 days of camping we have decided to treat ourselves to a real bed and bath. We've booked into a one bedroom suite in the Port Lincoln Hotel. On the sixth floor, over looking the water with spa and king size bed. We feel so virtuous after over 1500 kilometres in the past three days :)) Room service, spa bath and king-sized bed-yeah!!!