YoungNomads: The last leg - Goldcoast to Bellevue Heights!

The day is Monday 1st December 2014 and so we begin our journey home! We packed up the van and went and got some supplies for the homeward trip, we said goodbye to Geoff and Glenda and we were on our way.

We drove to the little town of Maclean just south of Yamba, the showgrounds were offering very cheap sites right on the river, wow what a spot! Once we were set up we headed to Brooms Head and Yamba for a look see.... we had a great time checking out these spots wish we had longer!

Old Bridge at Maclean - near where we camped

Maclean camp spot

Brooms Head

Brooms Head

Brooms Head

Maclean Township

Yamba

Yamba Inlet

Yamba

We woke up the next morning and got welcomed to the town by one of the locals and then to our absolute enjoyment we said good morning to the local dolphins that had come to say hello!

Dolphins came to say hello - not the best photo but you get the picture

Next morning we headed south almost 400kms, we climbed our way through the Gilbraltar Ranges, wow the Jeep hauled our heavy van superbly!! We stopped along the way to listen to the Bell birds, absolutely stunning! We arrived at our free camp at Moonbi Lookout, this place was a bit of a mess and covered in graffiti and rubbish but the sun set was brilliant!

Gibraltar Ranges

Gibraltar Ranges

Gibraltar Ranges

Moonbi Lookout

Seriously weird and big tree at Moonbi Lookout

Graffiti covered shelter at Moonbi Lookout and Geoff up on the lookout

Sunset at Moonbi Lookout

The next day we drove for a very long time, about 5 and a half hours to Macquarie Woods via Tamworth and Dubbo for fuel. Just after we arrived there was a rather large storm with rain, lightening and thunder!! It was such an awesome spot surrounded by forest and so much room, this place would never get crowded!

We've always got these big arse buggers following us!

Macquarie Woods

We headed to Bathurst because guess what? Geoffy just had to take the Jeep n Blue Sky for a spin around the Mount Panorama Circuit... both ways!!

.... once the circuit was finished we headed to Canberra our nation's Capital! We camped at Exhibition Park, once set up we headed off to check out all the sites.... then it was off to Siren's to have "50 Shades of Grey" cocktails and dinner with Terry, Wendy and Adam - great night thanks guys!!

Old Parliament House

Cavalcade of cars waiting for the MPs following the finish of Parliament for the year!

There is a storm brewing!

Red Hill Lookout in Canberra - people are going to get wet!

Cheers Wendy - 50 Shades of Grey Cocktail.... yum!

Cheers, thank you so much Terry for your hospitality!

Next day we had an early start, first off was the War Memorial.... this place is absolutely amazing, we only spent 3 or so hours there but managed to get in on a tour and also the new WW1 exhibit opened this week.... Its a credit to the people that put this together and absolute heart felt thanks to the ANZACs.... truly an emotional experience!

Upon entering the memorial you will see the Pool of Reflection, it is surrounded by the courtyard which house the Roll of Honour, which consists of the names of virtually every Australian who has died in war since 1885 – more than 102,000 people. Walking past the Roll gives an impression of the magnitude of this loss and it touch my heart. Many visitors insert paper poppies in the niches of the Roll of Honour, next to a name that has significance for them. (some of these words were taken from the website)

Pool of Reflection

The Poppy Walls are so incredible....

This Carley float, bearing the scars of battle, is the sole relic from HMAS Sydney's final action, 645 people were lost!

Of course we couldn't leave Canberra without visiting the Ainsley Lookout, National Capital Exhibition, Lake Burley Griffen and the Royal Australian Mint!

We left Canberra and continued south to Glenrowan (Kelly Country) - we were trying to negotiate stormy weather for most of the way! We were extremely lucky today, there was an intense hail storm that hit Wangaratta quite badly which we managed to dodge! (we were considering staying there but decided on Glenrowan instead)

Stormy Drive

Big Kangas near where we camped at Glenrowan

Our journey today was only around 3 or so hours and included a couple of stops. When we got to Shepparton we noticed a market happening, we couldn't help ourselves we had to visit it, we got some yummy cherries, apricots and nectarines.... not too many as we knew we'd have to hand them over at the SA border which was fast approaching! Then on to Echuca for lunch and we walked around the historic area including the river boats.

Shepparton Markets

Echuca historic area

Echuca historic area

Echuca Historic Riverboat

Echuca - what the?

We ended up at Leitchville for the night at a free camp that they set up, once there we were visited by one of the local ladies and then the Mayor turns up.... but we were out walking at the time.... many of these little towns love that us travellers visit their little places!

Today we were heading for our last overnight camp before returning home. We called into Swan Hill for a coffee before arriving at Horseshoe Bend within the Merbein Common area near Mildura. This was a gorgeous little spot right on the Murray River.... special! Also took a drive into Wentworth.

Swan Hill

Horseshoe Bend - Merbein Common

Horseshoe Bend - Merbein Common

Look closely at this image.... the garden behind Geoff is a mound and has been created to look like the continuation of the houses and trees behind the mound.... its quite clever - Wentworth

Morning Tea at Wentworth - Geoff has eaten creamy Apple Turnovers all the way down the east coast - he reckons this was the best and the turnovers are the reason his belly is sticking out a bit more than 7 months ago! (he says the ciders and wine had nothing to do with it!

Cheers!

The last on the road Happy Hour - Horseshoe Bend - Merbein Common

Horseshoe Bend - Merbein Common

Horseshoe Bend - Merbein Common

Oh my goodness after 7 months of travelling around our awesome country, we will complete "the lap" today... I'm so excited to get home but I'm feeling a bit emotional and reflecting on many of the stunning vistas and amazing experiences we have had... mostly its about the freedom and being able to share the journey with my gorgeous husband! Geoff has safely driven us and the caravan for the entire journey, you are a legend darling!! We had such a wonderful time, whoo hoo!!

The last day of travel took us around 5 hours! We were a little bit excited to see the South Australian border.... and seeing as we were back in SA it was safe to have a pasty at Truro!! (nowhere else makes pasties like we do in SA)