Australia

Thursday July 4th - 18° - sunny until 3pm then some rain.

Left “the Hunter” about 9am and started the long journey north. Gassed up in Maitland, $41, then drove to Monperth, which was an intact 1880 type town. Then after one wrong turn, drove towards Dungog, Gloucester and Tarree. Beautiful rooling hills and vistas and very green. Steepest part of road was dirt, about 50k. We arrived in the coastal area about 1pm, and drove to the top of Big Brother for the view. South was Crowdy Harbor and north you could see Point McQuarrie. After another wrong turn, and small argument, drove to Point McQuarrie where we had fish & chips etc. on a windy beach and saw the drizzle start. Point McQuarrie was touristy.

On our drive to Nabucca Heads, we saw several very vivid rainbows. The Pacific Coast Highway is generally two lanes and has a speed limit of 100km, which you can usually do except on the few hills behind trucks. About every 20k they have passing lanes. Stayed at the Destiny Inn in Abbuca Heads. Steph locked the keys in the car but the lads from NRMA were able to unlock it using my direction, Gails slightly ajar window and some unusually designed coat hangers and $120.

Drove 507k today and thinking about the 2400km remaining. Trying to decide whether or not to dart back inland or stay on the coast – a lot to say about either route.

Gas - $41
Lunch - $12
Motel - $65
Dinner - $50
Gas - $47

July 5th Friday – Sunny 17° - 19°

Pushed out 725kms – decided to go inland. Drove north to Grafton, Stopped at Coffs Harbor beach, watched the surfers. Drove from Grafton to Glen Ellis, was spectacular: Mountains, rolling hills, cattle grazing, broad vistas. Lunch in the local pub in Glen Ellis. Then more driving. Entered Queensland about 3pm. It was dark when we went through Towoomba, big city by Aussie standards (45,000). Then continued on for two hours to Yarramon, just looking for a bed. Found a cheap motel and Chinese food in the local pub. Maybe a light day tomorrow: 4 – 5hours and day at the beach

Bowser = Gas Pump

Breakfast - $6
Lunch - $13
Gas - $40
Snacks - $8
Dinner - $15
Drinks - $3

July 6th - 17° - 22°

Started out after a local breakfast – Yarramon ham & bacon plus poached eggs. Got some junk food at the local store and started our trek north. More open country. Six dead roos by the highway – hit Tannamon sands at 11:30am. Recommended by our hoteliers at Yarramon. Not their hotel, but a simpler but nicer one on the beach. Hit the beach and water, washed the car and then had an official Australian BBQ with a couple from Australia (Sydney) and John & Val from England, who are on a world tour with their two kids. Steaks, prawns, salad and lots of wine. Went looking for a night spot, but not here, so gave up early for a better day tomorrow.

On the drive, more open country made all the right turns except the turnoff to Gin Tin. We made it but it wasn’t on the map, a lot of it was dirt but picturesque. Cane fields, tram crossings – no people.

450kms today
Breakfast - $6
Junk Food - $8
Gas - $20
Beer - $15

Sunday July 7 - 21° Sunny

Got up early, had coffee then off to the beach. The tide was out and the beach was very wide. Steph played all day in the water with Jodi and Oliver then two dogs. I went running and Gail talked with the Craddocks, working on the details for a 1999/2000 New Years bas on a out Island. Stayed on the beach until 2pm then drove 600kms in six hours to Airle beach and parked for the night at the Colonial Palms Motel. Trying to figure out what to do next.

Breakfast - $6
Snacks - $6
Lunch - $3
Pizza - $10
Beer & Soda - $15