Relaxing at Flynn Beach Caravan Park in Port Macquarie – Shakedown Trip – Day 2
Seaside Serenity
As we continued our journey from Abermain to Port Macquarie, we found ourselves seeking refuge at Flynn Beach Caravan Park, a tranquil oasis nestled amidst the coastal beauty of Port Macquarie. Here’s a glimpse into our experience at this seaside haven.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by a grassy expanse, albeit slightly sloping, prompting us to utilize our trusty levelling chocks for a comfortable setup. Despite the incline, we were conveniently located near the amenities block, ensuring easy access to essential facilities throughout our stay.
The sun beat down relentlessly, reminding us of the need to replenish our supplies. A short stroll to the local shops, just 500m up a hill and around the corner, presented the perfect opportunity to stock up on essentials: beer, milk, and Jatz crackers, a reminder of the importance of preparation on the road.
With provisions in hand, we returned to our campsite, only to find ourselves in close quarters with neighbouring travellers. The layout of the sites, while promoting a sense of community, inadvertently placed us face-to-face with another couple, leaving little privacy as we prepared dinner. Though slightly uncomfortable, it served as a reminder of the camaraderie and shared experiences that often accompany caravan park stays.
As the evening descended, the skies opened up, blessing the parched earth with a gentle rain. While initially concerning, the shower soon cleared, leaving behind a refreshing ambiance that lingered through the night.
In the morning light, we bid farewell to Flynn Beach Caravan Park, grateful for the serenity it provided amidst our journey. The clean showers, convenient amenities, and proximity to the beach left an indelible mark, reminding us of the simple joys found in coastal retreats.
As we ventured forth, Port Macquarie’s allure beckoned, promising new adventures and unforgettable experiences along the pristine shores of New South Wales. Until then, the memories of our stay at Flynn Beach Caravan Park will serve as a testament to the tranquillity and beauty of life on the road.
Shakedown Trip Up the East Coast of Australia – Day 1
Just a short 2500 km round trip, to see what works and what doesn’t
We plan to drive up to Harvey Bay, in Queensland, and return. This trip is a chance for Kylie to catch-up with her family, before we set off, and to check that everything works the way we want before setting off for real.
We are planning to take our time, and to go in a round about fashion, lasting about 3 weeks
So after a smooth drive, we arrived at Abermain Bowling Club nestled in the heart of Hunter Valley, a tranquil spot promising a unique camping experience. What awaited us was not just a place to park our rig, but a chance to connect with fellow travellers and indulge in the charm of this hidden gem.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by a grassy camping area, offering a rustic yet inviting ambiance. While the ground wasn’t perfectly flat, it added to the authenticity of our outdoor escapade. As we settled in, we had the pleasure of meeting Lisa and John, fellow adventurers with a stunning SLVR Isuzu 2022 truck, accompanied by their adorable Spitz companions.
The bond among travellers is remarkable, and chatting with Lisa and John, sharing stories and tips, was a standout moment during our stay. Their truck, meticulously crafted and thoughtfully designed, served as both inspiration and aspiration for our own adventures ahead.
Before bidding adieu, we exchanged contact information with Lisa and John, fostering the promise of future adventures together, whether it be overseas travels or exploring more of Australia’s diverse landscapes.
That evening, we headed to the club for a delightful meal and refreshing drinks. Parmy’s seemed to be the dish of choice. The night was peaceful, with only the sounds of nature serenading us under the starlit sky.
Later that night David christened the toilet!
Unveiling Our Off-Road Haven: Introducing the Isuzu NPS 300 4×4 Motor Home
Dreams Take Shape
The Isuzu NPS 300 4×4 Motor Home: As our travel aspirations grow grander, so do our plans. We are thrilled to unveil our newest addition – an off-road motor home based on the robust Isuzu NPS 300 4×4 light truck, featuring a caravan-type habitat on the rear. This purpose-built vehicle embodies our spirit of exploration and independence, allowing us to navigate challenging terrains while creating a comfortable haven on the road.
Looking Towards the Future
With the hope that our journey spans a year or more, the planning and research are ongoing. The overseas option remains at the core of our hearts, adaptable to modifications that may arise. In a world filled with uncertainties, our yearning to explore persists. So as we continue to refine our plans, Australia awaits, promising an adventure that will change and challenge us, showcasing its untamed beauty and diverse landscapes in our newly acquired off-road haven.
Where to next? A Glimpse into Future Travel Plans
In a world rife with turmoil and uncertainty, the allure of travel remains undiminished.
While global conflicts and geopolitical tensions have cast shadows over some dream destinations, the aftermath of a pandemic has also brought about unprecedented challenges. Prices for goods, services, and travel have skyrocketed, prompting a shift in our wanderlust-driven itineraries. Amid these circumstances, our gaze turns towards the vast landscapes of Australia – not our initial choice, not even our third, but a destination of immense potential and allure.
Australia, a land as vast as it is diverse, beckons with its unique allure. While it wasn’t our primary option, the thought of exploring its stunning landscapes, rich ecosystems, and vibrant culture has grown on us. This is a journey we were intending to undertake, perhaps in about five years, aligning with our stage in life. With its expansiveness and diverse ecosystems, Australia presents a challenge worth embracing. From the lush rainforests of Queensland to the rugged Outback, each corner has a story waiting to unfold.
Our travel philosophy does not align with the typical packaged tours and resort experiences. We revel in the freedom to chart our own course, to soak in the sights at our own pace. This penchant for independent exploration lends itself to intimate connections with the places we visit. It grants us the luxury of time – time to capture countless photographs, to observe wildlife in their natural habitat, and to truly immerse ourselves in the moment. As an example of that, while in Namibia’s Etosha National Park, Kylie’s fascination with a herd of elephants proved insatiable, she took a few hundred photos, and had to be goaded into moving on! This after a few weeks, where we had already take seen countless elephants, and taken hundreds of photos of them! 😉
Our travel aspirations are grander than ever. We are looking towards a period of travel that will span a year or more. The planning and research are ongoing, with Option 1 holding steadfast in our hearts. The prospect of modification doesn’t deter us; instead, it fuels our determination to bring our dream to fruition.
In a world where uncertainty prevails, our longing to travel remains.
While the globe grapples with conflicts, tensions, and post-pandemic repercussions, Australia emerges as a compelling destination. Its untamed beauty, diverse landscapes, and promise of unique experiences captivate our imagination. Our upcoming journey, although not the original plan, embodies our spirit of exploration and independence.
As we continue to refine our plans, our first option remains hopeful, promising an adventure that will change, and challenge us, and allow Australia to be done a little later!
Southern Africa – Day 51 – Cape Town To Sydney, Australia
to
In for a long day, today! Two flights, first from Cape Town to Johannesburg (about 1.5hrs) then Johannesburg to Sydney, Australia (about 13hrs).
The Cape Town flight was delayed by about 2 hrs, which basically ate up our layover time in Jo’burg. Luckily there was a major thunderstorm, so all flights were delayed there as well. Still it was a mad rush to get to our flight, so we had to be bused direct to our next flight. No cover on the ground so everyone is wet from the storm.
In the end the Sydney flight was delayed again, so we had about 10 mins to sit around.
The flight home was the most uncomfortable flight David had ever had. There is next to no legroom, and the person in front of David decided to lay his seat back to the maximum position, even when the meals were served! David literally had his table against his face…. Not happy… but the guy in front didn’t care!
David was so crammed in, he didn’t get any sleep, at all, and by the time we got to Sydney he was exhausted!
We were a few hours late, into Sydney, but our Sydney pickup had seen the delay, and came back to get us. Very relieved, as I dont think David was in any mood for anything to go wrong 😉
Home!
Fifty One days away, and even though we could have easily stayed another fifty, it was good to be home!
Now, let’s have a look at the computer and plan how we can go back!
Zoom in to see where we went ….. and want to go back!
The first post for this trip is at http://aussiesoverlanding.com/?p=884
Southern Africa – Day 46 – Fish River Canyon, Namibia
We have an early morning today, so we can reach the canyon before the sun starts to heat up too much. It is about a 10km trip to the main view point of the canyon. Fish River Canyon is the second largest in the world next to the Grand Canyon in the USA. It is very impressive, the colours spectacular.
We stand around soaking up the sights and contemplate how long the canyon took to be created… originally it had glaciers! There are a few different view points, dotted along the rim and we drive along so we can get a different prospective. Some of the spots you need to walk to. On our last stop we checked with a guide parked next to us- it was a 500m walk, but be careful not to touch the cactus as they were poison… just another confirmation for David that every plant in Africa is deadly!
Its 10.40 and already 36 degrees, we get back to the campsite and make a beeline for the pool. We meet an Aussie and his Thai wife who have lived in London for the last 20 years. They are on a gap year, travelling the world, before relocating back to Australia. Before long a tour bus pulls in and the pool is inundated – you couldn’t get a foot in! A storm came thru with cold rain and wind – this was a surprise to everyone – it really cooled things down.
We had dinner at the restaurant – while there we met a South African couple who we discussed wages, house loans, schooling etc. They advised that most people carry guns – even when shopping. They live in a gated community – has 2 fences, security guards and cctv on all streets!
Brendan and I have a shot of Jägermeister- yuck – has a spicy liquorice taste… as the bar closes- more shots for David and Brendan.
We are happy to head off to bed, so the South African couple invite Brendan to party on into the night for New Year’s Eve.
Happy New Year, 2019!