Dean has a new interest

Dean and Molly have forged a new friendship. From the moment they met
they have been best buddies. I think Dean will be looking for his own
cat when we get home.

Happy New Year!

Wishing you a very happy New Year. What's your New Year resolution?

Lake Daylesford

A lovely lake which was cold at best had a lovely cafe that was
closed. We came for the water and there was plenty of it. We found
some other families bathing and joined them for a dip. Just what we
all needed on yet another hot Victorian summer day.

Little boy needs a wash

We went to Daylesford which has been advertised on TV quite a bit and
came across the Hepburn Spa. At $15 a head we decided that Lake
Daylesford was more our style.

Hanging Rock

We've read the story now we've been to the place where it all happened.

Skate Park!

After the swim yesterday Brent spotted a Skate Park. He wanted to jump
on his new scooter and bust some moves. So today we have dropped by
the skate park for a release of testosterone . We hope to get to
Hanging Rock and Daylesford today too.

Woodend

We've arrived! We went to Amelia's house and met Bernard who was
mowing the grass. We then went to Mary's house where we met Mary,
Jane, Amelia, Michael, Kiyoko, Oscar and the 4 cats.

We day and listened to stories of time passed. Maxine arrived and we
chatted some more. We went to the local swimming pool for a swim and
back to Mary's place for a lovely meal for 14 people.

More wonderful conversation before bed.

Good night!

Check the Food Supplies!

Occasionally we have to stock up on the essentials. Bread, milk, lunch
fillings and the children want ice creams!

Water In - Water Out

Time for a quick stop at Kilmore to balance the water intake ratio.
The Kilmore Road House did the trick.

Day #3

Welcome to Wednesday. Well we seem to all be sleeping in to 8am which
is nice but then it takes us until 10:30 to get on the road. Cereal,
eggs, toast, OJ and coffee. Shower and we're on our way. Bye Wangaratta.

Nite Nite Day #2

After a swim and some dinner it is showers and bed. It is already
8:46pm. We hope to be asleep before 11pm like last night. Bye...

Hot! Damn Hot!

We've crossed the border into Victoria and just had to stop for an ice
cream and water. It is reeeaaallllly hot! Then it is off to Wangaratta.

Babies are born here

We just had to take a look at the site of the current hospital. Guess
who was born here? (the renovations look great!)

Holbrook

It was then off to Holbrook to ride the submarine and have some lunch.

Snake!

We were told there were snakes and there are... This Red Belly Black
Snake didn't make it across the road. He was flat-out trying though.

Halford Homestead

Here is a picture of the homestead and the fountain at the front.

Who's there?

We had a nice chat with Robert too. We heard about Donald and the
farm. Paul & Robert are two very nice people. We hope to get to know
them even more into the future.

Knock Knock

Guess who? Paul was home and we has a lovely chat for about 2 hours.

5 Mile driveway

The drive from the front gate takes us past sheep, cattle, grasses and
homesteads.

Yarra Yarra

After a short drive in the campervan we arrive at the gates of Yarra
Yarra.

The Crew #2 & #4

Dean and Kyle. A source of entertainment for all of us.

The Crew #1 & #3

Brent and Natasha buckled in for the trip to Yarra Yarra.

The lady of the house

Here is the lady of the house. She keeps us fed, clothed and
entertained. What a wonderful mum.

Wakey Wakey

After a short sleep everyone was up and into breakfast. After showers
and the teeth cleaning ritual was performed we hit the road. This
photo was taken where we camped for the night.

Night Night

As we say good night on Day 1 of this adventure we were entertained by
the giggles and laughs of bedtime jokes. We finally got to sleep at
11pm. The children are usually in bed by 8:30 at home so I hope they
sleep in a bit in the morning.

Gundagai

As the song goes... On the road to Gundagai...

We've gone way past Gundagai and Yass for that matter. We ended up in
Wagga Wagga for our first night. ....and... Yes... We are here now!

Nobody here either

Can't find anyone. Oh well. Off to find some bread to have lunch. Is
there a Woolies in Burradoo?

Nobody home

There are 2 cars in the driveway and noone to be seen. Even the mobile
phone rings out.

Knock Knock

...anybody home?

Pit Stop

Every long trip starts with a short trip. Campbelltown is our first
pit stop. The fire brigade has sent 2 trucks screaming down the road
to the hotel across the street. Brent has found a skate park and has
broken out the scooter and has started pleading for a ride at the
park. The action has started.

The Weather

Well the weather is not going to make it easy to get started. We woke up this morning with torrential downpours. The weather radar shows that it is raining all the way to Bowral (first stop). Great time to head out of Sydney. It looks like warm dry weather ahead.

That new smell...

This brand spanking new camper has that "brand new smell". Great to know we'll be the ones to break her in but have to get over the new fibreglass smell first. Lots of new features. Not so great on storage space but we're working on it.

The Next Adventure

The next adventure has begun. We picked up the brand spanking new Kea
campervan today. Stay tuned. More to follow.

Here are the stats!

The first part of the trip was in a 7 seater van which was for 3 days around Darwin and Litchfield National Park. I don't have any stats for that trip however I do for the Campervan.

In the campervan we travelled 3,326 kilometres from Darwin to Uluru and back to Alice Springs. We consumed 579.18 litres of Diesel fuel at an average of 149 cents per litre (that is AUD$864.31). Overall the fuel economy averaged out at 17.41 litres per 100 Km.

A 2009 Ford Territory gets 12.8 Litres per 100 Km city driving so we were not too bad for a heavy vehicle!

The highest price we saw was 205 cents per litre in Aileron (I didn't need fuel at this point!!).

Sleeping in the Campervan

One of the more peaceful moments...can you find Brent, Dean, Natasha &
Kyle

Memo Club

Memorial club

It was the Alice Springs Memorial Club for dinner as we had run out of
food and didn't feel like cooking. We were all very tired. Kyle was
putting on a show for us.

Caravan Park

Our spot at the Mac Donnell Range Caravan Park.

Alice Springs

After another long drive we arrive in Alice Springs.

Emus at Erldunda

The girls at Erldunda

Erldunda

Stopping for the essentials at Erldunda - fuel and ice creams.

Curtin Springs Cattle Station

We stopped for lunch at Curtin Springs Cattle Station which is over a
million acres in size. They have a wonderful bird aviary as well as a
pet emu that gave Dean a shower. After a chat with some fellow
trsvellers it was time to get back behind the wheel and follow the
broken white line to our next fuel stop at Erldunda.

Good bye Yulara

Time has come to leave Yulara, Uluru and Kata Tjura. It has been a
quick visit and we'll be back soon to see the many other wonders of
the area.

3 wise men

More like 3 pirates! Here we are at the end of the Gorge. This place
is truly amazing.

Walls Gorge - Kata Tjuta

Off to Kata Tjuta for a walk through Walpa Gorge.

Climbing Uluru

A view from the climb to the chain you need to hang on to as you
ascend. Very steep and dangerous for the suburban walker. Great view
and awesome feeling all the same.

Uluru - Mala walk

One of the many caves on the Mala walk.

Climbing Uluru

Kyle was always ahead of the pack exploring every nook and cranny.

"Territory Dirt"

Nothing quite like the rich red earth of "The Territory". Gets into
everything. Kyle gets into it like water in a pool on a hot day.

Uluru 45 mind before sunset

Awesome. Lost for words.

Here she is

This is what we have come to see. Uluru in all her glory. With an hour
before sunset the car park for sunset viewing is full, the chairs and
tables are out and the wine and bikkies are helping savoyr the moment.
Wow!

Still heading South

Taking on fuel at Wycliffe Well

Well known for spotting aliens we stopped here for fuel. Not every
roadhouse and town has fuel so we discovered so planning your trip
based on where you can get fuel is essential.

Lunch in Tennant Creek

We went to explore the Battery Hill mine and visit the Aboriginal
Cultural Centre. All very interesting. Just stopping in the street
next to the Council Chambers for a lunch break. After lunch we are
headed towards Alice Springs. Not sure if we'll get there by night fall.

On the road again...

Reminds me of a song...

Heading for Tenant Creek

More sign posts out here than a wealthy Sydney council.

Tuesday Night at Renner Springs

We reached Renner Springs late afternoon on Tuesday and decided to
stay rather than go another 160Ks to Tennant Creek