Prior to heading off to bed on Friday night, our decision to return to Sydney one day earlier had been made. Returning via mid NSW and the Blue Mountains would have only added to the overall fuel bill and as it would have been unlikely that we would free camp, it would have cost . . . → Read More: Saturday 21 March 09 – Wagga Wagga to Sydney

All good times must come to and end and realisation hit home when the alarm sounded at 6.30am. Our original plan (or version eight of the second variation of the plan) was to travel home by central NSW with stops at Griffiths and Cowra before returning home via the Blue Mountains. Thinking that the . . . → Read More: Friday 20 March 09 – Echuca VIC to Wagga Wagga NSW

Sadly we said farewell to our friends who were returning to their home in Melbourne. We departed at 8.30am and headed back into Bendigo for a 9.30am tour of the Central Deborah Gold Mine. The cost was $24 each and we consider that excellent value for money. We were provided with hard hats and . . . → Read More: Thursday 19 March 09 – Ballarat to Echuca VIC

We awoke to a cool clear morning and the promise of fine weather for the rest of the day. The forecast also indicated that the temperature would be increasing over the next couple of days heading back to the low to mid 30′s.

With our friends from Melbourne, the plan for the day was . . . → Read More: Wednesday 18 March 09 – Ballarat to Bendigo VIC

For the second day in a row, it was raining when we awoke and the forecast was for isolated showers in the morning and then clearing to a fine day.

With our friends seated in the motor home, we headed off just before 9.00am for a leisurely day looking around Ballarat. First stop was . . . → Read More: Tuesday 17 March 09 – Ballarat VIC

It was raining when we awoke and the forecast was for isolated showers during the day.  At 9.45am we were at the Ballarat Gold Museum before going into Sovereign shortly thereafter.

Sovereign Hill is a wonderful replication of the early days in Ballarat when the city survived on gold.  The displays covers both alluvial . . . → Read More: Monday 16 March 09 – Ballarat VIC

We had decided to make an early start with the original intention of going to the evening show at Sovereign Hill at Ballarat. When we learned of the cost, we decided not to see the evening show but to concentrate on a full day there instead. Whilst listening to the radio, we heard that . . . → Read More: Sunday 15 March 09 – Naracoorte SA to Ballarat VIC

It had rained during the night and as a result of having to get up to close windows, we were both only sleeping lightly when the alarm sounded at 6.00am.

By 8.00am we were ready to go but we spent several minutes with last minutes farewells to several of our new friends. Today was . . . → Read More: Saturday 14 March 09 – Swan Reach SA to Naracoorte SA

We slept in! The alarm had been set for 7.00am and we were in no hurry to rise as the only planned function today was the Presentation Dinner and that was in the evening.  The final UHF radio broadcast took place at 8.30am and we were informed that the local museum would be open . . . → Read More: Friday 13 March 09 – Swan Reach SA

We were up early but were the fourth last vehicle to leave on the final driving day of the safari. Today we would leave Victoria and travel into South Australia with our intended destination being a small town on the banks of the Murray River called Swan Reach.

It was dry but overcast when . . . → Read More: Thursday 12 March 09 – Meringur VIC to Swan Reach SA

As usual, the alarm was set for 6.30am and our day began shortly thereafter. The sky was overcast but it was dry. In the daylight we were able to look at the results of the storm on the previous night and the ferocity was demonstrated with tree branches lying on the ground and talk . . . → Read More: Wednesday 11 March 09 – Tooleybuc NSW to Meringur VIC

Our day started at 6.30am. Breakfast was available in the sports club for $5.00 per head so we experienced a bread roll with bacon, egg and cheese, juice and coffee.  This certainly was a great way to start the day!

Our departure time today was a fair way down the list so we were . . . → Read More: Tuesday 10 March 09 – Moulamein to Tooleybuc NSW

It was warm last night but we were still able to have a comfortable nights sleep.

Departure was set at 9.30am and the sequence would result in us being in the last group of vehicles to depart. We were asked to proceed down the main street of Coleambally to farewell the locals who had . . . → Read More: Monday 9 March 09 – Coleambally to Moulamein NSW

The alarm sounded at 7.00am (yes, we had decided to have a sleep-in).

Today was a day of rest with a two hour bus tour of the area scheduled to happen prior to happy hour. Today an invitation had been given to the locals (local population is 660) that for a gold coin donation, . . . → Read More: Sunday 8 March 09 – Coleambally NSW

We had another good sleep with the temperature in the van very comfortable. We arose early to prepare for breakfast that was provided by a set donation to the local football club. Immediately after breakfast, “She” went into town to attend the local markets which she enjoy as $50 was given to local causes . . . → Read More: Saturday 7 March 09 – Ganmain to Coleambally NSW