Friday 24 November 2017

Day 18-23. Blue Mountains,Jervis Bay & Canberra

Day 18 - 18th November
We went to Echo point lookout on the Blue Mountains. It was very foggy so hard to see anything. But once it cleared a little we could see the Three Sisters mountains. We walked to them which was along a path and then very steep steps going down. It was so scary! Especially because the steps were metal and slippery from the rain! 
We are staying at another campsite in the Blue Mountains tonight. Hoping the weather clears up soon because I'm so ready for some sun now! 



Day 19 - 19th November
Today marks 2 months until we give back the campervan. I guess that's still a while, but I already feel about the fact that it's going so quickly. Don't get me wrong, I miss the luxuries of a hot shower, clean bed sheets, my family & dogs, my car and electricity... but I don't want the experience of a lifetime to ever end! I don't want to say it in past tense. 
Anyway, lets make the most of it! Today we did a food shop at Aldi. This started as a weekly thing spending $40. Now we seem to do two a week, usually at $40 each, but today it came to over $70 ooops! There goes the budget. 
We stopped at a bakery on the way back from the food shop and got some pastries and rolls for breakfast (just carrying on the spending!) then headed back to the camp site as stayed at 2 nights ago as this is more on the route out as the plan is to leave the Blue Mountains tomorrow. 
Ben introduced me to the game 'hungry shark' and we are both addicted! Tonight we have a steak din dins with fried potatoes and coleslaw which we are very excited about. And of course, some tim tams later! Yay. 

Day 20 - 20th November 
We headed out of the Blue Mountains and towards Wollongong. 
On the way we stopped off at Bulli Lookout to take some photos. I had a wee here and then saw a lizard sharing the toilet with me! I don't think I even flushed I wanted to get out of there so badly!! 
We went to a beach just below called Bombo. It was so lovely as it was really quite - just a few surfers and us. I soaked up as much sun as I could before ben got itchy feet. We went for a wander along the cliff at the side of the beach and took some amazing photos. 
After this we went to a bottle shop to stock up on beers! This time we ditched the 'Gold Lager' and went for 'Victoria Bitter'. It feels like an upgrade. Hahah. 
We also went to a bakery and shared the most amazing pastry, creamy, fruity thing! It was so good. 


^Bulli Lookout


^Bombo Beach


^The most amazing treat from a bakery!


Day 21 - 21st November 
We went back to Bombo Beach quite early on. We cooked some breakfast here and had a little chill before heading to Jervis Bay. The beaches around Jervis Bay are beautiful the whitest sand I've seen. The sea was very choppy but so clear and turquoise. We had such fun here in the sea!
We then drove down further to Milton Showgrounds where we will be staying tonight $25 for a powered site. 




Day 22 - 22nd November
I can't believe how quick this is going. Each day is so amazing I never want it to end. 
We left the Showgrounds and headed to Batemans Bay. We sat at Surfs Beach which was really hot but a slight breeze on the beach, it made it so nice to just sit and not get too hot! 
Ben and I sat on the beach for a couple of hours and had some really lovely chats about life! 
We cooked some cheese toasties for lunch (we've mastered making these in a frying pan now!)
Then headed on the B52 to a free camp site. It's about half way to Canberra which is perfect for tomorrow. 


^Malua Bay at Batemans Bay

Day 23 - 23rd November
We arrived in Canberra and went straight to the War Memorial. This was recommended to us by a local man we have met along the way- and we are so glad he did. 
It was so moving and touching going somewhere like this, I felt really emotional throughout our visit there. There is so much to see and read, you could quote easily spend all day here. 
After this we headed back to the same rest area we stayed at last night as it's on the road in/out of Canberra. We didn't see much of Canberra but felt it wasn't so easy to take a Campervan into the city centre. We are really glad that we at least visited Canberra for a short while. Another place to tick off the list. 





Saturday 18 November 2017

Day 13-17. Coffs Harbour & Diamond Beach

Day 13 - 13th November
We had a rude awakening by workmen who bombarded our camp area with lorries and trucks at 6am. They were tree surgeons. :( one man even started revving his chainsaw! Not a happy bunny. 
We headed to a beach just past Coffs Harbour and had breakfast; scrambled eggs and beans. Our bread had gone off so no toast/fried bread this morning. 
We then went to a beach at Sawtell for a few hours. The sea was so choppy but the sun was gorgeous. 
We treated ourselves to rump steak for our evening meal. And it didn't disappoint!
Tonight we are staying at Roses rest area which is a free camp site. It's really lovely and grassy, and everyone camping around us has said hello and made a real effort to have conversations, something we haven't experienced much from other travellers so far!
(Apart from the man in the BMW who has just pulled up RIGHT next to us and is in arms reach! Why 😩?)


^Sawtell Beach

Day 14 - 14th November
We left a the camp site and drove to Nambucca Heads for some breakfast. We had a little chill and grabbed a takeaway coffee before heading to Crescent Heads. We made the most of the clear sea and even had a little tan before using the public showers. Although they were cold showers they were really lovely and clean & modern which was all we could want. 
We then prepared for another 2 hour drive to a camp site in Coopernook forest. This is a free camp site and is in a well maintained field in the middle of the woods. Lots of mosquitos here so the mozzie net will definitely be up tonight! 


^Crescent Heads


Day 15 - 15th November
After a 45 minute drive we arrived at Diamond Beach. We made some cheese toasties in the camper by the beach then wandered to the beach for a lovely chill. It was quite windy but this was nice as it meant we could sit out for a while and not get too hot. The sea was so cold and choppy so we didn't go in. We drove around the bay to hopefully go in the sea at the next beach - Black Head Beach (unfortunate name!) but there was so much washed up seaweed that we didn't fancy it!
We used the public showers for a quick rinse and then headed to Buladelah for the free camp area. 
We parked up then walked up to the local butcher and supermarket to get some bits and bobs to make burgers. Such a nice change from pasta!

^Diamond Beach 



Day 16 - 16th November
We drove to Wangi Wangi in the morning and expected to have a beach day. We (I) did research wrong and it was just one of thoughts weird shaped coves that is rocky with water around. So no beach at all! It was so disappointing though as it was fairly overcast. 
We were going to stay in a free camp site near by but looked into it more and it was down a forest track which wouldn't of been good for us in our campervan! We bit the bullet and drove a little further than expected to Gosford Greyhound track where we will be staying tonight for $25. This means we are now closer to Sydney. So hopefully tomorrow we can head to the blue mountains and try to avoid the city centre of Sydney. 

^ Wangi Wangi 


Day 17 - 17th November

We took it easy today. After a 2 hour drive to a free camp site on the Blue Mountains we chilled there all afternoon. We had some lunch and just relaxed, which is something that hasn't happened much this holiday. Although we've laid on a lot of beaches we've also lived at a fast pace and haven't slept properly because it's so strange being somewhere different every single night. 
I think we are both shattered and need to remember to relax a little and take one thing at a time! 

Monday 13 November 2017

Day 8-12. Byron Bay, Mt Coot Tha & Nimbin

Day 8 - 8th November
We spent the morning at Mount Coot Tha. We went to the lookout point and took some amazing photos as we could see the whole of Brisbane city. It was fairly cloudy. But luckily the clouds weren't too low. 
Just a 5 minute drive down the road and round the mountain slightly is. J C Slaughter Falls. We walked for around 15 minutes to the waterfall and were slightly disappointed to see virtually no water as it had pretty much dried up. Nether the less we climbed around the rocks of the waterfall and took photos of the Aboriginal art paintings on the rocks. As we walked to the camper we saw around 8 police cars pull up and some officers and detectives walk up the paths we wondered what was going on here! 
We stayed the night at Tullys rest area. 


^ The view from Mount Coot Tha summit lookout

^ Aboriginal art on the rocks





Day 9 - 9th November 
We left the rest area and headed to Palm Beach just below the Gold Coast. We were originally going to go to the Gold Coast beach but then realised it's actually a city with a beach... we didn't want to be driving our campervan around a city! We are trying to go to more undiscovered places and explore the true beauty of Australia. It was fairly windy and actually rained whilst we were at the beach. What's going on with the weather here recently ?!?!
Next stop was Nimbin which is the 'hemp capital' of Australia where they have legalised medical marijuana. It was like stepping into a different world! Every thing is so colourful and hippie-like! 
We are staying at Nimbin Showgrounds which is a paid campsite - $20 for 2 people with power which is great. 
We found out that the police were at Mount Coot Tha yesterday because human remains had been found found by bush walkers surveying the area to build a zip line for ITV show I'm A Celeb. https://www.unilad.co.uk/crime/dark-discovery-in-im-a-celeb-camp-could-cause-show-cancellation/

-my thoughts go out to the family & friends of the body that was found and I hope this brings some sort of closure. 

^Palm Beach



^Nimbin



Day 10 - 10th November
We have spend another day in Nimbin. It's nice to be somewhere for a couple of days and finally taking a slower pace. 
We didn't do much other than get coffee and go to the laundrette! 
The weather was all over the place, it was hot then rainy. Although we are trying to make the most of this time as it will be soo hot soon. 
Oh, and we saw our first kangaroo of the trip! Bouncing along in our campsite. 








Day 11 - 11th November
Nothing new to report as we stayed in Nimbin again! It's nice for Ben to have a break from driving, and what better place to fully relax than a hippie town? 


Day 12 - 12th November 
We left the hippie town! And headed to Byron Bay. Such a well talked about town so we were so intrigued to see what it had to offer. 
I would describe it as a very touristy area by overseas visitors as well as Australians holidaying there too. It's massive on surfing and it was so fun to watch all the surfers catching the waves! We had a little sunbathe and to be honest it was SO nice to feel some heat on our skin after a few days feeling a bit cold! We also had a swim in the sea which was actually so fun considering I hate getting splashed in the face by vigorous waves! The waves were more like moving bumps in the sea and they just lifted you up as they got to you. None of that rolling-wave-spashed-face situation !
Onto New Italy rest area for the night which is a free camp site. 






^All photos above are of the main beach at Byron Bay



Tuesday 7 November 2017

Day 4-7. Hervey Bay, Noosa and Sunshine Coast

Day 4 - 4th November:
We headed back down the coast and aborted mission to head to Cairns. We probably should of thought of this sooner but we found it very hot in the camper at night and as we headed further north the temperature would only get hotter. Cairns is also so far away that we felt so much time would be spent on the road as opposed to exploring and seeing as much as we could. 
So with this in mind we headed back to Hersey Bay where we were a couple of days ago. We really loved it here so wanted to spend a bit more time there. We treated ourselves to a subway as basic rations in the camper were getting a bit tedious! We then parked along the coast near Urangan. We walked all the way to the end of Urangan Pier. After this we bought some chips near by and headed to an off road car park for the night. 







Day 5 - 5th November:
We woke up around 5.30am and quickly moved as we were paranoid about where we stayed!! 
I FaceTimed my mum and dad back home who were wrapped up in scarfs back home! That's a bit of a difference to the 25+ degrees we are experiencing here!!
We went just down the road to a car park and had a coffee on the park. We met a local man walki his dogs who stopped and chatted to us for ages. He gave us lots of local knowledge and informed us about the pier we walked down yesterday as he renovated it a few years ago. 
Ben wanted to watch the UFC fight that afternoon so we found a sports bar, I happily sat in the shade and drank lemonade!
Then it was my turn to do something so we went and got frozen yogurt, my favourite!
We headed to the nearest free camp site from Hervey Bay which was in Tiaro. This camp site even had free hot showers which seems a luxury when you're living in a campervan!







Day 6 - 6th November 
We left the campsite around 9am and headed to Noosa where we spent a few hours. We parked down the end at Park Road car park at the beginning of the National Park for anyone thinking of going here - it's an ideal place to park but everyone has the same idea, so expect to do several laps of the car park before finding a space. 
We walked along the coastal path and stopped at a couple of beaches along the way. It's such a stunning, picturesque place. The weather was fairly overcast which worked in our favour as if he t was any hotter it probably would of been unbearable! We stopped at the cafe on the way back and I had a cappuccino which was amazing after almost a week with just instant coffee (torture for a coffee addict)
We then planned to stay at Belli Creek camp site. But after the bloody satnav (that we both want to throw out of the window) sent us round the houses we ended up nearer to Glenview where we spent our very first night in the camper. 






Day 7 - 7th November:

Today we had our usual morning coffee on our camp chairs outside the campervan, one of my favourite thins to do this trip! We left and headed to Dicky Bay on the Sunshine Coast. Spent the morning here which was lovely. We had a swim in the sea, a sunbathe and breakfast on the beach (an apple and a blueberry muffin from Aldi!!...) after this we had a shower at the beach and made Thai green chicken curry for lunch. It was actually really nice and we were surprised how creative we can actually be with basic food and 2 stoves! 
There was a thunder and lightening storm at the beach. So we headed back to the camper and decided to make our way to the camp site we would be staying at this evening - Wyllie Park rest area. 







Saturday 4 November 2017

3 months in a Campervan in Australia!

Day 1-3. After arriving in Brisbane after a very long journey we checked into an Airbnb where we spent our first few nights to try and adjust to the time difference before picking up our campervan. Our Airbnb was in Kedron which is a 15 minute drive from the airport. We woke up at 4am for the first couple of nights and felt like we would never adjust to the time difference!




Day 4 - 1st November 2017. 
We checked out of our Airbnb and headed to Travellers Autobarn to collect our campervan. We completed the paper work, paid and away we went! We chose to stay in their 'kuga' campervan which is a 2-3 berth and has a seating area that turns into a double bed, a microwave, fridge and sink. We paid for some added extras such as; sleeping equipment, a satnav, a fan and 2 camping chairs. The fridge, microwave and power sockets only work when connected to a powered camp site. So we wont be using these too much as we are trying to stay at as many free camp sites as we can. 
We went to Coles which is a big supermarket here to get all of our cheap essential supplies (mainly pasta!). 
Our first stop was a free campsite in Glenview where we set up camp for the night. We were both feeling rather under the weather and think we caught a cold from the flights. 


^Our first night in the camper was spent here




^Sunrise at Glenview 



Day 2 - 2nd November. 
We left the camp site around 7am (still waking up early.) and headed to Rainbow Beach. This is where we saw a lot of campervans parked on the side of the road and finally felt like we weren't the only young travellers in small campervans! Rainbow Beach was stunning, the weather was hot and the sea blue! We had showers here as there were free facilities near the beach. 
We downloaded the Travellers Autobarn app on collection of our campervan as this indicates all campsites nearby. When looking on the app to see where we wouldn't sleep tonight we saw an offer on at The Palms campsite in Hervey Bay. We decided to book this as it was only $28 which is good for a powered camp site. We had access to a kitchen, hot showers (!), swimming pool- but most importantly electricity. This meant we could use the fan all night long as well as have a cold fridge! Once we got to The Palms we had a swim, cooked some lunch and went for a walk near the beach at Hervey Bay. We bought some burgers from a local butchers for our meal that night and sat on the beach as the sunset. 



^Rainbow Beach



^Sunset at Hervey Bay


Day 3- 3rd November. 
We left The Palms around 9am (after making the most of the hot showers) and headed towards Bargara near Bundaberg. 
After both feeling quite poorly the past couple of days we went to a chemist to speak to a pharmacist and get some medicine for our colds/chesty coughs. We are hoping this helps as we just want to get better to fully enjoy our adventure!
We drove along Woongarra Senic Drive which took us along the coast of Bargara. We had a pit stop along the way to tip our toes in the sea. 
After this we found a free camp site 30 minutes from Bargara called Sharon Gorge Nature Reserve where we will be staying tonight! 


^Kellys Beach/Money's Creek at Bargara


^Moneys Creek at Bargara

Cape Verde 2017

I have recently got back from a holiday to Cape Verde. We landed on the island of Boa Vista and stayed at the a Rui Touareg resort. Here are some photos of our trip.