KM's challenge

The results are in, 742 Bourke St, Sydney to 742 Bourke St, Sydney:

That's a total of 33,747.3km in 381 days.
The winner of the challenge and within 250km of the final tally is Rob with a guess of 33,500.
Congratulations Rob!

Mimosa Rocks National Park to Sydney

Day 375

Awake to a beautiful sunny morning and as we are sitting down having our coffee we both get a strange feeling that we are being watched.

The family of Kangaroos that welcomed us in yesterday are sitting a short distance away and seem to be hanging on our every move. We try to go about our business in the usual fashion and eventually they grow tired of watching us and hop off in to the undergrowth.

As it’s such a nice day we head off for a bush walk into the dunes and along to an inlet feeding a saltwater lake.

Turns out I am quite the little Sherlock and we follow the prints of a mother and baby Kangaroo, see snake tracks crossing the path and even identify that an overweight adult male (probably in his early thirties) rode a mountain bike along the path recently! We return along the beach and stop to look (and have a little climb) on some rocks and once again notice how good the waves are here but even with the sun out it’s still far too cold for me to consider having a surf.

Return to the van where we get the fire going nice and early today and both settle down in front of it with a nice glass of wine from the Mornington peninsular.

Day 376

What was a deserted campsite last night seems to be full of cars this morning and it takes us a while to realise that they are all surfers down for those good waves. As we are packing up a wallaby stops by to say hello and starts picking the flowers of a wattle tree and eating them like they are cobs of corn.

Back on the road and we continue up the coast to Batemans bay and another big holiday town (the closest seaside to Canberra) again  at this time of year the place is empty an and we check into another deserted campsite (apart from a few old timers who look like they live here permanently). It’s cold and windy but we manage a stroll along the beach and even spot a few brave swimmers who admittedly are in and straight out again.

Day 377

Not a particularly nice day again and so we decide not to hang about in Batemans bay and head further along the coast to Murramarang National Park and a campsite at Pretty beach. Surprise, surprise the campsite is completely empty and so we drive around and eventually pick the best spot (after moving three times) and set up.

A couple of Skippy’s are there to welcome us to the campsite and after saying hello we go for stroll down to the beach.

You can see where it gets its name as the beach is very pretty (even on a wet and windy day) and we stroll along and clamber over some rocks, looking in rock pools and spotting a huge kangaroo, watching us from the dunes.

After a spot of lunch head out on a walk along the coast to Snapper point. It’s a pleasant walk through the bush and leads you out to the top of a rocky outcrop with views up and down the coast.

As we are walking back we find ourselves surrounded by an alarming amount of kangaroos and both tiptoe through hoping that they don’t suddenly turn on us!

Call in to pay the ranger and enquire about having a fire, which is fine but he warns us that everything on the ground is wet and we probably won’t have much luck lighting it. Right ‘there’s a challenge if every I’ve heard one’ I say and head back to collect some wood. I carefully construct a fire (utilising my army training) and am proud to say it lit with one match and kept us warm all night.

Day 378

Wake up to a sunny morning and after breakfast with the kangaroo’s, pack up and head off Booderee National Park and green patch campground in Jervis bay.

We have been to this National Park a number of times before for our traditional ‘Australia day Cave Rave’ but have always stayed at a bush camp and so were eager to see how this one compared.

Turns out it’s a great campsite and we pretty much have it to ourselves again so set up and head down to the beach to enjoy the sun. It’s a lovely wide beach with white sand and gentle waves so we sit down and soak up the sun for a bit before heading back to the van to light a nice fire again.

Fire wood is supplied in this park and so, with a storm forecast for this evening and the wind already getting up, a warming fire is lit and we sit in front of it for the evening.  

Day 379

As we went to bed last night the storm was just hitting and after a night of howling wind and rain we wake up to more of the same today.

Neither the wind nor the rain wants to give up all day and we pretty much stay inside, only really venturing out to spend a few pennies. With the rain finally easing up in the evening and I decide that I will try and light a fire again and (after a couple of attempts) manage to get it going. The rain returns however and we retire back inside the van where we are happy to watch the fire out of the window for a while.

Day 380

There are still showers when we wake up but we manage to pack up in between them and decide we will head into the Australian Central Territory (ACT) today and our final state in Australia. Drive 2 minutes down the road and into the town of Jervis bay, which by a quirk is actually part of the ACT having been given by NSW so that Canberra would have ‘access to the sea’ (very generous of them too). A further 2 minutes down the road and we are back in NSW and head up the highway, to the outskirts of Sydney and the Royal National Park where we drive down wet and twisty roads to Bonnie Vale campsite and set up in the empty campsite right on the shore.

It’s cold and windy as we settle in for our last night in the van (for a while), knowing that we only have a short drive tomorrow to complete our ‘lap’.

Day 381

A beautiful sunny winters day for our final morning and we sit out in the warm sun enjoying our breakfast and gazing out over the water and towards the city on the horizon.

Pack Polly up for one final time and head off for the short drive through the suburbs and into Sydney. For the first time on the trip we find ourselves on familiar roads and before we know it (and with a lump in our throats) we are pulling up outside 742 Bourke St where we departed a mere 381 days ago. A note is made of the final mileage (post to come) and we pop just around the corner to Cooper St and to stay with our friends Rob and Tracey for the night (thanks guys) before we move back into the same luxury apartment that we stayed in before our departure over a year ago (thanks again Peter).

That’s it then, lap complete. We've done it!

Wilsons Promontory National Park to Mimosa Rocks National Park

Day 368

Wake up feeling refreshed after a good night’s sleep and ready to go on a nice long walk along the prom (prom, prom). Unfortunately no one has told the weather of our plans and it is (excuse my French) pissing it down and blowing a gale. Check the weather on the internet and it appears that there are severe weather warnings for Wilsons Promontory today and it looks as though it has set in for the day. Keep ourselves amused with copious amounts of tea and watch a few films to pass the time.

There is finally a break in the rain just after lunch and so we brave a trip to the beach, both wrapped up like Christmas but as soon as we have we made it to the beach the heavens open again and we beat a hasty retreat to the safety of the van for more tea and another film.

Day 369

Of course as we are packing up to move on out comes the sun and it’s looking like a nice day today (typical). We carry on all the same and just a short drive along the coast we come to the holiday town of Lakes entrance, the entrance to over 5000km² of inland lakes separated from the sea by a thin strip of beach. In the summer months this place must be heaving under the weight of a million holidaymakers but on a cold and windy Saturday in May it’s more like a ghost town, most of the shops are shut and we seem to be the only car on the road. There must be at least 20 caravan parks here and with so much choice neither of us can decide where to go. We park up and walk along judging each one on external appearance and distance to the pub and end up settling for one of the closer ones. Once we have set up and plugged in we go for a stroll along the (mainly shut) high street and end up at the (thankfully open) pub where we drown our sorrows and treat ourselves to a fish and chip supper on the way home.

Day 370

Sunday morning and after a lie in and a leisurely breakfast we decide that we might like to go fishing today so we jump in the van and head off in search of a good spot. Drive around the town and down to the wharf to have a look but there are some vicious looking pelicans there and they start making evil eyes and flapping in our direction so we continue on to a spot at the lakes entrance which looks like a nice spot until we get out of the van and the freezing wind hits us.

Neither of us fancy sitting about in this weather for long and so we abandon all thoughts of fishing and instead head across a bridge and down to the beach for a stroll.

Again the wind and cold gets the better of us before long and we return to the caravan park for a hot shower and an early night.

Day 371

Time to pack up and move on and today we head another short drive up the coast to the town of Mallacoota and an excellent foreshore campsite with the promise of some great fishing. As soon as we have set up I’m off to get a fishing licence and some bait. Carmen is feeling a bit under the weather and so whilst she has a lie down in the van I head literally 100 metres to the shore and throw a line in.

Several hours later and only having had 2 bites (neither of which were converted into actual fish) all afternoon I head back to the van, disappointed and console myself with a hot shower and a cold beer.

Day 372

Up to a nice sunny day and we hop on the bikes and go for a ride around the caravan park. The place is huge with over 450 sites but at this time of year you could count the number of campers on your fingers and toes. We ride right around the foreshore gazing out over the ocean and back up the inlet before returning to the van and walking up the high street to get some shopping. It’s a tiny place and so 5 minutes later we are back at the van and decide to give fishing another go (at a different spot this time).

Once again the fish are not biting but I am made to feel slightly better when we get chatting to some other blokes who have been fishing all day and they haven’t had any luck either. We retire to the camp kitchen in the evening and warm ourselves around the open fire discussing all the fish we should have caught.

Day 373

An overcast morning today and Carmen is still not feeling the best and is suffering from dizzy spells so whilst she has a lie down I jump on the bike and head off for a ride through the town, along the inlet and into Croajingolong National Park.

The ride is excellent and on the way back I spot several potential fishing spots and even witness someone catching a good sized Bream and vow to return later on.

Carmen is feeling slightly better in the afternoon and so we pack up the rods and head down to one of the purpose made fishing platforms along the inlet.

Just as I am setting up my tackle a nosy Pelican arrives on the scene and expecting he will get something hangs around looking menacingly at us and as it turns out scaring off all the fish.

Try as we might (frantic waving and shouting) he will not go away and if anything the waving seems to attract him even more. So after a few hours and with sore arms and a horse throat we give up, pack the gear up and head off back to the safety of the van.

Day 374

Pack up and leave the lovely little town of Mallacoota and just up the road we find ourselves leaving Victoria and crossing back over into New South Wales and our home state.

The first town along the highway is Eden and we stop to get some provisions and try and find the garden. Carmen is still not well and has a dizzy spell in the shop and so we decide that we better take her to the Docs and see what is up. Luckily there is a medical centre just up the road so we head straight there and thankfully are in to see the Doc within 10 minutes.

Turns out she has a middle ear infection which is making her feel dizzy and sick and she is prescribed some tablets which should help and we are on our way again. Not much further up the road and we turn off into Mimosa rocks national park where we follow 4km of interesting gravel road and reach the campsite.

It’s a lovely spot with sites right next to the beach and fire pits in each one and we are welcomed by a family of kangaroos as we set up. Head down for a stroll along the beautiful sandy beach with excellent waves (If only it were a bit warmer) and return to the van to light a warming fire and settle in for the evening.

Melbourne to Wilsons Promontory National Park

Day 363

Our final day in Melbourne and time to give Polly a good clean out and reclaim all the stuff we had stored with Kimberley whilst we were in Tassie and try and fit it all back in the van. The roof was packed and repacked and we finally managed to squeeze everything back inside, wondering how we ever got it all in to start with. In the afternoon Kimberley cooked up a lovely pot of Pumpkin soup and we sit around, watching the football (Aussie rules again) and planning our onward journey.

A trip out in the evening to meet up with a couple of Carmen’s friends from her days in London. Janel and Adrian live in Box Hill and as luck would have it the bus from outside Kimberley’s house takes us all the way there. After an hour on the bus we finally arrive and are welcomed into their lovely house like old friends (I suppose Carmen is) and introduced to their two lively children Henry and Joe. The kids are duly put to bed and we sit down to a veritable feast (there’s nothing like home cooking) amid much catching up and tales of our travels. The evening passes all too quickly and before we know it it’s time to head home. Rather than brave the train journey into the city and then back out again, Adrian offers to drive us back to our Mentone and we are more than happy to accept and very grateful of the offer. Goodbyes are said and half an hour later we are climbing into our warm bed for the final time.

Day 364

Up nice and early and slightly nervous about getting back into the van after two weeks of luxury living (Thanks again Tom, Kate and Kimberley) and hoping Carmen’s ribs can handle clambering in and out of the van again. We say our goodbyes to Kimberley before she heads off for work and make ourselves ready for departure. Then we are off and head just a short drive out of Melbourne to the Mornington Peninsular where we head to the southernmost tip of the peninsular and Portsea for some lunch and a look around and afterwards call in at the very well-to-do town of Sorrento (Melbournites favourite holiday destination) before continuing back along the coast a bit to Rosebud and the foreshore camping area. The man at the campsite seems more than happy to see us and chats away for ages (and ages) before we tear ourselves away and set up in a great spot overlooking Port Philip bay. Head out for a short stroll along the narrow beach and look at the colourful beach huts before returning to the van and reacquainting ourselves with how everything works (didn’t take long).

Day 365

Day 365 and usually this would mean a year had passed but due to it being a leap year we have to wait until tomorrow so decide to pack up and leave Rosebud and head across the peninsular in search of wineries (and to start our anniversary celebrations). So we get Polly back into travel mode and take the scenic route up to Arthurs seat where we admire the views back along the peninsula and even get to have a sit in the famous seat (luckily Arthur wasn’t about).

Drop down the other side and continue on to Shoreham and another foreshore camp site but this one is completely deserted and we have to call the owners mobile to get a hidden key and let ourselves in! Find a nice little spot overlooking the beach again, set up for the night and jump straight on the bikes in search of wineries.

It does seem to be all uphill and what with the rib injury this makes for slow going and I try and egg Carmen on by telling her that at least it will be easy on the way home. Luckily it’s not too far and we find ourselves at Montalo vineyard and Olive grove and just in time as the weather has taken a bit of a turn and starts to rain. We take our time tasting and enjoy both the Pinot Noir (a speciality of the region) and the late picked Riesling desert wine and in between showers seize our chance to continue on just next door.

Tucks ridge is a small winery with an excellent selection and again as the rain comes down we savour each wine and have a good chat with the woman (Great museum release Pinot Noir).

Another short cycle ride away (uphill again) and we come to our third and final stop of the day at Red Hill estate. The man is refreshingly honest about the wines and again we enjoy the Pinot Noir and with fading light we get back on the bikes and free wheel all the way home (avoiding the rain this time).

Back at the campsite we call in to see Peter, the owner and after a chat about our travels he will not accept any money and lets us stay the night for free!

Day 366

After a night of wind and rain wake up to a sunny day and our 1 year anniversary! Neither of us can believe we have been travelling for a whole year and can recall with minute detail packing the van for the first time and pulling away from Bourke Street, crossing the Harbour Bridge and starting our short drive.

12 months mean it is time to have a KM’s update and with only a couple of weeks to go we are nearing our final tally.

We take our time packing up and as I am reversing out of our spot Polly rolls to a stop and sticks fast. I give it some revs but she won’t budge and so jump out only to find that the back wheels are spinning in the soft, wet mud and we are bogged!

Don't be a stick in the mud, get stuck in the mud!

Not for the first time on the trip I seem to remember saying “Bugger”.

We use some bits of wood under the wheels to try and get some traction but she just slips and slides and won’t move at all and the more we try the more she sticks fast.

Nothing else to do (and slightly red faced) we call the RACV and wait for their arrival which luckily doesn’t take too long and just as they arrive so doesPeter. Between them we are towed first out of the mud and then back onto the road (Happy anniversary!).

As we are leaving the campsite Peter tells us of a free camp at Maitland beach a couple of hours away (and assures us that the ground is hard there) and so we head along the coast, down a very good gravel road and arrive late in the afternoon.

As we pull into the campsite we are immediately greeted by a friendly fox who watches with interest as we set up and open a well-deserved (and much needed) bottle of wine.

Take a short stroll along the rocky beach and look in a few rock pools but it is cold and windy so return to the relative warmth of the van and settle in for the night.

Day 367

Our first priority this morning is fuel so we leave Maitland beach and head into the nearest town, Fish Creek. No petrol at Fish Creek and so thinking we may be calling the RAC out twice in two days we head off towards the next town (where we know there is petrol) Walkerville. We make it no problem (whew) and decide that we will fill up one of the emergency tanks after all (just to be on the safe side). A short drive away is Foster and as we are driving in we notice that the local rotary club were doing a sausage sizzle so we make our way over there and I end up having two free snags (always happy to support the locals) and after a brief stop in the tourist information we head down to Wilsons Promontory National Park and the town of Tidal River.

The campsite here has over 450 sites and so we were both expecting to be in caravanistan but as it turns out we were just about the only ones here and so pick a spot in acres of space and are greeted by a flock of Crimson rosellas as we are setting up.

It’s a nice afternoon and so we decide to go on a walk around the headland to squeaky beach, so called because the sand is made up of quartz and squeaks when you walk on it.

It’s a nice walk, first crossing over the Tidal River and then ascending up into the hills offering good views back to Norman beach. We then continue through the undergrowth and descend down to Squeaky beach where we decide to walk along the beach (squeaking as we went) to the giant boulders at the Northern end for an explore.

Once we (I) are done exploring it’s time to turn around and retrace our steps back to the deserted campsite, some dinner and bed.