Hunter Valley to Gold Coast

The trip to Newcastle was uneventful and we parked the caravan at a community centre in the village of Seaham where it would be safe and made our way to Phil’s house in Raymond Terrace. It was great to see him and catch up with Kristy and Sophie over the weekend. The weather was cool with some showers but we managed to get out and about a bit.

On the Monday we headed for Port Macquarie, stopping for a cuppa on the way at Tom Cat Creek. The weather was glorious and warmed up as we travelled north. It was 19 deg when we arrived and not a cloud in the sky - first chance to get into the shorts. Used our on-board washing machine for the first time and it really does a good job. 

A cool night but another fabulous day after. We visited the township of Port Macquarie which is very impressive.

Janice and I think we could live here - in the winter. We walked through a tropical rain forest with a wide variety of trees and bushes and even spotted some native turkeys. What was particularly fascinating was the Strangling Fig which starts as a seed probably dropped by a bird in the foliage of the tree. It gradually grows downwards until it hits the grounds where it develops roots and over time completely envelops the tree, eventually killing it.

We travelled south along the coastal road past some magnificent beaches and rivers. Visited Kew and Kendall and then travelled north to Kempsey. The map showed a coastal road back to Port Macquarie so we set off and found ourselves on yet another gravel road but at least this one was in reasonably good condition. We found ourselves on the North Shore and travelled by car ferry back into Port Macquarie township. After a good look around the city centre we headed back to camp.

The next day it was off to Coffs Harbour. Another beautiful day getting up to 21 degrees. We set up camp at the NSW Regional Scout Training Centre just outside Coffs Harbour which is very peaceful.

The following day we explored Coffs Harbour and made our way to Grafton passing the Big Banana and climbing a hill to a viewing platform. Coffs Harbour photo.

The following day it was off to the Gold Coast and the longest leg so far, compounded by the experience of getting stuck behind a very long load escorted by 6 support vehicles and 2 police cars for about 30kms. There were a large number of B Doubles on the road and when you are being overtaken by one of those, the caravan sways from side to side from the air pressure created these travelling hulks. We parked the caravan at the Burleigh Heads Scouting Complex and headed off to Southport to catch up with Kirsty and Jon where we will stay for 4 days. They live on the 16^th floor of an apartment block and have fabulous views. Views from their apartment over Surfers Paradise.

Today it was a very pleasant 24 degrees and we toured around, had coffee at Crystal Cottage in the Currumbin Valley,

lunched by the beach and walked around Surfers. Going to Sky Point Tower for breaky tomorrow, the highest building on the Gold Coast.