This is a story of a road trip in Eastern Australia.
It was never planned in any detail, but I lived on the Gold Coast and one day I asked my two kids if they would like to visit some cousins in Melbourne as well as more Uncles, Aunts and cousins in NSW on the way back to Queensland. I had the use of a company ute which was pretty new. Jordana was 10 years old at the time, Dash was 7 and I was 47. Their Mother was happy to have some time to herself. We had separated. The kids and I were going to share a new tent in camping grounds along the way.
We finally left the Gold Coast and headed for Tenterfield, then over The Great Dividing Range on the way to Kempsey. We decided to bypass Sydney and headed for Eden. The kids were loving every minute and became avid map readers. A day later we zeroed in to Mallacoota near the NSW border.
A short drive from there to Buchan Caves was a must-see, as the tiny village nestled into looming mountains in the NSW/Victorian Alps. The kids were spell-bound at how close the mountains were and then the caves of Buchan were waiting for us. Of course, after seeing all the caves the kids wanted to spend some time with all the other kids in the pool. Now this is a big pool too and the water comes gushing out of the rocks. It claims to be the coldest water in Australia. It was packed with kids who all needed help to stop shivering!
It is only 38 kms to Lakes Entrance from Buchan and the kids had already heard how pretty Lakes Entrance is with its lakes, harbours and surf beaches. We stayed 2 days and had a rest before we drove on to Wilson’s Promontory, which was amazing with its surf beaches, Tidal River and cliff sand then we finally headed back over the mountains to Bright and the picturesque valleys of the Victorian Alps.
This was beginning to be Australia’s greatest road trip and we hadn’t reached the halfway point! Bright was recently voted Australia’s Prettiest Town (or village) with Mt Buffalo supplying the snow and the village water.
We didn’t go over Mt. Buffalo, but we were sorry to leave the Vic Alps behind as we headed south to Melbourne. The kids were excited when the massive towers were seen and a few hours later we were on the Yarra in dinghy trip down to Port Phillip Bay.
My last surprise for the kids was visiting some of their cousins at Melbourne’s Sandringham. More excitement! Over the Gateway Bridge and on to Geelong, then to Bells Beach and further west to The Grampians which they had heard about and seen on a VHS Video I had done. The kids were more excited about the Grampians than I've ever experienced. They could see the cliffs and rocks getting closer and higher with every kilometre we travelled.
We explored every waterfall and every wondrous view (their mother, Amanda can’t stand to see how close to the cliffs the kids are and yells “Get Back!” at the video! As If!!).After all these years Dana and Dash still talk about that beautiful place.
We planned to see some friends at Narrabeen before the final leg to the Gold Coast but there was one final hurdle. We can't reach the Gold Coast and home due to bushfires and floods. Police and fires everywhere. We had to lock-down for two days, but the fires had been threatening and were now terrifying. Police have put us “On Hold”. Fires and smoke everywhere. We are trapped. Two hours of vigilance and the Police Sargeant waves us through. We are the first vehicle to move, and we advance slowly, waving at onlookers as we pass.
Then nighttime, 2nd day of fires, and we push towards Ipswich and home! The kids are so excited they have forgotten how dangerous it’s all been.
Nightfall. Two days of fires and we have the last creek in view. There are a 100 stranded vehicles and we are the first to be allowed to cross after three days. There are car horns blasting as we are slowly progressing towards safety...Gold Coast here we come!
Stand Out Highlights: The Grampians; Wilson’s Promontory; Buchan Valley and Caves and being the first vehicle to cross into Queensland after the fires and flood.
Some memories to last forever!
Dana, Dash, Love from Dad
John A Wilson
Pottsville April 2024.
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