After enjoying some amazing weather in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, we made the long journey South to the cooler climate of Hunter Valley. We woke early the next morning and were tasting the first of many glasses of wine by 10:15 am. Throughout the day we visited a large number of vineyards with a few sensible pit stops to soak up the booze with bread, olives, cheese, chocolate and . . . beer! Our day then ended with a cheese and wine evening back in the camper van!
Our final destination before Sydney was the spectacular Blue Mountains where the temperature dropped to freezing and making cups of tea and bacon sandwiches in gale-force winds resulted in both frying and flying bacon. The ten-second rule was obviously applied! The scenery created by the sandstone rock formations was breathtaking and we explored the mountains on foot as well as taking two cable-cars and a near-vertical railway to get a closer look.
And after covering over 4000km and sleeping 22 nights in a camper we arrived into Botany Bay where we would spend our last evening living on wheels. We promptly set about having a party in the van which involved a few bottles of bubbly and some very bad singing by one individual (who wont be named!)
The next morning we bumped our heads inside the van for the last time and then checked into the Sydney Travelodge which felt like a palace in comparison - hot and cold running water, carpets, a proper bed ... amazing! We then enjoyed two lovely days exploring Sydney in the glorious winter sunshine. Breakfast in Darling Harbour, taking in the views from the top of the Sydney Tower, a few photos in front of the Opera House, the ferry to Watsons Bay for fish at Doyles restaurant, looking out to the ocean from South Head, having a beer at Icebergs in Bondi and watching the surfers, and finally a pub-crawl of The Rocks to cap off Helen's time in Australia. We were sad to say goodbye but glad that we'd spent such good times together.
That's lovely, thanks so much. Had a wonderful time with you both and yes the hotel in Sydney was true comfort.
ReplyDeleteThere were so many highlights on my trip - an unforgettable experience - can't stop telling everyone about it.
Highlights for me were sailing in the Whitsundays, whale watching at Hervey Bay, Brisbane Zoo and City. Then as we made our way to Sydney, the Hunter Valley and The Blue Mountains which were spectacular.
Would I do it again, definitely. Mum xx