5 years on the road

On the 23rd February 2013 (5 years ago), we moved into our caravan and started a new adventure of life on the road. "Living the Dream"  We had packed all of our worldly possessions into the cruiser and left Darwin early February 2013 to pick up the van in Qld on the Gold Coast. From then we have;
Traveled 128,000 km with plenty more to see and see again.
Stayed at more than 300 different camping spots.
Seen the sun rise nearly 1,825 time - have slept 😴 in a couple of times.🛌
Used a tanker load of diesel ⛽25,923 litres approx.

Shared lots of happy hours 🍻🥂 traded many travel stories with other "Mr & Mrs Haveachats"
and .... best of all, meet and made many great friends 👫👫👨‍👩‍👦‍👦

Sunshine coast

After a very humid night (had air conditioner on all night) left Burleigh Heads and headed north of Brisbane towards the Sunshine coast. Our first stop was Burpengary to catch up with Norm and Rhonda for a couple of nights. They have a great place with room for the van and a nice private pool which we had many dips in as the weather was very hot and humid. Had a great catch up and enjoyed dinner at the local Tavern with rose petals spread over the table and candles - it was Valentines Day!  Norm claims he knew and was happy to take all the 'brownie points', however we doubt that very much!!  Norm and I traded car and caravan stories and talked about boys toys over the 2 days - I need a shed!! Thank you guys for your warm hospitality.

Norm is minding this little toy for his son - V8 combi!

Our next stop was not much further north to Landsborough and a couple of nights with Harley and Faye.  Backed into 'site 3' - designated undercover spot for visitors, then took up their offer to stay in the house as storms were predicted.  Weather was so humid it reminded us of the Darwin 'build up' and we were entertained by a thunder and lightning display.  Unfortunately not much rain to cool things down.  Recently they had a massive storm come through taking out trees around the area - luckily Harley and Faye only had minor damage compared to some others in the neighbourhood.

H&F visitors 'site 3'

After breakfast the next day we were chauffeured around visiting the Mooloola Valley, Eudlo, Palmwoods then onto Caloundra.  Stopped for lunch at the Powerboat Club, just getting in before the 2pm cut off point!!  On way home stopped at Landsborough Bakery for coffee before heading home for a 'grazing tea' as no one was hungry after lunch. Once again Harley and I traded "boys toys" stories. Thank you guys for a great catch up with many laughs particularly concerning Helen's birthday present - a 3 1/2 inch exhaust system!!  Your hospitality is greatly appreciated.

This time of the year the parks offer specials so decided to take advantage of a pay for 3 and stay 4 offer at the Mooloolabah Beach Holiday Park. The first 3 days were very warm and the sea had a huge swell resulting from cyclone Gita, great for the surf but not the best for swimming and at various times the beach was closed.  On the first day Helen decided to go for a swim and even staying between the flags, she could not get out of the wash - most of the time being dumped by the big waves!  Said she felt like she was in a washing machine so her 'swim' was short lived.  At least she had cooled down.  I went for morning bike rides but had to contend with heaps of people wandering all over the track.  Unfortunately overseas visitors do not keep to the left hand side when walking so bike track became an obstacle course!  Helen and I walked around to the Spit - sea had certainly calmed compared with previous days.  Went to the Mooloolaba Surf Club for tea and enjoyed a discounted 'Seniors' Meal - things we can now look forward to in our senior years!!

Mooloolabah beach, a very popular spot.

Sunrise from Mooloolaba beach towards Caloundra

Another sunrise photo - I do get a bit carried away.

A few early morning swimmers venture into the larger than normal swell

Surfers taking advantage of the bigger swells

I had thoughts of going to Inskip Point to camp, however as the weather had changed and storms predicated, we moved on 6 km further north to Cotton Tree Holiday Park, and again took advantage of the discount offer.  After arriving the wind blew up to 45 km/hr and combined with heavy rain - did not bother putting the awning out.  The wind and rain continued for 2 days - Helen was delighted that we decided against Inskip Point.  She was happy to get her book out however I was going a bit stir crazy being inside all the time - couldn't even have any windows open.  Weather eased on our last day and even saw some blue sky for a short period.

This was the only blue sky we saw for a few days - the van next door!

Three back from the river was a good van site.

The beach in front of the caravan park, a few ventured out for a swim when the rain had stopped. 

After 4 days at Cotton tree we packed up and continued north to Woolooga for our house sit at Carol and Rays.

Brunswick Heads and Burleigh Heads

With school holidays finished thought it was safe to head back to the coast again so from Gulmarrad we travelled north on Pacific Highway to Ballina where we stopped for lunch. Temperature dropped quite a bit with the cool wind and rain.  Continued up the Coast Road to Lennox Head, Suffolk Park, Byron Bay and onto Brunswick Heads where we stayed for 3 nights at the North Coast Holiday Park.  Back into Caravan Parks with very close neighbours, although such a nice setting by the River.

Grassy Head Tourist Park on the banks of the Brunswick River

Unfortunately the weather was not the best as very overcast and threatening rain, so took a drive to Tugun and visited Todd for a few hours.  On the way back to Brunswick Heads we encountered very heavy rain however once back at the van the weather had cleared and was looking good.  The following day had cleared and I had a morning ride on the bike.  Helen and I walked to the town area and had a look around, then I rode back to the beach in the afternoon for a swim.  Sea was very rough so didn't stay in for very long.

We left Brunswick and headed back into Queensland, saying goodbye to daylight savings and getting into the same time zone as Briony and Todd.  Helen was most pleased as we had all clocks on the same time instead of one showing Qld and one showing NSW.  When travelling close to the border it's a bit of a challenge for us!

We stayed at Burleigh Beach Tourist park for 8 days taking advantage of the off season offer of paying for 6 nights and staying for 8 nights.

Once settled into Burleigh Beach Tourist Park we walked up to Briony's place and had a lovely home cooked meal and catch up. Over the period of our stay we had reasonable warm weather so I took advantage of being so close to the beach and had a swim most days.  Its also nice to walk up Burleigh Hill and watch the surfing particularly early in the mornings. It's quite a busy spot with many making time for a quick surf before work.

Burleigh beach from the headland

Catching a wave

To get out to the big surf they walk down from the headland and jump from the rocks onto their boards timing the waves not to crash onto the rocks.

With good surf it's always a busy spot - Surfers Paradise in the background.

On Friday evening Briony and Todd had organised a belated dinner to celebrate both Tenelle and my birthdays.  I didn't want to have anything too flash and was surprised with a BBQ in the park on the banks of the Currumbin River.  This was 'spot on' as the evening was quite balmy and we watched the sunset over a beer and bbq dinner.

BBQ dinner in the park on the Currumbin River

I managed to get the bike out again and most mornings road down to Surfers Paradise about 15 km return.  It's a nice ride and there is a bike track all the way, however at times it's shared next to the road and if you ride on the track next to the beach, you have to share with multi-skilled Mums who push the pram, drink coffee and talk on the mobile while walking in designer Lorna Jane gym wear.

I went for a ride most mornings down to Surfers and back, this morning stopped at North Burleigh for a view over Miami.

Some mornings I saw koala and dolphins on my ride, well statues in the park.