Road Trip Day 1
Mon 24th Nov: Sydney - Hunter Valley
I'm up early and head to get the ferry with Iain back to the city. Soon I'm saying my goodbyes to Iain, boarding the double deckered train to Mascot where I meet Stef and we collect our Apollo Campervan. We have booked up a wine tasting half day tour in the Hunter Valley for the afternoon. After a changing our intial faulty sat nav we are driving through the city and over the iconic Harbour Bridge and on route to Hunter Valley, with great views along the way.
We leave the campervan at YHA and soon after arriving are picked up for the wine tasting tour. The first stop is Draytons where we are treated to some fantastic quality wine.. especially the White Port.
Our 2nd stop, Pool's Rock, is underwhelming in comparison but our final stop, McGuigans, is great quality. Next we have some cheese tasting and after a short drive we go chocolate tasting. After the plus 40 weather experienced over the weekend in the Hunter Valley we find ourselves being driven back to each hotel/hostel in stormy weather!
We drive from YHA to a campsite nearer to town, picking up supplies on route, but only to find the campsite without electricity due to the storm and instead head back to a campsite opposite the YHA. The first of a number of quality campsites we will find ourselves staying at.
I'm up early and head to get the ferry with Iain back to the city. Soon I'm saying my goodbyes to Iain, boarding the double deckered train to Mascot where I meet Stef and we collect our Apollo Campervan. We have booked up a wine tasting half day tour in the Hunter Valley for the afternoon. After a changing our intial faulty sat nav we are driving through the city and over the iconic Harbour Bridge and on route to Hunter Valley, with great views along the way.
We leave the campervan at YHA and soon after arriving are picked up for the wine tasting tour. The first stop is Draytons where we are treated to some fantastic quality wine.. especially the White Port.
Our 2nd stop, Pool's Rock, is underwhelming in comparison but our final stop, McGuigans, is great quality. Next we have some cheese tasting and after a short drive we go chocolate tasting. After the plus 40 weather experienced over the weekend in the Hunter Valley we find ourselves being driven back to each hotel/hostel in stormy weather!
We drive from YHA to a campsite nearer to town, picking up supplies on route, but only to find the campsite without electricity due to the storm and instead head back to a campsite opposite the YHA. The first of a number of quality campsites we will find ourselves staying at.
Roadtrip Day 2
Tues 25th Nov - Blue Mountains
We set off early from Hunter Valley to our 2nd destination of the trip the Blue Mountains. Stef has found a 6 hr looped trek from the Conversation Hut to the Wentworth Falls. The views are incredible. We set off in the late morning, the sun has not burnt through the clouds yet so it is cooler.. making the walk more pleasant.
After the first part of the trek we find that we are completing it a lot quicker than sign posted, which is good as we dont need to rush. Throughout the whole trek the views are breathtaking. . . possibly the best I have seen in Oz.
On our return to the conservation hut we have some food, investigate the Jenolan Caves and book up a tour for the following morning. We then drive (via a dodgy countryside road.. the downside of sat nav) to Oberon where we spend our 2nd night of the trip. Enjoying the wine we bought on the Hunter Valley winery tour.
We set off early from Hunter Valley to our 2nd destination of the trip the Blue Mountains. Stef has found a 6 hr looped trek from the Conversation Hut to the Wentworth Falls. The views are incredible. We set off in the late morning, the sun has not burnt through the clouds yet so it is cooler.. making the walk more pleasant.
After the first part of the trek we find that we are completing it a lot quicker than sign posted, which is good as we dont need to rush. Throughout the whole trek the views are breathtaking. . . possibly the best I have seen in Oz.
On our return to the conservation hut we have some food, investigate the Jenolan Caves and book up a tour for the following morning. We then drive (via a dodgy countryside road.. the downside of sat nav) to Oberon where we spend our 2nd night of the trip. Enjoying the wine we bought on the Hunter Valley winery tour.
Roadtrip Day 3
Weds 26th Nov - Jenolan Caves & Warren
Stef is up early for a run.. a lie in for me! After breakfast we take the short drive to the Jenolan Caves.. the final part of the drive is a steep windy downhill road.. fun to drive! We arrive in time for our fascinating guided tour (we have an enthusiastic guide with a great love for geology) around the Orient Caves.. the rocks here date back 430 million years ago.. seemingly putting life firmly into perspective.
After a short walk to the river we grab a coffee and sandwich then set off on our long long drive to Warren. I am excited for this.. we will be visiting the hometown and parents home of my Aussie friend from work.
When we arrive at the Kentwells we are warmly greeted by Deb, Chantelles mum and are soon enjoying a chilled drink together and sharing stories of our travels. We miss out on the opportunity to go Kangaroo shooting (they are a pest on the farm land and breed heavily) but this means we can spend the late afternoon into evening chatting and exchanging stories with Deb and Greg (who later returns home from work) and plenty of laughter. Deb cooks us an extremely tasty meal (without doubt my favourite from Oz) and plenty of wine! A night port before head.. a great evening and exactly as I had hoped for.. it's just a shame we don't have more time so that we can stay for longer.
Roadtrip Day 4
Thurs 27th Nov - Canberra & Eden
Thurs 27th Nov - Canberra & Eden
In the morning Greg is up and off to work at 5.30am .. even after all that booze! Deb cooks bacon, eggs and tomatoes.. again a great treat! Soon we are all packed up and saying our goodbyes to Deb. Before leaving Warren we stop at Uncle Clarys to get petrol and say our goodbyes to Greg. We are then on the road again.. heading to Canberra.
.. A long long drive..
In Canberra we stop for a few hours.. we have a look around and get some lunch. Then we are back on the road for another 3 hour drive to Eden. We pass through the Snowy Mountains, seeing some spectacular views. By the time we reach Eden the sun has set and the roads are more dangerous in the darkness with wildlife hard to spot. A tiring day and an early nights sleep.
Roadtrip Day 5
.. A long long drive..
In Canberra we stop for a few hours.. we have a look around and get some lunch. Then we are back on the road for another 3 hour drive to Eden. We pass through the Snowy Mountains, seeing some spectacular views. By the time we reach Eden the sun has set and the roads are more dangerous in the darkness with wildlife hard to spot. A tiring day and an early nights sleep.
Roadtrip Day 5
Fri 28th Nov - Melbourne
Ahead of us a 500km drive.. km after km after km of straight roads. Our plan is to arrive in Melbourne around 3pm.. but we end up being a long way off this estimate.
Close to Melbourne the sat nav directs us off the motorway and into the busy mid afternoon traffic. The route doesn't seem correct and after a 45min diversion we are back on the motorway.. our latest drop off is 4.30pm .. a 75 dollar fine awaits us if we return the vehicle after this point.. and an even bigger cost if we miss the 5pm closure of the rental shop. The time is now 4.15pm.. and traffic is slow on the motorway.. hello fines.
Eventually. . (and with the fuel nearly used up) we make it to the drop off point.. at 5.10pm.. thankfully a member of staff has waited on for us..although she is still there at 6pm dealing with other customers as we wait for a taxi to the airport, where we then take the shuttle bus into the city and then onto out hostel. A great week in regards to the places we have visited but at times stressfull due to the amount of time on the road each day. A few more days with the campervan would have been perfect.
Arriving at the hostel, we bypass checking in inorder to head straight to the bar for a well needed drink! Later we meet up with Stef's Aussie friend from Perth.. and head to a few bars, including a funky rooftop venue.
Ahead of us a 500km drive.. km after km after km of straight roads. Our plan is to arrive in Melbourne around 3pm.. but we end up being a long way off this estimate.
Close to Melbourne the sat nav directs us off the motorway and into the busy mid afternoon traffic. The route doesn't seem correct and after a 45min diversion we are back on the motorway.. our latest drop off is 4.30pm .. a 75 dollar fine awaits us if we return the vehicle after this point.. and an even bigger cost if we miss the 5pm closure of the rental shop. The time is now 4.15pm.. and traffic is slow on the motorway.. hello fines.
Eventually. . (and with the fuel nearly used up) we make it to the drop off point.. at 5.10pm.. thankfully a member of staff has waited on for us..although she is still there at 6pm dealing with other customers as we wait for a taxi to the airport, where we then take the shuttle bus into the city and then onto out hostel. A great week in regards to the places we have visited but at times stressfull due to the amount of time on the road each day. A few more days with the campervan would have been perfect.
Arriving at the hostel, we bypass checking in inorder to head straight to the bar for a well needed drink! Later we meet up with Stef's Aussie friend from Perth.. and head to a few bars, including a funky rooftop venue.
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