Orange Home of The Wiradjuri people. A convict settlement was established in the 1820’s, which was named Blackman’s Swamp after James Blackman. Orange was named by Thomas Mitchell, who was an associate of the Prince of Orange in The Peninsula War. Graziers began occupation of this region in the late 1820’s. Orange is renowned for …

  After a great break in Canberra, we set off for Bathurst 275klm north via Goulburn, Black Spring and Oberon. There are a couple of routes, we decided on the more varied path with steeper climbs and descents. It was winding and steep (close to Black Springs over 15% at times) in some places but …

Head north towards Deniliquin, which is a town in the Riverina region of New South Wales. It sits on the Edwards River which is a branch of the Murray River. Pop. over 8000. In September each year The well known Deniliquin Ute Muster is held, (Pick-up Trucks), this is celebrating all things Australian. Music, camel …

Named after Queen Victoria, Queenscliff is located at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay approx 80klm from Melbourne. The Port Phillip Heads is the point for all shipping both container and passenger into the Port of Melbourne. I sailed through these heads in June 1969, and Sarah in February 1970. Queenscliff was settled in the …

Very grey day, with drizzle as we leave Melbourne towards the Murray River which forms a natural border between New South Wales and Victoria to our north. 150klm north, lies Bendigo, over the dividing range and the winter sunshine awaits which is very normal after the coastal clouds which are much more present in the …

Last year I was 70 and Liam & Ryan treated me to a weekend away at Wilsons Promontory including a hi-speed boat ride to the surrounding islands. A weekend for three, Sarah was wondering who the third person was, until mum was advised that she was not part of the plan. It was for Liam, …

Another opportunity to take the van back on the road as we are traveling to Canberra to visit our family, so we decide to visit a number of Victoria and NSW rural towns that prior to modern freeways you had no option but to travel through. First stop for a cuppa in Shepparton. Lovely winter …

The Wilsons Promontory National Park, commonly known as The Prom, is a national park in the Gippsland region of Victoria, located approximately 160 kilometres southeast of Melbourne. The 50,500-hectare (125,000-acre) national park is the southernmost national park on mainland Australia, known for its rainforests, beaches and abundant wildlife. It is also the southernmost point on …

July 24th-Home Day 95-110 Latitude 14 deg south of the equator.. Will you still be sending me a valentine…birthday greeting bottle of wine….when I’m 64… Declan and Trish both reached this milestone in the previous week. There have been some pressing work commitments that I have tried to defer until our original estimated return date …

July 14th-23rd Day 85-94 Ellendale Lake is located between Derby and Fitzroy Crossing along Highway 1 in Western Australia. This is a great free camp made possible by the very generous station owners opening their gates to visitors. Very tranquil while camping beside the lake hearing nothing but the sounds of birds. Very friendly local …