Brisbane to Sydney

Brisbane to Sydney

So we managed to pick up our new campervan (and I use the term campervan loosely, as it is essentially a toyota people carrier which has been converted to have a bed in the back) from Brisbane and started the drive south without getting lost. On day one we drove down to Coffs Harbour where we found a really nice campsite which had everything we could dream of. We arrived in the evening so we just put our steaks on the BBQ and chilled out with a couple of beers. We decided that we would head out fairly early the next day to Port Macquire as it was Australia day (which is a public holiday and a big deal over here, although I am still not totally sure what it is all about). After the long drive we arrived and couldn’t get into the first caravan park so we ended up in a bit of a dump. So keen to get out we went into the town, which didn’t really impress either and given that it was a national holiday everything was closed. After a bit of a walk around the ghost town we found a fish and chip shop where we got some good fish and chips to eat near the beach before heading back to the campsite. The rain has hit the East coast and it is torrential, but not constant. We have been caught in it a couple of times and got soaked but at least it’s still warm even when its raining.

Unsurprisingly we went to bed early and got up early to escape the campsite and first off we headed to the place we had come to Port Macquire to see – the Koala hospital. It was lovely to see the wild koalas and we even saw one who had just been brought in and was being assessed by the vet. The koalas had a range of issues, from Glaucoma to injuries from cars and even one who lived there as he had a spinal defect. The hospital looks after the koalas and then releases them when they are better. After a couple of walks around we headed off to Hunter Valley which is a wine producing area. We arrived at about 12 and proceeded to drive around several vineyards where we were able to sample wine, vodka, beer, chocolate and cheese. In the area there are over 140 vineyards but we only made it to about 8 or 10, I lost count with all the wine I was trying. It was raining all day but it was really fun to run into the different places and have a good look around and try all of the wines. In the last stop we also managed to see some wild Kangeroos in the vineyard with young joeys which was lovely. We walked in the vineyard to get a bit closer and we tried some of the shiraz grapes which tasted very different to what you would expect.

After a night parked in the YHA car park we headed off to Sydney and arrived at lunch time at our new campsite, which is in a national park. As it was raining again (you would think we were in the UK with all this rain) we decided to spend the day in central Sydney. So of we went to Surry Hills to have lunch (it’s the place to go for food apparently) we managed to find a little bakery we had read about and we had a very good pie each followed by the best lemon curd tart (it’s good not to be on my diet any more!). After that we headed to china town where we found an arcade which kept us entertained for too long (we are big kids at heart) and after dinner in China town we headed back to the campsite which is where we are now.

Tomorrow the plan is to drive the campervan back and head to our accommodation in central Sydney for the night. Then, the following day, we pick up a new campervan and start the drive to Melbourne.