And we are offโ€ฆ until 1km down the road!

Bang, Crash, Rookie error. The tow bar tongue was not inserted fully so the safety pin was not secured through the bar receiver hole. The caravan abruptly separated from the car. The hitch fell to the road and was dragged by the safety chains. A shocking sound of scraping metal seemed like we had finished our trip before we had started. Assessing the situation, we placed 4 chocks behind the van wheels, raised the hitch from the road with timber blocks & Big Red Foot. This was a two step move with support needed under the hitch and the electric jack. Amazingly there was no damage. After 35 minutes we were on our way again, a bit shaken, but thankful.

Big Australian Adventure (2025)

One month to go. Excited and feeling so blessed ๐Ÿ™ for what promises to be our most challenging adventure.

Plans and preparation are complete ๐Ÿ˜Š. Replacing the Jeep with a Ford Everest Sport and undertaking modifications (GVM/GCM upgrade; snorkel; bull bar; winch; airbags; better all terrain tyres) make it a car better adapted to on & off road travel. Other additions include a water bladder and a firewood box on rear of van.

Black Rocks

Black Rocks Camping Area is in the Bundjalong National Park. Over the three days here we really enjoyed the bush and bird life. We swam at Black Rocks beach, so named because of the black minerals giving the rock and sand a sooty colour.

Gary walked some of the trail beside Jerusalem Creek.

Jennifer painted in an idyllic setting.

Secret Lake Retreat

This pretty campsite was isolated and situated a few kilometers from Lawrence. For four days we explored the surrounding area, visiting Maclean and Yamba and cooled down in the picturesque lake.

Anchorage Park

Beautiful river front campground on the Kalang River, Urunga.

Perhaps the wildest, heaviest afternoon storm we have been experienced.

We kayaked under the road bridge, up to the old railway bridge.

It was very hot and so it was easy to cool off in the river which was on our doorstep.

Playstation

It was a rare opportunity at Playstation to spend two days with John and Rhonda. In beautiful surroundings we had campfire chats and walked the airstrip each morning.

Brothers having too much fun!

We went kayaking on the Korogoro Creek, Hat Head, and also swam.

Diamond Head

Gary finally tried out the Ford in the sand (and had fun).

Kangaroos sparring outside our van one morning.

Walking the beach and swimming each morning was the pattern to start the day.

It is exciting when the meticulous plans are realized. The bladder for storing extra water off grid was successfully transferred to the caravan water tanks.