Holiday Road | Website
Holiday Road
Reviews
to load big map
23.01.2022 Some shots from Kyogle & surrounds. The sunset was taken from Casino,found a few good bike trails around Kyogle and we visited "Woodenbong" home of the Yowie! #NewSouthWales #Kyogle #Woodenbong #Walkabout #Exploring
22.01.2022 I'm not a really poetic kind of bloke but I was scanning some items from Allison's Mum so we could preserve them and this one caught my eye. Had to share. #Aussiepoetry #Adventure #Theopenroad She has inspired me to have a first go at a short poem about the road. Here goes. --- "Bit's of gravel dust, tar and stuff, some of them are really rough. We bump and grind and leave the world behind on our quest for adventure.... The mirror staring at you reflecting yesterday, but your not looking that way. The turbo screams, the tacho's alive, so are we when we finally arrive. It's the adventure that keeps us going, or maybe it's the fear of never knowing. Have you ever wondered what would happen if you just kept following that silver line, through the best Country in the world towards the sunshine.."--- Thanks Wanda, you may have started something now... Peter
22.01.2022 Back in good old Brisbane City last night. We just couldn't help but to get the car out and do a few laps of the City. My eyes were on the road but but my ears were on the heap of chatter coming from the back as we rolled over the Story bridge. I like coming in with the city lights on the left. It hit the kids like "BAM", in your face. And they exploded with noise. It was awesome. And the chatter didn't stop, there was a fair amount of noise coming out of our old Hiace, e...ven over powering MMM on the radio which had to be turned down. The look on the little kids faces was priceless, bit different to Adelaide and Darwin hey kids. Not in Cloncurry any more. Because we're usually out in the boon docks we do really like hitting the Cities and seeing life. Showing the kids all the buildings I used to work on back in the day was like reliving my own childhood. Just an awesome (but tiring) night to end a very awesome day. Allot of driving was had. Yesterday we found some very nice caretakers who guided "The Gauntlet" into a very nice site for us to pull into. Far cry from the other day. We found the QLD spirit again, there it is. Also we would very much like to thank those that offered up their private properties for us to stay, "some really good ones". We only pointed out Boonah the other day as we've never been turned away from a showground because of our kids. Not in 15 years. Not a poor us or sob story. We just tell it the way it is. We get all sorts of crap thrown at us but don't we all. This is just our story as we roll on down the road. Nothing more, nothing less. We don't even know where the next road is going to take us so get ready for more.. Everything aside though we all have the Covid to deal with. We're not currently happily traipsing around the Country during a pandemic. We've hunkered down since March and need to get back to the N.T. as soon as humanly possible for many reasons. The whole East coast thing has been like "woah". Peter
21.01.2022 Found our electrical gremlin today. Thank you Mr Rat. Trying to get in and make himself a comfy home. So good to get this off our minds as it was a really weird problem and made our last drive a bit more stressful. One of the problems off our list now. Next is to rebuild the hatch so it doesn't drip all over Allison and the kids. So good having shops for all our needs. #Motorhoming #RVLife ... The unexpected problems that arise are part of being on the road. The handier you are the less it will cost you. This wiring job from fault find to repair has cost us a few bucks and a few hours. Beforehand though it gave us allot of anxiety.
18.01.2022 Walked a small part of the old abandoned train line that opened in roughly 1884 and ran between Murwillumbah and Casino nsw,its been closed now for around 16 years. #NewSouthWales #Abandoned #history #Oldtrainline
17.01.2022 It seems like a million years ago now. Working on a station out in the NT a few years back. We never shared the experience as we had no internet as well as a few personal issues with management which gave us no inkling of promoting the place.#NorthernTerritory #Theoutback #Stationlife #Bigcountry #Bigfamily #Adventurefamily #Travelingfamily We've been on the road for a long time and we had a fair idea of what to expect in regards to conditions and remoteness before we arriv...Continue reading
17.01.2022 Trying to mock up a logo for ourselves but never happy with what ever we come up with. Any advice or ideas with what direction we should head on this one. We just want to create something very simple and uncomplicated. Wanting to get some stickers printed for our car and trailer. Kind of like our own badge.
17.01.2022 Maddison and Brett cruising in the Centre Nats.
16.01.2022 Historic Nightcap walking track ,Mount Nardi. (Up the hill from Nimbin) Apparently this historic track is part of the old track that ran between Lismore and Murwillumbah and used back in the 1840’s up until the 1900's, by both postal workers and travellers. This was a spur of the moment decision to get out for an afternoon so we didn't count on doing any walking but as normal we never plan anything most of the time. Only did about 5klm of the track as it was getting, and in... fact got dark. The fires have ravaged parts of the bush but still a beautiful rainforest with plenty of regrowth. Above all the air is just beautiful. Some of the kids had their first experience with leaches and all in all was a great afternoon. Also one of the areas we used to drive to, back in the day when we were house bound. Being so used to the outback now it's great getting in among the forest again. The road going up had moss growing on it. Been a long time since we've seen a green road. #NewSouthWales #MountNardi #Bushwalk #walkabout
16.01.2022 Just put together a video from our visit to Halloween Spooksdale in Townsville. Do put this on your list. Gold coin donation with funds going to charity. Top people that made for a top Halloween. 10/10 from us.
16.01.2022 Out of all the major Cities we reckon Brisbane is most likely our second favourite behind Darwin and only just in front of Perth. Nothing against the Southern Cities as they all have their great points. Maybe we're a little bit bias as it was close to our home town? We think it's more to do with the cold climates, we don't do cold really well. We know the Southern side like the back of our hand but the Western side has always been a bit of a mystery. Now that we've found ...ourselves based here until we head West, we've found a few opportunities to have a little look around. First of all once you get out of Ipswich your basically getting into the edge of the bush again. We love the bush but having a major City so close is another advantage. Add to this the fact it's so close the the Sunny and Gold Coasts. Kind of adds to the appeal. Kind of makes us feel like this could be a potential spot for a future base. But Darwin is still luring us with it's tropical climate. See more
16.01.2022 We cleaned the dash.
15.01.2022 "Bald Rock" the largest exposed granite rock in the Southern Hemisphere. Pretty much in between Tenterfield and Stanthorp, this rock is like a mini Uluru but with trees. This road trip was for Allison as her birthday wish was to hit the road for the day, we drove via Tenterfield and we also pulled up at "Thunderbolts" hideout on the way home. The kids had a really good time exploring around these places. Bit of a twisty drive from Casino to Tenterfield and some spew bags ...had to be deployed. If your in the area don't forget to chuck these on your list. #NewSouthWales #BaldRock #Walkabout
14.01.2022 This ones for your kids. If you travel up to Woodenbong in NSW you will find yourself in Yowie Country. On the road to the QLD border and if you look hard you will find this Yowie crossing and may even see some foot prints. We were lucky to find some really fresh prints so a Yowie must have recently just crossed the road. Sadly we never saw a Yowie as they are very elusive. But we can see why they live here as it's a beautiful area.
14.01.2022 We've played our part with the Covid and have been staying put until it's safe to move again. Well we guess it's that time to get the wheels rolling again. We still haven't completed our insurance claim from the flood yet, and although life is moving very quick it seems like we've been stuck in quicksand while the days rush by us. So the next step for us is to get into QLD before the borders are clamped right down again but we might not make it in time. We fired up "The Gau...ntlet the other day and she wants to start moving as bad as us. We may have to complete our repairs in QLD before we head back West. Just depends on how this virus plays out over the next few days/weeks. Anyway and now to the point. We applied and received our permits and did a recon over the border the other day through Rathdowney, Beaudesert and Cunungra looking for a place to park "The Gauntlet".The caretaker at Canungra was really nice and the showground is a viable option for us at this stage. Rathdowney may be worth reinvestigating as well. So on the way and seeing as it was Nadeines birthday we stopped at "Mt Maroon" just out of Rathdowney. But beforehand we were stopped at the border by a lovely bunch of officers who checked our permits, 13 permits to be precise. We didn't have allot of time here so we only only made it about half way up before deciding to turn around and keep on our main mission. But it's a bloody awesome place to visit if your in the area. Been a long, long time since we've been out this way and after checking out places to camp we ended up on the Gold Coast opting to drive down the coast strip through Surfers and into Cooly. Since the border lock down this was the first time we've been able to drop into "The Jungle" for a takeaway mexican feed. And as usual it didn't disappoint "Thanks Craig and Jason". The Jungle was a place very well frequented by us back when we lived there, and it's always a must when visiting. These guys always make us feel like we're back home. Then it was a long, late drive through Lismore and to back to base. Just to clarify, there are no covid cases where we've been staying and none of us had any flu symptoms. Our travel was essential and in no way trivial. We've stayed put for over 4 months now riding it out and it's now time for us to get our wheels turning again. #Queensland #MtMarron #Walkabout
14.01.2022 That time when we went From Cooktown down the Cape Trib road and on the way back noticed the "4X4 only" sign. Yeah the old van got a bit punished that day. Maddison took shots of sunsets every day for a whole year in different locations around the Country. The time we looked down and the kids had their blow up boat in the middle of the old mine. A strange night was had at Charters Towers during some sort of festival where the buildings had movies playing on them, and many strange human shaped statues made from glad wrap were strewn around town. Just chucking some old photos out whilst going through our hard drives.
14.01.2022 Turned up at Boonah Showground. Caretaker said he can't take us as we would annoy the grey nomads even though the kids were sitting quietly without a peep from them. Also said facilities would not cope even though I told him we don't use showers etc. First time we've been turned away from a showground in 15 years of travel. WOW, times are changing.
13.01.2022 Not on the move again yet but we've been getting around Brisbane and the Gold Coast getting things done. Basically back on our home turf again.
11.01.2022 Our eldest daughter Maddison took this shot from last nights storm in the Northern Territory.
10.01.2022 So we haven't been able to get back to the N.T. 3 of our girls are due for their driving test. P's The N.T. will not give them an extension, which means our girls have to sit for another written test and wait another 6 months before they can go for their P's. This is of course whenever we make it back. Sure, the governments going to help us through this pandemic...I call B.S. Where is the harm in granting an extension? rant for the day. Peter.
10.01.2022 Found some old photos of enclosing the trailer in some years ago and fitting the old Hiace in. This is the reason we have kept the old girl as other vans are longer and will not fit without further mods. The trailer itself was built by our good friend "Johnny Walker" in Tweed Heads (May he rest in peace). The top half was enclosed by us after around 6 or so years on the road as a flat bed. It is now my man cave. Fixed many fridges and appliances in there when the car is out. It also doubles as my office. Although the girls are starting to take it over as a sewing and craft/music room. In fact I am writing this post from my man cave. Peter.
09.01.2022 "Tooloom Falls" About 5klm South West of Urbenville. Doing our best not to go insane we headed out to Tooloom for an afternoon just as a spur of the moment decision. We've been parked up for over 3 months now and are eagerly waiting for the borders to reopen so we can get back up to where it's warm. Like you we never saw all this coming and the worst part for us was getting locked down in NSW during Winter, we don't do Winter very well.... Still trying to finalize our repairs on "The Gauntlet" as well as some other unfinished business we're all busting to make a move. Glad we have places like this on our doorstep to keep us motivated and healthy in the mind and spirit. #NewsouthWales #TooloomFalls #Urbenville #Walkabout See more
08.01.2022 Now we have to give credit where it's due. We have many people to thank over the last few years and we'll get around to that soon. But first and foremost is a huge THANK YOU to the beautiful little town of Kyogle in Northern NSW. #NewSouthWales #Northernrivers #Kyogle #Campground #Familytravel #Bigcountry #Bigfamily When Covid hit, it was a mad scramble for road nomads across the Country to either get home or stay put somewhere. We pulled into the Kyogle showgrounds whe...re we met the lovely caretaker "Helen". She parked us up and that's where we stayed for around five months or so. There was no other alternative as we had to stay in the area for a few commitments. We were starting to stress a little as Murwillumbah and Lismore were way over the top with pricing and Casino had nothing on offer, but Kyogle was like a shining star on a really dark night guiding us to safety. We know that sounds lame but it's really true. Not forgetting that we had just come down from Townsville after a gruelling flood and our daughter had not been long out of Hospital we were absolutely exhausted and pretty much burnt out. And for us to be burnt out is saying something. When we lived on the coast we used to visit on a Sunday drive etc. After living there it changed our whole perspective. The people we met were really nice, friendly and very welcoming. The countryside is breathtaking and there is plenty to see and do around the shire. Good base for Nimbin, Mt Warning, and even up to the Tweed if you like a day trip. We can't say enough words about this great little town and I don't think the locals would have a clue about how much our stay meant to us, it was basically a life line in a real time of need for our family to regroup and reset. We had some great neighbors, Hey Frank and AL. Many laughs were had with these two. We all got through the first lockdown without going stir crazy, would not have been the same without these legends. The people of Kyogle should be proud and they should know that their little showground is a great money spin for the town as well. We got to know many shop owners. We patronised as many as we could from the post office, IGA, Auto spares, servo's for fuel and gas, Hardware, Butcher etc. etc. You can all laugh at the surrounding towns as they never got much of our money. You can also give yourselves a big pat on the back. We had so much unfinished business but sadly because of Covid and the QLD border closure we had to leave.. We'll never forget you Kyogle. Thanks "Helen" Keep up the good work and stand proud. We drove out with nothing but happy memories. "HR Friendly town, Kyogle"
05.01.2022 Things haven't changed much ,still two of the most biggest sticky beaks!
04.01.2022 Beaudine took the opportunity to film us (Mum and Dad) having a walk through BCF - Boating, Camping, Fishing in Townsville. In search of a new mattress we couldn't help but to check out the rest of this mega camping store.
04.01.2022 Well in the years we've been on the road we've never had to drop everything and pack up to get over a state border before it was closed off. Leaving NSW behind some weeks ago we made the executive decision to get ourselves over the QLD border before it was closed again. We just couldn't afford to get locked down in NSW for a second time. It was only through circumstance that we found ourselves in NSW in the first place when Covid hit us all. We were locked down in a little C...Continue reading
01.01.2022 We're QLDers again. Post story soon but we made it over the border last night and assessing our newfound situation.
