Cubby House Adventures (2024)

22/12/2023

Hi there!!!
If you were wondering why we haven't posted for 7 weeks, this little angel is the answer, my son and wife had Charlotte in Sydney, so we travelled down to meet her!
I will pick up where we left off and continue up to then and beyond to where we are now.
💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

18/11/2023

Up to this point we have done:
6,056.5km
used 837.2 ltrs of diesel costing $1,697

Next drive was 1 hour 15 minutes into Maryborough, we stayed at the showgrounds here. Went to Queens Park where they have the most amazing Gallipoli sculpture park, learnt the first man on the beach was from here. There was so much information and walking down one section there was the sounds of marching feet, along with information from both sides of the war. It was a very moving experience.
We also did a train ride around the park which was great!! It was the 150 year anniversary of the park, so good timing.
This is where PJ Travers the author of Marry Poppins was born.
The next drive was 25 minutes into Hervey Bay, we had booked in for a helicopter ride, but that fell through 🥲, we had both been so looking forward to it. So had a look around the area. Went for a drive and walked out along the pier in the wind.

12/11/2023

We drove 1 hour 20 minutes to Rainbow Beach and booked in for a whole 7 days!! (pay for 6 get 7 bargain). This may sound odd but we needed a break from packing, unpacking, trying to decide where to go next, get washing done etc, after 3 days we decided we would stay another week as well!! Don't judge 🤣🤣
So we spent the days swimming at the beach, I got a fair bit of work done. We spent a day checking out Inskip point where the ferry goes to K'gari, (Fraser Is) and was surprised that it goes straight off the beach, with no ramps or anything! Another day was spent driving to and around Tin Can Bay, in the wind and rain, chickened out swimming that day as the sea was rough!
So all in all had a wonderful time looking around, doing beach walks small bush walks and generally relaxing, so now ready for the next leg......

03/11/2023

From Maleny there was a 40 minute drive to Kenilworth, and just had to go to the yummy cheese factory to stock up......
The next day was a whole 25 minutes to Eumundi, where of course we went to the markets, got a couple of things and some rather delicious food!
Popped down the road to Yandina where we checked out the ginger factory with a sculpture installation with the umbrellas. Then there was a macadamia factory/shop, where we had a couple of dark chocolate covered nuts for tasting, so needed to buy some!!!
There then was a whole 10 minute drive to Cooroy, didn't get any photos but had the best fruit smoothie from the organic grocer there.......

26/10/2023

We then drove a whole 40 minutes to Kilcoy, cute town with a free camping area! We found the Yowies!!!!! No facilities but wow another aquatic centre, so more swimming and yahoo a hot shower 😀. Jude detoured from her trip up north to home to spend a night there, so spent a great evening catching up and swaping stories!! Of course, food and drinks involved.
The next drive was 45 minutes to Maleny, that is another great place to visit. Caught up with friends Bev & Gadj they stayed at a cute tiny house, so we could stay on site as well.
Checked out Maleny, Montville and Palmwoods, had a great lunch at Ricks cafe, (yummy burgers!), spent a wonderful time catching up, again food, drinks and a fire was involved!!
Went for a small walk to a lovely waterfall called Gardeners Falls, we were going to go on a large walk but the pouring rain decided NO! I fall over at the best of times, so slipping off a cliff might ruin my day 🤣🤣🤣🤣

21/10/2023

Drive of 1 hour 5 minutes to Dalby, the place we stayed had a swimming pool which we enjoyed after checking out the town, even if we got odd looks from the locals in their jackets and jeans..... it was hot.
Then 55 minutes to Kumbia to a race track / golf course, odd to see a golfer playing on a race track. The toilets were 😱😵‍💫, probably the worst we have seen, but on the other hand the showers were large and hot with good pressure. The town had it's history in the park, which was interesting.
A big drive of 55 minutes to Kingaroy the peanut capital! The info center had a museum and art gallery attached where we spent a couple of hours.
Then at the peanut shed I couldn't decide on flavors so got the small packs of lots!
A 22 minute drive to Nanango to a free park behind the RSL, no cooking that night. There was an aquatic center next door, so another great swim (and use of the shower facilities!). The info center also had a great display we spent a while looking at.

13/10/2023

We then drove an hour to Ipswitch, but the showground was booked out for an event, so we drove another whole 20 minutes (we even needed to swap drivers 🤣🤣) and ended up in a very cute place called Marburg at the showground / race track!
We went out to a dam called Wivenhoe, stopped to get a sandwich for later in a little town called Fernvale. Spent the day kayaking on the dam which was great!! Even if we felt it the next day!
Then it was 35 minutes to Toowoomba, where it was very, very, very windy, not the most fun, but the showgrounds were pretty cool, it's the biggest showground in Australia, according to old mate in the office.
Went to the flower festival and we even knew names of some of the flowers, very talented people, beautifully set-out and presented!!🌲🌷🌷🌸

06/10/2023

Big drive again, we made it to Beauderest, a whole 22 minutes away from Woodenbong.
Spent a few days here, out to the dam called Lake Wyaralong, spent time walking around as well as the sculpture park there.
Went to Mt Tamborine for a day and did a couple of the walks in the national parks, didn't realize I was a 😱 even on the safe metal walkways, Jo had a bit of a laugh at my expense, which I was OK with 🤣🤣, until of course we came across a little slithery friend!!
Spent a day in Canungra catching up with the lovely Tracey who is Jo's cousin, lots of talking, drinking (coffee/tea) and eating happened. Checked out around town and had a fabulous day 😀😀😀

30/09/2023

From Killarney to Woodenbong is a 48 minute drive, over some beautiful hilly countryside. We were in Yowie country but didn't see any at this $5 campsite.
Spent 2 nights there checking out the town and even washing the van windows inside and out!!
Then a drive to Rathdowney about 40 minutes, still no Yowie sightings but there is a pedestrian crossing for them, in them there hills!!
Checked out Rathdowney then headed to a campsite called Bigriggin!
The next day we thought a little bush walk would be nice!! OK what happened last time we did a grade 4, we must have very short memories! And look we did another! When we looked online it said grade 3 and moderate, but when we got there hmmmmm, the rain had washed away heaps of the path so it was re-classified. So of course we decided to keep going, it was very pretty and exhausting and took us 4 hours!! But we are sure the Yowies were laughing at us the whole time 🤣🤣
A possum left us a little brown present on the table the next morning, and had licked our wine glasses 😵‍💫😵‍💫

24/09/2023

Well a 40 minute drive to a free camp, again by a river in Inglewood, very small but tidy little town.
Next day was a big drive 1 hour and 15 minutes into Warwick!
Found a camp and checked out the town, it was great with heaps of old buildings! We stayed a couple of nights and checked out the town and surrounding area.
30 minutes was the next stop at Killarney, again a cute little place, the camp ground we stayed at was quirky and the camp kitchen was cool.
We went to Queen Mary falls for a hike, Michele stepped down a step, then Jo heard some rustling, and said 'that lizard has no legs!!' I don't know how I didn't step on the little(ish) green snake!
We ended up staying an extra night as someone (Jo) was up all night researching jockey wheels!! Ours had been playing up and was bent! Well a drive back to Warwick to pick it up, then found someone to fit it as we didn't have the right tools!!

14/09/2023

There was a big drive of 35 minutes to the little town of Yelarbon, to see the painted silos, there are some very talented artists around. There was the dingo fence section with the information about it, interesting and I learnt something new!!
45 minutes the next day to Texas, we camped in a free camping spot next to the river, again a great camp. Went exploring around the town, again cute old buildings, we had been told about the rabbit works, so decided to stay another night as it was only open the next day. So, who would have thought we would be spending just over 2 hours learning about the industry of rabbits!! It was so fascinating, the amount of money they made from the skins and meat, the school kids earned more than the teachers, trapping and selling the rabbits before and after school!! When mixy was released and a downturn in rabbits the company then turned to ice supply for the old ice chests ...... again learnt heaps that day

07/09/2023

Some people get up so early in the mornings, at the pub people were heading out by 7am!! That doesn't feel like a good night stopover, anyway we slept in before heading off.
Then it was 50 minutes to Goondiwindi to set up at the showgrounds.
Had 3 nights there so explored the area and surrounds, really liked it there, heaps of great old buildings, street art, sculptures and amazing sunsets.
Again watched people come in set up in the afternoons and leave first thing in the morning, don't think they saw much, but we are all doing our travelling for different reasons in different styles and speeds.... 😀

06/09/2023

OK another big drive ..... 45 minutes to Goodoonga! It has a free camp with the artesian pool, with showers and toilets, we were surprised by how many people were there, the photo only shows half of the vans, campers etc
The next day we were off for an hour and 10 minute drive to another free camp beside the river, just west of Dirranbandi, again no facilities, but a really great little camp, the town was 2 minutes away with loos....... We stopped in Hebel but decided to just have a drink there and carried on.
Oh my goodness we just pasted into Queensland!!!! Sign came up fast without us realizing it 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Another 1 hour 5 minutes into St George, had a look around and checked out the fish sculpture and the town.
Then there was a big 32 minute drive to check out the Nindigully Pub! Wow the amount of vans coming and going to the free camping area was unreal. We had a couple of reds and dinner while listening to a duo, who were great. Lovely night all around ......

02/09/2023

Drove for 1.5 hours to Walgett free RV camp, not much to report, just an over nighter.....
Then 55 minutes to the most quirky, unusual, strange, weird and absolutely cool place! Lightning Ridge!
The artwork and sculptures around the town are great!! A must to see.
I have a client who has a couple of claims and he took us down one of his mines, which was great. We did the Club in the Scrub, the Sheep Yard Inn and then the Glengarry Hilton for lunch.
Went to the artesian pools 3 times, Jo only went in once, and the shortest time I lasted was 3.5 minutes!! 🤣🤣🤣 HOT!!
The Chamber of the Black Hand was unreal, the photos don't do the sculptures justice, some of them are enormous.
We stayed at Lorne Station where the lovely Lorraine has done a mural on the side of the office, great place to stay, and the emus roam around the camp.
A definite place to visit ..............

31/08/2023

It was a big drive today, 1 hour and 40 minutes to the Collarenebri free RV camp.
There were free toilets and showers there that are great, until 2am when the road trains stop to use the facilities and the trucks go chug chug chug 🤣🤣🤣
All along the roads for kilometers around here have bits of white cotton on both sides off the roads, it looks like snow ..........

29/08/2023

Wow, how far do you think we drove??.................. 37 minutes to a free camping area call Gum Flat Reserve in Biniguy right beside the river!
Yes, lime green boots go with everything!! 🤣🤣🤣
It was a pretty place to camp, but just spent 1 night, then another 26 minute drive to Moree, where there are heaps more cool old buildings and rather lovely hot artesian pools to swim in ............ which we did 🤣🤣 and loved!
We spent 2 nights there....

27/08/2023

This was the peacock photo I missed yesterday 🤣🤣

26/08/2023

Another big 51-minute drive to Cranky Rock Reserve 5 minutes east of Warialda.
Spent 2 nights there, had a big walk around the reserve, lovely scenery and heaps of wildlife.
The camping area had chooks running around, I named them, casserole, roast, wicked wings and drumstick, but surprisingly they didn't end up that way, but liked sleeping under the van. The peacock was stunning and very cheeky!
Warialda was a cute little town with lots of old buildings.

23/08/2023

We did our normal 45-minute drive, and found a wonderful free camping spot 10minute drive east of Inverell. Right beside the river in a quiet area.
Spent three nights here. We explored Inverell and again heaps of great old buildings.
Went to Gilguy and checked out Rob's woodworking and metal sculptures, boy is he talented. Then to Tingha to an old store, in an old tin mining town, and it's a bit scary when they have items in a historic museum that I remember using as a kid, and a non-electric typewriter I learnt to type on!!!
The last picture is me trying to find internet connection to do a little bit of work, while trying to stay out of the sun 🤣🤣🤣

15/08/2023

Wow! Another big drive a whole 35 minutes!! No judging OK!
We arrived in Deepwater, not a very large place.... Decided to not judge the book by its cover, and free camped at the Longhorn Bar & Grill, and boy we weren't disappointed, the publican was so welcoming and helpful, offering free power, the atmosphere in the pub was great, we had been told the meals were large and they had no problems giving us 2 plates so we could share.
A lovely brekkie the next day for a birthday treat (me that was from Jo) in a 50's style diner in Deepwater.
Drove the next day another 35 minutes to Glen Innes, checked out all the amazing old buildings around town, got yummy Chinese for birthday dinner.
Spent the next day looking around and checking out the Australian Stonehenge, which was great..........

11/08/2023

We drove to Tenterfield, woooo hooo a whole 2.5 hours drive, but on the way Michele got us into 2 sticky situations with the van! Number 1, decided to drive into Bunnings..... with the van of course, Jo then took over driving to get into the parking spot..... then she drove to a lookout where I was comfortable to drive again..... headed to a free camp, but woops turned down a dirt road that went straight up a hill, it was a turning too early, luckily Jo drove again (ok reversed back onto the highway!! 🤣) and we continued on, the free spot reminded us of Woolf Creek, so we ended up in Tenterfield showground.
The old buildings there are just unreal, the town is very cute. Went out to the national parks to see the sights.... but they were a 2 hour walk to which we were not prepared for.. A pity as they looked lovely.
The lookout was spectacular and the cemetery had sites from about 1883, so we had a walk around and said hello .....

10/08/2023

Spent the day having a look at Ballina, and of course got an obligatory photo of a giant prawn ............. 🤣
Ballina was lovely with the inlet, break walls and beaches, also a yummy brunch.
Then drove up the coast to Lennox Head lookout, went for a stroll, ok maybe up a heap of steps, again the coastline is just spectacular.
Onto Byron Bay to the lighthouse and watched the whales and dolphins frocking in the sea, paid $10 for an hour parking!!!! OMG but it was worth it.
Into Byron to have a look at what the hype is all about, with another $5 for an hour parking, didn't buy anything as wow the cost there!! Checked the beach out. Ixxf there was a dove on the peace sign instead of a pigeon that would have been classic....

07/08/2023

It was a 1.30 hour drive to Alstonville to catch up with the wonderful Alison Cook! The drive was very pretty and Alstonville is lovely.
Alison took us on an amazing trip over the weekend, we went into Lismore where she showed us the level the floods got to and around town that is still affected, the underside of the shop awnings still have flood residue 😞. Then drove to Kyogle to have a look. Onto Nimbin next, verrry interesting, not quite what I expected. Then to Bangalow through some cool little villages and through stunning landscapes, Bangalow was very cute.
The next day (as the first was an enormous day!) we went to Killen Falls which was lovely and again through beautiful landscapes, Alison showed us the still displaced people camp that was just recently opened, very sad for all.
We spent 5 nights overall there, (will put Ballina next post) thank you so much for your hospitality Alison we had a lovely time 💖

07/08/2023

Another big drive, 42 minutes to Grafton, stayed at the pub for free, maybe spent a bit on food and wine 🤣🤣🤣unbeknown to us the sale yards are just over the road, so we had the cows singing to us all night....... Doesn't help for a restful night.
We checked out the town which has so many beautiful old buildings, I didn't think I should add them all as you would get bored.......🤣🤣🤣
only spent 1 night there, then drove a big 36 minutes to 'The Secret Lake' at Lawernce (thank you Alison's friend for recommending). It is a beautiful spot, a lovely walk around the 'big lap' (4km walk) they have free kayaks to use (Jo luckily had help getting into one, I so wish I had a video 🤣) (ok I commando rolled out into the water wet bum!🤣), a great camp kitchen with dining area and nice hot showers.
If you are very quiet you may even see the fairies, mind you the dishes were still there in the morning 🤣🤣🧚🧚‍♀️🧚‍♂️

06/08/2023

Massive 50 minute drive to Corindi Beach Reserve Camping & Equestrian Centre for 1 night, lovely area with a 10minute walk through the bush to the beach, not much open area for good solar........
Ha ha ha OK a big 6 minute drive to Arrawaarra where we stayed for 3 nights at a lovely caravan park, so a fun washing day, and exploring Woolgoolga and the surrounding area, the Sikh temple was very impressive.
There was heaps of wildlife at the park, Jo thought she would feed the rainbow lorikeets with an overripe banana!! Little did she know that kangaroos also like banana and we were swamped with roos, they even pinched the peel out of the bin 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣little bit over-friendly............

03/08/2023

Decided to book in for another 3 nights at Urunga, caught up with my sister and husband in Sawtell, lovely town with the trees in the middle of the main street, and great lookout over the beaches (we are slack and didn't get a photo of the 4 of us 🥲).
Drove to Coffs Harbour the next day, which was rather windy, went for a walk over Mutton Bird Island and the breakwall, saw a couple of whales!! Which was great.
The spare day was exciting doing washing, cleaning all those fun things no one seems to put on their posts .......... 🤣🤣

28/07/2023

OK don't judge ....... we drove ....... a whole 8 minutes to Urunga Waters Tourist Park ........
Booked to stay 3 nights, brilliant place, $20 a night with no power, caught up with some lovely friends Brian & Carolyn from Singleton who have moved to Urunga, so was chauffeured around and even taken out in the boat fishing, Brian was a brilliant host as he baited the hooks and took the fish off 🤣🤣🤣 (I was spoilt as a kid as my dad always did that) he didn't actually get to fish 🐟🐠 ..... then he cleaned, filleted and then cooked the fish yummy, thank you both heaps, we had a lovely few days.
We ended up staying an extra 3 nights but that's tomorrow's post 🤣🤣

25/07/2023

We drove so far.... 🤣🤣from Dorrigo to Bellingen a whole 30 minutes.
Set up camp in the showground and had a wander through town with a yummy lunch thrown in. We parked away from everyone else, but when we came back there were other people around 😌that'll teach us for being unsociable.....
Next day we headed back to town for a coffee and ended up with iced coffee and banana smoothie 🤣
Back to heading off and yet another massive drive ...... 15 minutes (5 of them waiting for a cow to be rounded up and put back into the paddock) and to Fernmount AFL grounds for the night, the lovely truckies went toot toot on the way past at 6am, they are so friendly ..... 🤣🤣🤣

21/07/2023

Drove to Dorrigo, the first photo is sitting outside the van.... beautiful view 💖
We were beside Dangar Falls so had a little walk to the bottom of the falls, we were the only ones there and it had a magical, peaceful and ancient feeling to the area. The next photo was from the top off the falls.
The next day we went to the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre and did the large 6.2km walk around the national park, it was beautiful and serene, we walked around the back of the waterfall as well as seeing the rainbow from a bridge 🌈
No UFO's that night, maybe more wine needed 🤣🤣🤣🍷🍷

16/07/2023

OK, so we all know caravans get condensation......
What I didn't think was, is that my chamois would be my best friend first thing in the morning.
Also, what happens to condensation when the temps get down to -2° in the morning (not sure if you can see but there is ice all over the van and car) oh yes that's right that condensation turns to ice inside the van!!! 🥶🥶🥶
Well we did say this would be an adventure 🤣🤣🤣🤣

16/07/2023

From Uralla to Armidale, nice roast in the webber!
On to Wollomombi to a free camp beside the general store, checked out the views at Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, to see what walks the next day.
Put on our hiking gear, and merrily off we went, the first walk was lovely even if up and down and took about 1.5hrs, back to the NP ground and had lunch. Then when the sign says Grade 4, next time we will take notice!!! I've never been more scared, bank on one side with a cliff on the other, at the end where Jo is there are cliffs on each side and it was windy..... I was sitting on a rock just before the end! 🤣🤣🤣took us about 2 hours there and back.

12/07/2023

Spent a night in the golf club at Uralla, it was still wet and raining, on the way to the club we checked out the old cemetery, it is the resting place of Captain Thunderbolt a bush ranger.
Had a couple of reds in the club and a lovely hot shower 🤣🤣
Next day we checked out the lovely town, lots of heritage buildings that are well kept
I'm usually not a food poster but OH MY, the Indian goat pie with chutney from the Pie Mechanic was divine!!! Jo had a pork and fennel sausage roll that she said was the best she'd had.....

12/07/2023

Not a lot to report for the next couple of daze, we were going to stop at Walcha but the area we looked at camping was exposed and with the wind and rain we decided to carry on, there were some great sculptures in the town seen through the rain.
We ended up at the showgrounds in Bendemeer which was very soggy under foot, but great for an overnight stay.....

11/07/2023

Drove the Oxley Hwy, which was windy and steep, quite a few slips so going down to 1 lane.
Camped in the Apsley Falls National Park camping area, great with firewood supplied, so watched the bush tv (fire) for 2 nights.🤣
Went for a bushwalk around the gorge and the various lookouts, the landscape was spectacular, the photos just don't do it justice.
The photo with Jo pointing is to our van on the opposite side.
Didn't sleep all that well, as there was a troupe of possums tap dancing on the roof of the van both nights😩😩😩 I tried to tell them if they lived in NZ they would make great slippers, they didn't seem to understand 🤣🤣
Started raining the 2nd night and as we were leaving the next day....

09/07/2023

School holidays started, so prices tripled!! We decided to head inland (OK we may be cheap skates!!). So the first stop was Wauhope showground which was booked out, so we ended up at Timbertown for 2 nights, facilities were rustic to say the least, but they were clean, and the hot shower had pressure yippee!!
Shops across the road, and I got a new crystal 🤣.
No UFO's this time.....😞

07/07/2023

Oops this should have been before the Taree post....

Spent 2 nights at the bowling club in Bulahdelah, climbed the mountain a 3 hours hike, luckily we had our hiking poles 🤣no photos as both had red faces!! But the views from the top are great.
Found a little spot in Wang Waulk, $10 a night, bargain, it was behind the rest stop on a farm stay, woke up with the cows next to us, the sky was amazing and we are sure we saw a UFO 🤣🤣

07/07/2023

Spent a night at Taree showgrounds, our little gas cooker decided to die, mind you I had it for 20 years 🤣.
Then headed to Bonny Hills, as the rates at the caravan park were reasonable. Had a look around Lake Cathie, drove to Laurieton had a look around, then drove up the mountain to the lookout, the views north and south from the top are just stunning, there are 3 different lookout places.
Then had a look around North Haven, very pretty around that area.
We had 3 nights there 😃 having long walks on the beach, bit too cold for a swim though

04/07/2023

A bit of a late post, but we packed up the house on 6th June, to travel around Australia.
Spent a couple of weeks with friends and family before properly heading off.
First stop was Stockton Caravan Park NSW, to repack and sort the van & ute out, spent 5 days there, (friends gave us 2 nights they had in credit 😀 thanks girls)

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