Trip to Australia - Long Drive

Thursday 14th November

Today I have to say goodbye to my best friend.  I have had a wonderful time with her and her husband.  My brother and his wife picked me up at 6.15 a.m. to set out for the long drive south to Goulburn, NSW. 

We took the Pacific Motorway and travelled for approximately 3 hours and stopped at Woodburn, for a toilet break, a snack and a stretch of the legs.

 Very pretty here

 

Another view of the river

 We stopped for lunch at McDonalds, Coffs Harbour

And again at Macksville for a stretch of the legs.

 

And finally we stopped at the Motor Lodge at Bulahdelah.

A quick dip in the pool first, before having our evening meal in the restaurant and finally to bed.  It was still warm and other people enjoying themselves in the pool too.


Friday 15th November

We took our time to get ready to move, there was no urgency as we had covered several miles yesterday.  My nephew and his family were travelling too in their own car, so needed time to get the children ready. 

We made another stop - can't remember where it was - we pulled over into a truck stop to give the children a break. 

Grandad, Dad and children disappeared across the road, and down the hill.  Probably the childrens first bush walk, whilst us women sat at the picnic table and watched the trucks coming and going.

After about an hour we set off again.  We were close to Sydney by now, and decide to take the M2, then the M7 and finally pick up the Hume Motorway (M31) for the final leg of the journey.

One more emergency stop!  One of the children in the other car is sick.  I think this stop was around Moss Vale.  Some time spent here whilst the car and car seat was washed down.  Time for a cup of coffee from the Mobile Van and a bite to eat.

 How different the scenery is here to Queensland. 

At last we arrive in Goulburn.  Here I will be spending four days with family. The first time that all six brothers and sisters have been together under the one roof for 17 years. 

Goulburn is situated between Sydney and Canberra.  A tourist attraction is the Big Merino, which is a 15 metre high concrete merino ram.  There is also a gift shop where you can buy souveniers.  I did not get the chance to visit this on this trip, but I do remember on a previous occasion you could walk up steps and look out of its eyes.  This was moved in 2007 to a location closer to the Hume Highway.

 

We had travelled 681 miles by car to reach here.

I had not seen my Dad nor my brothers and sisters for almost ten years, so for a while it was just all too much - so emotional.  It had been a tiring journey so was glad to go to bed that evening.