I love taking the opportunity at the end of each year to look back on our adventures. 2017 has been a really fantastic year for us. We’ve managed to fit in quite a few trips, both short and long. Our house renovations are almost complete. We bought a
JANUARY
We headed out to one of our favourite locations – the Gold Coast Hinterland – and spent some time exploring Springbrook National Park and Natural Bridge. We love this part of the world and especially the fact that it is just a 45 minute drive from the Gold Coast.
FEBRUARY
After exploring the Ipswich area earlier in the year and discovering an awesome camping spot we knew we had to go back and visit Hardings Paddock Campground. Tucked away down the end of a dirt road in the Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate, we love the peace and tranquility of this camp ground. I even got to write about it for Discover Ipswich!
MARCH
We were very lucky to have the opportunity to stay at a wonderful farm stay near Crows Nest. Tweeters Country Getaway is the perfect spot for a short break and owners Thuy and Peter will make you feel so welcome.
However, the highlight of the month was the purchase of what will be our travelling home. After almost two years of research and looking we settled on a Next Gen Greyline, 19’6,full off-road van. We are so excited and can’t wait to pick it up in the New Year.
MAY
This month we headed south to explore the Warrumbungles, Coonabarabran and The Pilliga. We also got to write about our adventures for ytravel blog which was a real privilege.
At the same time we discovered two of the best spots that we have stayed at in recent times. Yarrie Lake which is just a few kilometres from Narrabri and Nakadoo Farm Stay. Nakadoo was an absolute treat and owners Peter and Karren made us feel very welcome. It was a great place to celebrate my 52nd birthday with a camp oven dinner!
JUNE
This month we had a lovely visit from our family who live in NSW. We love showing off the Gold Coast to friends and family when they visit. There really is so much to do.
JULY
July saw us head back to Cowra to celebrate Brenden’s 50th with family and friends. We managed a quick trip over to Bathurst so as Ben could drive around Mt Panarama on his ‘L’s’. After returning home we managed a day trip out through the Currumbin Valley. It is such a picturesque spot and perfect for a day trip.
AUGUST
This month we had our very first
SEPTEMBER
I headed off to visit the 2017 SWELL Sculpture Festival. This is the third time I have visited the Festival and once again the pieces were interesting and thought provoking.
We then headed off on our two week loop to Carnarvon Gorge and back to the Gold Coast via Emerald and Rockhampton via a few awesome little towns in between.
This time we towed a Regal RSV Luxury van which was just perfect. We learnt so much on this trip and even got to do some free camping.
As soon as we got home, Brenden headed off to deliver our camper trailer to it’s new owners. We were more than a little sad to see it go as we had so many great adventures with it. We know the new owners are already having their very own adventure with it.
OCTOBER
This month saw me head off to Sydney for a weekend with some close friends. We stayed in an Air B’n’B just near Darling Harbour and had a fantastic weekend. I love Sydney and really don’t get to visit as often as I would like.
NOVEMBER
This month we ticked an item off our list when we headed out to Queen Mary Falls and drove the Condamine Gorge 4WD Track.
The Condamine Gorge track is an awesome track that takes you through 14 river crossings. It is a relatively easy track and a good one for beginners.
DECEMBER
We settled into the craziness of work prior to the silly season, with little time for anything else. We were excited that the extension to the Gold Coast light-rail system opened ahead of schedule. It now links up with the train at Helensvale making it possible to get from Brisbane Airport to Surfers Paradise with very little effort.
WELCOME 2018
We have lots of plans already in place for the first couple of months of 2018. This includes some house-sitting in February, which will be a first for us. We look forward with much excitement to the arrival of our
Listen in to their podcast episode https://allaroundoz.com.au/podcasts/travelling-and-working-around-australia/
You certainly had an adventure filled 2017. Wishing you heaps more in 2018!
Thanks Kathy….looking forward to lots as well. Your year will be very busy too!
Great Year! Hope you love house-sitting as much as we do. 🙂
It was a great year.I’m sure we will love house-sitting!
Wow Melissa! What a year 2017 has been for you two. You certainly covered some ground. One of my favourite places you visited was Carnarvon Gorge. Good luck with your new van and best wishes for many more happy times travelling around Australia.
Thanks Estelle…it certainly was a busy year. More to come next year. See you on the road!