Blogs from Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, Oceania - page 7

Wednesday was a little on the wet side, actually more of a tidal wave with rain rain rain. So due to the weather we changed our plans and visited the Marime Museum in Darling Harbour. Was good to see Australia had more history at sea than just convict ships and we enjoyed finding out about thier involvement in the world wars. The rest of the day was spent shopping in Paddys Market and enjoying the covered roof top pool and gym at the hotel. In the evening we dined at a Italian restaurant recommended by our concierge which served a top pizza and garlic mushrooms. Our last day in Sydney was a little drier and we jumped on the ferry and popped over to Manly and the beach. After watching the surfers do thier thing we ... read more

We rented a car so we drove up to Nelson's Bay and out to Nobby's Head and everywhere in between.... read more

It's that time again! Leonie and Peter (AKA: Lucky Pete, Never Tell-a-Lie Pete, Trust-Me Pete, Work Experience Boy) are heading off on another adventure. This time it's via Adelaide, Alice Springs, Tanami Desert, Wolfe Creek, Bungle Bungles, Kalumburu, Mitchell Falls, Kununurra, Katherine, Kakadu, Arnhem Land, Far North Queensland and then back to Newcastle. We will probably be on the road for about six months this time. Everything is prepared except for the very reliable Toyota Hilux. Make a note girl: 'NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA HILUX'. This new Hilux model appears to be as under-designed as the other Toyotas making the news. So its farewell to fabulous staff at Newcastle Private Hospital. Everything is packed, the Engel fridge is running cool and we are itching to go. Just as soon as Toyota repair another fault, this time ... read more

Headed North from Bondi and after a couple of hundred Kms the tank seemed to be letting us down already. He spluttered and coughed and jerked us around but maybe he just doesnt like the highways. We headed for a place called Newcastle which is apperently the 7th largest city in Australia but which is about as big as a very small town in the UK. Necastle does not however live up to its namesake in the UK, it has a very pretty beach (even if it is called nobbies head). It is a university town so there were lots fo young people around. We camped at a place called Stockton, which was only across the water from Newcastle but it was a 20k drive or a short ferry ride. The campsite was a big step ... read more

Today Regan and I went to the Stockton Sand Dunes. Which you would think are in Stockton, that’s what we thought. Nope! They are about 30 minutes north of Stockton. So these dunes are the largest in the southern hemisphere and the move about 4 metres north every year. Strange. You think they could put a big fan at the north end to make them stay in one spot. So at these Stockton Sand Dunes not in Stockton you can go on 4WD tours and camel rides. We thought at first a camel ride would be cool but then we figured after 5 minutes you’d be thinking “I can walk faster than this and what is that smell!?” So maybe take a pass on the camels. We didn’t do any 4WD tour either because we are ... read more