Walkabout 2.0: The Great Road

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13 days, 3914 kms, 4 states, 1 territory, 3 drivers, two car rentals, 4 swags, 1 flight, 2 tents, 12 litres of water, $1.86/litre, a broken CD player, and no roadkill. Are we there yet?

It all started in Sydney, where we picked up Brenda Dovick, a friend from Sioux Lookout. Brenda has 'gone walkabout' for a little R 'n' R (research & writing). We were driving to South Australia, but what road ever follows a straight line? So we thought we'd make a few stops along the way.

This, my friends, was an epic journey. A true test of the wills. We have seen things and had experiences that have amazed even our Aussie friends. Not for the faint hearted. And not for those who have difficulties sitting for long periods of time. Thank god for iTunes.

But what more can I say? Enjoy the trip. Cheers.

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Photos

A Friendly Reminder
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Confucius

Day 1: Sydney, NSW
Our journey begins at the airport where we pick up Brenda. Being the SuperGuides that we are we head into the city and take two trips over the Harbour Bridge!? I took a wrong turn at Wagga Wagga.

Circular Quay
Brenda, Michelle and G take a walking tour of Circular Quey, the hub of the city.

Harbour Bridge & The Rocks
After a look at the Harbour Bridge we checked out the Rocks Market and settled in for fish and chips at the Mercantile Hotel.

Night at the Opera
Saturday night at the opera is very busy during Wedding Season.

Day 3: Canbera, ACT
Gabe relaxes outside the House of Parliament. The buildings are dug into the hill. No copper roofing to replace. Just mow and water!

Aborignal Circle Art and Old Parliament House
Signs of reconciliation are everywhere in the new Australia. The name Canberra comes from the Aboriginal term for 'meeting place'.

Australian War Memorial
The Hall of Memory contains the remains of the Australian Unknown Soldier.

Simpson, The Donkey Man of Gallipoli
John Simpson Kirkpatrick, affectionately known as "the man and his donkey", was born on the 6th of July 1892 in South Shields, England. He landed at ANZAC Cove at 5 a.m. on the 25th of April 1915 and was mortally wounded in Shrapnel Gully, near the mouth of Monash Valley, on the 19th of May 1915 at the age of 22. During the 24 days he spent at ANZAC Cove on the Gallipoli Penninsula, he operated as a sole unit with his beloved donkey and is credited with saving the lives of probably hundreds of men. General C. H. Brand described Simpson as he was often seen, 'Almost every digger knew about him. The question was often asked : "Has the bloke with the donk stopped one yet ?" It seemed incredible that anyone could make that trip up and down Monash Valley without being hit. Simpson escaped death so many times the he was completely fatalistic. He seemed to have a charmed life.'

The Merchant Marine Memorial
Lest we forget.

Parade of Heroes
This road, Anzac Parade, is Canberra's commemorative way. With memorials along it's route it runs between the War Memorial and Old Parliament House. In the background is Parliament Hill. City engineers believed it was important for today's politicians to be continually reminded of the sacrifices made by Australia's service men and women.

Day 4: Kosciuszko National Park, NSW
An arduous journey through the Snowy Mountains begins.

Threadbo, NSW
This photo is proof that it does snow in Australia, but only in this area. Here they call it 'going to the snow'.

Tom Groggin Cattle Station
Here is where the Legend was created - The Man From Snowy River. Jack Riley, the stockman that Banjo Patterson wrote about in his famous Aussie poem, lived and worked on Tom Groggin Station. This is the country that was the site of that famous ride. Brumbies, those wild bush horses, still roam the hills, and the surrounding Park is full of kangaroos, emus, wombats and birds of all description.

The Happy Couple
There's nothin blue about these Snowy Mountains.

The Man From Snowy River
Welcome to Corryong, Victoria, home of the Man From Snowy River Bush Festival. Put that in your pipe, Burt!

Day 5: Phillip Island, VIC
After a late-night visits with the Fairy Penguins at the Penguin Parade, we woke to seek out the seals at the Nobbies. They are there in this picture. Trust us. Most disturbing were the seagulls who felt we were threatening their nesting chicks. Holy Hitchcock!

Koalas!
Brenda hadn't seen a Koala yet so we climbed into the Koala Conservation Centre on Phillip Island.

More Koalas
Wake up sleepy Koalas. Time to get back on the road.

Even More Koalas!
Notice the two thumbs. All the better to hug you with!

Short Beaked Echidna
Over 3000 kms of driving and not one roadkill incident, not even this slow poke on the Great Ocean Road. This is amazing considering the amount of carnage you see. When they say you are guaranteed to see a kangaroo, they mean it.

Comments

[Ellen]

Great pictures and comments Donald--brings back lots of memories. I loved the Great Ocean Road.

[altheageorge]

WOW!!
Wow!! I can hardly wait to see some of this scenery ,animals, birds ,etc. Keep enjoying traveling around and sending pics and comments. Althea

[Sadie]

WOW
Your pictures are great! Wish I was there with you guys. Fall is here and all the leaves have fallen. Snow is just around the corner. Its good to see you guys having fun!! Take care Love the Kuzys

[Aunty Angela]

Envy!
I can't believe the things you guys are getting to do! I think you guys are amazing. I hope all the traveling is as fun as you are making it look and that you all are taking care. The Man from Snowy River got to me as you knew it would. I hope I win the super 7 on Friday and then we will all join you. I'll be taking more time out to visit you on the blog. Sorry it took me so long.

[Jonathan Baum]

I'm FROZEN!
Hi guys, Jonathan from Sioux Lookout where it is currently warming up to -24 C. Gabriel thank you for the great Bat Man gift. It reminds me of my Radium Hot Springs pictures of Spiderman's car! Don you look like your having a great time until I saw the last train picture! I think Michelle and Brenda arranged this whole trip just so they can laugh and giggle and burn candles. Keep enjoying yourselves and providing us with envy... and don't eat any road kill unless you have to. Jonathan