Ballina to Home

Days 86 to 98
28.4.2009 to 10.5.2009

This period flew and unfortunately, we don't have many photos.

On day 86, we travelled from Nerang to Ballina. We stopped and had ice cream at a great macadamia nut place. When I pulled up and got off my bike, I found 1 panier had fallen off. Fortunately, Chris had seen it fall off and picked it up for me. We eventually worked out the problem, but couldn't fix it until we arrived home. The nut place was great but expensive.

Day 87
We rode/drove from Ballina to Coffs Harbour where we stayed with Bev and Don. Our GPS didn't have the right directions to get to their place, so Bev found us and led us to their home. We had a lovely time and appreciated their hospitality and catching up again. Also caught up with Wayne and his family which was lovely.

Day 88 & 89
We moved to Stoney Park at Telegraph Point. This was a great little place with man made lakes and hardly anyone around. It was quiet and peaceful and I really enjoyed it. We stayed 2 nights here - a lovely break.

Day 90
We arrived at Raymond Terrace but I can't remember anything about it.

Day 91
This was a big day. I didn't have a good start - my driving lights weren't working and when I tried to find the problem, burnt the sleeve of my riding jacket on my muffler. I rode from Raymond Terrace to somewhere near Gosford - Tuggerah. We tried to find a caravan park, but they were all closed on a Sunday. We decided to put my bike on the trailer and just go straight around to see Nigel Woods and his family. We had a great time at Nige's, who also graciously took us out for lunch. After Nige, we took a motorway which bypassed most of Sydney and ended up in Kiama. This was by far the largest caravan park we had laid eyes on. The people were also very lovely and helpful.

Day 92
We travelled from Kiama to Narooma today. On the way, we passed through Ulladulla and dropped in on Aunty Joan and Uncle Charlie. Unfortunately, they were away at the time which was very disappointing.
I really enjoyed this ride. I loved the farmlands and bends in the road etc. It was great for me but not much fun for Chris.

We stayed at a very posh motel for a change - Whale Motor Inn.

Day 93 & 94
We travelled to Bega and stayed for 2 nights. Once again, the riding was wonderful - lots of bends and country side but the driving, slow and not much fun. At Bega, we saw the cheese museum/ shop. We had some morning tea/lunch there and looked around. I was hoping to see the cheese being made but the closest we got to that, was a video playing in the cafe area. Still, it was a nice change. I wasn't very well at Bega and very depressed about going home so soon.

Day 95
We arrived at Orbost today. A really great little town. I had a lovely look around and thoroughly enjoyed it. There was a spot where geese just cross the road whenever they feel like it which made it even more special.





Day 96
We put the bike back on the trailer at Orbost as we weren't sure what was ahead. We drove to Moe and stayed in another motel. The motel was quite nice and our last night on the trip.

Day 97
We drove to Melbourne. I caught the plane home and Chris took the boat.

Day 98
Chris arrived home.

Trip finished.

Nerang - Mum & Dad

Day 81 - 85
23 April, 2009 to 27 April, 2009

For the next 5 days, we stayed with Mum & Dad at Nerang. We met up with Lee and Don & families, went shopping, visited numerous motorbike shops just around the corner from Mum & Dad, saw Outback Spectacular and visited the Q1. Everyone was great and it was terrific to catch up with all.

Australia Zoo, Glasshouse Mountains

Day 80
22 April, 2009

Today we travelled from Mooloolaba to Australia Zoo. We enjoyed the zoo and I particularly enjoyed the elephants, the large tortoises and the lizards wandering around.








We stayed at a caravan park at Glasshouse Mountains. It was ok but sounded better than it was.

Clearview to Mooloolaba

Day 76
18 April, 2009

Geez, if you want a job done, do it yourself!!!! Chris was supposed to get this blog up to date more than a week ago. I am not impressed.

We travelled from Clearview to The Caves, not far from Rockhampton and went on a tour of the caves. They were lovely and I really enjoyed them. We stayed the night in the caravan park there which started out really nice and peaceful, but sometime during the night, a bunch of touring footballers who won their game came back. We heard them until at least 4 a.m.


Day 77
19 April, 2009

We received a refund from the caravan park who were very embarassed and apologetic about the footballers. We then moved to a caravan park in Rockhampton. I rode into Rockhampton to have a look and ended up at the river which was nice and peaceful.

Day 78
20 April, 2009

We travelled from Rockhampton to Bundaberg. Unfortunately, the gps took us to a dead end at a river crossing with no way of getting across. It was a bit of an adventure and we finally made our way back to another caravan park which was very central and great. I went for a walk into town and had a nice time looking around. It's like a big country town.

Day 79
21 April, 2009

Before leaving Bundaberg, I went to Bundaberg Gingerbeer factory which was terrific, and then Bundaberg Rum. Both places were really interesting but Chris didn't want to see either.
First picture was from Bundaberg Gingerbeer.




From Bundaberg, we travelled to Mooloolaba. This was the absolute worst part of the trip for me so far. After passing through Gympie, I developed a migraine - I get the sort where my vision has problems but not so much pain. The traffic was horrendous and I couldn't see well enough to pull over safely. When we finally pulled up at the caravan park, we found the office was supposed to be a couple of kms away and there were all sorts of problems. Chris finally sorted it all out and got us safely to another caravan park for the night. The shock of so much traffic and people everywhere was very horrible. Neither of us enjoyed this area at all.