HAK Tour - Capricorn Coast to Home - Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne, Australia
Our reunion with both the coast and the Kays was sweet. After a 13 hour drive from Townsville, our twin van pulled in at the small, beachfront caravan park and we hugged the disembarked tightly, muffling our excitement and relief that they had made it to keep the fellow campers around us asleep. Agnes Water, the most northern surf beach in Queensland broke the draught for the boys. It had been 5 months since their boards had touched salt water, and they made the most of it, only avoiding the waves when the coral spawning mixed with local phosphate pollution turned the water green.
We cruised out to Lady Musgrave Island to be enchanted by the prolific coral. The colour and variations were stunning, and well worth the 90 minute "less than gentle” boat trip out to the coral island with atoll.
Ian headed back down to Melbourne for a job interview and could finally relax once he returned. We enjoyed long beach walks, civilized nibbles and drinks and a cracker corned beef with all the trimmings on Ian & Fee's anniversary (there were several jealous campers nearby!).
It was my turn to consider the real world and some form of employment for 2014 a little earlier than I had really wanted to when a superb job came up and I wasted little time reworking my C.V. and submitting the application.
We attempted to see the turtles coming to shore to lay eggs at Mon Repos, but were disappointed to wait until 1am and have Mother Nature let us down. The set-up and staff were superb, and we were all aware that wild marine animals don’t follow a schedule. We would have been happy to attempt it again had we not had our ferry booked for Fraser Island the following day.
Stress levels were seriously high at Inskip Point, where we had arranged to leave our vans, taking only the tents across to Fraser Island. In the large area of sand that Matt was positioning our van, our car decided to stop, not respond to any RACQ interrogation and then after discussing towing and presumed gear box replacement, Matt’s last minute check on a simple fuse turned the engine over once more. We hightailed it to the ferry and were driving on the sandy island before we knew it.
Champagne pools, Maheno Ship Wreck, Lake Wobi and the ocean-loving dingo were our highlights. As we crossed back to the mainland the ferry driver warned us that the massive storm we had just driven through had put trees down over a few vans at Inskip Point. We drove nervously to where we had left the vans, and were relieved to find some other campers were not as lucky as us. Fallen trees and debris littered the ground around our vans, but they were unscathed.
Tayah and Scotia took in the beautiful rainbow beach on horseback whilst the boys surfed and we had coffee at the local surf club. A stroll along the beautiful deep beach gave a stunning view of the coloured sand, layered as the "rainbow” description suggests in the distance.
Headed down the Sunshine Coast, staying at a little treasure of a campground where we had our very last open fire and celebrated Linus turning 15 with pizza and chocolate ripple cake. Alexandra Headland turned up the surf for the kids and we managed to catch up with Warrandytian Paul Collins and share a drink and many laughs about home and travels. The first of our Contiki catch ups occurred in Coloundra, when we met with Tony, his partner Andrea and kids, and reminisced about the Europe trip of 1998.
Miles, another member of the Contiki tribe lured us to Toowoomba, and the drinks kept flowing as we met his wife Jasmine and daughters and laughed once again.
It seemed that we were attracting people from home to this part of Queensland. Our dear brother-in-law Glen just happened to be presenting in Brisbane, and we detoured to catch him for a few hours, delaying our arrival at the theme parks – but we do love our Glenny! It was beautiful to share our stories and hear Glen reminisce so fondly about the trip he took with his family 30 years ago. It began to dawn on me that our trip would slip from the present to the past, and we would smile as he said that he did on returning all those years ago, and still today, nodding and glowing as he said “yeah, we did that”.
Theme parks of BrizVegas were a hit as always with my fearless, thrill-seeking crew. The rides were eclipsed by the surprise for Tayah and Ruben when Hayley and Josh Moran strolled in to our caravan park! Meeting up with Debbikans in her favourite holiday destination was such a highlight for us, particularly screaming at the top of our lungs on the rides and laying back in the deck lounges by the pool and ocean at her resort, and Hayley captured the kids feelings when she told her Mum that she’d had the best day of her life together with Tayah at Movie World. And it was a HAK-trick, when Debbie joined us in our triumphed at Treasure Island Caravan Park, taking out the 3rd Trivia Competition of the trip! A true Warrandyte reunion a few nights later when Julie and Craig Willis joined us, courtesy of Craig’s work commitments. Drinks flowed as fast as the conversation, with heaps to catch up on since we last saw them in Robe on New Year’s Day. Devin received a surprise when a dolphin fully emerged from the ocean metres from him as he was about to catch a wave – not a bad shock to experience!
It seemed that my C.V. did the job when I received an interview for my dream job, and on realising how perfect 3 days a week at Box Hill Hospital would be I decided to fly down, considering the limitations of a phone interview. A 6am flight from the Gold Coast home payed off as I returned that evening after having some precious time with my sister and Mum and accepting the position only hours after the interview.
Crossed the border and it was time to relax and celebrate in the charming and welcoming town of Byron Bay. The Balcony couches were perfect for the 4 of us to watch the world go by as we sipped mohitos, absorbed the relaxed atmosphere and toasted to all that we had to be thankful for. Kiama and Devin experienced the best waves of the trip at the main beach “the wreck” and before and after watching with pride as the boys we brought away last December emerged from the ocean’s turbulence or rode excitedly upon a crescent of water, Matt and I walked the glorious coastline to the easterly most point of our mainland. Rocky headlands sheltered stunning bays, and it seemed that everyone was making the most of the exquisite views and weather. Tayah and Ruben joined Linus and Scotia at Circus school, braving the high trapeze and somersaulting through the air.
From one coastal town to another we rolled down to Coffs Harbour and kicked back in another timeshare resort for 3 days, in time to celebrate our firstborn turning 15. His first passion was off the list due to the tragic shark fatality only days before, and a further shark sighting on the day we arrived. Pancakes and pizza had to suffice, and a Zorb (giant clear inflated ball that one rolls around in on the pool’s surface!) and Segway ride completed our stay between movies in the room and poolside relaxation. Ruben completed his first round of 9 holes with Matt and actually beat him on one hole, scoring a birdie – perhaps Matt’s new golf partner!
We dashed in to Newcastle and literally drove along the coast road to take in the stunning interface of the ocean and land, so dramatic from the height of the pathway to see crashing waves below against the contrasting golden sand, and the majestic old Sea Baths building so beautifully restored.
Yet another Contiki catch-up in Blaxland, west of Sydney, with Ian, Brenda, Niamh, Lochlan and Annouska. Garlic prawns, mohitos, champagne, the Blue Mountains and travel tails – an awesome combo! Of course we started planning our 20 year reunion Contiki trip!
Back to the coast to check out Wollongong and be warmly welcomed by Ro and the Buckman boys that we had met back in Coral Bay in April. Loved the Gong - the beach, the botanic gardens and the Nan Tien Buddhist temple, the biggest in the southern hemisphere.
I really didn’t think the coast could get any prettier and then we arrived in Kiama! Stunning headlands punctuated by sandy bays, spectacular cliff faces and ancient lava flow remnants standing amongst frothing ocean captivated us. Our Kiama was wrapped to enjoy the great surfing on offer and find that he shared his name with such a sweet town – the only part of the country that Fee and Ian felt they could move to!
We were recommended to check out Jervis Bay and were not disappointed with Hyam Beach – which we voted 2nd best in Australia, only to Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand in W.A. Crystal clear water that graduated to a perfect turquoise blue and porcelain white sand.
Our coastal journey ended at Bateman’s Bay with a cracking swim and surf at Bedourie beach where many professional surfers began their careers. As I wrestled against the waves and surrendered to the flow, I remembered a similar feeling 50 weeks ago when we first hit the ocean at Piccaninnie Ponds. For all the fury and turbulence of the waves, my experience of the sea has been so calming, rejuvenating and cleansing. I felt complete, watching the kids, their bodies stronger, taller and browner than last December, and hopefully their minds open and a little wiser.
Canberra held our final Contiki reunion with Adam, Shelley, Liam and Chloe and a meander through our National War Memorial and Gallery.
With 40,000 kilometres under our belts, our souls nourished, spirits enriched and magical memories of our “year around oz” forever etched in our minds we headed home. We did it!