We made our way out of the city late at night, it haven taken us the ENTIRE day to pick up the camper, repack all our crap, pack up the van (amazing how much we crammed in there) and then go! And of corse it started raining the moment we left. 2 hours later we were passing by Woolongong, driving through the most intense fog I have ever seen in my life, having already had a few near-death experiences, including hydro-planing on our way out of sydney.
In other words, our roadtrip was off to a perfect start!
The following days were a mishmash of small towns, rolling hills and picturesque farmland, lovely Australian scenery framed consistently by our car windshield, and one unusual 'free' overnight spot after another. We made an effort to mix it up; night number one was spent outside a random suburban home, number two saw us high up on a hill surrounded by green hills beyond which lay a stunning seaside view at sunrise. Three was a legitimately free campsite along 90mile beach (disappointingly, it was cold and rainy.) One night saw us camped JUST off chapel street; one of the main night-time streets in Melbourne. A few nights just beside the St Kilda botanical gardens... We only paid to sleep ONCE, and even that was only because our fridge battery needed recharging.
The best part of this 10 days was easily traveling with Tamar, my fabulous Scottish friend from the Arts Factory. I've never had a travel buddy with whom I was always so much on the same wavelength! It was an ease and a pleasure. Mostly.. as we were driving out of Sydney, she informed me of her infamous passenger-seat-nerves. ("Claire! The sign says 40km/h around the turn!! not 60!!" "Arent we going a bit fast?" "SLOW DOWN!" not to mention how her body would transform as we overtook other cars) (heheeeee you know i love ya tamar!!!!)
Something else from this roadtrip I'm sure never to forget: fire-ravaged Victoria. Before leaving Sydney, I was struck by the unfolding drama of news stories about the fires, fires which were spreading like.. well.. you know. The death toll, plastered across newsstands country-wide, climbed shockingly each day. But it was all so abstract; exactly what such a disaster would look and feel like was an elusive concept to me... until we passed through the small town of Yarram, a few hours out of Melbourne. Tamar and I had seen plenty of charred trees, apparently a fire-prevention strategy. But these trees, fields, bushes and grass had clearly been recently consumed by fire. If there was any doubt in our minds, the heavy smell of burning on the air was the answer... and then clouds of smoke coming off nearby forest... smoldering ground beside the road.... Five minutes of roadside exploration resulted in soot-blackened feet and shoes, and a smell of campfire in our hair and clothes that lingered for hours. Clearly the image will linger much longer in my mind.
We briefly passed through Melbourne on our way to the great ocean road, which is a very well marked touristic drive along, literally ALONG, the southern coast just west of melbourne. Stunning views. Koalas. The "12 Apostles." all that touristy stuff. We concluded our adventure with a week or so in Melbourne, hanging out, being bums, being backpackers, not really exploring Melbourne outside Fitzroy and St Kilda! Spent a few nights in the camper - including one very memorable one at the espy with John Bear, aka sexy bear, that American from Seattle who we all know and love. A few nights couch surfing, a few nights at my fave Melbourne hostel "The Nunnery." Saw Tamar off, back to Byron Bay, with a promise of a visit over bluesfest, and then that was that!
And so began the new, completely different part of my Australia trip.
More Pics....
Just the 2 of Us, Part One
Just the 2 of Us, Part Two
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