Driving around Australia

Susan Mercer

Every time we visit Australia together, my husband Dan and I take in another part of that vast country, either by ourselves or with “the kids” who live there.

Currently, “the kids” consist of our son Bryan, our daughter-inlaw Danielle, and their two beautiful and active sons Zach and Will, 8 and 7 years old. We also are blessed by having a warm, welcoming extended family.

So far, in different visits, we have managed to ride across Australia and the Nullabor Plain on the Indian Pacific Railroad (from Perth to Sydney), bushwalked and stayed at Barrington Tops National Park, visited inland to Dubbo to see the Taronga Western Plains Zoo, visited the beautiful beach town of Noosa in Queensland, and most recently flown to Cairns and then cruised through the Whitsundays and then south back to Sydney.

In 2012, Dan and I took a 2-week road trip to explore the southern part of New South Wales and parts of Victoria.

Bryan and his family live in a suburb near Manly on the Northern Beaches. Because it is so beautiful there, it is sometimes hard to drag ourselves away.

But we needed to explore.

Our little red rental car and our kids’ trusty road map took us all along the coast south of Sydney, as far as Cape Howe. We enjoyed visiting the beautiful little towns of Berry, Kiama, Tilba, Ulladella, Batemans Bay, and Merimbula, to mention a few.

©iStockphoto.com/bogdanserban The lovely little town of Tilba with jacaranda in full bloom

At Cape Howe, we made a left turn into the state of Victoria, heading toward Melbourne. On the way, we visited Philip Island Nature Park to see the world-famous little penguins on their “penguin parade.” Apparently some of the little penguins nest along the harbour shore in Manly but I have never seen one there.

After a short visit in Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road was next on our agenda. We wanted to see the Twelve Apostles—or what is left of them.

What’s left of the 12 Apostles

We continued along the highway to Portland and headed north, visiting Grampion National Park, then turned on a north-west route to start making our way back to Sydney.

Along the way, we visited several lovely country towns. One was Glenrowan where the infamous Australian outlaw Ned Kelly is said to have seen his last days. We just had to have a drink in the hotel where he and his men were holed up during their last run-in with the law.

Then we drove through the agricultural district of New South Wales from Wagga Wagga to Orange, then back across the Blue Mountains toward Sydney.

We always knew Australia produces almost all its own produce but were quite surprised to learn that the area around Leeton is known for its rice production. It happened to be the peak of cherry season when we landed in Young, so we gorged ourselves to

We always knew Australia produces almost all its own produce but were quite surprised to learn that the area around Leeton is known for its rice production.

compensate for the inadequacy we felt trying to back into an angle parking space. (Aussies drive on the other side of the road!)

In the Blue Mountains, we spent a day in one of our favourite little towns, Katoomba, to once again visit the Three Sisters.

The Grotto in Port Campbell National Park

Countryside south of Sydney

Driving on the highways and back roads in Australia is actually quite easy. We had a GPS and found we really didn’t need it. In fact, the one time we did use it to find some caves, it gave the wrong directions.

We made it a point to stay in Bed and Breakfast places whenever possible and we met many beautiful, welcoming people. Australians are by nature very outgoing and friendly, which makes this country a great place to visit. s Susan Mercer is a retired Notary in Sidney, BC. suemercer@shaw.ca

Example of iconic Australian country town building

Rainforest walkway in Great Otway National Park