Bathurst, New South Wales {Caravan Park}

There isn't really much we can say about Bathurst as it was one of the biggest/quickest/fastest flying visits of our trip so far. 

 

We arrived very late in the afternoon and left first thing the next morning.

I can the following......
* In the distance I saw Mount Panarama
* Driving around I saw loads of noisy fast cars
* They seem to be focussing on road work
* The caravan park had some awesome looking cabins but was terribly over priced!

Albury, New South Wales {Caravan Park}

We have changed states, we are finally in New South Wales and Justin tried to tell me it was already warmer {he has a thing about it being freezing all the time in Victoria}.  The caravan park we picked was right on the back side of Lake Hume, it wasn't close to town but it was perfect for us.

Great Aussie Holiday Park turned out to be an amazing spot and I can tell that during school holidays it would be packed as they have so many activities for the children to choose from, not to mention the play ground & water park.  We got a spot right next to the camp kitchen and they had the spot next to us saved for when my Dad arrived.

With no real plans other than catching up with some friends we pottered around and then headed into to town to have dinner with said friends.  It was a lovely evening, even if Lillie did sook at the door because she wasn't near any of us.  We made plans to catch up and have Phil as our tour guide before they joined us for dinner over the weekend at our place.

The next day, while we waited for Dad to arrive {and not knowing when to expect him} we decided to head back to Victoria and have a walk around Beechworth.  WOW what a lovely spot and I can see that it is another popular place. A spot of lunch and a look around the lolly shop {with a purchase or two} before heading back to the caravan park to see Dad.

Sunday was our 'Phil' day and Dad came along for the ride {our car was very full}.  We headed to meet Phil mid morning and he took us out for a look around Yackandada.  A lovely little town not far from Wodonga {yes Victoria again}.  We wander through the antique stores, the art shop and generally took in the buildings.

   

After exploring here we headed back to NSW to take a look at Hume Dam.  We walked along the wall and took in the town that was moved {it is right on the edge of the Dam even now, back then it would've been under it} and how well the dam was made in the 1930's/40's.  We all headed home before Phil, Jax and Hana joined us for dinner.

All too quickly it was time to move on and say goodbye to Dad.  It was lovely to have him with us for a few days.

x

Bendigo, Victoria {Caravan Park}

A short drive and we arrived in Bendigo.

Our first stop was the vet clinic to get Lillie her next injection, really important to ensure she didn't pick up any nasties give we have a moving home.  So off the vet I went with Lillie while Justin and the kids explored the park right opposite {can anyone say fluke}.

All vet checked, we went to meet the rest of the family and had a lovely walk around Lake Weeroona.  What a lovely space so close to town, they even have a dog friendly café right on the edge of it.  After a coffee and some morning tea we loaded back into the car and headed to our next camping spot.

We picked Park Lane Holiday Park because it was a Top Tourist Park but also because they had something that my two would think of a treat {an indoor play centre}. It was a nice big park, which I imagine would be very full at certain times of the year but thankfully was lovely and quiet after the long weekend.  Set up happened quickly, we made ourselves some lunch and then decided to head back into town for a drive around.

Wednesday saw us spending the morning doing some schoolwork before heading in for a walk around town to get up close and personal with the old buildings.  There is HEAPS of old buildings that are still in an amazing condition, even better was the walk around Rosalind Park which is right in the centre of town {the only downside to that part was the smelly bats in one part of the park}.  Kaleb and I walked to the top of the observation tower which looked out over the city.

 

 

Thursday saw morning school work before the boys headed off to take a mine tour at Central Deborah Goldmine.  They had a great time in Australia's biggest 'tourist mine'.  Kyla and I headed to the park for a little while before going back to the caravan park while we waiting to pick them up again.

Friday arrived before we knew it and it was time to pack down and make our way to Albury/Wodonga.

Butts Reserve, Maldon, Victoria {Free Camping}

What a beautiful spot to hide out for the long weekend!

We had so much space, access to flushing toilets and water all for nothing.  Our cheapest stay in Victoria!

It didn't take us long to arrive at our spot {even with a few stops for the puppy} and it was nice to have a quiet afternoon around camp for us all to settle in.  A little relaxing, cheese eating and of course playing with Lillie was a perfect way to spend our afternoon.

 

 

After pancakes for breakfast we headed up the Mountain to have a look at the view before making our way into Maldon.  All I can say is we timed it well as everything in town was open and they even had an awesome little market for us to have a wander through.  Some fresh food purchases, twisty potatoes for the kids, checking out antique stores before we stopped for fresh scones & coffee.  It was a really nice way to spend the day, just slowly wandering around and taking in everything the town had to offer.

 

  

 

 

It really is a lovely little place, not too far from Melbourne and even closer to Bendigo. The following day we decided to go for a drive around the area to explore the surrounding region.  It reminds me a lot of Kalgoorlie in that there are heaps of old mine shafts in and around the town, hard to believe how big and busy the area was in the late 1800's, early 1900's.

More puppy play time before it we started packing up ready to leave the following morning.  

Just as the sun was setting behind the mountain we decided to take a quick drive up to take in the rest of the site and boy am I glad that we went.  What a fabulous way to spend our last night here.

  

Melbourne, Victoria {Caravan Park}

Whilst it was a little scary driving on the major roads, with the camper attached it was awesome to be back in Melbourne.  We stayed at Crystal Brook Caravan Park, which was in the Doncaster area.  Set on a lovely creek, under big beautiful trees and filled with wildlife {think possums who steal loaves of bread}.

We didn't really have any set plans for our five days in town other than the zoo, a look in the city and of course some shopping!

After we set up we follows our standard plan and the kids did some school work.  With that out of the way we went hunting for a shop to find some much needed supplies. An early night with Justin and I spending it laying down searching for a dog {darn spending time with Dan & Ant and their dog, we all are missing the company}.

Wednesday we decided to head out of a drive towards St Kilda for a look.  We had planned to treat the kids to a Luna Park visit, but sadly it was closed for a private function.  So instead we had  a walk around and a lovely lunch out {Kyla was very impressed with the cake shop windows}.

    

After our explore and a walk along the foreshore {it was freezing and there was people swimming} we decided to take the kids for a drive over the golden gate bridge on our way to do a little shopping.  {I should add that during the day I had messaged someone about looking at a boxer puppy}

Shopping done and dusted it was time to go & have a look at a little something special! And needless to say we decided that she would be coming back to WA with us.  A few days and we would pick her up before we left Melbourne.

 

Friday saw us heading into the city on the train.  The kids loved the train ride and where very shocked at the size of the city when we arrived.  After getting off the train we headed for a look at Fed Square and then found a lovely little coffee shop in a little side alley.

   

 

 We then headed off to jump on a tram to explore somemore. It was lovely to sit back and watch the city go by nice and slowly.  We got off near Docklands for a walk around and while waiting to get back on experienced a building alarm, complete with four fire trucks.  Kaleb really enjoyed that!

Next stop was Queen Victoria Markets where we stopped for some lunch and a look around.  Handbag for Kyla, some clothes for Justin and a remote controlled hover thing for Kaleb.  Everyone was happy!

Given we still had sometime and the weather was nice we jumped back on the tram and went to the Old Melbourne Goal for a look.  I can't believe that it was used up until the mid 90's, or that it is right in the middle of the city.

 

 

Kaleb really enjoyed reading about Ned Kelly and seeing where he stayed.  After a full day in the city we headed to the Bistro near where we stayed for a lovely meal {and cheap}.  Our last full day in Melbourne meant a trip to the zoo before heading off to pick up 'Lillie'.

We had a great day walking around the zoo, it was chilli started but the day did warm nicely.

 

  

  

Finally we headed out to go and collect the new addition to our family.  She was so quiet and cute, slept all the way back to the caravan park.  I rushed in got changed and then headed out for a lovely meal with old friends.  It was a great way to end our Melbourne stay {although we could easily have stayed for longer, as always}.