Berry. Final night

After 55 weeks away, this is our last night here at Berry Showground. 

We went out for dinner to the local Thai, something we haven't done for the past 55 weeks.

It's been fun!

This is what Robyn posted on facebook...

After 13 months exploring this amazing country of ours, this is our last night on the road.

Some mixed feelings for sure- we will miss the free and easy lifestyle, but are really looking forward to seeing family and friends and welcoming our first grandchild in August.

We have:

• Been in beautiful green forests with towering trees and ferns

• Hiked amazing gorges in the Kimberley and top end

• Swum at some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, some where you just stepped off the sand to snorkel over coral with beautiful fish

• Marvelled at the vastness of both the red dirt and the wheat fields

• Enjoyed each other’s company and celebrated 40 years of marriage

• Caught up with wonderful friends and family along the way

• Realized how rich WA is

• Enjoyed the company of new friends along the way

• Seen all so much wildlife- most of it living and unintentionally contributed to the death of a couple…

We have also

• Not been able to swim for months at beautiful beaches because we were croc safe

• Had about 3 months of 40 plus degrees

• Had months and months of red dirt- which I’m sure will never leave the car and van

• Had to choose between 70 kph wind on the WA coast or a million flies inland

• Drunk all sorts of water

It's been wonderful!!

Bodalla

As we left Merimbula, we knew we were going to stop for an ice cream at the Bega Cheese factory at Bega. No visit to Merimbula is complete without stopping there... something we've done with the kids for years.

We stopped for the night at a free camp in the forest not far from Narooma and Bodalla; just off the road but level and pretty quiet.

We went into Narooma and out to the heads and were entertained for a few hours by the seals on the breakwater.

Narooma Heads

Robyn looking at the seals at Narooma Heads

Merimbula

No trip around Australia would be complete for us without stopping in Merimbula, where, with our kids,  we spent many a family holiday. 

Turn, Tathra, Pambula, Merimbula... we visited all our haunts  😀

Great memories. 

A huge tuna... got away after 20 mins only 10m from the gaff hook! Everyone on the wharf was watching!

Voted.

Genoa (Mallacoota)

Instead of camping at Mallacoota,  we parked at a free camp on the old highway nearby at Genoa at a park that was originally built as the fruit fly inspection point.

Last "Friday Cocktail"

Lakes Entrance

Lakes Entrance turned on beautifully weather for us. 

We walked the loop out to the Entrance and back along the beach. 

Recent high seas and storms meant there were a lot if dead birds washed up on the sand, including a penguin 😞 

The Entrance to the Gippsland Lakes 

It fined up  😀

We stopped at Bairnsdale (in the heaviest rain of our year) and did a tour of the catholic church on the main street. Pretty spectacular. 

Sale

We camped up at the Sale Showgrounds for a couple of nights. 

We can see why Wikicamps has such good reviews. 

It's adjacent to the Sale greyhound racing track. If you're a gambler, ask yourself "how does a little club afford to give free cappuccino and scones every morning between 930 and 11 am? How do they afford $4 schooners?

Wake up!

We went for some walks and visited the botanical gardens. Another beautifully maintained country botanical garden. 

The swing bridge near Sale is iconic

Years ago they dug a canal to allow Sale access to the ocean through the Gippsland Lakes. This is the harbour in Sale. Miles inland. 

Dale is home to The Roulettes 

Meeniyan

The small town of Meeniyan is where we stayed over the ANZAC Day long weekend. 

We stayed in the donation camp near the oval. What a great spot to park up. Grass :)

It's on the Great Southern Rail Trail, so some nice walks. 

Everyone gets a run at the ANZAC ceremony!

We drove down to Wilson's Prom

Meeniyan is on the Great Southern Rail Trail. This community garden is on the trail.