Say good bye to Bigriggen

After finished work, we had a few days at Bigriggen to cleaned up the caravan and car. Our caravan had gotten pretty dirty sitting there for more than 4 months. We got the stairs out scrubs the roof and cleaned all the walls.

On the day of leaving, when we hocked up our caravan which felt so weird because we have been here so long. , Oh-well not really, it only 4.5 month. But it felt like we’ve been here for years, Bigriggen just feels like home for us . First we said goodbye to the other caretakers, then we went to the owners home and had a good chat with them, then we were ready to leave. When we drove out, before hit the gate Trent and Toni were standing outside of the house with they son-Ezra, we did our final goodbye to our dear friends. It`s never easy to say goodbye for us (especially for Lilia , her eyes always got moist ). We also got a tree from the Eberlie families, which they gave to us to plant in the park to leave our memories of us ( we are not dead yet !!)

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On the road again

It feels great!! It is always need some time to get used to driving with the caravan “again”, it took a bit of time. The car still running strong and the temperature didn’t get hot at all. Which up to north our car sometimes does sometimes. We were thinking that must be south cold air.

We did`t want to drive over the range to Gold coast , we decided to follow highway through Beaudesert toward to Logan highway than go down south, we did this to avoid the windy and steep roads. It was easier driving on the highway with the caravan because you are not in the way of anyone else. Everyone can just overtake you so there is no pressure which is nice. We normally avoid highways but now we enjoy it when towing a caravan.

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Pottsville

We are not planning to go too far south yet, it`s still too cold down south. Today, we tried to get close to Grafton, but it`s getting late around 4pm and Ruben said how about we find somewhere close to beach within 5mins. And Lilia looked at the map , yes! there`s beach -Pottsville so we went. We stayed at Tweed Holiday Parks Pottsville South, it just right next to Mooball creek, what a spot !!

This little town is beautiful right on the water, same goes for the caravan park we found. This caravan park is right in town and water. You won`t believe for my first parking , after haven’t done it for more than 4 months , that I had to got into the tightest spot .The road inside the park was narrow and cars were parked everywhere. We eventually got it on the spot, a bit of a workout for the cars clutch but it was a good practice, and I think we did well .

We did a quick setup and get our-self comfortable. We got a good site which is only 10m from the water. The water is crystal clear you could see the fish and a lots of birds around here, It was so nice and relax . Because we are so close to the town and right on the river mouth to the sea also there`s market on Sunday, so we decided to stay here 2 nights.

The next day, we had a drove around Pottsville and also checked out the other beaches , such like Kingscliff and Cabarita beach and Hastings Point. All these beaches were a lots of busier then Pottsville. On the way to Kingscliff we checked out Salt Village Markets in Salt Centre Park , was a nice village surround by resorts. Then we went to Kingsliff beach- Marine parade. At the time there was a event -Women’s Surf Festival going on , it`s free entry for everyone that was very busy and a lots of people. we both said to each other that we stayed in country too long , haven`t see so many people in a town for a while felt so weird. but it was great to see something different guess it`s part of the fun.

On the way back to Pottsville, just passed Cabarita Beach than we saw a board walk all the way up to headland , it called Norries Headland . We stopped here to check out what`s here and why so many cars parked along the highway? of course, there are a lots of surfers here , the ocean is so beautiful , the water was so calm and clear ,you could see the shadow of the surfer in the bottle of the sea , it looks like the surfer is floating in the air.

Walked up to the top, the view was amazing .

Also there were so many people watching the whales. For many years we worked on the boat , we almost forgot how excited it was when we see a Humpback Whale. Down south here the season is June , the Humpback Whale Migration to North tropical waters where they mate and give birth. And you won`t believe that we saw a few of whales just not too far from the headland , how great is that !! We didn’t even know they were around, what a lucky day out!!

Our way of travel, we try to meet people, this is the biggest part of traveling we think. By talking to people and sharing the story ,you will learn a lot from random people. You can make friends ,you can find work or you can find a new spots for next destination. So, at this caravan park we met a guy named John . He was super nice and like to help people. He had a beautiful old caravan which was restored himself from scratch . He is over 80 years old but you would not think of it. He is traveling by himself from Victoria to here, seemed really fit , happy and enjoys live. He originally from Denmark but lived in Australia for many years and loves Australia. We had a good chats , sharing our stories just like friend. John gave us lots of good little tips for traveling and next location. Thanks to John, too bad we forgot to take a photo with him. Any way we had a good time here.

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Maclean

2 days in Pottsville , we went off on the road towards Grafton. For some reason we thought we would like to live in Grafton, so we are heading that way. It was not to far so we stopped at Maclean for lunch. Maclean , a really nice little town on the Clarence River. We straight away felt like home( everywhere have same feeling..) The town has really old style houses and everything is very tidy, also the people seem very nice and happy . So far we’ve learned that every town has its own style of people. We had a looked around and did some shopping at seafood shop, we got a tuna stack for dinner woo hoo… Its very interesting . After a rest and filled up Lilia`s belly that we good to go to Grafton.

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Grafton

Grafton is a big town on Clarence River. Here got everything you need, so we thought about stay here for a bit longer. First, we need to find a place to stay, living on the road we need to save every dollars of accommodation. After little such for a week rate, the cheapest is showground $180 /week( rest of caravan park were $240-$270). We went there, caretaker was easy going, we didn`t have much cash with us, he let us paid $50 up front and pay the rest later. we tried to find a good spot and he shows us a spot its right next to the tribune and pub , a really odd spot to camp for long term stay . Then we went back to him tried another spot also right behind the tribune. it`s showground we understand, it will be always have event going on on the weekend and lots of people walking pass your camp ,but we just didn’t feel comfortable and safe to stay there at all . So we decided to leave, we asked for a refund and lucky we got it.

John the guys we met at Pottsville, he actually told us that showground was not a good place to stay. Just like we said before, every town has it own people so does camping ground attracts different people too. This was not our place, John also recommend us to stay at Jabour park, so we went there to checked out. This is a Vintage Car Club, they have a padlocked gate and you got to call the number for the code to entry. Its $15 a night , it has toilet and shower, only few power site for extra $5 a night really cheap place but maximum 72 hours stay. It was a nice park very open area just like camping in a big paddock. We paid for 2 nights first because we don`t know about this park its safe enough or not, as we got bikes with us , we don`t want to take any risk because of being cheap.

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Looking for a job and accommodations

The next day, we were in full swing to find a job , we don’t even know why we were in such a rush to find a job !? we just quit our job! “NORMAL” people would take holidays but not us , its funny that we feel like on holiday at all the time so we need to have a job . We went to the racing horse track where is gonna have a big event in 2 weeks. we almost got the job but we didn’t have a RSA for NSW. We do have RSA but only can`t use in NSW , guess this is the way of making money for the government . We went to a coffee shop, ALDI and a few caravan parks, not much luck though, season is in July. so we change mind that we might find a cheap stay first than looking for a job.

We posted a post on Facebook for a place to park our van and do some job for property as return for free a commendation. There were few reply back, we met people and checked out the place if it`s safe . First ,a lady she lived on top off the hill with 100acs land but the way drove in, it was dirt road and super steep also the property has no flat land to park the caravan. she just need someone stay there for 2 weeks to look after her dogs but we declined her offer.

The next one, was a very interesting one. They gave us a long text with fully instruction how to get into they property, sounds like a big farm. We get excited about the place, we went there in the late afternoon. We followed the text and we found the entry into the property, when we turned off on the highway ,opened a gate than we saw a caravan, we though is here the place where we park our van?? but recording to text was NO. We still have the other 10km to get into them house. Continue followed the dirt road pretty rough thought also gets narrow and rocky. We had to cross a 2.5m wide old wooden bridge and went over 3 cattle grids into bush and forest, if confused stay right we still on right trail. We stated to think is this a trap? it was getting dark and there`s no way to turn around either , we here already so just continue and see what people we gonna meet. Anyway after all the mystery somehow the narrow road just opened up become a big grass land with cattle and dogs. OK! guess we are here.

When we arrived outside of them house ,we saw a big fire and they were very welcome us to arrived. A very nice lovey 50s couple lived on a such beautiful property. They are trying to make Manuca honey and had planted 70+ native trees for the bees to feed on. They offered us to stay with them and help them to look after the property which sounded amazing. Such a property is something we were looking for in the future. We set in front of the fire and had good chat just like friends. They even offering us will pay us little to stay here and help out but the only thing which was the driveway. There`s no way we can tow our van cross that old bridge and rocky road , we don`t want to take any risk to end up our trip. We told them what we worry about and will thinking about it but we can`t promise will do it. They even said that they will use them car to tow our van to here but We’ve learned never promise people something until you are sure your committed. So we left very late and it was dark and very cold but we had a good time with them.

We decided to moved on , Grafton is not a place we like and its not our style of the town, so why don`t we just relax and enjoying surrounding area. We need to move to a caravan park for safety and place to relax …but Caravan park in Grafton just not that great . The only nice one is Glenwood caravan park but right next to a sawmill, well ….not much choice we moved to there for 2 days.

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Old Glen Innes Road and the Historic Tunnel Grafton

Grafton has famous place for motorbike riders, The Old Glen Innes Road/ Old Grafton Road. that is what we come this way, did`t get on the bike this time but 4WD. (bike has issue)

The old Glen Innes Road, started from Grafton through Old Dalmorton town to Mann River camping ground than via Gwydir Highway is about 180km one way. First 40km was sealed road until you crossed Nymboida River than you met the dirt .

The highlight was the short tunnel carved out of the rock ,they called The Carved Tunnel.

On this Track you will not miss out Old Dalmorton town , The Ghost town.

Dalmorton, like many of the gold rush towns, in the gold rush period during the 1850s -’60s they were over 5000 people and 13 pubs here , quite amazing Historic village. Now only a few building left and “Ghosts”….

We stopping at the Mann River Nature Reserve -camping ground , sited down right next to the river had lunch that was a great idea.

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On the way back , we stopping at Raspberry Lookout and Boundary falls, Gibraltar Range National Park.

We did about 270km today , it was a big day when returned back to camping ground we were flat out.

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Grafton was so cold ,a lot of colder then the coast. It was 0 degrees in the morning for a days and the ground was frost.

We stayed 5 days in Grafton , wasn`t do much just kept our self busy everyday, but we seen the town and met some people and we learn something too , its all about experience.

up to next……….coffs coast !!

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