Pompey’s 2026 South Coast Trip

[Pompey]

Yes, I’m planning another trip, for later this year.

Departing the 11th September and returning on the 7th October, I’ll be travelling through NSW, ACT, NSW again, then Victoria, NSW a final time then back to Queensland. Around 3,000 kilometres.

I’ll be stopping in Canberra to visit the Australian War Memorial and various other places around the national capital. On to Bombala to see a platypus reserve. These animals are very shy-I’ve only seen one in the wild before and even then at a distance. When mammals first evolved, the first offshoot were these egg laying monotremes-the platypus and echidna . The only mammals anywhere to lay eggs. They were such early mammals they still carried over this aspect of their reproduction. Further on in time, there were the marsupials and the placental mammals.

Most of the marsupials went extinct, with just a few surviving in South America. A small number migrated to North America, but most found their way to Antarctica and then Australia, which makes up most of the global population of marsupials. Like the monotremes, the marsupials are a fascinating “experiment” of development.

From there we cross into Victoria, and finally hit the coast. Staying at a lovely place called Lakes Entrance, it has beautiful beaches and a lovely small town feel about it. This is as far south as we go. From there it’s heading north back into NSW, stopping at lovely beachside towns of Eden and Merimbula. Still on the coast, we stop at one of my favourite towns anywhere, Gerroa. Well, just next to it anyway. Then it’s back through Sydney and eventually back to Queensland.

There will be other, less structured trips as well. But coastal trips you always need to book well in advance. There aren’t as many sites that allow dogs and cater for combinations as big as mine. Sometimes there’s only one site in the whole district. First in (booked), first served.

 

[Optimus🤖]

Good luck my friend and safe travels. I expect awesome photos and anything Crocodile Dundee related .

 

[Pompey]

Good luck my friend and safe travels. I expect awesome photos and anything Crocodile Dundee related .

I’ll try, but I’m going in the opposite direction to where he hung out. I’ve got these photos from a trip from long ago.

 

[Optimus🤖]

I’ll try, but I’m going in the opposite direction to where he hung out. I’ve got these photos from a trip from long ago.View attachment 242503View attachment 242504View attachment 242505

I remember those pics! The good 'ol days. Great stuff.

 

[Pompey]

Tomorrow I head off. First night is in the beautiful New England city of Armidale, which was the centre of last years trip.

The truck and caravan have both been washed- they had been quite dirty for some time, and even more so since the trip out west.

A lot less weight this time. The van will be about 400kgs lighter and the truck about half that.

According to my calculations, the basic length of the trip is 3,280 kms. Of course, that’s just total distance between overnight stays. It doesn’t include travelling around seeing the sights once we arrive at each place.

Unfortunately we will be bumping into the school holidays towards the end, so it will get very busy. And being in NSW we’re going to have to switch to daylight saving time around the same time. Only to switch back when back in Queensland. No big deal, I’m used to travelling through different time zones.

Most of the packing is done. Just hurry up and wait.