Leaving Australia

Leaving Australia we recount numerous memories, some worth repeating and others wishing to forget. Visiting 5 of the 7 states, driving over 10, 0000 kilometers, hanging with locals on the inside and a few left in the outback, skimming the surface and diving below, we realize that Australia is just too big even with three months to travel. We made a good effort driving, hiking, and biking as much of the country that time would allow, but ended up exhausted with travel and concede that we needed more time.
Nonetheless, we rate ‘Australia on wheels’ a five star experience, giving us the skills needed to feel confident moving on with our long term diverse travel. We have learned a great deal about ourselves and our limitations, however attribute much to those whom we have met along the way.

Their ancestors may have been a bunch of convicts, but the Australian people are extraordinarily kind and helpful. We always felt safe and were taken care of by a host of friends and complete strangers alike.

If you come for no other reason, the array of rare, exotic and intriguing animals is an attraction of its own. Unlike anywhere else, the abundant presence of wildlife just outside the city center and at times within, is really an unexpected appeal .

A country for all kinds, the climate is diverse and unpredictable. You can take your pick of untouched beaches, forests and ski mountains, moist warm tropics, or dry painted deserts.
Take your pick but then, Take Your Time.

We’re saving some of the best stories to share, when we’re joined around the patio fire, in your company. For now we’ve compiled a few of our personal highs and lows.
Not every day is picture perfect and some days are beautiful beyond words.

A collection of some the Best and Worst of our travels
according to Brian and,,, according to Brenda

My FAVORITE Day?
BRIAN- Diving the Great Barrier Reef
“It’s been a long time aspiration to dive into this amazing world under the sea with countless new coral and hidden sea life.”
BRENDA- Surfing on the sunshine coast
"My ideal travel dream, including well tanned shoulders, warm sand and good surf. Beach bumming at it’s best."

Most DIFFICULT moments to overcome?
BRIAN- First day learning left side driving, in the middle of a new city
“Twenty minutes in a new car, in a new city in a new country, we accidentally got lost in Melbourne Central during rush hour. Never felt so awkward, dangerous and flustered beyond belief.”
BRENDA- A rodent phobia mental meltdown
“After pretending to be brave for three months, the built up hysteria finally let loose.”

My FAVORITE Wildlife?
BRIAN-The unique Kangaroos and Wallaby’s
“Because we were camping most of the time, I was able to experience wildlife close up observing boxing wallaby’s, mating kangaroos, and baby Joey’s coming out of their pouch.”
BRENDA- The display of colorful parrots
“The skies are a rainbow of color as these laughing, chirping, singing and squawking birds fill the trees everywhere we go.”

My LEAST FAVORITE Wildlife?
BRIAN - The huge amount of annoying and biting insects on the beaches
“We spent too many nights scratching itchy welts from the sandflies, midgies, mozzy’s, and giant blowflies.”
BRENDA- All the screaming, hissing, growling, hopping animals that shriek at me when I go pee at night.
“Because I’m afraid of the dark and afraid of things screeching in the dark, I’m not keen on possums, kangaroo rats, betongs, bandicoots, and devil marsupials lurking anywhere near my bum.” And…(Yes, still complaining) “All the rest of the small marsupials and rodents that have long pointy tails and scatter, run or hop anywhere near me including those rare, protected, endangered, and otherwise. They hang out near my pillow, climb in the car with me, run over my feet, hiss at my bare bum, follow me to the kitchen, pop up under pans and have subsequently turned me into a lunatic.
To all rodent looking things, I give a Unforgiving, Merciless, “FAREWELL.”

The BEST of living in a Van?
BRIAN-The freedom and ease of pulling up anywhere and calling it home.
“Home is a blue lagoon one day and a tropical rainforest the next.”
BRENDA- The art of simplified living
“I’m learning how to make the smallest imprint by needing less and using the least amount of resources.”

The WORST of living in a Van?
BRIAN- Having to live inside the van when the weather is bad
“I can’t sit up in bed, stand to change clothes, and there’s no place to prepare food when it’s windy and rainy.”
BRENDA- The feeling of living in a coffin
“At night, I stare at a ceiling just a foot above my head and then spend another 12 hours driving under the same roof.”

Most EXCITING moments?
BRIAN- Fishing the Great Barrier and getting a huge mackerel on the line. “The biggest fish that ever got away from me. A fair fight I lost, but may the best one win.”
BRENDA- Stranded on an island, camping under a forest fire
"Waking at 2am to a ranger shouting, “Grab your valuables and go now. There is a massive forest fire behind you.” With no where to go, 500 campers staggered around all night with their valuables in hand (which for the younger ones, meant their beer and boom boxes.) An all night party broke out under a red glowing night sky, awaiting daybreak to retrieve our belongings and take the first ferry off the island."

WORST Camping?
BRIAN- The concept of camping Easter weekend anywhere in Australia
“Every family in Australia actually pays a lot of money to stake 10ft of ground near a beach or forest even when it’s overlapping 600 other campers. It’s a huge country, can’t they spread out?”
BRENDA- Arriving late to a parking lot and preparing dinner and washing up in a fish cleaning station.
“So tired of camping and tired of living in sub-standard situations, at some point I throw my hands up in futile appeal.” (Brian on the other hand proceeded to take his am shower in the smelly, scaly mess.)

BEST Camping?
BRIAN-Pebble beach campground in New South Wales
“We settled in with troops of kangaroo lounging beside us at the beach with fluorescent birds surrounding the camp. There’s a walking track, virtually empty beach, turquoise waters and then cooking over the campfire make a perfect camping experience for me.”
BRENDA- Luxury camping in the high plains of Dargo
“OK, it wasn’t really camping, but we did cook our meals over the fire. Besides, I've never liked camping anyway.”

Biggest DISSAPOINTMENT?
BRIAN - Entrance Fees to see so many of the naturally made landscapes
“We are on a travelers budget, not a tourist budget.”
BRENDA- The lack of Aboriginal culture in most of Australia
“It is clear that the settlers and the natives have a long way to go to successfully blend their cultures.”

Most IMPRESSIVE thing about Australia?
BRIAN- The use of government spending to improve quality of life
“Think for a moment. The country of Australia has about the same amount of tax paying citizens as the state of New York. For a huge country, they have used the average tax dollar to enhance the quality of life for it’s citizens. America spends it's highest percentage of tax dollars on a massive military force, but can’t educate it’s children. Australia has provided social medicine, higher education opportunities for all, similiar social services, retirement plans, and still the promotion of the family itself is prioritised in all of Australia.
BRENDA- The friendly Welcome
“We all can learn from this culture to be more helpful and considerate to foreigners who are lost in the city or lost in translation. The helping hand and comforting reception makes even the difficult days easier.”

A special Thank You to all our Friends

"Thank you for making Australia feel like home."

To: Jo & Richie, Bruce & Janice, JB, Greg, Craig, Vic & Lorainne...

We appreciate your exceptional hospitality. Thank you for giving us a roof and space to stretch out of the van. We expect and look forward to returning the favor when we're home.

To: All the above... and Simon & Amanda, Pat, Mary, Naomi & friends, Cole, Mel & Joey, Jamie, Jill & Tim, for sharing your world, your homes, your time and your love with us.

Thank you for the barbies, camping, bowling, water skiing, hiking, biking, fishing, innertubing, pubbing, home cooked meals and emotional support.

You all have made our trip unbelievably perfect! Thank You