Swansea in New South Wales

I saw it on the map North of Sydney and had to go. It is a small town of a few thousand inhabitants with a great river running alongside. I stopped for some Thai food and a beer and watched the bridge wreak havoc with the rush hour traffic.
Following are some shots of the countryside of New South Wales. It is quite easy to see that it is similar to that back home.
Above - threatening weather as sunset approaches.
I awoke here on my birthday - a beautiful breakfast view!
Driving towards Sydney I took a detour through the Great Dividing Range and climbed the nearest peak. Thisis the view I was rewarded with.

The Worst Driving I have Ever Seen!

I had the (mis)fortune to witness possibly the worst driver ever. After finishing at the war museum and listening to The Last Post played on the bugle I was feeling calm and reflective. Little did I know I was about to come inches from a hugh smash which could have ended my driving around this pleasant land.

As I turned off the 2 lane roundabout I stayed in the outside lane. I was getting ready to move to the left when it was clear. I noticed a large silver 4x4 approaching rapidly in my mirrors. I began to change lanes but the idiot had already begun to pass me - on the grass in the central reservation!!!
I watched in slow motion as he saw a road sign in his way. As he turned off the grass due to his idiotic speed the inevitable happened. He lost traction and the car started to twist. Luckily he was just in front of me at this point and he span across both lanes so he was facing rearwards. The tyres caught the left hand curb and instantly the huge Mercedes was flipped into the trees where it rolled onto its roof. Check out the photos of how one man destroyed his pride and joy!



Obviously I helped the man out of the wreckage and waited with him for the emergency services, which arrived in about 10 minutes. He was upset and in shock and had a graze to the head but had no obvious serious injury.

He kept saying "This stupid woman was changing lanes in front of me and she just sped off"

Yes I can imagine you must have had a really good view of me as you were spinning across the carriage way facing backwards! I thought
...and I don't blame you for thinking I am a woman but I certainly am not stupid!

Having driven several thousand miles around Australia and passed hundreds of trucks, cars and road trains I have found Australia's worst driver! He's here in the Capital city!!! (Without a car for a while I hope)

And my Tommy Toyota and I survived without a scratch!

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory and War Museum

Messerschmitt WWII aircraft - the last in the world to remain with its original war paint
American Muscle - a Mustang fighter gleaming in the spotlights.
Part of a wrecked fighter aircraft.
A biscuit preserved from the Australian Offensive at Rabaul Papua New Guinea from 1914.


These are only snippets from what is an impressive war musuem. It has large mock ups of several notable battles of the first world war and examples of military equipment and vehicles from each of the World Wars. My favourites are the aircraft and a special feature film is shown several times a day depicting an aerial battle between Australian Air Force and German planes durng WWI, filmed using historic aircraft. Scary!
This is Canberra in the ACT. It is the political centre of Australia and some say the drugs centre too, although I won't be hanging around long enough to find that out. It seems spacious and well laid out although a little too planned at times!
View of New and Old Parliament Houses from the War Memorial
Rowing Practice at 7am before sunrise and its chilly! Remember that Baudewijn? I bet you don't miss it!

New Parliament House, opened by H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth II in (I think) 1987
Old Parliament House with the War Memorial in the distance. There is a lake in between although it is not visible in this frame.

New South Wales - Eden and Boydtown

The Sea Horse Inn at Boydtown - restored recently.

The church that was never finished.
Boydtown in the mid 19th Century. Benjamin Boyd developed this site around 1843 with the idea of it becoming the capital of Australia. Unfortunately his finances ran out and the project was abandoned. Now the Sea Horse is a restored Inn and in an idyllic location in Twofold Bay. Perfect for a Capuccino!




Snug Cove, Eden.
View of Eden taken from Boydtown.

This part of the coast was apparently deeply shrouded in fog when Capt Lt James Cook made his pass. He therefore missed the whole lot and landed in Botany Bay near what is now Sydney. This is a site that could have made a good port which it is now - Snug Cove has a large fishing fleet and almost 100'000 tonnes of wood chips are exported through here each year.

80's Jap cars lovin' it.

Mallacoota - Last stop in Victoria

Had to try Abalone Noodles at Lucy's cafe. It was worth it and washed down with a cold beer - Mallacoota? - LOVE IT!
The beach at Mallacoota. The day before we set up camp and sheltered from the wind and rain in the camp kitchen. A good meal was had, followed by Irish Vietnamese coffee. I knew I was in for a bad nights sleep when I saw my tent flapping violently in the gales despite being pitched behind a van and my car.

With all corners heavily pegged I retired at about midnight. At 1am I got up having not had a wink and sat up for a little while longer with the guys. Returned again to bed at 2am. When the wind ripped up the tarp pegs at 3am I had still been awake and we unhooked it and bundled it into my car.

At about 4am I decided the sound was too much (like someone shaking a canvas bag continuously next to my ear) and I climbed into the boot of my car with the seats folded down. I had a good 2 hours before the sun came up and the wind died down. Didn't love it!


The inlet at Mallacoota - notice campers have moved on from this exposed spot!
The Mallacoota gang - French, Aussie and a Welshman.

Point Hicks, Thurra River and enormous dunes

Thurra River
Point Hicks - Lt Hicks was the first to spot Australia from the Endeavour and Lt Cook named this point after him
Largest Lighthouse on mainland Australia
Dune walk
pretty large and great view



What a pose

WIlsons Promontory

This is the Southernmost point on the Australian Mainland. It covers approximately 50'000 hectares, nearly half of which burned during a fire in 2009. It also suffered from a fire in 2006 and much of the vegetation is only beginning to recover. It is a great place to do a few days hiking, surfing, or lazing. Just don't light any fires! Above is a tree that was burnt during the most recent fire in early 2009 and is regenerating.
View from Mount Oberon, over 700m tall and next to to the sea so spectacular!
Lizard enjoying the view.


Tidal River and wetlands.
Norman Beach, Mount Oberon is on the right of the frame.
Squeaky Beach - so named because of the squeaky sand which contains a high percentage of quartz grains.