Melbourne and the Trade Halls

Written by Nadine Zangerle on 27 May 2012. Posted in Australia

From Maxine and Garreth we got a phone number of their friend Jacob in Melbourne where we could stay with our campervan. So we called him up and got the best campground in Melbourne – the garage of the Trade Halls.

It couldn’t be better since the Trade Halls are situated at the Carlton district in Melbourne - a perfect strategic point to walk around the city. So we walked around the different districts, Fitzroy with its little cafes and extraordinary stores, Carlton with its Italian restaurants and nice houses, Yarra Park with different sport stadiums and the Centre with massive University Complex, business buildings and art galleries.

The city fascinated us so we stayed 5 days. Even the rain couldn’t spoil our excitement and we used the wet time inside the Melbourne Museum. The exhibitions about the earth, body and soul and the sea and land animals was so impressive, we could have spent the whole day.

Between the food- and clothe stalls of the Victoria Market it was packed with life. The Melbourne Central had a day with live music and special offers to attract people. The Botanical Garden is a peaceful place to relax and walk around the plants and waterfront. How it looks like in summer time? And a street actor involved Micha in a Saturday Night Fever performance, so we had a great time.

Our plan was to meet up with Cynthia in Adelaide so it was time to get on the beautiful Great Ocean Road and head west.

Byron Bay to Melbourne – off the beaten tracks

Written by Nadine Zangerle on 25 May 2012. Posted in Australia

So off we go, back on the road with our „Mighty Boy“.

Since we didn’t want to stay on the big highways we decided to travel inland through several National Parks. We followed the Waterfall Way with its “alpine-like” roads as it was mentioned in the Lonely Planet.

Well the Australians haven’t been in the mountains yet. Still the scenery was beautiful and the roads were adventurous.

At the Dorrigo National Park, its informative Rainforest Centre and the picnic area Never Never, we went trekking to different waterfalls. On our trek we met 3 young German backpackers who had been travelling most of the time by foot. Wow, the Never Never Picnic Area is situated 20 km in the middle of nowhere. Respect!

Here it comes, our first frosty night. On a river bank armed with winter hat and gloves we prepared our dinner since it got really cold after sunset. Getting in our sleeping bags quickly, watching a movie on the laptop and then went to sleep. The next morning our windshield was iced even from inside.

Those are moments you just want to go in a nice, warm room but this will be just a dream for the next months. We have to get used to those temperatures as it is winter time in New Zealand.

Since we love to sleep away from the big streets, we discovered this nice off-road Wenham Camp at the Warby-Ovens National Park. And we had been alone. The next morning we went trekking and observed beautiful, colorful parrots.

On our trip down to Melbourne we have seen so much nature and animals again. We had thousands of crazy colorful parrots and cockatoos as well as a red-bellied black snake. The problem with those snakes is the quick speed they get to run away from you, so no picture.

So let’s go to the second biggest city in Australia.

Byron Bay

Written by Nadine Zangerle on 17 May 2012. Posted in Australia

It was just nice to sleep in a bed again and can use the bathroom whenever you want to. We stayed at Pete’s parents in Byron Bay and had such a great time that we actually stayed longer than expected.

Byron Bay is a cute, sleepy surfer paradise with a mystique lighthouse, lush jungle treks and beautiful beaches.

While “Mighty Boy” had to get fixed – one engine mount was broken from all our off road tours” – we enjoyed ourselves on the beach, visited close by cities like Brunswick and went trekking along the coast line. We could even see sharks and dolphins during our trek.

A short trip to Nimbin gave us an idea about Hippie life. Everybody seemed to be on another planet and the shops sold all kinds of hemp products. After a last great night with our hosts Maxine and Gareth it is time to get back on the road.

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