Stephen’s cousin, Casey, arrived at the caravan park with her husband Adam and two boys late yesterday afternoon. Harri and Mac were very excited to see them all and tell them all about their adventures so far.

This morning we made our way to Scenic World. We spent the best part of the day here exploring. We started by getting on the Skyway, which glides between cliff tops 270 metres above the valley floor. Yes, birds did fly below us. The views were amazing.

Next we jumped aboard the Scenic Railway, the world’s steepest passenger train, travelling from the escarpment down 310m into the forest on a 52-degree rail incline/decline. At the base, a web of trails on raised boardwalks awaited us. We explored the Jamison Valley rainforest and the kids did AMAZING! We did a lot of walking and they were real troopers. A promise of an ice cream once we got back to the top helped I think. We caught the 545m Scenic Cableway back to the top, cruising past the Sandstone escarpment and Orphan Rock.

After such an adventurous morning we made our way into the main street of Katoomba to get some lunch and do some grocery shopping.

We set off first thing after a pretty good sleep on the side of the Hume Highway. Pink skies and frost, followed by low cloud and lots of rain made the drive interesting. But not long after we arrived at the caravan park the skies cleared and we were able to explore. Welcome to the Blue Mountains!

We were visited by some very friendly cockatoos, who came right up to our caravan. Harriet thought this was amazing, and was even brave enough to let one land on her arm. Even though they’re wild, they were very gentle and very accustomed to people.

We still had a few hours of daylight left after setting up our site, so we made our way to the Katoomba Falls and did a few little short walks. The views were amazing! We saw the Three Sisters rocks, Orphan Rock, the Katoomba Falls, Katoomba Cascades and a whole lot of other lookouts I can’t remember the names of. Such a beautiful and breathtaking part of New South Wales.

It rained all day and night yesterday, so we had a slow start and a cruising pack up this morning in Mount Beauty. We said goodbye to the Luyten’s, got a takeaway breakfast muffin from Grass Valley (a must if you’re in Mt Beauty), filled up with fuel and hit the road. We drove most of the day. A few quick stops here and there for food and stretches (and road side wees 🫢). We had dinner in Goulburn, where we saw the big merino statue, and then pulled up in a truck stop for the night.

We arrived in Mount Beauty on Monday afternoon, set up the van (in our muddy camp spot) and hired ski gear for the kids. Uncle Hayden arrived earlier in the day, and Uncle Chris, Aunty Saroeun and Carter arrived in the late afternoon. The kids were excited to have a little fire and toast marshmallows and then it was off to bed before an early start the next morning.

We spent Tuesday and Wednesday up the mountain (Falls Creek). The kids went to ski school both days and did really well. It was a lot of firsts for them – first time seeing snow, being in such cold conditions, wearing snow clothes, wear ski boots, clicking into skis, going on a chair lift, etc etc. They did amazing! Mac was more into skiing than Harri – his no fear mentality probably helped a bit! Harriet preferred playing in the snow. It was my first time back on a snowboard in 5 years, so I was a bit apprehensive. But it came back to me pretty quick and I had fun cruising the green runs with Stephen and Hayden.

The kids and I had a rest day on Thursday, while Stephen and Hayden went back up the mountain for another day. We all went out for dinner on Thursday night, catching up with our good friends Jade and Carter, who live here in Mt Beauty. Was great to see them and their kids and all spend time together.

Very successful first snow trip 😊

A great winters day today. The rain held off for the most part and we made the most of it with lots of scooter and bike riding, playground visits and time outside in the sunshine. The caravan park has a heated indoor pool, so the kids spent a good couple of hours in there. We then headed out for a Sunday carvery dinner (a first time experience for the kids that they enjoyed) and then after dinner we went to an amazing light show.

The Bullanginya Dreaming light show project champions community involvement and cultural empowerment, spotlighting the artistic storytelling of the Bangerang Peoples’ Dreaming (the local indigenous group of the area). Through immersive art experiences and heritage celebration, it cultivates unity, respect, and appreciation for the rich legacy of the Bangerang people. The whole thing takes place in the bush and you walk along a 2km bush track through the dark to each of the installations. They’re interactive and all different, telling their own story. It was so great and everyone really enjoyed it!

We set off yesterday evening on our four week family adventure. This trip will have it all – snow, sand, sea and everything in between. We’re all very excited for some quality family time and lots of new experiences.

We parked up in a truck stop for the night just before to Victorian border and then set off first thing this morning.

We stopped in Echuca for lunch, a really lovely town on the Murray River, and then arrived in Cobram early afternoon. We met some good friends, Sandy and Andy, who we haven’t seen in almost 2 years. The kids instantly hit it off and all had a great time playing.

A quick weekend getaway to Point Turton with cousins was just what we all needed. We parked the van overlooking the ocean and the morning sunrise view was beautiful. The kids had lots of fun fishing and playing with the cousins. Mac is getting really good on his balance bike and scooter and Harri created some beautiful artworks painting shells.

Today we took the kids to Monarto Safari Park. It’s the largest zoo in Australia (by area) and has lots of animals that you view from both a bus and walking around. Harriet’s favourite animal, cheetahs, were a highlight. As were the meerkats and chimpanzees. We all had a really great time.

We spent the Easter long weekend away with friends at Marion Bay. It was great to get away in the caravan again and the kids had lots of fun playing with their friends.

Early morning beach walks, fishing on the jetty, playing in the sand and water and at the playground, and an early morning Easter egg hunt! Fun times all round.

Had a great little getaway down the southeast coast of SA with Casey and Adam and their boys.
The day we arrived was sunny but VERY windy, so a quick visit to the beach before dinner was in order. The next day rained majority of the day. We set up our full annex for the first time and kept busy, and dry, playing games and doing activities.

The following morning was spectacular, with a lovely sunrise over the water. I managed to slip away and get a few moments to myself to enjoy it. The rest of the day was pretty clear, but still quite windy. We drove to Robe and checked out the light house and old goal ruins, before having lunch and an ice cream and then heading back to the caravan park.