Where We Have Been

We have moved to Australia.  I have a number of posts describing our move and discovering things in our new home.  We have been here for over a year now and have found no regrets.  We live in a small bedroom community called Tannum Sands which is part of the greater Metropolitan area of Gladstone which is located about 500 kilometers north of Brisbane.  Tannum Sands is nestled against the Coral Sea and we have found the town, the people, and our new home very pleasant.

Andy and Candice (our Son and his Wife), and their three children, Samantha,  Cathy, and Christian have recently moved from their home in Coomera to Tannum Sands as well.  Andy works in Gladstone.

We have made a number of “In Country” excursions in Australia.  The first was from Melbourne, down to the Great Ocean Highway, then North and East on the inland side of the East coast to Toombowa, then down along the coast to Coomera.  We took a week off once and drove North along the coast as far as North Hampton, then went straight West out into the outback as far as Long Reach.  We also did excursions through the Granite Belt which is West of Coomera and several trips up to Tamborine Mountain.  Our two longest trips both started in Darwin where we rented a motor home and camped the entire way.  The first one was straight South to Alice Springs, then a shot West to see Uluru (Ayers Rock), then back to Alice Springs, South to Port Augusta, with a Stop in Coober Pedy where it gets so hot people live underground.  From Port Augusta we went up to the Flinders Range National Park, down through the Barossa Valley (Great wine country) then over to Adelaide where we turned in the camper and flew back to Coomera.  The second one started in Darwin and we went west along the Northern part of Australia until we got to the West coast, then South as far as Margaret River (More great wine country.) wanted.  We had nothing to hold us back, we are in good health, so we travel. 

A word about travel.  The more you travel, the more comfortable you get dealing with airplanes, borders, VISAs, etc.  Each time you don’t travel for a while and get a little older, it is more difficult to start out again.  The trick is to travel often and regularly and it’s a breeze.  We tell people that frequently and few believe us … however, we know it’s true because of our experience.  It makes no difference if you travel globally or just in America or a specific country.  The key is getting out your front door and going someplace to see and do something new and interesting.  There are so many things that affect how and where we travel such as finances, health, obligations to family or friends, and fears.  They all must be factored in and once you do that … off you go.