Planning Stage - South

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22nd August, 2023

We have still not finalised everything as far as timings are concerned.  We plan to start on Wed, 1st November and want to be in Adelaide for Nat & Maddie (hopefully Rob too) joining us at the start of the school holidays on 6th December.  So here is what we think at the moment.  We have a huge list of things to see and do in each area.

Map 1 - The Gold Coast

Because the Gold Coast is so close to Brisbane we decided not to spend too much time here as we have the whole of February to revisit areas we want to see in more depth.  We have allowed 6 days to get to Gosford which is approximately 1,000 Km.


Map 2 - Sydney

On our last trip we were lucky enough to spend a whole week just down by the bridge but we couldn't go to see the Blue Mountains because of terrible fires they were experiencing at the time.  So this time we are rectifying that.  5 days covering approx 500 Km.  This time we are planning on taking the train into Sydney to visit Koi as we are huge Masterchef Australia fans and loved Reynold.  


Map 3 - Canberra to Melbourne

We are spending 2 days touring Canberra.  There is am amazing website which has lots of different driving trails which we have gone through and picked out the bits we wanted to visit.   We have been told it might be dead as we are there over the weekend but we like the peace and quiet and means to queues!!  7 days and 1200 Km to get to Melbourne.  


Map 4 - Melbourne

We have allowed for 6 days in Melbourne as there are several places we want to go to which are a couple of hours drive away outside the City.  This part is approx 400 Km but if we go to Sovereign Hill and/or Glenrowan then it will double.


Map 5 - 7 - The Great Coast Road (Melbourne to Adelaide)

There is so much to see!!  This is the drive we really wanted to do and what the whole trip is about.  We have allowed 13 days for this 1200 Km trip.  




From Ipswich to Adelaide we estimate to be about 4,100 Km.

Map 8 - Homeward Bound


Our plan is to drive back to Ipswich once the Hennesses fly home.  It should take approximately 7 days so we arrive home by the 20th December in time for family birthdays and Christmas.  It will depend on whether we drop down to Glenrowan to see Ned Kelly's museum as we might take a trip out there when we are in Melbourne.  Another 2,300 Km driven.  So the whole trip will be 6,400 Km.

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