V & C Impressions

Almost Grey Nomads in Australia

Tag: Australia

  • Platypus Point – Northern Rivers

    Platypus Point – Northern Rivers

    • Website: WikiCamps
    • Fee Catagory: Paid
    • Booking: by phone
    • Dog Friendly: Yes
    • Amenities: No
    • Pool: No
    • Telstra: Data Flakey
    • Starlink: Depends on site, lots of trees
    Our campsite at Platypus Campsite
    Platypus campsite

    Our Opinion

    Platypus Point is about half way between Casino and Tenterfield, with both being abut 50 min to 1 hour drive away. The small town of Tabulam is about 10 minutes away heading towards Casino.

    After spending the last few months in caravan parks, this place was a definitely a change of pace. Quiet, plenty of space, and secure, we liked it. It was a little bit unfortunate about the weather, storms most afternoons, we would definitely stay here again.

    At $20/night, we consider this to be reasonable cost. You do have to be self contained though, as nothing is provided. The hosts were friendly and helpful, allowing us to walk around and pick the site we wanted as we were the only ones there.

    We opted, due to the unpredictable weather to stay up higher, closer to the road. There is not much road noise and the site was reasonably level. The track to the lower level by the river looks steep and tight for a caravan, the hosts assured us other caravans have been down there. Also the lower level will be sheltered from the wind, if you want the breeze then this is not the place to be.

    Starlink will have a few trees to dodge, we found a good location with a clear view of the sky facing south. We didn’t find Telstra to be very good, especially with the data, slow and dropping out. This may be a deal breaker for some people. Solar seemed to work ok, but due to the days being overcast, we could not confirm this.

    Overall, considering everything this campsite is highly recommended.

    Access to the lower level (river side) campsites at Platypus campsite
    Platypus campsite access to riverside camping
    Platypus campsite
    Platypus campsite riverside camping
    A picture of our campsite at Platypus campsite
    Platypus campsite
    Platypus campsite
    Shadow chasing ball
  • Kirra Beach Tourist Park – Gold Coast

    Kirra Beach Tourist Park – Gold Coast

    Kirra Beach Tourist Park
    Kirra Beach Tourist Park

    Our Opinion

    If you want/need a dog friendly park in this area of the Gold Coast, your options are limited, fortunately this park is an excellent place to stay. It is well laid out and run, and in a great location. Excellent clean facilities, which were cleaned daily.

    Only a 5 minutes walk to Kirra beach, which has Cafes, Gym, tourist shops. The site size/cost is average for this type of location, with all of the sites we saw being reasonably level.

    Being at the southern end of the Gold Coast means you are in the quieter area, with most activities being a 30 minutes drive north. Going south into NSW 45 Minutes drive to Byron Bay. Tambourine Mountain is another location worth checking out. Also the famous Surfers Paradise.

    Only thing to be aware of is the close proximity to the airport, with planes starting to take off at 6AM and going through the day until about 10PM. Didn’t bother us, others may be more sensitive to the noise.

    There are plenty of trees in the park, so depending on what site you get, solar may not work very well.

    We were here for 2 weeks during November, we would stay again and also not hesitate to recommend this park to anyone else. The big trees give plenty of shelter from the wind, as we found out as a few storms came through in the evening. Also the trees provide plenty of shade.

    Images from the Park and beach

    Kirra Beach Tourist Park sites
    Kirra Beach Tourist Park sites
    Kirra Beach Tourist Park on site Pizza
    Kirra Beach
    Kirra Beach with Surfers Paradise in the background
  • Slow Website Updates

    Slow Website Updates

    We are so sorry that we haven’t posted in a while, and we will be back.

    We had a wedding to go to, A few business appointments as well as other appointments. Everything has been on hold for now. Things have been busy, busy, busy for us and we do promise to post some more of what we have been up real soon.

    Our adventure will be kicking off again and heading into another 2 states – can you guess which ones?

    Stick with us and watch this space, we will have some great adventures coming your way. We are starting something new for us.

    Thanks for your support as always.

  • Galaxy Caravan Park – Brisbane

    Galaxy Caravan Park – Brisbane

    We’re a quaint holidaying destination located in Tanah Merah, Queensland. Nestled comfortably between Brisbane City and the Gold Coast, our caravan park boasts outstanding friendliness, a relaxed atmosphere and exceptional cleanliness. This is the perfect place to base yourself as you explore all that South-East Queensland has to offer

    Galaxy Caravan Park
    Shadow outside Galaxy Caravan Park

    Our Opinion

    This is a pretty good, well run park, with clean amenities, the park itself is quite, but warning here, the M1 motorway is noisy, so if peace and quite is your thing then this place is not for you.

    Location is excellent, being only a few kilometres away from Brisbane CBD, not too far from the Gold Coast, A major shopping centre on the other side of the motor way. Location wise, it is close to everything.

    Sites I would describe as sufficient for a caravan and car, with not much to spare, pretty typical for a caravan park this close to a city.

    Access to the Galaxy caravan Park is not difficult, Google maps got us there no problems. wether you are coming from the north or south, you should not have any problems.

    Directly opposite, on the other side of the motorway is the Hyperdome, here there are movies, restaurants, Cafes, Supermarkets etc. Also close by, there are the other useful stores, Supercheap, Repco, Bunnings etc.

    We have been here twice now this year, and would not hesitate to book again.

    Galaxy Caravan Park pool
    Galaxy Caravan Park

  • Pic of the Day – Wall Art

    Pic of the Day – Wall Art

    A striking image at an entrance to an underground cafe. There sure are some talented artists around.

    Things have been a bit slow around here for the past year, hopefully now that society is getting back to normal, I can find more time to get active with the camera.

  • Pic of the Day – Lone Tree

    Pic of the Day – Lone Tree

    While camping at Norval Park campground I took the opportunity to get up early and have a go at some early sunrise photography.

    The weather was not particularly co-operative with heavy clouds and rain forecast. The clouds did break at dawn with some nice colors to come through.

    This tree, or what was left of it was about the only item of significance on this beach, I thought it would match well with the moody heavy clouds.

  • Pic of the Day – On the beach

    Pic of the Day – On the beach

    This trip was a long time coming.

    Towards the end of our holiday, we met up with some friends, so we can go in a group to the beach, you know, safety in numbers, especially since we had never done beach/sand driving before. Byfield National Park was the place we stayed at for a few days, so we just had a short drive to the beach along some sandy tracks.

    As the Ranger suggested drop Tyre pressures down to about 14psi, low range, manual third gear and just keep on going. Our new Nissan Patrol did not disappoint, handling the sand with ease. Not once did we think we would get stuck.

    It was a good day out with the experience wanting use to do it again soon.

  • Pic of the Day – Lest we Forget

    Pic of the Day – Lest we Forget

    Took a drive around Yeppoon and then on to Emu Park today.

    Very much a holiday destination with an idealist coastline, excellent climate, what more could you ask?

    How about Byfield National Park just a short drive up the road which you can drive in and around on the sand dunes. Thats for another day that adventure.

    At Emu Park there is this memorial to the Anzac fighters. Well laid out and in a pleasant location.

    The Singing Ship
    Yeppoon coastline
  • Pic of the Day – Sunrise

    Pic of the Day – Sunrise

    In what seems like forever I have managed to get out at sunrise and do a photo shoot. It felt good to get back to what started getting me into photography in the beginning. But like everybody else, life/Covid gets in the way.

    It also helps to be on holiday in the Sunshine Coast, staying across the road from the beach.

    With the living with Covid now beginning to be reality, and hopefully with-it lockdowns/restriction ending, life can get back to normal.

    Below is a pic of Shadow, our dog, just has happy to be out and about on the beach.

    Shadow on the beach
  • Pic of the Day – Red-bowed finch

    Pic of the Day – Red-bowed finch

    It has taken me awhile to have a good opportunity to get a clear shot of this bird. A common bird but in my experience an elusive one when it comes to photography. Plenty of times I have seen them around, but never able to get a good shot.

    Taken a Oxley Common Creek, and added to my bird gallery.

    The red-browed finch (Neochmia temporalis) is an estrildid finch that inhabits the east coast of Australia. This species has also been introduced to French Polynesia. It is commonly found in temperate forest and dry savannah habitats. It may also be found in dry forest and mangrove habitats in tropical region.

    Wikipedia
  • Pic of the Day – Red-backed Fairywren

    Pic of the Day – Red-backed Fairywren

    The venerable Red-backed Fairywren, a common bird around eastern and northern Australia.

    It has been a long time between updates on this website, life has a habit of getting in the way, as does Covid. Hopefully moving forward, I can get some regular content happening.

    Today I managed to get to my favorite birding spot Oxley Commons Creek.

    The red-backed fairywren (Malurus melanocephalus) is a species of passerine bird in the Australasian wren family, Maluridae. It is endemic to Australia and can be found near rivers and coastal areas along the northern and eastern coastlines from the Kimberley in the northwest to the Hunter Region in New South Wales. The male adopts a striking breeding plumage, with a black head, upperparts and tail, and a brightly coloured red back and brown wings. The female has brownish upperparts and paler underparts.

    Wikipedia
  • Pic of the Day – Striated pardalote

    Pic of the Day – Striated pardalote

    A trip to Eagleby Wetlands today yielded one of the pardalote family of birds. I went back a couple of times, and this little fellow was there both times.

    The striated pardalote (Pardalotus striatus) is the least colourful and most common of the four pardalotespecies. Other common names include pickwick, wittachew and chip-chip.[2] It is a very small, short-tailed bird that is more often heard than seen, foraging noisily for lerps and other small creatures in the treetops.

    Wikipedia