I am looking through our Photos from the last two years and I have to say that we were so very lucky to be staying in Wollongong! Its almost like we lived in the Best Kept Secret city ever.
Actually I think that Wollongong Was The Best Location For Travel for all those who live in Australia. Its ideal location means that you can be in Sydney within 1 1/2 hours. Or be down South to Kiama, Gerringong, Berry, Nowra, Basin View, Ulladulla, Eden, or even as far as Mogo <——– the Place we started our journey!
Then you can drive up to Robertson, Kangaroo Valley, Mose Vale, Bowral, Mittagong, Thirlmere, Picton, Appin, Thirroul, Shellharbour, Albion Park – so many locations, so many wonderful places to explore.
Even day trips to the Blue Mountains.
To the best Easter Weekend Camping trip in Hill End NSW with our second son.
{I am sure that I have forgotten a location of where we have traveled, I will keep updating this blog post when and if I remember more!}
Ideal Location ::
Its also an ideal location for a trip To Melbourne in our Campervan, with a trip to Eden in a Spaceship Campervan as well as staying at our oldest sons place in Sydney so that we could explore Manly, visit the Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour, walk all over the inner city or catch a train in on the “Family Fun Day Sunday”. Then there was Vivid Sydney which we got to experience twice! And our first Mardi Gras, which I took both Cameron and Kyle to!
From Bush walks, to water falls, to beaches, to the bush, to paid attractions, to free attractions, to Zoo’s, to seeing animals in the wild, to late nights, early mornings, cold days, hot days….all of us had the best time in 2013 and 2014 because of where we stayed.
We meet amazing Homeschoolers – who shared their own styles of parenting and schooling.
To travelers who we so miss already, to those who lived in the Caravan Park {gosh did they accept Kyle’s money making ideas so much!!!}, to David’s Boss and Work Mates.
Even stayed in a Caravan Park with the best managers we have ever meet. Its like Wollongong was keeping us there for a reason, and sharing its secrets with us.
Without a doubt 2014 was the best year of our life in our motorhome. Yes we stayed with our home on wheels in one location for far too long but that did not stop our travel itch. We had use of our older son’s car, our own Campervan as well as working with Spaceships.
Whenever I needed to escape there was a means and a place to explore. Our boys are so very lucky to able to live our life with adventures, with the flexibility to learn as we go. With so many easy to drive to locations, free camping spots and more.
Will we ever find a better location then Wollongong? Not sure but I am keen to find out! We have no idea where we are going to be in 2015 but we can’t wait for the adventures to begin!
After looking back on our photos for the year of 2014 I thought I would share a few of our favorite moments {remember I can’t share all of our photos cause we have way too many pictures!!}…..
In January 2014 we spent Australia Day at Windang Beach, a place that is really special to me because that is where we stayed over night in a the beach car park in January 2013.
Also in January we went for a big trek through the bush…the trek was meant to be an easy walk to a waterhole but we took the trek that almost felt like we were walking the Kokoda Track! It was that steep we had to climb over logs, hang onto tree branches and ended up walking bear feet cause it was so very muddy. Over an hour later we came to this very spot….
In February 2014 Cameron, Kyle and I went for a day trip to the Blue Mountains. We purchased the passes for the Scenic World so that we could ride the Train, the Cableway, and Skyway. We also explored all of the walking tracks and ended up at the lookout so that both boys could see the “Three Sisters” up close!
In March 2014 I was very brave – taking both Cameron and Kyle to the Mardi Gras in Sydney by myself. The best night ever – we meet three gay couples who took us under their protection – making sure that we were safe from the crowds around us and giving our boys treats with chocolates.
March was also a very important month for us because that is when our oldest son returned from his First Deployment overseas with the “Melbourne” navy ship. Still can’t believe he has missed out on his second Xmas in a row!!
In April 2014 we got to watch an amazing sun setting over the Caravan Park, went down to Shellharbour Beach to watch crazy Surfers in the water and attended our second son’s Navy Job Training Graduation
It was such a big storm and yet more and more surfers run into the high seas to catch the Perfect Waves. We seen two surf boards wash up on the ocean, snapped in half. The riders had to catch a wave away from the rocks, and body surf towards the beach. It was incredible standing on the rocks, watching how brave they all were.
We remember this steam train! We got told off by the train conductor for letting Kyle lean out so far, even though we were sitting next to him!
In June 2014 we went to Vivid Sydney – it was the second time because we also went in 2013 {which was by far the better year}, Disney on Ice, to our magical visit to Lake Tabourie – where Cameron caught a very tiny fish {yes we had to let it go!}
We got to see Disney on Ice in Wollongong Entertainment Centre, I still think that I was way more excited and enjoyed the evening more then my boys did!
In July 2014 it got even more busier then the month before. A fishing trip for Nicholas, Cameron and Kyle down at Shellharbour before we had to be in Sydney.
Our oldest son needed us with him in Sydney because he hurt his back at work! We got to see his Base early in the morning, and explore La Perouse {still need to return there to visit when its open
It was so incredible to watch the sun rising over Watson Bay Sydney. I am not a morning person but this picture was worth the early start to the day!
This photo of Kyle running, with a Storm coming in, is by far my most favorite Picture of the whole year!
In August 2014 David with our youngest two {and I} had fun at Bass Point Lookout in Shellharbour – a wonderful rock pool area with lots of walking tracks, a visit to Dark Forest Riding School {a place I used to horse ride at many years ago}, and of course a Beach trip where Cameron and Kyle could practice their Taekwondo moves!
Kyle and Cameron loved Taekwondo – Kyle reached his Blue Belt and Cameron reached his Yellow belt before we left the Wollongong area.
In September 2014 we drove our Motorhome around to get the springs looked at, and ended up having to park at David’s work due to repairs needed! It was also Fathers Day – we spent the day down at Gerroa for Breakfast and then for a day on the beach. It was also the month that we drove up to Carrington Falls – a place that soon became our favorite falls to return to with each of our two Oldest Woody Boys!
In October 2014 we bought our second son home from Perth for his Dad’s Birthday, Drove to Cowra from Wollongong, explored Avon Dam {and Nepean Dam}, and had one magical weekend camping trip in our Campervan down at Meroo National Park {we love Free Camping Trips!}
In November 2014 we stayed down in Eden for three days, visited Taronga Zoo, a road trip with our oldest son down to Kangaroo Valley and saying goodbye to him as he headed off on his second deployment. A month of memories and creating moments in time together.
In December 2014 we were parked back near David’s work. He was crazily busy on getting the Motorhome repairs done for our big trip north. It was a month that I don’t remember too well cause we were both so very pushed for time. But again I took lots of photos so that we could reflect back on what we did.
I got to spend time with my Family, saying goodbye! David got his Joy Flight from his Fathers Day Gift, we found David’s Grandparents Memorial Chair, watched our boys having fun on Nicholas motorbike {which was sold after we left!!} and finally saying Goodbye to Wollongong with our last play at Windang Beach.
My youngest Brother with his Back to us, my other brothers Wife and Child. We spent the day together at Cataract Dam – it was so much fun playing cricket and exploring the Dam.
Our last day in Wollongong was spent at the beach where we started – Windang Beach. We had the most amazing two years in Wollongong – I couldn’t share all of our travels because there is no way I could. We are exploring Australia our way – homeschooling along the way, travelling slowly, seeing as much as possible. Sharing the experience with our family and with you.
For that we are so very grateful.
Wollongong Was The Best Location For Travel, where are we going to next? No idea but bring on 2015 because we can’t wait to see more and share it with you all.
Thanking you for coming along for the ride.
Here’s to the next year of adventures.
Cheers
Lisa
New Life on the Road.
A well written post. I agree with you that Wollongong is a great place for travel and actually deserves a road trip. We have one of the best beaches renowned for having the whitest beaches in the world. I love the South Coast, NSW. Keep up the good work.
yes Wollongong is perfect, its the best location cause there is so much to see and do from there! Thanks for dropping in to New Life on the Road 🙂