14 Oct - 17 Oct
Melbourne - The Blue Mountains - Sydney
On Mon 15th we started our long journey back to Sydney. Today was the most mileage we covered in a single day - 700 km. We also decided to top the engine oil up this day as it had gone from full to half on the dipstick and we didn't want to risk it going bang. A stressful moment occurred when the low fuel light came on and then we didn't pass a fuel station for 90 km... We assumed being on a 'highway' meant there would be BPs etc. but there weren't. Imagine the relief when we finally saw one! That evening we parked up at Richmond, on the edge of the Blue Mountains National Park.
Tues 16th we woke early and set off driving around the Blue Mountains National Park heading west towards Lithgow and then onto Katoomba and back up to Richmond. We got to Katoomba (about 1000m/3300ft about sea level) about 5pm and went on a walk. We had been warned it got dark about 7pm so when we got semi-lost about about 6.20pm we had a slight panic. But luckily we made it back up to the top before dusk.
Wed 17th (Day 24/24) we got up early and the plan was to take Sheila back to Travellers Autobarn depot in Sydney. After commenting the previous day how well she had behaved during the journey we were suprised when she wouldn't start. A phone call to our roadside recovery number gave us assistance within 45mins and he jumped started her. We were told to drive the 30min journey to Sydney centre and then she would be charged back then. We had to take her to the car wash and fill her up with petrol before returning so that meant two more starts. While waiting for her to be washed we were told that she wouldn't start! With cars queuing up behind we had to run over and push her off the wash. Another phonecall to roadside assistance and the guy was there in 5mins (different guy). Dirty battery terminals was the problem. Anyway XTW312 was dropped off by 1430, and we were relieved not to have picked up any speeding fines etc.
XTW312 did 5682 km (3531 miles) in 24 days.
We caught the train back to Sydney Central and went to our hostels for 2 nights before the flight to Auckland on Fri 19th.
We saw a lot of Australia, met a lot of people and had some great memories in the campervan. It went very quickly and was an unforgetable experience.
Some photos of the final leg.....
below: sun 14th overnight stop before the long drive on mon 15th
below: Blue Mountains road. The road peaked at 3300ft high above sea level.
below: Pierces Pass walk.
below: the three campers. Photo taken by an Ozzy guy in his 40s who went travelling in his 20s around Europe and worked at the Ferry Boat Inn in Norwich in the early 90s. Small world!
below: unfortunately a typical sight when Dave sat in the middle
below: the Three Sisters, Katoomba
below: the oil from the trees below give the area a purpley haze. Most apparenty in the evening.
below: the final day. Waiting for roadside assistance.
below: fly removal and general scrub.
below: 24 days later and we're back!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.