A south-west run today through outback New South Wales. Cotton is the major crop around Dirranbandi. Our second visit to the Hebel Hotel – officially opened in 1894 as a Cobb & Co changing station before later commencing operations as a hotel. Outside the pub are a number of old posts; these are the original … More The State We’re In 2026 – Day 3 – Good to Go to Goodooga
This morning we head west to Texas (as in Texas, Queensland, Australia). But first a visit to the Big Thermometer at Stanthorpe – do we agree that this is the best Big Thing around these parts? Well, to a certain degree. The Celsius scale was named after Swedish astronomer, physicist and mathematician Anders Celsius who, … More The State We’re In 2026 – Day 2 – Deep in the heart of Texas
The state we’re in! After the trials of 2025, the Grey Naumad and the Red Rover are taking to the road again for another journey in this great land for some more grey no-mad-ness. We will take roads less travelled wherever possible. So, we will attempt our first vacation in nearly two years starting in … More The State We’re In 2026 – Day 1 – Down and out through the Downs
Big Apple at Spreyton. I went for a walk last night and there was an Apple pie, Apple strudel and Apple Charlotte on the ground. The streets were strangely desserted. The Big Spud at Sassafras. This guy once had a chip on its shoulder. Despite being skewered in the …. well, I’m not an expert … More Big Things of Tasmania
Another hot day with a beautiful Jacaranda tree at our accommodation. Back on the Newell Highway heading north – my clever co-pilot managed to take a photo without a truck in the frame. We passed through Gilgandra, the Warrumbungles and Coonabarabran to be able to spend time at our major quest for the day – … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Days 48 and 49 – Piliga sandstone caves and back in the Sunshine State
We continue our journey north via the Olympic Highway, Goldfields Way and Newell Highway. Silky oaks were common in town and in paddocks around Gerogery. Morning commercial flights – vapour trails. Impressive old building at a small town called The Rock. It is named after a prominent local peak, The Rock. I just call it … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 47 – The Rock, Elvis and the Temora Tornado
Phone recepion onboard relies on signal from shore so after a couple of hours there is no signal. In the middle of the night, the phone starts pinging as reception from King Island is available for an hour. Then no reception until a few hours from Geelong. This is the Victorian coast sometime around 3am. … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 46 – Picnic at Hanging Rock, Crimes and Vines
After a sleep in and late check out, we didn’t venture too far with the evening’s crossing of Bass Strait back to Victoria in our minds. So we looked at a few local delights in the Devonport area. Devonport main street – it is the birthplace of some iconic Tasmanians. A grand building overlooking the … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 45 – Crossing in the night
Ben Lomond National Park is an isolated mountain massif in Tasmania’s north-east. Despite its isolation from the main mountains, it is an alpine area with Tasmania’s second highest peak – Legges Tor. But first, a drive to another beautiful village and a historic home. This is Evandale. Georgian buildings in Evandale Evandale holds a number … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 44 – Ben Lomond
A drive up into the north-east today. A quollity mural in Launceston We ventured out to Waverley Mills nestled into the eastern hills of Launceston. For 150 years, Waverley Mills has been crafting textiles at their historic weaving mill. It is the last mill of its kind in Australia and here they spin, weave and … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 43 – Scottsdale, not in Arizona
Brickendon is just outside Longford, south of Launceston. Hedge-lined laneway leading to Brickendon Chook in the carpark – a good sign! We had great egg-spectations for our visit. Brickendon is one of Tasmania’s oldest farming properties, settled in 1824 by William Archer. The farm has been continuously operated and lived on by his direct descendants, … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 42 (pm)- Brickendon
Another wet start to the day – hills behind the highway from St Helens to Falmouth Also a slow start to the day for the first 26km at 30km/hr under the speed limit – no overtaking lanes and very winding road. The St Marys Pass road climbs over 320 metres to a plateau. The road … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 42 (am)- Esk Highway
