We made a stop at The Big Merino in Goulburn. The outside of this place just screams for passerbys to come in! The building is a very large Merino Sheep standing about 50 feet high, made out of reinforced cement over steel rod. Inside are all kind of gifts and novelties; everything from stuffed animals and tea to tee shirts, sweaters, boomerangs and lots of very special lavender treats! This is a big place and something you must see…stop even if only to take a photo of your travel companions next to the building…it will be one of a kind!

We headed to Canberra, the Capitol Territory. This is a great town. It is beautifully laid out easy to get around and offers lots of options with things to see and do. Since it was New Years Eve, Michael, Christine, Lynn and I had dinner at the Sakura Japanese Restaurant but this was indeed one of the wildest dinners that any of us had ever experienced! It is a tough one to explain….and must be experienced, Meals are prepared at a tepanyaki grill and don't go unless you are really hungry …you are served soup, salad and then watch out! The chef cooks at your table…usually to seat 10-12. First is an appetizer….then vegetables, main course, then rice…then sprouts…and so on. Imagine bowls of rice flying through the air….or trying to catch a shrimp with chopsticks! These tables must be booked ahead of time since there is only one seating per table per night.

We stayed at a park which is at the outskirts of town and near a very large sports pavilion. Lynn and I had stayed at the resort before and could hardly wait to get back. As we drove to it, my heart sunk because the areas were so badly burned. As we pulled into the gates, we saw a mama 'roo and her joey and my heart did a leap. Then we saw the sign and the office, the big Aussie flag flying and we knew all was well.

We found out later that the fires in that area were arson set on Boxing Day by kids! The fire brigades fought and so did the staff of the resort. They tried to evacuate guests but many stayed because they were so insistent to help battle the fire. This gives you an idea of how folks feel that stay at the Canberra Motor Village

They offer sites for campervans and trailers, great cabins and a motel, There is a wonderful laundry which we used, a pool, a huge playground a wonderful staff and roos that wander thru the park! We stayed two nights but would have liked to stay longer!

Tuesday 1/1

Still in Canberra. On New Years Day, we drove around the city and went to the National Museum of Australia. It is very new and a fabulous structure. There weren't enough hours to see it all but were fascinated with every bit we saw. First Australians, Land and People, Symbols of Australia, Stories from the Emotional Heart; etc, I would suggest that you plan to be there at opening and stay the entire day. There are two restaurants and lots of areas to rest.

Wednesday 1/2

Drove to Gundagai. The Murrumbridgee River winds through the town. The Aboriginal word gundagai means "bend in the river.

I have wanted to see the Dog sitting on the Tucker Box since I heard the song as a child. (a "tucker box" is a lunch box. ) As the history is told, the monument is a tribute to the pioneers from the people of Gundagai. The dog guards the tuckerbox that contains the teamster's possessions as he went to see his Lady.

The inscription on the monuments says, " Earth to conquerors who won her when wooing was dangerous and now are gathered into her again's self upholds this monument."

We stopped at the Tourist Information Centre for the Gundagui Shire Council and were fortunate to see the Statue carving and then to the Ettamogah Pub.

The Ettamogah is an experience you will never forget. It is like a Believe It or Not museum, a corner bar, and an old western town all rolled in to one, From what we learned, The Ettamogah Pub was the inspiration of cartoonist, Ken Maynard.

There is an old truck on the roof and leaning walls. There is a tree that stands right in the middle of the pub that is covered with business cards from all over the world. There are talking cockatoos and the bottom portion of a man who has come through the ceiling…One expects that it isn't real…or so we hope!

We spent the night at the Lake Hume Tourist Park which is in the Albury-Wodonga Region on the shore of Lake Hume. And just a short distance from the Murray River…… We had a wonderful surprise to be parking next to a guy who was preparing to kayak, by himself down the river for 250ks. This appears to be a popular interest in Australia so we spent some time talking to him about his plans and the amount of gear needed. Link to Chris' story

Thursday 1/3

We made a visit to the Hume Weir Trout Farm! This is a very interesting attraction and offers an opportunity to catch your own dinner. The mission of the farm is raising rainbow trout for the region so you can see the fish in all stages of growth. There are beautiful gardens to stroll through, waterfalls, birds and lots of learning tools.

We drove through the town of Glenrowan to get a bite to eat and made a stop to see the statue of Ned Kelly; their folk hero in that he was brought before the court first at the age of 15 and later killed several policeman~ Such a claim to fame! The police now appear to be taking revenge and this is an area we would suggest you avoid as it is not particularly interesting nor is the town's hospitality! We witnessed a rented campervan, we noted as American tourists getting a parking ticket. This may have been understood if there was an obstruction of traffic or no other cars in the area or other parking nearby or posted so that signs may have been seen without a microscope. These folks were carrying all kinds of shopping parcels from spending tourist dollars in the community and then came back to a $100.00 parking ticket! Our advice is to avoid Glenrowan and spend your money elsewhere until they become more tourist friendly!

We then drove through Bendigo, a place to schedule for a future visit as it appeared very interesting and quaint and then on to Ballarat.

Friday 1/4

When we arrived in Ballaratt, we knew where we wanted to stay based on the name….A Welcome Stranger…it felt like a place where we "foreigner" could get right in and feel, well…. "welcome!" Little did we know that the name referred to a piece of gold! There are all kinds of interesting areas to visit in Ballaratt so plan on 2 days at least, Ballarat was originally a gold mining area and is the home of Sovereign Hill, a theme park devoted to this history. You can explore an old mine, pan for gold, take a buggy ride or rest…Just watch where you choose to sit if someone else has the camera!

A Welcome Stranger did indeed make us feel welcome! It is family operated and convenient to the city center and many attractions yet an ideal family park. There is a spa, tennis, a pool and playground. If you travel without a campervan, they also offer wonderful cabins. It is a great place with some super folks at the helm!

Saturday 1/5

We really wanted to catch a ride on the Puffing Billy Steam Railway on our way to Melbourne but just didn't quite plan our time right. This is Australia's century old stream train that runs on its original mountain track through the Dandenong Range. We did drive into the town of Belgrave where the trip would begin. We have heard a great deal about this trip so hope to have an opportunity on another trip.

Sunday 1/6

Toured the town of Sassafrass …where Chris brought her ring in Possum's??? We toured the well known Healsville Sanctuary. This facility is very spread out so if heat is an issue for you, choose your day accordingly. There is much to see however not a lot of staff to respond to questions or maintain unruly visitors. We had dinner at a club in Berwick where a Stag Party was in progress for the marriage of Leigh to Jess. (He was looking a bit green this evening!) We found this to be an interesting tradition and only wished we had more time to follow these guys around…..