A long trip begins with a stay in Canberra

Our long trip begins with a stay in Canberra.

A late lunch and a full tank at the South Kempsey service centre.

As the clock struck 11:15 am, we bid farewell to our workday routines, ready to embark on an epic journey. Our trusty teardrop trailer, meticulously packed and fully charged, awaited our adventure.

Our destination? A remarkable 800-kilometer journey south to the tranquil overnight campsite at Derubbin Point. As night fell, we parked in the serene darkness, eager to jump into our snug bed for a restful sleep. Setting our alarms for a brisk 4 am wake-up call, our goal was to navigate the Sydney bypass before the bustling peak-hour traffic. The plan went off without a hitch, and after a modest expenditure of $25 in tolls, we found ourselves cruising along the Hume Highway, destined for an anticipated arrival in Canberra Park at 10 am.

4:00 am, Wottie in the center, a small camper amidst some rather big ones at Deerubin reserve rest area. 20 mins north of the Northconnex Sydney bypass.

As the sun painted the sky with its morning hues, we made a delightful pit stop at Goulburn for a sunrise coffee rendezvous, right beside the iconic Big Merino. Energized and with caffeine-fuelled enthusiasm, we resumed our journey, first to the AIS swimming pool, and then to Canberra Park. 

Here, we skilfully set up our trusty teardrop camper, affectionately known as “Wottie,” and reunited with our relatives who had also journeyed to Canberra for a special family gathering. Our time together was brief, for we had a tight schedule ahead.

The Canberra Airport’s arrivals gate beckoned us to welcome our beloved son and his partner. From there, we whisked them away to a charming Turkish restaurant nestled in the trendy lakeside enclave of Kingston. Amidst delectable dishes and joyous laughter, we relished our time together before eventually retiring to the welcoming embrace of our teardrop camper. The day had stretched to a remarkable 36 hours since our journey commenced, and rest was a well-deserved reward.