{"id":4078,"date":"2014-12-08T02:29:14","date_gmt":"2014-12-07T15:29:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cewilson.offroader.com.au\/?p=4078"},"modified":"2014-12-08T02:29:14","modified_gmt":"2014-12-07T15:29:14","slug":"macquarie-heads-nov-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/cewilson.offroader.com.au\/?p=4078","title":{"rendered":"Macquarie Heads – Nov 14"},"content":{"rendered":"

We held of our planned Friday afternoon departure to late Saturday morning due to the weather \u00e2\u20ac\u201c it was snowing down to the 400 metre level which is fairly low for November. Eventually though we realised that it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really going to get much better, and we decided to just take the gamble.<\/p>\n

Leaving home the rain was light but the wind was crazy \u00e2\u20ac\u201c looking at the weather sites when we got home showed that we were copping a steady 60km\/h with gusts easily exceeding 100km\/h. This stayed that way until Monday morning, but anyway I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m getting ahead of myself.<\/p>\n

We took the easy option of heading up the highway instead of over the mountain. This was done so we could do some late minute shopping, take an easy option of a brought lunch, and mainly because I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to take the risk with the snow falling\/wind levels at the time.<\/p>\n

It was an uneventful run other than the weather, with us grabbing some fuel at Devonport and food\/shopping and fuel again at Burnie. We took the quick option down the west coast bypassing the Hellyer Gorge this trip.<\/p>\n

Coming over the pass we copped rain, hail, sleet, wind and then snow to top it all off. I was literally watching the fuel gauge drop \u00e2\u20ac\u201c quite amazing as I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve never gone through that much fuel so quickly before, even on sand. We were in the Prado this trip with the Trak Shak hooked up, so approximately around the 4 ton mark or just over. Even so I was taking it really easy as the conditions were horrendous.<\/p>\n

Going up the hill just before Rosebury I noticed the temp gauge rising slowly. Had to think for a second before I realised I was still running a soapy water mix in the coolant system after the radiator failure \u00e2\u20ac\u201c it is to clean out the last remnants of transmission oil still floating around. Turning the heater on sorted that problem and saw us arrive at the fuel station with no more issues.<\/p>\n

Talking of fuel \u00e2\u20ac\u201c it took 43 litres for 180km\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s. Absolutely crazy for a bitumen run – never ever saw it like that before. And it was caused by wind, nothing else at all. Absolutely amazing what an effect it can have, and that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s with us not exceeding 80km\/h for that entire run (weather determined that more than I did!!).<\/p>\n

The going was a lot easier after departing Rosebury, and we continued down towards Strahan with a stop at the lookout. Looking back over our pictures it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s crazy to believe this is the first time we got the camera out, however it was the first time it was actually dry for a period of time. As you can see in the shots though, it didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t last long.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_8382\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_8387\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_8393\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_8396\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We turned off at Strahan for Macquarie Heads and arrived approximately 20 minutes later. The campsite was fantastic and exactly as described to us. The best part \u00e2\u20ac\u201c it was sheltered totally from the prevailing wind, making set-up a lot more comfortable than it would\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been otherwise.<\/p>\n

Dinner, a few quiet beverages and kids into bed finished the day off nicely. Oh, forgot to mention \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Ben brought a mate along who had never been camping before. Think the poor bugger went to bed wondering what the hell he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d gotten himself into!!!!! \u00ef\u0081\u0160<\/p>\n

The next day consisted of exploring the area, heaps of games with the kids, went into Strahan for a look, fire, marshmallows and a few quiet beverages. We both got to spend some great time with the kids, and they got to let their hair down for a while. The wind was still crazy, but it didn’t stop us having a bloody great day.<\/p>\n

Photo’s tell the story better than I ever will:<\/p>\n

\"IMG_9581\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9583\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9593\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9599\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9607\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9612\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9669\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9672\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9673\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9680\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9688\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9689\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9692\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9695\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9696\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9700\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9711\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9724\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9731\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9746\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9752\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9796\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9814\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Pack-up day always sucks, and the first part of this wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t any different! However it was done with minimal fuss and no arguing, so that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s always a bloody good thing. We bade goodbye to the caretaker who had been bloody good the entire time. <\/p>\n

Oh and the cost \u00e2\u20ac\u201c I think it was $12 for 2 nights for 5 kids and 2 adults. Absolutely fantastic and such a pleasure. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve stayed at a lot of places worse than this joint, and paid a hell of a lot more than that. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be back for sure!!!<\/p>\n

Departing Strahan we headed across to Queenstown. It was actually a tricky drive as there was still a substantial amount of ice on the roads, especially in the normal areas where the sun doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t contact much. We ended up with quite a convoy behind us and not because we were going slow. Seems everyone wanted to follow behind us rather than be ahead\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n

\"IMG_9840\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9844\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9851\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9853\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9856\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Driving through the area was a huge \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcmemory lane\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 trip for me, and the kids got quite an education of how different it is through the west coast. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s funny because it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t too many years ago Benjamin was catching a bus nearly 50km\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s from home to school through ice and snow, but during this trip he couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t imagine catching one from Strahan to Queenstown. Bloody kids!!! Lol<\/p>\n

Arriving in Queenstown I let the kids out at the park to blow off some steam whilst I went and refuelled the car again. It was turning into an expensive trip fuel wise! I ended up chatting to a young fella about to join the Navy whilst I was looking at the memorial. I remember that feeling well\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6..<\/p>\n

\"IMG_9886\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9887\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9891\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9895\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9897\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9899\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9900\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9901\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9905\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9924\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Departing Queenstown we climbed up Gormy hill and gave the kids a quick show around the area, including our old house. The just couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t comprehend that we used to ride push-bikes up the hills, until I explained how much fun it was going DOWN them lol<\/p>\n

I think Mitch was ready to kill me about then, as the boys were contemplating this idea with much excitement on their face. Made me actually think that we must\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been hell for mum back then!<\/p>\n

\"IMG_9928\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9932\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9937\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9941\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9943\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9949\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Continuing down the hill past Noel\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s place (gotta drop in one day soon with mum), we came around the new (well new to me) Lake. The kids though it was fantastic, I still can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get used to it. The day was getting well on, but of course we needed to stop for another toilet break (who had soooo many kids!!!).<\/p>\n

\"IMG_9957\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9959\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9962\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9965\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Finally we made it up to Derwent Bridge where the kids were absolutely amazed at how many echidna\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s we were seeing. Must admit that I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d never seen that many up there before. There was also still plenty of snow up on the hill. I did think it would\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve all melted by then, but obviously it was a better dump than I thought.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_9969\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Turning off not long after we took the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcgravel\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 highway (gotta love Tassie) past Bronte Park (we did wave hello) and climbed up to the Lakes. A quick stop to let the kids blow off some more steam with some remnants of snow nearly ended up with Ben and Jake having a full-on punch up because Ben was being an idiot!<\/p>\n

\"IMG_9974\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9979\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9981\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9985\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9988\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_9990\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Anyway with faces still intact I herded them back into the vehicle and headed down Poatina to home. To finish the trip off nicely the Trak Shak blew a tyre approximately 3km\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s from home, so because I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be stuffed sorting it the last part was done at roughly 20km\/h.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_9992\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Dinner was a lazy take-away whilst Mitch refuelled the Prado yet again ready for work. I think from memory we put over 200 litres into it for the round trip. Well worth the cost though to just get away from it all for 2 days.
\nThoroughly enjoyed our time and certainly want to spend a lot more time through that whole area!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We held of our planned Friday afternoon departure to late Saturday morning due to the weather \u00e2\u20ac\u201c it was snowing down to the 400 metre level which is fairly low for November. Eventually though we realised that it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4078","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-26"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/cewilson.offroader.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4078","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/cewilson.offroader.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/cewilson.offroader.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cewilson.offroader.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cewilson.offroader.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4078"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/cewilson.offroader.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4078\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/cewilson.offroader.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4078"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cewilson.offroader.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4078"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cewilson.offroader.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4078"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}