I haven’t driven further than Penrith alone; I’ve feared long-distance driving and driving in unfamiliar places for a long time. But when a 3-week uni break presented itself to me, I decided to take the plunge and drive myself to QLD, stopping to see some friends along the way.
I broke up the upward journey with 2 nights in Newcastle and 2 nights in Ballina. I was able to catch up with Callum and Helen in Newy and Wazza, who was a 2018 Comm Games shift buddy in Ballina, before staying a week on the Gold Coast with my second family, the Thompsons, 9 days with my brother and fam in Brisbane and headed home via an overnight stay in Taree.
Activities consisted of beach swims, hiking at Springbrook National Park, reading books, playing in the park, seeing my ex-patient Debbie in Kingscliff, meeting a couple of work colleagues face to face for the first time, attempting to hike Flinders Peak, supporting local businesses through meaningful purchases, spending time with my 9 and 6-year-old Newphews including a day trip to North Stradbroke Island, stopping in at the Big Banana and taking a detour home via Ellenborough Falls.
Some highlights in pictures below :)
Having my car was a game changer for me, especially while at my brother’s. The boys are at school during the day, and my brother and his wife work. I wouldn’t say I like driving other people’s cars, so when I visit, I usually go wherever I can, within walking, bus or train distance. I was waking up at 5 am and could drive 14 minutes to Victoria Point to go to the gym and be back to have breakfast with the boys before they went to school.
Thanks to Google Maps, who helped me navigate my way on the road and sometimes by foot, as my navigation skills and sense of direction can be pretty terrible.
Thanks to you, the reader, for reading and supporting my writing <3.
Books read were:
The Choice - Edith Eger, a Psychologist and Holocaust Survivor
Heart Strong - Ellidy Pullen
The Myth of Normal - Gabor Mate (Audible while driving)
What a fantastic journey and some great photos. I bet you returned feeling re-energised