Joanna Becker

We stayed at Arakoon near South West Rocks for a few days and oh-my-word, it was soooo amazing. Within the first hour of setting up the caravan there were kangaroos all around us giving Dusty a chance to take close up photos... It turned out that Australian wildlife are EVERYWHERE at Arakoon, so the place had a real personality about it. That, and the Trial Bay Gaol, which (as we read) plays a massive part in the history of the region not only as a Gaol, but as a bakery for the town, a life-saving service for ship-wrecked boats, and a full German cultural hub and safety respite during WW1. The building remains are stunning, it is everything I anticipated it would be (I had been dreaming of visiting this historical landmark since I read about it in the Gold Coast Sun 6 months ago).  It didn't matter where we went in Arakoon, it was just darn pretty all the time. From the rocky headlands and beaches in between...  To the fire-red sunset on the beach...  ... The bush trail w...

At Utungan Farm (just outside Macksville), we set up the caravan in the cow paddock. There was so much good stuff happening during our few days at the farm, like sharing meals with our much-loved cousins and generally taking in the scenery and beauty of the family farm, hosted by  Tamara, Matt, Geoff & Nadine, and their folks Marlene and Doug who have been on the land for decades . We canoed up the creek for a little spot of fishing, had a pizza-oven night, bathed in the creek during the hottest parts of the day, played in the dirt and explored the local area.  We visited The Pub With No Beer and loved it.  And took a drive to Bellingen and then up the range to Dorrigo where we discovered - with a huge amount of excitement from the boys - a railway museum with hundreds of old trains and carriages (and other industrial relics from Australia's earlier years) in the open air.   Later on, I took some time out to plan our journey, drawing in the dirt with a stick. I'm...

Traveling further down the NSW coast, we discovered towns even more stunning that offered relaxed beach lifestyles. We decided to stay at Moonee Beach overlooking the bay and one of the Solitary Islands which has a beautiful big lighthouse and homestead standing on it. Being a huge lighthouse fan, I could have stared at it all day.  The big grassy headland was unusual and breathtaking and we walked up there everyday ... Through the rainforest  track ...  To the massive green lawn headland (no trees) overlooking the Coffs Coast and Solitary Islands.   ... And a walk back down via the beach where all boys would have a splash before freezing in the wind ...  Soooo colourful and picturesque, Moonee Beach and nearby headlands all the way along the Coffs Coast. We drove to most of the headlands ... And played in cleverly designed playgrounds ... ... and swam at a few beaches, too. It would take a few attempts for us to get the right beach where dogs were permitted. Bu...