My wife and I recently embarked on our first big road trip together, which took us from north of Brisbane all the way down to Melbourne and back, with a lot of fun along the way. Over the course of our drive, we explored the Hunter Valley, Canberra, Lakes Entrance, Yarra Valley, and more, with both planned and unexpected experiences that made for an unforgettable adventure.
We found ourselves wishing we had more time in several spots. The Hunter Valley and Canberra captivated us with their scenery and vibe, while Stanthorpe and Dubbo offered more than we could explore in our short visits. But that’s the thing about a road trip—you get a taste of each place and a reason to come back.
In Melbourne, we celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary at Farmer’s Daughters, a dining experience that lived up to the milestone. We also returned to our favourite bar The Catfish and Sparrows in Fitzroy, for their unbeatable cheesesteak. we hung out with friends for great home cooked meals and dumplings and whiskey.
One of our standout visits was to the Communication Museum, and the vibrant Metartworld exhibit, and for those interested in astrophotography, Stanthorpe surprised us with unexpectedly perfect conditions for capturing the stars.
Our drive also took us to “The Dish” in Parkes which I’m not sure what was more impressive, the dish itself, or the crew of mini moke owners taking a breather on the way to the Tamworth Moke Roundup. Lakes Entrance, on the other hand, felt like a ghost town despite its beauty, and we unfortunately missed the Aurora Australis which was visibile the previous night.
Spending so much time on the road gave me plenty to observe, from quirky roadside attractions to some fascinating driver behaviours (more on that here). But for a different take on our adventure, my wife’s version of events is worth a read. She captured the road trip in a way that’s both funny and so quintessentially us—you can check it out here. The long stretches reminded us why road-tripping is as much about the journey as it is about the destinations.
This trip was an adventure packed with laughs, and the realisation that road trips aren’t just about where you go but who you go with, and it’s a journey that we’d happily take on again.
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