Our family’s first road trip will take us straight across to Sydney (with a few stops along the way of course) and then we will return via the coastal roads, through the Great Ocean Road and back to Adelaide via the south east of South Australia.It should be an amazing trip but we’re quite nervous about the boys being in the back of the car for so long, but let’s see how we go!Read more
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Timeline
- 1
Road trip begins!
- 2
Stretching our legs in Renmark
The Renmark water feature/park is an amazing stop for families to let the kids stretch their legs and freshen up in the hot weather, just remember to bring a change of clothes 😁
- 3
Kicking off day 2 with breakfast
Today will be a long drive to Wagga Wagga; about 6hrs in total. We’ll see how the little boy handles the extended journey. Expecting to stop at every town between here and Wagga Wagga.We’ll spend 2 nights there before continuing on to Sydney and time with Aunty Amanda.Read more
- 4
Arrived in Wagga Wagga safely
We’re all pretty wrecked from 6hrs in the car (the family got naps at least 😢)Stopped in Hay for lunch and a play on a playground.Now getting dinner and my work day starts hahaRest day tomorrow though before heading to Sydney on WednesdayRead more
- 5
Final rest before Sydney!
Cute little town and playground for the boys to let off some steam. The boys have been great again and Ethan’s been sleeping a lot during the drive so far
- 6
LEGO store joy, courtesy of Jaxon
Mommy took Jaxon to the LEGO store on Pitt Street… It’s safe to say he was very impressed and excited and tired by the time he got home!
- 7
Ethan and Ericka's first concert
We had planned for Coldplay to be Ericka’s first concert. Due to the arrival of our beautiful boy Ethan, that didn’t happen, so her first concert (and Ethan’s) is The Wiggles instead.They both enjoyed themselves and there was a lot of clapping, cheering and laughing.It was quite a weird journey to and from Olympic Park as there were two other events on; Lady Gaga and a Rave. The train rides were filled with characters that’s for sure!Read more
- 8
Christmas Day
A lovely day with the whole family and great food from Amanda and Khon as usual. The boys are loving having the family all together and it’s so nice to have some support with them as well!We had a large group with Amanda and Jensen, Eddie and his parents, Khon and Cris, Mum and Dad and our family all enjoying each others company!Read more
- 9
Walk to Darling Harbour
We walked to Darling Harbour as a family and enjoyed some coffee and play on the playground (of course!).
- 10
A short drive to the Northern Beaches
We finally used our car again on this trip and drove out to the Northern Beaches to spend a few hours with our friends the Funk family.Jaxon loved the spa/pool and playing with Maddie. We got tears when we had to leave so it must have been a great day for all!Read more
- 11
Happy New Year
It was a low key event this year but Jaxon lasted until midnight for the first time and we unsuccessfully tried to get family photos in the middle of the kids fireworks!2025 was a year of ups and downs for our family so we’re happy to put it all behind us and focus on a new year together in 2026!Read more
- 12
Returning home now! Quick stop at Berry
Our time in Sydney with my sister has come to an end. We left Sydney early to start our return trip through coastal NSW, Victoria and South Australia. We stopped in Berry for some rest and play! Surprisingly busy and hectic but still really nice town.Read more
- 13
Moruya and we found Eden
After a night in Moruya (the less said about that the better) and some amazing coffee (the best thing about Moruya by far!) we are back on the road. We will make our way to Lakes Entrance today
- 14
Exploring Nanna & Pops "Lakes Entrance"
Today we arrived in Lakes Entrance and got to explore. This was one of Nanna and Pops favourite destinations and we can absolutely see why; despite the weather being a little rough it’s beautiful here!Read more
- 15
Stony Creek Trestle Bridge
This Trestle Bridge burried in a national park was built but never used. It’s impressive engineering and even more impressive that it is still in such good condition.They don’t make things they way they used too aye?Read more
- 16
Bairnsdale Playground
The playground tour continues in Bairnsdale which was advertised as one of the best in regional Victoria. The boys enjoyed themselves (of course) and it was a good spot to stretch our legs before more adventuring.Read more
- 17
Nyerimilang Heritage Park
Jaxon finally pushed me to breaking point and ended up in the boot! 😁Joking of course, but we found the Nyerimilang Heritage Park and enjoyed an hour or so exploring until we got attacked by hundreds of mosquitos!Still looking for our first live kangaroos though…Read more
- 18
Looking for Jack
We left Lakes Entrance early on our way to Aireys Inlet. We drove through Swan Reach and had to message Uncle Jack who lives in Swan Reach, but apparently we’re in the wrong state!!We’ll get to drive through Melbourne but for now, that’s as close as Ericka will come to the city. We’ll come back another time to explore!Read more
- 19
Arrived in Aireys Inlet
We woke up at Aunty Sharon and Uncle Tony’s beautiful house to an amazing view. Not a bad part of the World that’s for sure!
- 20
Beach fun (but not for my feet again!)
The boys love the beach, my feet DID NOT love the sun ☀️ The beach was still amazing and while we’re not super “out doors” people, we enjoyed. I even managed to do some paddle boarding for the first time! Does that count as “extreme sports”? Probably not 🥺Read more
- 21
🥁 We're Rockin the Suburbs
For those who don’t know, Jaxon is planning to be the World’s first Astronaut Drummer. An ambition that we can really see becoming his reality in the future. He was obsessed with the drums and considering it was his first time playing a real kit, he did amazingly well.Shame we’re still in an apartment though…Read more
- 22
Kangaroos spotted! 🦘
We have seen a lot of wildlife on our adventure so far, emus, lizards, birds etc. But so far we have not had the please of seeing live kangaroos (live being an important distinction unfortunately!).So Aunty Sharon suggested a drive around at dusk to find some Kangaroos in the area and wouldn’t you know it… great success!Read more
- 23
Twelve Apostles is still beautiful
This has been the focus for the entire road trip for Ericka and the Great Ocean Road did not disappoint. Towns like Lorne along the way were lovely but the main show was always going to be the 12 (11 now?) Apostles.40+ degrees today but the tourists are still out, vaping and smoking everywhere 🤢Read more
- 24
Short stay in Warrnambool
Warrnambool is always a lovely town. We enjoyed some good coffee and explored the old Whalers town of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Villiage. Ericka fell in love with the cute buildings but I did need to let her know that given it was a whaling town, it would have absolutely stank back in the day hahaRead more
- 25
One night in Kingston
It’s been a long couple of days driving and the boy (and myself) are absolutely wrecked. It was just a place to rest and prepare for our final long leg on this journey from Kingston to Encounter Bay to visit Grandad.Read more
- 26
Grandad + Facepainting
We arrived in Encounter Bay to much excitement from the boys, happy to see their Grandad. Jaxon realised that his paint sticks can double as face paint and chaos ensued.
- 27
Belated Christmas in Encounter Bay
This year (well last year technically) we didn’t get to do Christmas with Grandad, Nonna, Nanna and Nonna Nonna, so the boys got their presents and more toys for us to pack into the car 🚗
- 28
Fun in Victor Harbor
Victor Harbor was surprisingly quiet, a result of the turning weather I assume, but it did give us an opportunity to check out the small carnival on the foreshore. Ericka enjoyed her first drive in the bumper-cars and was surprisingly aggressive in her assult of Nonna and Jaxon!Read more
- 29
Coffee heaven in Victor
Qahwa Coffee Roasters and Espresso Bar is our favourite coffee spot in Victor
- 30
It's always great to get home!
After over a month, we have returned to our little place in the World. It’s been amazing to spend all this time with family and frields, to drive and share some of the beautiful locations in Australia with Ericka and the boys, but most of all to build memories that will stay with us for years to come.I don’t know when I would be ready to take on a long drive like this again, but it was fun.Read more
