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Down Under, Coming Up!

dougsmith51


We're very excited to share an upcoming adventure in Australia and New Zealand! We'll be gone about 11 weeks total, starting at the beginning of September 2024 and returning before Thanksgiving. Back in the ancient past (1987, before kids), we spent three months in New Zealand and Australia during one of Doug's work sabbaticals. It was a magical trip, and we have always wanted to go back. Finally we're able to, 37 years later. This time, we'll combine our love of those countries with our love of RVing, and do most of our travel via campervan (three different rentals during the trip).


During our 1987 trip, we were able to tour extensively through both of New Zealand's islands (the country is about the size of California). In Australia (which is about the same size as the United States, and much of which is unoccupied empty space) we devoted our time to the eastern two-thirds of the continent, visiting all the major cities, some national parks, and the Great Barrier Reef.


Places visited in 1987 (in order): Melbourne, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Alice Springs, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Darwin, Kakadu National Park, Brisbane, Heron Island (on Great Barrier Reef), and Sydney

In this upcoming trip, we'll spend most of our Australia time exploring the two places we didn't see before - Western Australia and Tasmania.


In New Zealand, we'll explore the whole country again, visiting the South Island first and then the North Island.


Here's a smattering of images of baby Doug and Jeannette during their 1987 adventures.



First up, we'll spend a few days in Sydney to acclimate to the 14-hour time zone difference. Then we'll fly to the small town of Broome on Australia's northwest coast, pick up our first campervan, and start a 3,000-kilometer trek south along beautiful Indian Ocean beaches and through the outback to Perth.


We hope you'll follow along on our adventure. It should be a great one!

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