We started off in Brisbane and headed down to New South Wales down the MI (coast road) As we came up to Iluka and Yamba there was evidence of where the fires had been for about 50 kms along the highway. The trees were growing back although the growth was coming out of the trunks which generally indicates the trees are in stress. It was not till we got to Newcastle we noticed some smoke in the distance and by the time we reached Sydney’s west the smoke was getting a bit thicker, obviously coming from the fires in the Blue Mountains.
Now the toll fees for caravans have gone up x 6 on the M7 and M2 in Sydney and you are charged the cost of a B double truck. However if you put NO TOLLS in your GPS it will take you on an alternate route. We chose not to go through the Blue Mountains as some of the locals said the Great Western Highway had been closed, as it was still burning in places. Instead we chose to take our caravan down the Hume Highway where all the fires were on the left of the highway but blowing towards the coast.(not yet up to the Highway). The Hume Highway is a double carriageway and being not the fastest caravan driver, that suited me.
Smoke was not a problem until we got closer to Canberra and then it got really thick with 50 m visibility about 100 kms out. We followed the Hume Highway past Canberra and on to Yarrawonga and Coolac. There was no evidence of bush fires except for a number of small burn-off areas on the side of the Highway. The smoke was still there but it was in the distance.
When we reached Benalla we found the smoke varied from light in the distance to quite heavy in the mornings. We spent two nights here to fill in a bit of time and as we headed into Melbourne there were a few showers on the way. We have been cheering every time it showers as the caravan and car are now a lighter shade of brown. I am sure if it rains anymore I will jump out with the truck wash and broom. Like many others we have just pulled into Rockbank Caravan Park which is 30 kms from the Spirit of Tasmania. Travellers seem to perch here for a few days till they can get on the ship and at $31 per night for a powered site it is very reasonable.
Tomorrow we will drive down to the Port of Melbourne and take a look at where to go if we get there early on our day of travel. We leave for the ship very early Sunday morning with a 6 a.m. check in and Security Check and Bio security check..(its like boarding an international flight except with a caravan). So with the caravan cleaned out of fruit and veges, gas bottles locked down, and the fishing gear all clean, we are ready to board the Spirit of Tasmania…caravan and all.