Living out of a Backpack 2

Sometimes when you're traveling, plans can rapidly change.

Yesterday, Anna and I made a big decision based on a great opportunity that came our way. Basically, we scored an awesome weekly rate in a condo right on the beach in Mooloolaba, and have decided to make it our homebase for the next six weeks (in which case this blog will temporarily be called "Living out of a Condominium"). Yes, we totally loved being in the tent, and no, we're not abandoning our other plans at all... We just figured out after doing the math and soul-searching on what we really want out of this trip, that this made the most sense. At least I can give you a better idea of our itinerary now:

The next six weeks:
Mooloolaba and surrounding environs, with day trips out to various places, and maybe some short-term jaunts to locations like Cairns (for the Great Barrier Reef) or Alice Springs (for the Outback and Ayers Rock). We've discovered that flying is way cheaper than driving, and while we do miss out on the sights of a roadtrip, in the end we're going to get to some remote locations than had we attempted by car.

After the six weeks (about Nov 1):
Sydney and Wollongong for 2 weeks, Melbourne and some of Victoria for another week, and then probably off to New Zealand, either via Tasmania or Maroochy so we can see Ryan and Christen.

Whew, that's a lot of details. Photos to follow, I promise!

Hey, thanks for visiting.

Anna and I have been slowly putting together plans for our big trip, and feeling our excitement starting to boil like my Anglo-Saxon/Viking skin in the sun. Actually, we've both been enjoying a summer in the deep south (Alabama), so to say that I don't have a bit of a tan already would be a lie. Life has been good for this Campbell clan lately and it's about to get even better!

For those interested, our rough itinerary (as best as we've figured so far) is as follows:

1. Take an awkward series of flights to Australia - Huntsville, AL > Charlotte, NC > Los Angeles, CA > Brisbane, Australia.
2. Head up to Maroochydore (Sunshine Coast) for a week or two to get our bearings and make further plans. And to do nothing on the beach.
3. With possession of our own vehicle, head north over the next month or until Cairns and surrounding environs.
4. Head west to the Red Centre - Uluru (Ayers Rock), Alice Springs, etc.
5. Head south and reach Adelaide.
6. Start moving back east, moving closer and further from the coastline as we try to visit Melbourne, Broken Hill, Canberra, and maybe even Tasmania if we can swing it.
7. Head back north and spend a few days in Sydney visiting friends.
8. Back up to Brisbane and Sunshine Coast to spend some time with Ryan and Christen Kirk (hopefully!).
9. Take a flight to NZ and start the tour there... this is where the plans are pretty foggy.

We only have 2.5 months to cover those 8 stages, so hopefully we can fit it all in. More to come as we prepare!