Waltzing Matilda Around Australia

Australia is an ideal country for motorhoming, so Vic and Pam Quayle headed to Sydney, bought Matilda and headed out to see the country.

Their travels took them to familiar tourist spots, such as Uluru, Kings Canyon, Great Ocean Road and the Whitsunday Isles, but also to other gems, such as the Bungle Bungles, Lake Eyre, and Tunnel Creek. They fed dolphins, watched a turtle laying eggs, and even handled a python. The wildlife was never far away and they saw kangaroo, dingo, wild camels and more.

Matilda took them to deserted beaches and down lonely, desert tracks; they visited small towns and communities, and travelled through the remote Outback. They enjoyed terrific Australian hospitality, even celebrating Christmas in November with one family, and spent many an evening yarning round a campfire with a tinnie under the stars.

Pam and Vic learned about the Long Paddock, the origins of QANTAS, and how Australia nearly became a Dutch or French colony; they followed the original Ghan railway and watched sheep being sheared. Their hobbies were indulged as well. Pam went to the Australian Open Tennis, and Vic got involved with a car rally.

On the road, they had all manner of adventures and overcame some problems with Matilda. During their travels, there was tragedy, the joy of an unexpected birth, even a stay in hospital. 'Waltzing Matilda Around Australia' is their story, but beware - having read it, you will want to go yourself.