13.04.2026

Today we continued from the mountains at about 1000 m height. First, back to the Pacific coast and then north towards Port Macquarie. We had 500 km ahead of us, maintaining speeds of 80 or 100, and a maximum of 110 km/h. Everyone adheres to this, as the fines are significant. The daily temperatures climbed back up to 23 degrees Celsius. What do we notice on the way? There are few rest areas or toilets. The roadside is primarily characterized by eucalyptus trees. There are frequent warning signs indicating crossing kangaroos and koalas, and we pass numerous extensive farms where cattle or horses are kept. The area is very spread out. As can be seen from the pictures, today was 'Koala Day'. We visited 2 centers dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of these animals. The koalas are housed in very nice enclosures, of course with large eucalyptus trees. Each animal has a story about its background and health condition. Volunteers, mostly seniors, always explain something about the animals and help to spot them in the trees. Both parks are nestled in the forest. One, 'Koala Sanctuary' near Port Stephens, is halfway through today's journey, while the other, 'Guulabaa', is 10 km from our overnight stay. Each center has an associated hospital. Especially after the bushfires in 2019, the necessity of such rescue stations became apparent. Donations are always welcome! Around 4 PM, we arrived at the hotel, right by the water. It was too cold for the outdoor pool, and by 6 PM it was already dark. Such a pity ...