Phantom of the roads: New baby, new roads

Do you know how you just want to snuggle up with your new baby in the first days after birth? We've done plenty of that since baby was born last Sunday, but perhaps not in the most conventional setting. We've travelled, and travelled some more, all along breathing in the newborn smell of our baby AND some very camp fire smelling older children. We've had glorious sunny days and starlit nights on Savannah Way, and our baby has fitted in so well with the travelling routine of early morning starts and early afternoon stops. He sleeps like a baby should, while we travel, and wants mum near for the rest of the day; which, of course, sets mum free of some household duties like cooking dinner and washing up. He's a smart boy.

We've loved the country hospitality of outback towns: it is something so refreshing and surprising at the same time. One feels like asking: "Have we met before?", when greeted by honest, friendly country folk. Croydon visitor information centre were very helpful with our enquiries about the region, and the caravan park seems to have a flat fee for the site without additional charge for each child. And that's always a bonus for us. Georgetown visitor centre informed us about the free swimming pool in town, which ended up being the best cooling break in the middle of the day for the kids, after travelling for a couple of hours. Even the recycling centre folk - we can't resist op shops - chatted away like old friends. And although we didn't stop for long in Ravenshoe, it offered us lots of friendly smiles and waves. We might miss the beach at times, but the outback definitely has its benefits!