Ben & Judy’s Aussie Adventure

Setting off: 0km – 2455km

Ben and Judy left in December, saying goodbye to the village and heading for South Australia.

First stop: Elliston.

Where it rained. Quite a bit, actually.

Not ideal, but nothing they couldn’t handle.

The weather turned in their favour when they hit Port Lincoln, though; with sunshine, seaside views at the Foreshore Caravan Park, and a good meal at the Pier Hotel.

From there, the pair made their way through Whyalla, admiring the silo art and grabbing their first summer swim at the Aquatic Centre.

Things took a turn in Port Augusta, though, where once again the weather had its own plans.

This time, wind. And a lot of it.

Salt, sand, and serious gusts kept them stuck in the van for days.

Again, nothing the pair couldn’t handle, and they made the best of it, enjoying some quiet time in the caravan.

And once the weather eased off, they took a drive through the Flinders Ranges and stopped in for lunch, with a wander around the Pitchi Ritchi train museum thrown in for good measure.

Milestones and memories: 2,455km – 2,933km

Christmas came quietly in Snowtown, where Judy cooked a wonderful meal, and they kept it low-key.

Next came Clare Valley, where they explored the rolling vineyards, taking time to appreciate the beauty around them. They then spent several restful weeks just south of Adelaide in Woodcroft, catching up with friends and celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary.

The new year began with gentle exploration: meandering walks along Seacliff, Brighton, Glenelg, and West Beach, followed by resting their legs with a leisurely visit to the cinema, and some quiet days at Christies Beach.

Their pace was calm and steady; exactly as they liked it.

Through regional towns and into New South Wales: 2,933km – 4,874km

On the road again, Ben and Judy passed through Port Elliot and Murray Bridge, taking in the local sights.

They worked their way east through the Coonawarra wine region and along the Great Ocean Road, where they paused at the Twelve Apostles (Ben, with a keen eye, noted only seven left standing).

Stops in Geelong, Wodonga, Yarrawonga, and Albury-Wodonga brought a mix of natural beauty, quiet stays, and a few reunions with old friends.

Eventually, they crossed into New South Wales and visited Bluestone by Teman in Orange, where they were welcomed by the residents and village manager Louise with morning tea and a tour of the community.

From there, they headed into the Hunter Valley and dropped into three more Teman villages; The Vines in Cessnock, Rosedale in Cooranbong, and Ridge Estate in Gillieston Heights.

Each stop had a similar feel: friendly faces, a warm welcome, and a cuppa or two shared with residents who were genuinely glad to have them.

“We were overcome with the hospitality and friendship shown to us by everyone we met.”

Northbound: 4,874km – 6,401km

Next, their route carried them up through Tea Gardens, Hawks Nest, and into Bellingen, where the rain didn’t put too much of a damper on things. They continued through the cane fields toward the Queensland border and eventually arrived at Highview by Teman in Forest Lake.

There, they shared stories of their home village in WA, chatted with residents, and spent time with the village manager, whose caring approach stood out to them.

After Forest Lake, they made their way through the Lockyer Valley, passing through Kenilworth, Maleny, Montville, and Tin Can Bay, where they had a close-up encounter with a pod of dolphins.

Then it was on to Hervey Bay for a solid two weeks of rest.

Their next stop was Beacham by Teman in Gladstone, with a (necessary) tour of the Bundaberg Rum Distillery on the way.

Once they arrived at Beacham, the village manager and staff welcomed them in with a proper morning tea and a tour of the village.

Moving onto Rockhampton, they visited Fitzroy by Teman and were greeted by Margi, the village manager, and a full table of residents.

After another great morning tea and a tour (including a look at the village’s chicken pen) they decided to extend their stay to catch a Māori cultural performance and sausage sizzle.

The village manager even travelled up from Gladstone to support the event, something that really stuck with Ben and Judy.

The final leg, and an unexpected reunion: 6,401km – 13,619km

The trip continued through Mareeba and along the Savannah Way through the Northern Territory, before finally crossing back into WA.

There was a stop at Barn Hill Station (a long-time favourite) where Ben and Judy spent time reconnecting with friends, walking along the beach, and playing bowls. As the wildflowers bloomed near Carnarvon and Kalbarri, they began the final leg of the trip.

That brought them to The Rise by Teman in Ridgewood.

There, they were welcomed by Ciara, Brigitte, and Monique from the village team, along with a group of residents for a final morning tea. It was a lovely visit.

But something even more special happened that day.

Charles Page, a resident at The Rise, had seen Ben’s photo in the Teman magazine and recognised him.

Decades earlier, the two had worked together as clerks at a Perth hospital, where they also met their wives. When Ben was called up for army service, their lives naturally drifted apart.

Now, nearly 60 years later, they were in the same place again.

They caught up, shared memories, and laughed like no time had passed.

Returning home

Ten months on the road had brought countless experiences, lasting friendships, and moments both big and small.

From WA to Queensland and back again, Ben and Judy’s journey had quietly grown into something extraordinary.

Although their trip ended earlier than initially planned, they reflected on their travels with genuine gratitude. The adventure had been wonderful, but the feeling of home had never felt sweeter.

It served as a reminder to them (and all of us) that sometimes, life’s best adventures aren’t just measured in distance; but in friendship, simple joys, and the people we meet along the way.

As they turned back into Lakeside, they weren’t just returning to a familiar place.

They were returning with full hearts, a few (thousand) more Ks on the odometer, and a quiet reminder that sometimes, the best journeys lead you right back home.

We’ve mapped out over 50 of Ben and Judy’s stops below. Feel free to have a look, and see how many you’ve been to!