Home

Over the past week or so we've made our way through Victoria's goldfields; traversed Melbourne's confusing network of tollroads; moseyed around Gippsland; and finally crossed the border into New South Wales, stopping in Eden, Yumi country. And our new home.

We felt a little sad to move our things out of Loretta, which has been our home on wheels for so long, and set up camp in a real house. But it'll take no time at all to adjust to internal plumbing and walls that don't flap in the wind.

We've loved our journey to Broome and back, but as our loyal followers will know, it hasn't been without its challenges. We've had leaks, breakages, dents, dings and dirt. There have been injuries and illness, frustrations and meltdowns (Labradors are temperamental creatures). But now that we're home, all that feels a bit inconsequential when we look back on the incredibly beautiful, ancient and diverse country we've seen over the past year. It's blown us away, really.

We've met some wonderfully kind and generous people and made some new friends, connecting over adversity, football, Labradors, Penguins, ukuleles, or simply by camping in the same place at the same time and soaking up the beauty of the country. We reckon people are great.

Despite all the red dust, the long distances, the road trains and bone-rattling gravel roads, we all agree that we have unfinished business in WA and South Australia. And we haven't even started on the Top End or little Tassie at the bottom end. So there's still plenty of adventures to be had for the three of us.

Here's a few interesting facts and figures about our travels this year:

• Loretta has travelled 16,190 kilometres and Sonia The Kluger has travelled 18,701 kilometres.

• We've stayed in 71 different caravan parks, cattle stations, roadhouses and free camps.

• There's been 14 vet visits, and three hospital visits.

• We've seen a dingo; dozens of Emu; lots of 'roos and wallabies; two koalas; several humpback whales; a couple of turtles; three dugongs; a few dolphins; a quoll; some wedge-tailed eagles; and a couple of wild boar (deceased - lucky for us, unlucky for them).

• Collateral damage includes a windscreen; two tyres; a modem; three glasses and a coffee cup; one 12v freezer; a plastic tap; two door latches; a 12-pin plug; a few loose teeth; knee cartilage; a brown snake; and a budgie.

So what's next? Well first there's the daunting, albeit exciting, task of moving all our goods and chattels out of storage in Canberra and into our new digs in Eden.

Once the boxes are unpacked we'll turn our attention to sorting out our various ailments and achy bits. This includes Loretta, who possibly hasn't enjoyed the journey as much as the rest of us, and is in need of a jolly good bath and a fair bit of gaffa tape.

Then, of course, there'll be plenty of good times catching up with family and friends; and most likely a bit of Christmas frivolity. Plenty to keep us occupied before hitting the road again.

We've loved sharing our adventures and a laugh with all our blog followers and we always enjoy feedback and appreciate your support. We hope you'll stay tuned to see what we get up to next.

Here are some photos of our last week in Victoria, and a beautiful Eden sunset.