TOWNSVILLE ROAD TRIP AUSTRALIA For myself, Townsville is the road trip destination. 2,800 km from Victoria and home. I approached Townsville driving from inland Queensland and connected with the coastal Bruce Highway. The highway continues through Townsville and onto Cairns or down the coast south to Brisbane. The first task was to drive up Castle Hill. Here there are great views of the city and Magnetic Island. I reserved a relaxed three-hour jetski tour of Magnetic Island for a few days from now. The owner of the jetski hire conducting the tour. Both he and I on our skis circumnavigating the island in a leisurely fashion with a few stops here and there. When just offshore on the jetski large turtles may be spotted swimming in the clear waters surrounding Magnetic Island. Prominent island features are pointed out on the jetski tour. Very informative. If time allows walk through island bushland on a clearly marked trail to the abandoned World War Two forts. The Strand While in Townsville visit and relax along "The Strand".  This is a two km watered foreshore promenade available to the public. There are shady palm trees, green grass, eateries, and water parks etc along this thriving beach foreshore of Townsville. Located back behind the beach The Strand may be driven along its length. On this trip, convenient accommodation was in Rydges Motel in Palmer Street. The motel a short drive away from the foreshore and central city. Palmer Street has the outdoor cafés, hotels and restaurants to enjoy. Tourist souvenirs may be purchased along Palmer Street in one of the retail shops. The Strand Rockpool Enjoy a free swim in the sea water rockpool on the Strand. This is a saltwater lagoon. The large rockpool is fully enclosed and separated from the open sea. There is a shallow area and a deeper area for swimming. There are clear views to Magnetic Island across the water. The rockpool is usually attended by a lifeguard and is open most days. Provided and maintained by local government. Castle Hill Is a granite monolith in the suburb of Castle Hill, Townsville. Castle Hill stands at a height of 286 metres (938 ft) above sea level. A well-made sealed road leads to the top. Views are to the city skyline. Elevated views are of Magnetic Island that is some four km distant. Castle Hill Lookout is one of Traveldriven's top eight Australian lookouts. For another top eight pick please go to: Mount Wellington Tasmania Post Traveldriven CURRENT TOWNSVILLE FIVE DAY FORECAST ROAD TRIP AUSTRALIA ENTER CLICK/TAP TOWNSVILLE GOOGLE MAPS MAP OF CASTLE HILL ROAD CASTLE HILL & LOOKOUT Castle Hill Townsville from Castle Hill Castle Hill descent Castle Hill backdrop Castle Hill driving Two the same Townsville CBD Townsville artwork The Rockpool Along the Strand TOWNSVILLE QUEENSLAND GOOGLE MAPS PREV ROADTRIP TOWNSVILLE NEXT PREV QUEENSLAND NEXT HOMEPAGE

FIVE RIVERS LOOKOUT, WYNDHAM The drive from Wyndham to Five Rivers Lookout takes you to the top of one of the best views the Kimberley has to offer. The lookout stands 335m above sea level giving an excellent panoramic view. It is easy to find just by following the signs from Wyndham town centre and the sealed steep winding road will lead to the summit lookout. Suitable for both 4wd and 2wd vehicles. Not towed vans. Once on top stunning views will become apparent of the multiple rivers all around! There is plenty of parking and a covered picnic area with tables are available for tourists. The occasional roadtrain may be observed far below travelling to and fro from the Port on the dusty roads. From the top of the Gulf Bastion is where the following five rivers of the Gulf meet: Durack Kink Pentecost Forrest Ord Five Rivers Lookout is a crocodile safe area that provides visitors with a unique opportunity to enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the region without the looming threat of fatal crocodile attacks. This lookout offers a safe vantage point to admire the picturesque landscape, including the convergence of five rivers, while ensuring the safety and peace of mind of those who visit. In contrast to the safety of Five Rivers Lookout, the area around Wyndham has unfortunately witnessed tragic incidents of fatal crocodile attacks in its waterways and surrounding areas. These attacks serve as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by these apex predators in certain environments. Visitors to Wyndham are advised to exercise caution and adhere to safety guidelines to mitigate the risks associated with crocodile encounters. Underscoring the risks present in the vicinity of Wyndham, it becomes evident that being informed and vigilant when exploring natural habitats is crucial. The coexistence of humans and crocodiles in these regions underscores the importance of respecting wildlife and understanding the need for responsible behaviour to ensure the well-being of both visitors and the native fauna. Five Rivers Lookout is one of Traveldriven's top eight lookout picks of Australia. For one of the other top eight please go to: Castle Hill Lookout Queensland Post Traveldriven ENTER CLICK/TAP WYNDHAM GOOGLE MAPS VIEW FROM FIVE RIVERS LOOKOUT FIVE RIVERS LOOKOUT CAMBRIDGE GULF VIEW FIVE RIVERS LOOKOUT WYNDHAM PORT AREA WYNDHAM, GOOGLE MAPS PREV WESTERN AUSTRALIA NEXT HOMEPAGE

DAY 2 'Stopped and checked for carriage into Western Australia by quarantine inspectors. Car boot thoroughly searched' - Traveldriven Nullarbor South Australia The Eyre Highway is the only east, west road passing through the Nullarbor Plain to Western Australia. Nullarbor Roadhouse is at the eastern boundary of the Nullarbor Plain and Border Village is at the western boundary of the Nullarbor Plain. These two roadhouses provide services for tourists and travellers such as accommodation and vehicle fuel. Nullarbor Roadhouse In the middle of nowhere. Nevertheless, it's somewhere to stay overnight. There are motel units or caravan sites. Food and fuel. Nullarbor means no trees. Over 100,000 wild camels roam the plain. The longest stretch of straight road in the world may be driven near here. A distance of 146.6 km along the Eyre Highway outside Balladonia Roadhouse. Newspaper stories on a notice board describe the legend of the Nullarbor Nymph, a half-naked feral woman, once thought to have roamed the plain among the kangaroos in the 1970s. Made headlines worldwide. A historic scale model of the old station/garage is next door to the roadhouse on display. Border Village The area consists of little more than the roadhouse. Border Village Roadhouse is right before the Quarantine Checkpoint driving from South Australia. The Roadhouse is the home of the giant kangaroo. One of Australia's Big Things. There are a few motel units and caravan sites. The roadhouse has a shop, fuel and a restaurant/bar with cold beer on tap. A Quarantine Checkpoint is inside the border. Risk items include fresh fruit, vegetables, some nuts, seeds as well as honey. I was stopped and checked for carriage into Western Australia by quarantine inspectors. Car boot thoroughly searched. Road checkpoints operate 24 hours. Eucla One of the most memorable driving experiences I recall is the first solo road trip driving to Western Australia. One odd event occurred during a service station stop on the Eyre Highway. In the small township of Eucla near the border with South Australia and Western Australia. While filling the car with petrol, a Holden sedan pulled off the highway and parked next to a fuel bowser. The driver filled his car, paid and rejoined the highway. Normal enough. But his sedan was minus all four doors, bonnet and the rear window. The car did have number plates. A funny sight in the middle of nowhere. In this Outback and desert country. I assume the driver and car drove from an Outback station homestead to refill with petrol and returned back to the station. All other vehicles along this highway were packed full of long-distance travel supplies etc. Mostly towed caravans and trucks. So out of place and questionable if road legal. I think it had seat belts and side mirrors . Eucla is on the Western Australian side of the SA\WA border. Population of roughly fifty residents. Just the one motel or limited caravan sites are available. There is nowhere else to stay overnight. Eucla Telegraph ruins are well worth a look. The Telegraph commenced operations in 1877 and linked Western Australia with the rest of the world sending over 20,000 messages a year until 1927. The ruins are often half buried in drifting sand dunes. These ruins are accessible via a short unsealed two-wheel drive road. After Eucla was founded and sometime there afterwards the current townsite was established about 4 km higher up. The Eucla area is the only location on the Eyre Highway off the Eucla Pass with a direct view of the Great Australian Bight cliffs due to its elevated position. Occasionally whales can be seen. One of Traveldriven's top eight Australian lookouts. For another top eight please go to. The Living Desert Broken Hill NSW Post ENTER CLICK/TAP   EUCLA GOOGLE MAPS CURRENT NULLARBOR FIVE DAY FORECAST DRIVE NULLARBOR ROADHOUSE - BORDER VILLAGE - EUCLA HISTORIC SERVICE STATION DISPLAY EYRE HIGHWAY THE ONLY EAST/WEST HIGHWAY ROOEYII BORDER VILLAGE SOUTH AUSTRALIA NULLARBOR CLIFFS & SOUTHERN OCEAN Molly's Nullarbor roadtrip. Drone views of the Great Australian Bight and cliffs. Great footage of the area 6.25 minutes into the video. Personally think the Eucla cliff views are the best from the handful of Nullarbor highway turnoffs. These are accessible to any highway travelling vehicles. Thanks in advance to Molly Dixon Youtube channel for enabling sharing of Youtube video's. Traveldriven THE NULLARBOR NULLARBOR CLIFFS SIGN ON ROADHOUSE 'NULLARBOR NYMPH' EUCLA TELEGRAPH RUINS RUINS ARE 2WD ACCESSIBLE ALONG SHORT UNSEALED ROAD TO THE CLIFFS AREA EUCLA WHALE CAR BOOT SEARCH BORDER CHECK DON'T GET TO CLOSE TO THE UNSTABLE CLIFFS PREV SA/WA/NT NEXT PREV SOUTH AUSTRALIA NEXT HOMEPAGE

Galway In the West of Ireland, nestled within the picturesque landscapes of County Galway, lies the vibrant city of Galway. This charming city is easily accessible by car, and the drive through the lush Irish countryside is very scenic. With a population of approximately eighty thousand residents, Galway is a lively hub of culture, history, and community spirit. The city centre of Galway is characterised by its bright and colourful shopfronts that line the winding streets, creating an inviting atmosphere for both locals and visitors alike. The layout of the streets may remind one of a micro–Royal Mile, akin to that of Edinburgh Scotland, with its charming nooks and crannies waiting to be explored. As the warmer months arrive, the city comes alive making it a perfect time for leisurely strolls through the bustling streets. Street Performer Emma O'Sullivan, of Galway During this season, one can often encounter a variety of street performers showcasing their talents, adding to the vibrant ambiance of the city. Among these performers, one individual stands out and has garnered a significant following: Galway's Emma O'Sullivan, who is an accomplished Irish dancer known for her captivating performances. On one particular day, as I wandered through the lively streets of Galway, I was drawn to the sound of lively accordion music that filled the air, accompanied by the rhythmic tapping of Emma's feet on the cobblestones. Her energy and skill attracted a large crowd, captivated by her artistry and the infectious joy that radiated from her performance. Emma O'Sullivan is not just a local talent; she is a well-known figure in the world of Irish dance, with many videos of her street performances circulating on platforms like YouTube. One such video, posted by the channel Traveldriven, captured a spontaneous performance during a chance encounter with Emma in the streets of Galway. This particular video quickly gained traction, going viral and amassing well over a million views, much to the surprise of its creator. Initially, the video was described as featuring tap dancing; however, it was soon pointed out that Irish dancing is a distinct and separate art form. Acknowledging this oversight, Traveldriven promptly updated the video description to reflect the accurate terminology. Reflecting on that memorable day, there are feelings of a twinge of guilt for not leaving a tip in the donation bag that accompanied her performance. It is a common practice to support street performers who share their talents with the public, and witnessing Emma's vibrant display of Irish culture and professional dance was a moment of appreciation for all visitors to witness on the day as she performed in the streets of Galway. Traveldriven GALWAY https://www.google.com/maps/ place/Galway,+Ireland   Emma O'Sullivan Irish dancing Greater than one million views on Youtube DRIVING AROUND THE COUNTRYSIDE WHAT A RELIEF! ROSS CASTLE SIGNAGE ROSS CASTLE HOTEL ROOM VIEW QUEEN VICTORIA SAID ONLY FIT FOR A LADY ONLY IN IRELAND MURPHY'S PUB, MURPHY'S LAW MAD HATTERS OF DINGLE IRISH FLOWER BOAT STORM IN A TEA CUP STORE IRISH COAST GUARD PREV PAGE NEXT HOMEPAGE

High Speed Track Time in Your Own Vehicle Pit Lane Getaway December 2025 This is a motorsport package. A waiver form must be signed before driving on track. The package includes thirty minutes of a track cruise, dining and an overnight stay. Includes a limited dinner menu pre-paid and a full breakfast pre-paid for a total of $299. The onsite Auto Gallery features a variety of both vintage and modern cars, including vehicles designed for both racetrack use (including F1) and road use. The selection of vehicles is periodically updated. Previous other packages included: Track sessions on different days Breakfast & Bends. (subject to availability) Thirty minutes on track time plus breakfast $39. Lunch & Laps. (subject to availability) Thirty minutes on track time plus lunch $49. THE BEND MOTORSPORT PARK SOUTH AUSTRALIA Essentially, the Pit Lane Getaway is a high speed drive on the Motorsport racetrack before dinner. Briefing is at 5 pm. Followed by thirty minutes on track time. Dinner is 6 pm served at Apex Bar & Dining. Afterwards enjoy pre-paid Rydges trackside overnight accommodation followed by a morning breakfast in the Apex Bar. Car driven was a Mustang GT V8 6 speed manual. On this occasion peak speed was about 170 kph. Twenty-eight km was driven on track for 23 Litre's per 100 kilometres (ten m iles p er g allon US). As a reference average Mustang highway driving mileage is 8.7 L per 100 km or 27 mpg (US) Fuel: 98 octane unleaded. Tyres: Pirelli P Zero Drive mode: Switched from normal to racetrack Eighteen vehicles on track and pace car. Breakfast & Bends On track participants awoke early for a thirty-minute session on the racetrack. This track time was allotted before breakfast. Afterwards all drivers attended breakfast served in the Apex Bar. The morning racetrack session was more enjoyable than the afternoon session with more cars on track for the afternoon. Each session was preceded with a compulsory driver briefing. This included track layout, safety and regulations briefing. On this particular day track conditions were ideal. No drivers were allowed to overtake the pace car. There were a few front brake lockups by other drivers. These lockups causing momentary tyre smoke. Mustang GT track grip was excellent. Trackside marshals were in attendance at strategic track locations. Early Start Waking up early to start the day with a thirty-minute session on the racetrack is a testament to dedication and passion for the sport. The crisp morning air sets the scene for a focused and invigorating experience. The track slowly comes to life, with the hum of engines and the screech of tyres cutting through the quietness of the morning hour. Each lap around the racetrack is a symphony of precision and skill, with every turn and straightaway presenting a new challenge to conquer. The adrenaline rush of pushing the limits, feeling the slight G-forces in every corner, and striving for the perfect racing line creates a sense of exhilaration that is unmatched. The concentration required to navigate the twists and turns at high speeds demands complete focus and control, honing both physical and mental agility. In those thirty minutes on the racetrack, there is a unique sense of freedom and liberation that comes from pushing oneself to the edge of performance. It is a time to escape from the demands of everyday life and immerse oneself in the pure joy of speed and competition. The camaraderie among fellow drivers, the shared passion for the sport, and the mutual respect for each other's skills all add to the sense of community and belonging that the racetrack provides. As the session draws to a close, the sun rises higher in the sky, casting a golden glow over the track and signalling the end of another exhilarating morning or afternoon on the racetrack. The memories of those two thirty-minute sessions pushing the car and oneself will linger, fuelling the anticipation for the next opportunity to hit the track and chase that adrenaline rush once again. Mustang GT & Highest Speed Mustang exceptional track handling was commented on by fellow drivers. Highest speed obtained was greater than 170 km/h (105 mph plus) with more in reserve. At least 180 km/h felt attainable following behind the pace car on pit straight. No track incidents occurred. No off track over enthusiastic driving errors for any of the participates. A great day of fun and a new experience. Traveldriven ENTER CLICK/TAP TAILEM BEND GOOGLE MAPS THE BEND MOTORSPORT PARK 2025 OLD BITUMEN SURFACE OF TURN 23 LIMITED EDITION SOUVENIR ONE LAP OF GT CIRCUIT, 35 TURNS THREE RACETRACK READY MUSTANGS AUTO GALLERY FERRARI BLACK FERRARI, AUTO GALLERY AUTO GALLERY RACING CAR DRIVER BRIEFING BEND RACETRACK DRIVING THE BEND RACETRACK DECEMBER 2025 Prior to 2025 PARKED WITH VALID PERMIT MUSTANGS READY FOR ON TRACK TIME DRIVER BRIEFING BEFORE TRACK TIME EARLY MORNING SESSION ON TRACK THE BEND RACETRACK THE BEND DRIVER EXPERIENCE LANDROVER ON A POLE. KEITH, DUKES HIGHWAY 130 KM FROM THE BEND MOTORSPORT PARK. PREV MUSTANG GT NEXT PREV SOUTH AUSTRALIA NEXT

WHATEVER IT TAKES KEEP GOING CIDP & RECOVERY? There is a famous expression in English: ' When the going gets tough, the tough get going' –meaning when the situation becomes difficult, the strong will work harder to meet the challenge. Sometimes, when we are in a tough situation, an inspirational quote or saying can help us calm down and focus on what we need to do. Quote On Life "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right". Henry Ford (1863-1947) Search motorsport quote on this blog from well-known Australian motorsport drivers. All could be applied to life in general. 'It's not rare if it happens to you'. Traveldriven quote WHAT IS CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY DEMYELINATING POLYNEUROPATHY UNDERSTANDING CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY DEMYELINATING POLNEUROPATHY SIGNS OF AND EXPLANATION OF CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY DEMYELINATING POLYNEUROPATHY OUR PAINTBALL GROUP SNIPERS DEN MELBOURNE I second from left as a lefthanded paintball shooter THE OPPONENT'S CHINESE SOLDIERS? First and only paintball experience. Great day out by all on a hot Melbourne day. We received many hits and returned many back. Eight weeks before CIDP diagnosis. AFTER HOSPITAL DISCHARGE & HOME WITH CIDP My CIDP journey is written below. Living with a rare serious condition before, during and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hopefully the worst is over with CIDP and will not return. Allowing some CIDP recovery to take place. Below is primarily published with a view to help other's recently GBS/CIDP diagnosed. Written for myself as a self-improvement reference. How CIDP changed life in general and for those interested in rare conditions from a non-medical perspective. A personal viewpoint of first hand CIDP experience. 5,730 words 22 minute read Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy An immune system disorder. The myelin sheath of peripheral nerves is damaged. In my opinion, CIDP brings much uncertainty. Saintly patience is required for nerve self-repair. If any repair does occur, it often will take years. CIDP-damaged nerves exhibit a variety of unique distinctive symptoms. Following is one individual's perspective. Life with CIDP. Hi, my name is Wayne. I live in a small regional Victorian city. It is January of 2019 no health issues and 59 years of age. I was working as a food industry employee on the factory floor involving physical work and long periods of standing. Although physically demanding work, I had no problem carrying out work duties. Thought I should get a doctor's check-up. Something didn't feel right. Affecting Daily Life A General Practitioner appointment was booked. I explained to the GP I was experiencing numb toes and tingle sensations. The gist of the consultation was to come back if things did not improve in three or four weeks. Shortly thereafter, a weekend day drive to a coastal tourist town left me wondering how safe my driving was. I own two sedans. One manual and one automatic. Driving my automatic transmission car in the busy main street I stopped in traffic. A car behind and a car in front. I depressed my right foot on the brake unaware the side of my foot was still on the accelerator pedal. Smelling tyre smoke and engine revving I turned the ignition off. I did not have enough feeling in my feet to feel the pedals. An accident avoided and a cautious drive home. Acupuncture? It was suggested acupuncture may be beneficial. Unsure of driving ability. I travelled by train to Melbourne. Sceptically, I agreed on a two-hour consultation. The Chinese acupuncturist inserted needles in feet and upon withdrawal all were bent at right angles. The acupuncturist commented the normal needle curvature was severely bent out of shape on all needles. Evidence of extremely taunt tendons. He recommended daily use of a foot spa diluted with whisky and two more sessions. An incredulous recommendation in my opinion. I returned home unconvinced acupuncture made any difference. I declined the two further expensive sessions. In an Immobile State and Past Trauma I was struggling to lift my feet for no apparent reason. All my fingers tingled and toes felt numb. Accessing my automatic geared car, I stumbled backwards and fell on my lawn. I overturned a coffee mug at a local café with family and friends. Experiencing weak hand grip coordination. Within two weeks I returned to my local GP for a second appointment. The doctor referred me to a Melbourne neurologist a few hours' drive away. The first appointment was in ten days' time in Ballarat. A large regional city in Victoria. I spent the time housebound and unable to work. It  took six attempts to park my automatic car in the garage behind the roller door. Now unable to drive safely. In these days following my second GP visit both my leg strength and self-balance was deteriorating. I had lost feeling in both feet and my gait was unstable and weakening. At times I had to steady my walking with hands placed on walls inside my house. No public transport is available where I live. I live alone as my wife of twenty-three years passed away with breast cancer two years before. Connie, my wife, would have been whole heartily supportive one hundred percent, as I of her. I remembered getting the all clear result of a routine health scan over eighteen months prior from a prominent doctor. Who happened to be my wife's surgeon. I was sitting in the doctor's clinic unable to speak when asked questions. Perhaps ten minutes or more elapsed. Memories of the cancer clinical setting all around me suddenly and unexpectedly affected my speech. The surgeon walked me to reception. This was a few months preceding my solo eight week road trip around much of Australia in a sedan. For me, long drives addressed trauma. Waiting for Medical Help Now, nearly two years later I needed to see a specialist. What is it? At least I knew I didn't have cancer. I have no home support. After several days I could barely walk around inside my home. I telephoned the Melbourne neurologist's reception twice and tried to bring the appointment date forward. I offered to get myself to the Melbourne clinic as my condition was deteriorating. My walking becoming weaker. Reception replied the original appointment was the earliest date and all earlier times were fully booked. I asked if I could speak to the neurologist. 'No, he's with a patient'. Ok, so I waited at home with a stoic attitude thinking everything will be ok after a week or two of rest. My respiratory condition felt normal during this time. A further five days passed housebound and I was then driven to my neurologist appointment. I attended a medical consulting clinic used by visiting Melbourne specialists. Located in Ballarat. Well over an hour's drive away. Upon seeing myself struggling to walk and assessing absent nerve reflexes the neurologist immediately admitted me to St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne. He telephoned the hospital on the spot. Luckily, I carried a small overnight case. I was allowed no time to return home to pack a bag. My driver kindly agreed to drive directly to the Melbourne hospital. A further hours' drive. I distinctly remember the neurologist telling me I think you have GBS or CIDP. Let's hope not CIDP. Of course, I was clueless of these remarks. I, like many, not realising the serious health implications of these unheard of conditions. In both Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy one's own healthy immune system turns rogue and attacks the peripheral nerves. Both are classified as autoimmune disorders. GBS is seen as an acute disorder occurring once only and is of a relatively short duration. CIDP is the chronic counterpart of GBS. Unknown Cause CIDP origins are idiopathic, (unknown). Although, one United States research paper available online documented a small cluster of GBS/CIDP cases among workers in a piggery attributed to Campylobacter Jejuni sometimes found in slaughtered pig, sheep or chicken. I worked in the food industry for years with daily exposure to dried blood from thousands of freshly slaughtered sheep. The provided cotton hood head/face and body protective clothing ineffective as a 100% barrier against dried blood contact. Medical publications such as National Library of Medicine, Journal of Neuroimmunology etc, cite up to 40% of those diagnosed with GBS/CIDP showed a viral infection with Campylobacter in the few weeks prior to symptoms appearing as the result of the onset of nerve demyelination. No Campylobacter was found in the many blood tests I had in the hospital. I don't recall having common symptoms of Campylobacter. The short answer is I never had a Campylobacter infection. Although I can't state this with one hundred percent certainty. Medical literature cites livestock workers with a positive viral infection to Campylobacter Jejuni have a one in a one thousand chance of acquiring GBS or CIDP. For the general population there is a one in a one hundred thousand chance of a GBS/CIDP diagnosis with no exposure to livestock. HOSPITALISATION My first hospital admission as a patient in over forty years. I began intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusion of Privigen that night, Friday. Each infusion takes about three to four hours. Administered through a catheter needle inserted into a vein in the arm to overwhelm the immune system's own antibodies attacking the nerves. The third consecutive day of IVIG had a late finish of 3am. The end of the loading dose of IVIG treatment. Within days I had a lumbar puncture (spinal tap). Symptoms, Not Good A nerve conduction study showed total and partial blockage on major leg nerves. Symmetrical left and right of the body. Multiple blood tests and other tests were carried out. One doctor told me a blood sample was sent to Western Australia for analysis in a laboratory. Apparently testing for this one particular pathogen could only be undertaken in Perth. Why? I don't know! The result returned negative. Good. All tests showed no evidence of recent viral or bacterial infections. Nothing. Disabled and Bleak Outlook All the staff treated me well. I could not walk and was dependent on a wheelchair. A walking frame provided some standing support for very limited room use. I was experiencing a complete loss of self-balance. Numb from backside and legs down. No leg reflexes. Paralysis of all four limbs. Acute abdominal tightness caused moderate breathing constriction. Tested twice daily for breathing capacity in anticipation I needed artificial breathing assistance via a ventilator. I was administered daily stomach injections to prevent blood clots because of immobility. I have always been a non-smoker. I took solace in this. Additional complications I could do without. I could hold light weight items such as a spoon, fork and knife but all extremely hard to use. I was unable to open served food or drink lids. Could not write or use a cell phone, buttons, zippers, tie laces or hold a small cup of coffee in one hand. There was initially, a few instances where vision was blurry but then became quickly into focus again. There was mild shortness of breath due to tightness around the torso. Facial movements were unaffected. No Further Deterioration Doctors asked if I could wiggle my toes up and down. I did to our surprise. My condition did not deteriorate any further after the first few days while in hospital. By week's end doctors assessed my condition as somewhat stable. With mutual agreement my public hospital bed was moved to other wards five times during my lengthy hospitalisation. Even down a floor to another ward. All wards were at full capacity. I was stable and under supervision. I was later told the first course of IVIG probably stalled the progression of CIDP. I understood progression meant reliance on a ventilator and total immobility before likely incremental improvement. Specialist Consensus and First Symptom? I agreed to be wheeled in my wheelchair to the once every Friday specialist meeting. On an overhead projector my condition and possible diagnosis was discussed in front of twenty or so experts including the department head Professor of Neurology. Doctor's posed questions with pen and notebook in hand. I answered what I knew. Specialists later diagnosed CIDP and not GBS as my symptoms were at least eight weeks. A little more than two months before diagnosis I paid for a family paintball day in Melbourne. My legs gave way underneath me on short sprints. No pain. Just momentarily weak legs. I thought this odd and amusing at the time. I attributed this to overworking myself. In hindsight, the first symptom of CIDP that I can recall. Normally I don't jog. St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne had no other patients with GBS or CIDP. Both are very rare conditions. Apparently, there is a one in one hundred thousand chance of a diagnosis of CIDP. Long Term Hospitalisation Concerns The isolation of a big city hospital away from familiar faces is very confronting. Placed in the Neurology Ward with many seriously ill people. An adjacent patient had suffered a mild stroke and was up and about unassisted walking, talking and using all four limbs very well within a few days. A lucky man. Not so for myself, diagnosed with a crippling condition. Prognosis unknown. During most of my hospital stay my only regular visitor was a weekly visit from a volunteer inter-church counsellor. These visits were really helpful and appreciated. A family member paid me a day's visit. I was pushed around the large hospital city block in my wheelchair. Along busy Victoria Parade avoiding able-bodied pedestrians. It can't be understated how great it felt to feel the fresh air and warm sun on your face after one month inside. Myself wondering if this is permanent now? Wheelchair dependent . Medical staff were not telling anything. Not wanting to give false hope. Autonomic nervous system dysfunction can occur with CIDP. In my case, hints of autonomic system involvement appeared but thankfully no progression occurred. These serious symptoms range from incapacity to breathe, double vision and sight deterioration with optic nerve damage, bowel & bladder dysfunction, total loss of ambulatory function and cardiac irregularities. All due to nerve and muscle interactions within the body. Symptoms as mentioned may or may not occur. Hence, why my five week hospitalisation and medical specialist uncertainty. INPATIENT REHABILITATION I spent five weeks in this major Melbourne hospital followed by nearly a week of inpatient rehabilitation. In a facility even further from home in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. I used a walker now. I watched through the window from my hospital bed a pair of hot air balloons very low above buildings. Nightly tv news said they made an emergency landing nearby. I thought at least these people had access to the outdoors and were not confined to a hospital. Transferred again. For a period of almost two weeks to a large regional rehabilitation facility in Ballarat. Transferred between by ambulance. I sat next to the driver for the two hour trip. Fellow Patients There was another patient in the back of the ambulance for the entire drive. A sedated female stroke patient, by appearances not yet at retirement age, nearing end of life. We drove her to the same palliative care facility where my wife spent her last weeks. The palliative building was adjoined to the rehabilitation complex. It was a solemn two hour ride for me. Walker and Red tape Admitted to rehab. My own room. Walker handles wrapped with red tape. Red tape is replaced with green tape once walking is assessed as safe unsupervised. I was mixed in with recovering stroke and cardiology patients. I spent regular physio sessions among patients clumsily sliding Domino pieces around table tops. Myself much more advanced than those with stroke recovery. Creatively and carefully building multi levels of Domino's. Of course no one had heard of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy. Both my feet are equally affected by CIDP induced peripheral neuropathy. Can I eventually learn to walk normally unaided? CIDP uncertainty plays mind games with you. Twice a day in the early morning and mid evening l decided to attempt a circuit walk around the ward corridors and nursing station. Outside of structured daily physiotherapy sessions. Against the red tape supervision rules. I felt competent enough as long as I used a walker. I am not normally one to go against guidelines. I wanted to be proactive. I decided I would pay heed to the advice if questioned. Pushing my walker my hope was to progress from red to green tape. My aim was to complete ten laps. All exhausting work. Rolling past other inpatient rooms. People such as Mark, who was paraplegic from a diving accident and found it hard to face the day. Blankets pulled over his head. Thinking I'm not wheelchair dependent anymore as I was nearly two months before and now able to use a walker these last seven days. I self-recalled a road trip to Townsville Queensland. How fortunate Max the pilot and I were from the Tiger Moth joy flight forced landing on the Mackay Ring Road in 2018 with a broken crankshaft sustaining no injuries. Especially spinal injuries like Mark. Thinking of the inhouse gym physio sessions both Mark and I attended. He is in his wheelchair. Apparently, a potential fate I have now avoided twice within the space of twelve months. I rolled my walker past the longest inpatient resident. Leslie, a double amputee. Foot and one arm past the elbow. He wanted the rehab. facility to become his permanent home. I rolled past the recreation area with its chairs, television and books. Unknown Outlook on Recovery Towards the end of my stay two female physiotherapy staff were to take me to an adjoining building with a two storey stairwell. Attempting the stairwell was very exhausting. I was supported all the while taking small steps and resting legs. Could have taken a cut lunch with the time it took. Still, it was something achieved. Physiotherapy staff were faultless guiding and physically supporting me on how to walk. They dealt with my strong safety concerns and poor expectations. Self-balance was still a major issue. Once every four weeks I received an IVIG infusion of Privigen. The initial loading dosage was calculated by patient weight. All future dosages were unchanged even with weight variability. Taken daily, an Azathioprine (immunosuppressant) tablet. Given to counter progression of CIDP. Green Tape Approval All attending doctors were unable to provide a prognosis. Using my walker in rehab. Now authorised with green tape I asked a visiting neurologist if this is true. One third of CIDP patients are wheelchair bound for life. One third recover to near their former self and one third are somewhere in between. CIDP by definition is often characterised by a relapsing–remitting course. The severity and duration unknown. The neurologist agreed with this and replied I wasn't in a wheelchair anymore. I also now thought at least I could walk with a walking frame and green tape. Will this be the new normal? Walking stick wound with red or green tape is still far beyond my capability. Unease On Ability for Future Home Self Care In an adjacent ward a recovering stroke patient was due to be discharged in the next few days and suffered a lengthy seizure becoming unconscious. Drugs were administered to him to regain consciousness. Not exactly instilling in me the confidence of the rehab. centre’s assessment on my readiness for my imminent discharge. I was wondering how I will cope by myself at home? No at home Care Plan was planned or established by the medical profession. My thoughts were that future welfare dependency was inevitable. One of the facilities visitors was the minister of my local church. A coincidence chance meeting. With myself using a walking frame together we attended the adjoining palliative care facility to give thanks again to staff from two years ago. But the familiar staff I remembered had moved on. The Minister's comforting presence and support was greatly appreciated. I was visited only once in Ballarat Rehab. Day Pass Out Refused A long time friend agreed to drive me home and back for a day on an upcoming weekend. This meant a return drive of three hours. However, on presentation at the main entry reception the facility doctor-in-charge refused me a pass out. I was judged too high a risk to be given a pass out due to the current summer heat wave conditions. With disappointment prevailing. I apologised to my driver for the wasted long drive. I would have liked a short break from the hospital environment. Now unable due to doctor's orders. I was approaching two months of unbroken hospital stays and still I cannot return home. Within another week I was discharged. HOSPITAL REHABILITATION DISCHARGE I required home help with housework and to be driven about. I was physically incapable of driving. A home help service was made available usually once per week for the following several months and was provided by local government providers. Following rehabilitation discharge I needed to seek out and meet eligibility requirements for this health service for a monthly fee. Also, long term podiatry services for a nominal fee. I used a combination of a walking frame and a stick. My duration of care was uncertain. Occasionally I attempted a walking stick only. Home Self Care Struggle It was a big struggle to walk. Collect mail from my front yard letterbox and feed the cat and dog in the backyard in the initial four months. There was great difficulty twisting household taps and dressing daily. I enrolled in physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. Unable to write in a legible manner. I signed an X on the paperwork. Walking was severely restricted by weakened legs, peripheral neuropathy of both hands and feet, (paraesthesia) and CIDP induced severe tightness around the torso. Symmetrical left and right of the torso. Torso tightness may be described as banding, tapering to the spine. My local hospital provided monthly IVIG infusions in their Oncology centre. The same wards, the same familiar nursing staff and the same infusion method my wife received for cancer treatment. The same familiar medical equipment. Two years on. Here I am. Surrounded by everything I wanted to forget. In my mind cancer kills and CIDP cripples. Me, a distressed witness of prior circumstance. I was back in the same environment and building. I reminded myself it's all for the best and left it at that. Accepting the hard physical and mental health challenges that I knew lay ahead. I was struggling with poor ambulatory function longer than seven months post diagnosis. For example, the assistance of three people was required to descend a vehicle dealership's long flight of stairs. Assistance was required from the front, back, side and guidance of the guard rail with frequent stops. As I lived alone and struggled daily with CIDP I considered applying for Meals On Wheels. I gathered I did not fit the age criteria for the service. On occasion a family friend, who was a prominent member of a local church, delivered a cooked meal. I greatly appreciated it. More than nine months passed and I was in-effect housebound and isolated. The latter half of 2019 my mobility had improved and I was not entirely housebound anymore. Medical approval was given to drive a private motor vehicle subject to future review. On the eve of the Covid-19 lockdowns of a five km radius from home. Bitter sweet timing as I have always been a driving enthusiast. Thankfully, driving a private vehicle was not permanently revoked such as all commercial and volunteer driving was. Hoping for some relief of long term improvement Normal touch sensation had long since returned. For many months everything was like coarse sandpaper to the touch. Even to pat the dog and cat. Initially the first twelve months of abnormal unpleasant foot sensations of crawling ants on skin and sometimes legs to doubt one's sanity. I confronted significant immobility struggles and home isolation in the twelve months preceding the COVID-19 pandemic. As I was immunocompromised COVID-19 vaccines were required. Four injections were completed. I was aware that in the most dire of Covid-19 hospital patients, a hyperactivated immune system triggers a cytokine storm in the lungs, a life-threatening condition. Twelve months of weekly outpatient physiotherapy sessions were COVID-19 interrupted and eventually stopped all together. I needed to think outside the box to address isolation, boredom and limited mobility during COVID-19 and frequent lockdowns. I purchased Virtual Reality hardware and software for the home desktop pc. I watched 3d movies in a virtual reality cinema. VR offered a very real comforting feeling of freedom, experiences and escape from over twelve months of CIDP immobility. I also continued developing my own road trips website. Self-taught through trial and error. I navigated isolation and restriction challenges of COVID-19 without infection. I was made aware of a free twelve month government counselling program made available for people to boost their mental health during Covid-19. Although I was fine. I thought this may be a good program for me to view as insurance. In the event I suffered a total CIDP relapse. I used the service as an outlet and to maintain a positive attitude. Although beneficial, I viewed it as irrelevant unless I had a total CIDP relapse back to square one. I viewed the program as my insurance backup. A positive strategy if the worst occurred again. CIDP LONG TERM FIVE YEARS The National Library of Medicine (USA) has available scientific literature online of a small study detailing the long term prognosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. A five year follow up of thirty-eight cases with no comorbidities. Source is from, Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. An informative paper the layperson can largely understand. Following is a five year summary after my CIDP diagnosis and subsequent IVIG infusions. The ongoing purpose of infusions is to maintain patient ambulation while encouraging a healthy autoimmune response to the peripheral nervous system. Since late of 2021 no mobility aids or home assists were required. I have no comorbidities with CIDP. Chronic peripheral neuropathy is commonly associated with diabetes. I am not diabetic nor pre-diabetic. No muscle atrophy. Although persistent daily neuropathic pain was experienced for three years in the torso and feet. No nerve pain medications were offered. Tempting to ask for but not wanting prescription addiction. With the benefit of hindsight some nerve pain medication should have been requested and taken. Another major factor in the decision not to take nerve pain medications was the on-going ability to maintain non-interrupted nightly sleep. This was a great unexpected bonus. Nerve pain abated somewhat after four years. No separate health issues. Three Years Living With CIDP During the initial three years. The need to rest extremely fatigued legs and arms whilst attending appointments, in supermarket queues and public places. Three years of short daily showering and brief house tasks for the same reasons. Effectively, early labour force retirement. For example, a long three years from hospitalisation for a first attempt at extended car driving. Also, the ability to be able to hand wash a car uninterrupted by multiple rest breaks for fatigued legs and arms. Mow a small lawn without resting legs. Walking slowly for more than thirty minutes. I've always enjoyed driving. Good to not feel significant under the ribcage wincing from torso tightness, (abdominal nerves inflammation?) over every minor highway jolt and bump. Three plus years to get to near normality. Will this be maintained! Or will I experience a relapse? During 2022 I wanted to see for myself if my driving ability was up to standard and satisfactory at this time. I completed a thirty-minute driver experience on the Bend Motorsport Park racetrack in my own vehicle. This with a six-speed manual transmission. Tough on fatigued legs but safe, fortunately, all went well and it was a great boost to driving confidence. The full thirty minutes was completed. All these personal milestones and more were not guaranteed. An estimate on time taken to gain improvements, if any, cannot be obtained from the medical profession. It's the uncertainty nature of CIDP. My three year disability Parking Permit renewal was twice refused and not renewed. Even with General Practitioner doctor input and submission. Probably because of the eligibility criteria assessment to use walking aids within a one hundred metre distance. Leg fatigue was still a major issue even though aids were no longer used. My believeth was that the Permit would be deemed unnecessary in twelve months' time anyway. Four Years Living With CIDP After four years of incremental improvement and at last, reducing nerve discomfort. Improvement also shown around the torso. In my own mind, a relapse and a wheelchair scenario was not expected again. I experienced throughout this time the ever present, unpleasant feelings of large, rounded stones/balls under both feet. Symptoms associated with CIDP neuropathy. CIDP impacts nerve myelin, nerve axons and causes inflammation of nerve roots. If nerves are too damaged, limited or no long term healing is possible for the unfortunate. Medical papers cite nerve regeneration is 1mm per day or about one inch per month with no active disease. Neurologist Appointments and Tests Undertaken not more than once every twelve months by a neurologist a nerve conduction study revealed improvements in lower limb nerve conduction and functionality. It had previously been assumed a plateau was attained. This was incorrect. Small improvements greater than fifty months from diagnosis were still achievable. These improvements were not really felt in a practical sense. Nerve conduction was outside of acceptable parameters. Shows further improvement is possible even after fifty months. By way of an explanation. A nerve conduction study involves the combination of two electrodes placed on the skin of an arm or leg above a length of a nerve and electrical conduction is measured between the electrodes. Multiple nerves may be tested. The person quite often experiences a small amount of discomfort when the brief electrical shocks are applied. The shocks are low voltage and so are harmless to anyone. A four year MRI scan follow up was completed of the spine and cranial cavity. Dye injected. Not less than a one hour process. An investigation into chronic torso tightness since the initial CIDP diagnosis four years previously. A scan for demyelinating disease and lesions of the central nervous system. The conclusion was of no demyelination or lesions identified of the central nervous system. Normal scan result. No nerve entrapment or Multiple Sclerosis (MS) pathology. No additional neurological problems. CIDP is a peripheral nervous system condition. There is no spinal or brain involvement in CIDP. Now I am experiencing almost pre-CIDP ambulatory and strength function, except lower limbs. Walking a moderate distance is ok. Sixty minutes. Normal pace. No walking aids are required. This is a significant bonus. Five Years Living With CIDP On approaching five years of CIDP. Residual symptoms include: moderate symmetrical and ceaseless tingling felt underneath both feet. Mild tingling in the hands. Mild torso tightness and mild symmetrical weakness in legs. Normal touch sensitivity in hands and feet has long returned. IVIG infusion is still ongoing and is now changed to Privigen infusion of 40g completed on one day, six weekly and up to a four hour duration. Instead of over two days every six weeks. If all goes well after an extended amount of time, infusion will be pushed out to eight weeks duration. The purpose is to halve hospital attendance to one day and to avoid possible or probable multiple failed attempts of catheter (I.V. needle) insertion into a vein due to poor venous access. The merits of self-administered s ubcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) infusion may be an option for future consideration if infusion attempts are increasingly problematic. Time to underscore CIDP. Obviously, no progression or relapse. Discontinuation of IVIG is unlikely? In my opinion, it is a medical specialist decision. Beyond Five Years I regard myself as a driving enthusiast. I enjoy travelling within Australia. During May 2024 I completed a nine day tour as a passenger in a SUV to Outback Queensland. A return distance of 3,400 km Adelaide to Adelaide, South Australia. I drove myself 500 km to Adelaide to begin the tour. Return to home base was driven in one day. On no part of the remote trip special allowances were made because of ongoing CIDP symptoms. Nor was personal enjoyment diminished considering much travel was on unsealed and sometimes rough roads. All tour optional excursions and activities were completed as normal. Although significant improvement takes a very long time and gains are uncertain. With the passage of time symptoms may eventually fade and not permanently worsen. I hope this is encouragement to those newly diagnosed. Returning to living near a normal life is possible with, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelination Polyneuropathy. Living with CIDP & IVIG It is well past the five year initial diagnosis of CIDP and there is still incremental improvement felt. Tingling feet, hands and torso nerves are always still present. Infusion is every eight weeks. Living long term with CIDP and to divert attention away from CIDP symptoms, there is merit in listening to music. This provides home based enjoyment. Social interaction is important for health as is to enjoy any family time. Attending live events helps ward off feelings of isolation. Join a light physical activity group. For example, Tai Chi? Join a neuropathy focus group. If only to listen to others and chat. People familiar with CIDP give perspective and may offer valuable first-hand information on rare conditions such as CIDP or GBS. My IVIG infusion dosage has never been greater than 40g. The first few years were infused four weekly then six weekly, followed by every eight weeks. I have not experienced any significant decreased mobility between IVIG infusions as many do. I have never experienced an adverse reaction to the infusion flow rate of IVIG. Reaction after-effects may include headaches and nausea. In my opinion it is best to seek, evaluate and trust answers from specialists and hope for the best. CIDP is not predisposed by any prior physical, mental health or lifestyle attributes. It is not hereditary or contagious. It's a rare condition. General Practitioners rarely see it, if at all. CONCLUSION All of the above gives an insight into CIDP. At least as applicable to one individual's experience. Hopefully all the aforementioned addresses a lack of awareness and knowledge concerning Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy. All things considered; quality of life is good. Being able to enjoy once again the one-handed cup of coffee. The freedom of walking unassisted in the outdoor fresh air. Driving the countryside. The simple things. A CIDP diagnosis and pathway is full of uncertainty for all. Don't dwell on anything that may never happen or recur. Be honest and patient with yourself. Don't say why me! CIDP is a treatable condition. Despite all the aforementioned I still consider myself fortunate. I don't seek sympathy. In my experience empathy for rare hidden conditions is improbable outside of immediate family. CIDP awareness would be a start. We don't get a choice of autoimmune or neurological disorders. These disorders cannot be prevented by lifestyle choices. It is our choice how we choose to respond and live our lives. There is a Latin phrase. Amor Fati accept one's fate, find the elusive positives and move on. Amor Fati Wayne PREV CIDP NEXT HOMEPAGE

When tourists try small town name pronunciations sometimes it sounds quite comical -Traveldriven DRIVE MELBOURNE TO RUPANYUP Rupanyup & Driving the Wimmera Mallee Silo Art Trail Victoria Rupanyup is a small town in Victoria. The town is home to approximately five hundred residents. The Silo Art Trail passes through this town, which also features several intriguing rustic-style statues. One is of a man patting his trusty dog next to a small seat. This statue is outside of the modern local supermarket. Another is of a woman in period costume outside of an early period store in the centre divider of the main street. As in many rural towns, Rupanyup has its fair share of closed retail buildings. The name Rupanyup is an Aboriginal word meaning ' branch hanging over water '. Minyip It is a small town located in the Wimmera region of Victoria, situated along the Silo Art Trail, approximately 320 kilometres northwest of Melbourne, with a population of around five hundred. The name "Minyip" is an Aboriginal word translated as "ashes" or "camping place". Minyip is known as the "Heart of the Wheat Belt". Warracknabeal This is a wheatbelt town in Victoria. On the banks of the Yarriambiack Creek. The Warracknabeal area has a population of less than three thousand. On the main street, there's a roundabout named Federation Place, featuring a group of six life-sized sheep statues on an elevated brick platform. Another roundabout displays a sheepdog atop stacked, full wheat bags. There are two double storey hotels in town. Both have wide covered verandas and counter meals may be ordered. The town has a few red brick period buildings. Post Office and a Town Hall. When tourists attempt to pronounce the names of small towns, it can often sound quite amusing. However, when a local says the name aloud, the pronunciation comes naturally to all. The drive from Rupanyup to Minyip and then to Warracknabeal covers eighty kilometres of sealed roads. There is a lot to see driving the Wimmera Mallee Silo Art Trail. Traveldriven WARRACKNABEAL GOOGLE MAPS OUTSIDE THE NEW SMALL LOCAL SUPERMARKET Life size statue and display store Rupanyup's main street RUPANYUP SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITIES BUY A COFFEE Closed shops in central Rupanyup RUPANYUP SILO ART DRIVING THE WIMMERA WHEAT BELT SHEEP HILLS SILO ART DRIVING SHEEP HILLS & WARRACKNABEAL PREV VICTORIA NEXT HOMEPAGE

In the tropical north, in the greater Darwin area, lies a region rich with sights that harken back to yesteryear, showcasing a unique blend of history and culture that can only be found in the Top End of Australia. One of the most notable aspects of this region is its historical significance relating to WW2. The bombing of Darwin during WW2 and the significance of a port along with many airfields of the era and the essential large underground storage tunnel facilities that may be toured through. Quirky Attractions In addition to its historical sites, the tropical north is also home to a range of quirky displays and attractions that offer a light-hearted contrast to the more serious aspects of its past. For instance, one can find the famous Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin, where visitors can get in the water with some of the largest saltwater crocodiles in the world. A major draw card of Crocosaurus Cove is the attraction called The Cage of Death. This unique experience allows tourists to get an up close person thrilling encounter, such as swimming with saltwater crocodiles in a secure enclosure. There is an addition fee for this experience. Another well-known attraction is Crocosaurus Park , situated just a fifteen-minute drive from Darwin City. While the main highlight is the saltwater crocodiles, the park also functions as a zoo, featuring monkeys, lions, buffalo, birds, and a variety of other animals native to Australia and from around the world. The zoo includes a moderate sized manmade lagoon offering a jumping crocodile cruise. How to imagine this is like a mini Adelaide River tour experience. Crocosaurus Park is a favourite destination for both tourists and locals. Darwin Mindil Beach Sunset Market Cultural experiences abound in this region, with various festivals and events celebrating the local heritage and community spirit. Local markets such as the very popular Mindil Beach Sunset Market provide a platform for artisans and food vendors to share their crafts and culinary delights, offering visitors a taste of the diverse influences that shape the Top End’s identity. The market is open on Thursdays in the dry season months and has up to one hundred and fifty specialty stalls. Traveldriven DARWIN WW2 TOUR OIL STORAGE TUNNELS CROCOSAURUS COVE WEBSITE CROCODYLUS PARK WEBSITE MINDIL BEACH MARKET DARWIN SUNSET ON MINDIL BEACH MINDIL MARKET CROWD MUD CRAB, CHARCOAL LOBSTER, OCTOPUS MINCED BALLS THE CAGE OF DEATH, CROCOSAURUS DARWIN CITY CROCODYLUS PARK IN DARWIN CROCODYLUS PARK & ZOO & A TALK ON THE DANGERS OF ADELAIDE RIVER WW2 UNDERGROUND OIL STORAGE TUNNELS TOYOTA BULL CATCHER BULL CATCHER BULL BAR & DRUM COLIN THE PET CROCODILE, ARNHEM HIGHWAY PREV AUSTRALIA 2025 NEXT

Ballarat Ballarat expanded into a large regional city from when gold was discovered in 1851. Located in the Central Highlands of Victoria, one hundred and fifteen km from Melbourne CBD via the Western Freeway. The city has a population of greater than one hundred thousand residents. In terms of population Ballarat is the third largest inland city in Australia. Often said to be one of the coldest cities in Australia. Lake Wendouree is a man made almost circular shaped lake of about two km across. The lake is located within the Ballarat city area and is a popular recreation area. Ballarat Springfest The Ballarat Springfest festival held in late 2025 celebrated its 30th anniversary. The festival is located at the Gardens Precinct, Lake Wendouree. Held on a Sunday, there are up to five hundred market stalls to explore, offering goods, food, and various other items for sale. A large vintage and classic car show called Show 'n' Glow is featured in the morning as a part of Springfest. Ballarat Attractions Apart from Springfest Show 'n' Glow Sovereign Hill Located within Ballarat city this is an open-air tourist park based around the gold era of the 1800s. Over sixty historically correct buildings with themed costumed employees. Officially opened in 1970. Eureka Stockade Memorial Park The Stockade is off of Eureka Street. Accepted as the site of the miners rebellion of 1884 against the British authoritarian rule and their soldiers. The Eureka Stockade Monument has four 64-pounder large cannons arranged in a circular pattern in parkland. Kryal Castle A themed medieval castle built off of the Western Freeway twelve km from Ballarat towards Melbourne. There are small medieval themed retail and family friendly amusements. Traveldriven BALLARAT GOOGLE MAPS SOVEREIGN HILL KRYAL CASTLE EUREKA STOCKADE MEMORIAL PARK 2025 SPRINGFEST SHOW & GLOW IS IT A TRUCK OR BUS? BUS\TRUCK WITH ITS RESERVE GAS SUPPLY FANCY INTERIOR THE LAST DRIVE HOT ROD & TEARDROP AUSTRALIAN PARCEL EXPRESS? COLORFUL WAGON WAGON ENTRY LOW REAR END & GOING HOME ALL FIRED UP & READY TO GO BALLARAT SHOW & GLOW NOVEMBER 2023 Many hot rods on the green grass Threat of rain and Ford hot rods Many immaculate cars Many supercharged Mustang Shelby official performance report from GM Motorsport in Melton, Victoria Mustang Shelby super snake in the long grass. BALLARAT SPRINGFEST SHOW & GLOW 2023 BALLARAT SPRINGFEST 2019 SHOW & SHINE 2019 Nice flaming paintwork. Open top. Fuel container on front or is it water? Vivid black and red. Front opening windscreen All bright red. Long body. Lowered Spotless interior. Left hand drive. Large matching colour steering wheel Left hand drive. Interior radio. Budweiser gear knob VB gear selector knob. High side mirrors Open wheeler road car DeLorean Back to the Future movie car. Road legal DeLorean time machine. Delorean made in 1981. Gull wing doors. Back to the past 1981 Hot rods on the green grass Two hot rods under a shady tree on firmer ground Overnight rain softened the ground Large fish fins on rear. Left hand drive Bright yellow. Two antennae on rear PREV SHOW & SHINE NEXT PREV VICTORIA NEXT HOMEPAGE

Traveldriven Home Page and Travel Experiences. Welcome to the Home Page of the Traveldriven website. All are welcome to browse page posts and leave a comment. There are upwards of two hundred and seventy individual page posts. If one were to browse from first to last post and spend two minutes on each post this would take well over eight hours to read, glance at photos and see a small snippet of the many videos. Why Browse Traveldriven? Needless to say, we all only want to know about and see what we are interested in. In the quickest and easiest way. Preferably, with an honest first hand insight and experience to the topic at hand. This is what Traveldriven is about. Also sharing a few amusing, and a few concerning travel experiences. To share the driving experience and destination. The good and not so good. You and others might also want to go out and see it firsthand. All are free to browse page posts for travel ideas. The purpose is to show with pictures and video to those who don't know or have little knowledge of how large and diverse Australia the land and people are, a glimpse of the vast country of Australia. Why Not Fly Instead of Drive? Aside from capital cities, only the largest major regional hubs are served by domestic commercial jet flights. This includes Australia's tropical northern centres like Broome in Western Australia, and Cairns, Townsville, and Hamilton Island in Queensland, as well as the Gold Coast near Brisbane. In the central Outback, Alice Springs and Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Northern Territory also have airports serviced by commercial jet carriers. During the tourist low season of the northern wet season summer months in Australia, when flooding cuts off many roads, and the countryside is lush and green, low airfare jet flights to northern Australia might be more practical. From a flights and accommodations budget point of view. Although once on the ground, the frequent storms and the uncomfortable oppressive humidity make getting around difficult and would be fairly restrictive. Fly and Drive, Rail or Road Trip? Numerous larger town airports in Australia provide domestic regional flights operating smaller passenger light aircraft; however, these flights are typically quite costly and may not operate daily. Rail travel is an alternative, but it usually is quite expensive for several days of interstate journey by sleeper rail car. None offer the flexibility of a road trip and the convenience of a road vehicle for many weeks or months of travel. To state the obvious, sightseeing and stopping at random places of interest is impossible from a commercial flight. Flying and renting a car is another option for short trips of a week or two, but total travel costs increase significantly for longer journeys without your own vehicle. Be aware, even to fly and drive, travelling for less than two weeks in the Outback imposes an unrealistic time constraint to see most attractions on one trip. Many travellers may have to preplan and cherry pick just a few outback attractions if the available time is less than two weeks. More time is essential to explore more than just a small snippet of the vast array of interesting locations in the northern and central regions. Travel Vehicles We have all seen the fancy travel rigs. A hundred and fifty thousand dollars or much more for the vehicle and towed travel van. All well and good for those with the budget. Traveldriven has used swags, small tents, basic vans, motels and bush hotels. Some of the most commonly seen vehicles sold in Australia have been driven on travel trips. These range from family sedans (Ford Falcon), sports cars (Mustang GT) to SUVs. All Traveldriven trips pre-2025 are without a towed vehicle. See What Is Out There It's not about what means of travel you have or budget but getting out there and doing. Weather being solo, with family or friends. All Traveldriven posts are about places where ordinary travellers may like to go. Travellers like you and I. Almost all destinations in mainland Australia on this website are within reach on sealed bitumen roads. Without the need to own an expensive long range offroad specialised vehicle. Just everyday driving skills are required. With a little basic knowledge and common sense. You can drive to extraordinary locations . Enjoy, relax and to seek out new places of interest. Having said that, depending on the time place and local events, things happen. Read the following to quickly go to a page post of interest. A few posts are of places not within Australia. It's great to gain a perspective on life outside of country of birth. If only to compare and appreciate your corner of it. Traveldriven TAKE AN OUTBACK BREAK BIRDSVILLE, QUEENSLAND TRAVELDRIVEN ONE MINUTE SNAPSHOT Australia and Bushfire Survival Every State in Australia is of risk of major bushfire breakouts. It is good to know the basic do's and don'ts in these fire prone environments. Not only overseas visitors but residents of Australian cities travelling to country area's should know how to pay heed to the dangers. A Traveldriven first hand example is given in the following post: https://www.traveldriven.net/single-post/bushfire-wildfire-or-forest-fire-survival Timber Creek, Northern Territory Australia is generally a safe country for travelling by road. However, be cautious of potential issues with wildlife and people. For first time Outback drivers a safe Outback option is to stay within the National Australia Highway Network, which offers good roads and communication. Many sealed highways, but not all, have mobile phone coverage. It's not uncommon for no phone or GPS reception for hours of driving. All sealed highways have some daily traffic and travellers if in need of outside help will get assistance from other travellers. Nevertheless, Outback areas remain very remote, often with police, hospital and vehicle breakdown services three to four hours away by car. It is foolhardy and may be life threatening to rely on or expect help from patchy or non-existent mobile phone reception in the event of an emergency. At a minimum an inflated full size spare tyre and ten litres of drinkable water should be carried for safety and peace of mind. Timber Creek is a small outback settlement 185 km from the Western Australian border. Read how serious situations may develop from doing nothing wrong. Encountering local wildlife endemic to the tropics (not saltwater crocodiles) and people. Go to Page post: https://www.traveldriven.net/single-post/australia-big-righthand-turn-2 South Pacific Islands Vanuatu and Inyeug Island. Stories of head-hunters and the visiting cruise ships. The islands are nearer to Sydney than Sydney is to Perth in Western Australia. Go to Page post: https://www.traveldriven.net/single-post/south-pacific-island-of-inyeug Cruise Kimberley Islands Hop aboard the MV Oceanic. A converted Rottnest Island ferry. Adventure cruise the Kimberley Islands of Western Australia for seven days. A firsthand experience of what sights to expect to see and the experiences in this offshore region. Tourist requirements are really just to have the ability to walk for five minutes or so and have a curiosity of the truly spectacular scenic Kimberley Islands unfolding all around. Both in seascape and landscape. Go to Page post: https://www.traveldriven.net/single-post/australia-cruise-kimberley-islands-mvoceanic Great Barrier Reef Islands Whitehaven in Queensland, Australia's most famous beach non-Australian's have probably never heard of. Whitehaven truly lives up to expectations. Just a short inexpensive daily tour boat trip from Hamilton Island. Go to Page post: https://www.traveldriven.net/single-post/2020/05/31/whitehaven-beach Hamilton Island & How to Sail Solo Hamilton Island is a major tour mecca of the Great Barrier Reef. Serviced by all major Australian airlines and capital cities. Read how its done to sail cheaply and solo with little to no sailing experience on a four man catamaran. Go to Page post: https://www.traveldriven.net/single-post/2020/05/31/hamilton-island Australia Travel Icons Who hasn't heard of the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria! Within eyesight are the Gibson Steps. Take the one hundred cliffside steps down to the beach. Wild surf batters the beach. Breathe in the salty air. Don't do a Harold Holt (ex-Prime Minister) who disappeared in Victorian waters. If you enter the water of rips and currents at one's own pearl. You will probably never be seen again. Go to Page post: https://www.traveldriven.net/single-post/2020/05/31/twelve-apostles Road Trip Western Australia\Northern Territory\South Australia Australia's big right-hand turn. Day one of a solo road trip driving a Ford Falcon sedan from Victoria. A glimpse of the attractions that await travellers planning a road trip to the West. Go to Page post: https://www.traveldriven.net/single-post/2017/07/11/australia-big-right-turn-day-1 Road Trip to Townsville, Queensland Day one of a three-week solo road trip to Townsville driving a Ford Mustang GT V8 from Victoria. Including a visit to Ned Kelly country. Australia's most famous bushranger. Don't miss the roadside attractions along the trip, such as tossing a coin to the Dog On The Tuckerbox. Discover which roadside attractions are truly worth visiting. Go to Page post: https://www.traveldriven.net/single-post/2019/03/18/driving-to-queensland Road Trip to Silverton, Outback New South Wales A special weekend event to celebrate the 40th year of the release of the second Mad Max film. Parts of which were filmed on set around Silverton with Mel Gibson and crew. Enthusiasts dressed in movie theme attire. Road going replica vehicles and of course the Wasteland Compound. Do your own Mad Max adventure and drive to Silverton. Inspect the sites and see movie props and movie memorabilia. Go to Page post: https://www.traveldriven.net/single-post/silverton-outback-australia Road Trip to Tasmania Day one of a road trip to the island state of Tasmania. Driving a Mustang GT. Start of trip was on the Spirit of Tasmania car ferry Victoria to Devonport, Tasmania. What to expect on the ferry and small town tourist sights. Attractions that are worth a stop along the way to Hobart. Go to Page post: https://www.traveldriven.net/single-post/2018/02/18/mustang-gt-search-box Road Trip to Canberra Australian Capital Territory Day one of a solo road trip to Canberra driving a Mustang GT. Passing through Bendigo, Victoria and a visit to the Great Stupa. A free attraction for all. Canberra is not boring as many from interstate will try to tell you. Get an insight on a few Canberra locations and buildings you should visit on your next trip. Many are free to experience. Includes a two-day detour to the famous Bathurst Motor Racing Circuit and unlimited driving time of the track. How you can drive Mount Panaroma within the law and still have enjoyment. Go to post: https://www.traveldriven.net/single-post/bendigo-art-silo-s-ned-kely Road Trip Outback 4WD Basically, anyone could do this with just an interest in the Outback and nothing else required apart from the tour cost. Day one of a nine-day road trip tour to Birdsville in Outback Queensland in a Toyota Landcruiser V8 from Adelaide. Costing roughly five hundred dollars per day (as of 2025 in Aus.$). The tour operator drives the vehicle and includes, meals, and unit or hotel accommodations for the entire trip. Go to post: https://www.traveldriven.net/single-post/work-in-process-road-trip-birdsville Grampians National Park First hand local information about the Grampians National Park and Halls Gap in Victoria. Less than a few hours' drive from Melbourne. Other websites barely mention the Park if at all. It is one of the best accessible Parks to all road going vehicles year-round within Australia. View spectacular and accessible mountain scenery. Go to Page post: https://www.traveldriven.net/single-post/wildlife-of-the-grampians-national-park Road Trip The Bend Motorsport Park Within an hour's drive from Adelaide. Drive to the riverside town of Tailem Bend in South Australia and drive your own vehicle around the world class track. Track sessions are only allowed on designated track experience days. Trackside safety marshals are in attendance on these days. Vehicle must be roadworthy. The racetrack driving experience is cheap and safe. High speeds are obtained. A full thirty minutes on track time. Go to Page post: https://www.traveldriven.net/single-post/tracktime-the-bend-motorsport-park Road Trip New Zealand Driving New Zealand on the South Island and a day's visit to White Island volcano on the North Island before the deadly eruption and the tourist ban. Discover Arrowtown and Queenstown attractions. Drive the scenic valley along State Highway 94 to Milford Sound via the Homer Tunnel. Agreed by many to be New Zealand's most scenic highway. View snowcapped Mt Cook from your hotel room. Touch a floating iceberg on a glacial lake. Go to Page post: https://www.traveldriven.net/single-post/2019/04/20/arrowtown Road Trip Ireland For anyone planning on visiting Ireland consider driving around Ireland. If budget allows, visit and gain fine lodgings at Ashford Castle. Or perhaps for more value for money visit and stay overnight in a haunted Castle such as Ballyseede Castle. You might experience a supernatural encounter with Hila the friendly ghost. Read what to expect as a guest and a personal non-frightening ghostly experience. Go to Page post: https://www.traveldriven.net/single-post/2017/04/15/driving-around-ireland-2015 Scotland & Nessie of Loch Ness Embark on a Loch Ness cruise across the renowned lake. On one particular lake tour, tourists on the Loch hear a factual account of the legend from a guide. The talk captured on video. The presence of sizeable aquatic creatures in the Loch's depths may contribute to the legend, though it's not what most tourists typically imagine. Hear the guide's explanation. 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Murtoa's Big Weekend First weekend in October Friday 6th, Saturday and Sunday. October 2023. Show & Shine All those who attended were friendly people keen to see what is on display. Quite often the smaller Show & Shine displays in country towns have a few big, interesting surprises. Who knows what unusual vehicles are kept on farms or are in backyard sheds and are brought out occasionally for all to see. Show entrants come from far and wide. All are pleased to attend. Any trophies won are a bonus. The Show & Shine event held on a sunny Sunday on McDonald Street was a spectacle to behold. The classic cars gleamed under the bright sunlight. A hint of Mad Max vibes lingering in the air, giving the event a unique and edgy feel. Despite the vintage beauty of the cars on display, it was the people that truly made the Show & Shine memorable. The event seemed to attract a diverse crowd, each person bringing their own flair and personality to the gathering. From car enthusiasts to curious onlookers, each with their own story to tell. As the day unfolded, the sound of engines revving and the sight of polished chrome reflecting the sunlight created a sensory feast for all in attendance. The Show & Shine was not just a display of classic cars but a celebration of automotive history and the passion that drives enthusiasts to preserve these treasures. The car display was in the main street of Murtoa and Murtoa's Big Weekend is usually an annual event. A large market day with many stalls is also held over the weekend. The Water Tower Museum is open daily. Noon to two and has a large taxidermy collection. The annual Agricultural Show is held on the Friday to begin the weekend of activities. Murtoa is in the Wimmera two hundred km from Melbourne. Murtoa is also the home of the, 'Murtoa Stick Shed' and could be included on the Silo Art Trail route. Read Stick Shed post. Traveldriven MURTOA GOOGLE MAPS MURTOA BIG WEEKEND SIGNAGE OPEN AIR CADILLAC Murtoa Show & Shine MAD MAX Z900 MURTOA MOTORS PREV SHOW & SHINE NEXT

Camperdown Camperdown is a charming rural town located in the picturesque region of southwestern Victoria, Australia. It lies approximately two hundred kilometres to the west of Melbourne, making it accessible for those seeking a peaceful retreat from the bustling city life. The town is known for its rich agricultural background and beautiful landscapes, which include rolling hills and expansive farmlands. With a population that exceeds three thousand residents, Camperdown boasts a close-knit community where neighbours often know each other, fostering a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. One of the notable features of Camperdown is Manifold Street, which serves as the main retail thoroughfare of the town. This street is not only a hub for shopping and local businesses but also an essential part of the town's identity. The name "Manifold" carries an interesting connotation, particularly in relation to automotive terminology, as it refers to a vehicle's exhaust or intake manifold. This association adds a unique character to the street, suggesting that it was perhaps designed with the presence of cars, motorbikes, and trucks in mind, inviting a sense of movement and activity. The bustling environment of Manifold Street often sees locals and visitors alike enjoying the various shops, cafes, and services available, making it a focal point for community engagement and social interaction. Traveldriven ENTER CLICK/TAP CAMPERDOWN GOOGLE MAPS CAMPERDOWN SHOW & SHINE CAMPERDOWN SHOW & SHINE MANIFOLD STREET Unusual stretched limousine ideal for taking it easy. Let someone else do the driving. Full length running board. Like the full size spare mag wheel on the back Hot rod Route 66. Exposed painted engine. Red and yellow nice contrast and the black car body. Suicide doors. Side chrome exhaust for show. Actual exhaust underneath the rear for road legal. A collection of older vehicles. Left of image in need of a paint job. Left unpainted for the effect. Red shiny mag wheels makes you wonder what is under the bonnet Two tone light and dark. Side running board blends in well. Wire spoke wheels suit the vehicle and lowered somewhat Hot rod in immaculate condition Nice curved front bodywork Light blue hot rod. Exposed engine mag wheels and skulls mural down the side. Suicide doors open backwoods on entry Big chrome grille. White roof and red body Down on Manifold Street. Plenty of show cars and onlookers PREV SHOW & SHINE NEXT HOMEPAGE