On the Road Again: From Sydney to Koalas, Redwoods, & Melbourne
Ok… let’s be honest — posting is work 😅
But living it? Pure magic and a bit of chaos.
After leaving Sydney, we officially hit our groove and set off on a road trip that felt equal parts adventurous, chaotic, and unforgettable. Bags in the car, snacks within reach, and kids asking “are we there yet?” — we were on the move.
Jervis Bay: Beaches, National Parks & Hanukkah Begins
Our first stop was Jervis Bay, where we spent two beautiful days exploring the national park and some of the most stunning beaches we’ve seen so far. White sand, crystal water, and wide open spaces — it felt like the perfect place to slow down just enough to breathe.
As a bonus, Hanukkah began while we were there 🕎, which made the stop feel extra special. Celebrating traditions on the road has become one of our favorite parts of traveling — familiar moments in totally new places.
Narooma: Holiday Parks, Beaches & Crazy 8s
From Jervis Bay we drove to Narooma, where we stayed at a fantastic holiday park that checked all the family-travel boxes. Beaches, four-wheeling, epic playgrounds, and enough space for the kids to just be kids.
Evenings were filled with laughter, card games, and a whole lot of Crazy 8s — which has officially become our road trip game of choice. Evan will say that this Holiday Park had the fastest slide he’s ever been on. See instagram reel :)
Paynesville & Raymond Island: Koalas Everywhere
Next up was Paynesville, a tiny waterfront town sitting directly across from Raymond Island, aka a koala sanctuary. We took a 100-meter ferry ride just across the ‘lake’ and spotted hundreds of jellyfish floating through the water.
Once on the island, we rented a four-seater bike and ended up spotting more than 13 koalas. Since it’s mating season, we even caught glimpses of a few males roaming around in search of females, who were cleverly tucked away in their “not-so-obvious” trees — the ones with extra foliage and better cover 😉. Truly, cute doesn’t even begin to describe it. Absolutely adorable.
Warburton: Forests, Rope Bridges & Mountain Views
From there, we headed inland to Warburton, where we spent two nights at the Alpine Hotel — a perfect base for exploring.
This stop felt like stepping into another world. We walked the river trail, crossed rope bridges, wandered through a magical redwood forest, soaked in rainforest views, and made our way up to Mt Donna Buang for sweeping summit views. Every turn felt greener, quieter, and more peaceful. Magical little town with amazing walking paths, trails and yet again another epic park with a free waterpark! The water was cold as ice and the temperature was low 60’s so it made it extra cold but the boys couldn’t resist!
Melbourne: Best Friend & Headed to Tasmania
Finally, we made our way to Melbourne, just in time for our bestie NayNay to fly in and spend Christmas with us 🎄. There’s something incredibly special about sharing the holidays far from home but surrounded by our bestie. We enjoyed a very short stay in Melbourne, walking around downtown, playing in the parks, enjoying the hotel pool, and having a fun Korean bbq dinner. Next stop: Hobart, Tasmania for Christmas.
Things We’re Loving About Australia
A few standout observations so far:
Parrots are everywhere. Like crows or robins back home — and it still feels magical every time we see one 🦜
Playgrounds here are next level. Bigger, bolder, and honestly a little terrifying (in the best way).
The driving and roads are not for sissies. Good thing there are none of those here 😉
Most of all, we’re loving the rhythm we’re finding — the balance of movement and rest, adventure and routine, chaos and calm.
We’re settling into this season of travel, learning as we go, and soaking in every moment. Sending so much love to everyone back home — thanks for following along on this wild ride 🤍