Sydney Bound - Day 3 - ups and downs.

Following an early morning wake up call consisting of kookaburras laughing and young children screaming we got up and started breakfast and getting the camp in order. The kids were a great help in getting things packed up.  Tim helped by sneaking the car forward off the leveling ramp. 

We were packed up in record time and headed off into the Coopanook state forest on a dirt track looking for a way to the Pacific Highway.  Great track, a lot better than the rocky one we entered on. We found the south track and after a rickety bridge over the main railway line we found the town of Coopanook. From here we had two options for getting to the Pacific Highway.  Of course we went to the one that only allowed us to turn north.  

Heading south we found some wonderful sections of road interposed with crappy cement surface.  We managed to get in behind a courier truck traveling at a good speed and saved some fuel by slip streaming. 

After passing what passers as the Pacific Highway around Newcastle the kids declared it was time for lunch. There are of course no shoppes in this area to purchase the makings, so we gave the a treat of some burgers from a roadhouse. 

Back on the road and we reached the national parks north of Sydney.  The kids were fascinated by the scenery and the massive cuttings through the rocky hills. Tim was trying to work out how much explosive would be required to clear them. 

I've always loved this part of Sydney but unfortunately never took the opportunity to explore whilst I lived down here.  

On reaching Sydney the six lane Pacific Highway turned into a four lane city street. No doubt there is an easier way to get into the city but it did not jump out at us. After some deft navigation by Kerrie and some deft lane changes by me we got heading in the right direction for the caravan park. Street signs in Sydney are brilliant, pity that warning of those roads are a little late.  I'm sure those drivers following me will recover after a few stiff drinks. 

The Lane Cove River Tourist Park is a nice park. Run by National Parks it is situated in the national park and offers bush walks and hosted spotlight tours. We are about a kilometer from the station so getting to the city tomorrow should be fairly easy tomorrow. We're planning on doing essential tourist spots whilst the weather is great.