After many months in Victoria with no break from work we decided to spend the Christmas/New Year Season in Queensland. The uncertainties of the COVID19 situation and the lack of care for our dog Coco meant, that we decided to drive up the pacific highway to Brisbane on the 19th. We had a great plan that would have seen as drive to Sydney and stay there for two days. Christy had organised the accommodation and we were all ready. As so often these days this plan had to be changed and adjusted. On the 18th we learned of new COVID19 cases in the Sydney area. As there was a risk of the QLD borders closing on us, we decided to drive on the 18th, a day earlier than planned and do so without stopping over in Sydney. In addition we also chose to drive through the inland (not on the pacific highway), as this border would be closed later than the direct connection from Sydney.
Having worked long hours the weeks before the break, Thomas was tired and Christy did most of the long drive. Some 23h later, with several stops to fuel up and and two quick stops for power naps we were in Brisbane. Cross the border was uneventful. No checks, nothing. We were tired, but grateful for Summer opening up her home for us.
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Christy celebrated her birthday with family. After a high team with her mom and summer we had dinner at one of her favorite places, an Indian restaurant in Brisbane. Leah and Tyler attended this one.
The next day we moved to an apartment in Brisbane that Christy had organised for us. We stayed right next to the Story bridge and had a great view onto the Brisbane river in a central location. We had a great time and celebrated two Tyler's birthday there. He stayed with us for two nights before we all went to Summer and Jay's for Christmas.
The way back was no different. We heard that the borders to Victoria would be closing on 1 January 23:59. A hard lock down seemed to be in the cards. We did not really want to risk being stuck in NSW (i.e. not being able to go into Victoria but also being rejected by Queensland). So we packed up and rapidly traveled the 1,800km home again. This time, Thomas was driving more and we chose an easier route following the A39 (see below). Some 22h later we made it back home and were super tired. First year in many, many years that we had not celebrated on New Year's Eve. Instead we continued driving, again few stops to refuel and 2 catnap stops. Upon entering Victoria there was about 1h delay to get through checks.
