After Sydney, we went southwards along the coast seeking swimming- and snorkeling places. Unfortunately, the camping on the Beecroft Peninsula was closed due to the absence of the staff (probably, they were making their holidays before the Christmad crowds) and we draw aside to the neaeby Currarong Caravan Park. For the delight of the children, it had a water playground and even he could weather could not stop them from splashing around. After practising in the camping-pool how to snorkel, we found an ideal bay in Narooma. Even the kids dippend their heads under water and started searching for fish, cancers, jellyfish and mussels. We stayed for 3 Nights before heading on to Merimbula. On the way, we passed Bega, the place where the famous cheddar comes from (not to compare with a piece of good Gruyere-Cheese…).
In Merimbula, we enjoyed two lazy days on a big campsite with lots of childrens’ attractions before going to the mountains. This week-end (20.12.), the school holidays started which means the Australians were invading the towns and campsites at the coast. We went through the northern section of the Kosciuszko National park to the Yarangobilly caves ans campend at Long Plain Hut. On 20.12., we visited the Jillabeneen-Cave. Our guide was originally from Fribourg (Switzerland) and explained to our children exciting facts about the Cave World (thanks to Monica Yeoung). After visitier the caves, she took a Souvenir Photo with our Fribourg Nummer plate and we coole down in the natural pool on that hot day before exploring South Glory car on our own. Somebody (Daniela) still had hot and tried to visit they North Glory Cave. She was stopped by a gate and climed again South Glory Cave to return to the parking.

That evening, we found a wonderful camping-spot at at the Blue Waterhole. The next morning, we hiked through Nicole Gorge where we visited another 3 caves on our own with headlights. Murray-Cave was the most impressive one: 200m corridors with great dipstone formations. On this hike, we finally saw our first snakes: a copperhead snake and a Young Waadtern Brown snake.

The next night was very could at 4 degrees and the next mornin, there was thick fog at three Mile Dam where we had spent the night – we needed a Fire to warm up in the morning.

We went on to the Southern section of the park via Khancoban to the Geehi-River-campsite where we were looking vainly for platypus. Possibly the noise of the Fire Brigade helicopters (due to bush fires in the region) had chased them away. The next day, our Target was the Summit of Mount Kosciuszko (2228 m above sea level), Australias’ highest mountain. The ascent started with a ride on the chairlift over 500 altitude meters and afterwards, there were Steel meshes till just below the summit which was reached on real soil, but a large hiking path. After hiking in Switzerland, we were afraid that the hiking time was too short for our children (each way 6.5 km and 300 altitude meters), but on this highway the two attacked the summit ans back and other hikers admired them.

Mama decided instead of going down with the chairlift to walk down the Dead Horse Fap Track without any technical support, papa and the children opted for the sitting version on the lift. When they got to the car, Daniela called to tell them that it will take longer because she had Met an injured hiker. Now we tried together to organize the evaluation of this lady (Anthea). Nobody could guess at this time that two interesting days with this family were following. Markus drove to the chairlift station where he met Marc (Antheas husband) and their children Oliver and Alexander. He recognized Markus immediatly due to the “funny language” in which he was talking to his children. The Crew from the chairlift could not help, so Markus and Marc decided to bring Anthea themselves. Marc could hire ski poles from a sports store and with the SAM splint of Danielas miraculous pharmacy the evacuation started. After a short instruction of the splint from Daniela, Markus went up the mountain. He met Anthea and Anita on a bank und adjusted the splint according to the medical instructions. Anita is anothergood soul who helfend to bring down Anthea with positif support. Marc followed 1/4 h later and met them when they were limping down the path. Anthea managed the way down with the support of supporting masculine shoulders. Anthea is playing cello and gamba and know some people maligne baroque music in common with Markus. The weather deteriorated and half way down, it started raining buckets and their clothes were soaked within minutes. We accepted the offer of Marc and Anthea with pleasure in this weather. We spent Christmas even in their holiday chalet in Thredbo, the children loved going on the bob slide with the older boys, jump on the trampolines and play hide and seek in the house. Thredbo received for the summerly Chistmas Carols on Christmas eve an alpine horn concert. We “helped” the family with their traditional “turkey à la Yates”. Thanks to Marc, Anthea and family for the hostel!
On Christmas eve, our children wer allowed to Open their first Christmas presents together with Oliver and Alexander – their eyes were shining with joy.

On Christmas day, we drove to Perisher valley and hiked to porcupine rock with a short scrambling to the rocky summit. On the way back, a copperhead snake was suddenly in Front of us (there was no time for a photo). We spent the next night at the “Island Bend” campsite directly at the river and decorated the Christmas Gum tree. The children received their remaining Christmas presents and before going to sleep, we saw our first wombat.

On Boxing day, we continued to the Snowy River National Park to Victoria till Mc Killops Bridge – there was a dingo on the way. To give Nora and Fiona the possibility to try out their Christmas presents, we had to up our tent beside the car because of the rain. The next morning, the bypassing Ranger adviced us about the Erindundra National Park where we walked through the rainforest and spent the night at “Frosty Hollow” Campsite (which honoured its name with a night close to zero). On the way there, an echidna crossed the overgrown track and several trees tried to block our way.