340 days after leaving the Northern Beaches, we found ourselves turning back into the all familiar Narrabeen camp site and the place where it all began almost a year ago. Even after a lap of the country and seeing some pretty amazing places, Narrabeen beach is still a special place.

Six nights disappeared way too quickly, in a blur of catch ups with our Northern Beaches community. Finlay and Kiera enjoyed going to ‘real houses’ and even the treat of a sleep over with friends. Thankfully, Sydney’s weather was kind to us, which made the time even more magical.

We enjoyed beach time, campsite time, rode buggies with friends, checked out the rock pools, lots of bbq’s and generally a fun filled time in our little slice of paradise on the Northern Beaches (which obviously made leaving again all the more difficult).

For the last 12 months, Finlay’s pet lizard has been living his best life staying with some school friends. After much debate, and some research on the technicalities of moving a lizard inter-state, Finlay was reunited with little Tipless the Pygmy bearded dragon and enjoyed introducing him to ‘caravan life’. I had totally forgotten how big his tank was, and we were left with nowhere to sit inside the caravan, but at least it’s only for a few days and the kids were stoked to have Tips back.

With our first lap of Australia now officially complete, it was time to turn around and head north. I guess you could say we are technically starting lap 2, only this time heading in an anti-clockwise direction and for only a fraction of the distance… for now!

Tipless the lizard on board, we set off north towards Caves Beach to visit the Taylor family and pick up the final members of our motley travel crew – the dogs!

We had talked a lot about whether or not we thought the dogs would recognise us, and I guess we will never really know the answer. It certainly seemed like our old girl Zoli knew who we were but I suspect young master Rocky was just excited there was suddenly extra people for him to lick! Whether they recognised us or not, they have quickly settled into van life and made themselves at home in our (now even cosier) caravan.

As with all of our time to catch up with family and friends, it never quite feels long enough, but we did have lots of fun seeing the Taylor family and for the kids to spend time with their cousins. Fin even managed to get a lesson in front flips from one of his big cousins.

Unfortunately little Miss K has come away from her time in ‘the big smoke’ with a bout of tonsillitis. I guess it’s not surprising after a year of travel. We have made lots of friends and seen lots of people, but it has all been outside and with space around us. Our immune systems are not quite used to the close contact settings so it’s a little like starting day care all over again! Thankfully she is a little fighter and has been amazing over the last few days – even with tonsillitis.

After saying hello and goodbye to family and friends, and reuniting with our pets, it was finally time to set off north for the next part of the Hallchurch travel adventures and our new home on the Sunshine Coast. Our little band of merry travellers were all amazing and Tipless was having the time of his life basking in the sun on the dashboard and giving directions!

Two days and 920km later, we have arrived at our new little slice of paradise at the northern end of the Sunshine Coast. 359 days after leaving Narrabeen and camp number 120…. I think we will stay put… for a little while at least!