Hyundai Road Trippers • Series #1 • Travelogue

A SANTA FE Getaway to Remember

Introducing Hyundai Road Trippers, an all-new travelogue series where we follow everyday Aussies taking the roads less travelled in this lucky country we call home.

In our first instalment, we follow professional photographer Piers Haskard as he embarks on a well-earned weekend away with his wife and one-year-old in the Hyundai SANTA FE, our award-winning large family SUV.

Their destination: Kangaroo Valley, New South Wales; a short hop, skip and a jump from Sydney. Bags packed? Let’s go.

 “As any new parent knows, going on a car journey with a little one can be a big hassle, even a quick trip to the local supermarket. But a road trip? And for the entire weekend? It sometimes seems impossible. Or so we thought…”

After working as a photographer for a decade, I’ve developed a life-long passion for the great outdoors. Exploring, camping, adventuring—I love it. But over the years, escaping to the country has got more complicated.

When my wife Claudia and I started dating at 19-years-old, things were different; we’d set off on a weekend road trip at the drop of a hat. Pack a couple of bags, grab a camera and slip, slop, slap; we were off. We didn’t even bother with accommodation; when the sun set on another day, we’d cobble together a makeshift bed in our old car. It was easy. Not the Ritz, obviously. But yeah, easy.

_{Piers Haskard: professional photographer, drone operator and videographer.}

Now, though, things aren’t as simple—and I don’t mean that in a bad way. I’m a married man with more responsibilities, less free time and—best of all—a beautiful baby boy: my one-year-old, Henry.

Compared to the halcyon days of my teens, things are more hectic. Much more hectic, actually! So yeah, Claudia and I don’t mind a few creature comforts when we’re on the road. Less camping; more glamping. That’s more our speed these days.

With that in mind, we decided we were due—or rather overdue—a holiday. An easy-breezy weekend away like the ones we used to go on. Except, you know, with a baby on board. So not-so easy-breezy, then. Or at least that’s what we thought…

 

Enter the Hyundai SANTE FE.

With our ride ready, the next course of action was picking our destination. We didn’t want to stray too far, so we chose somewhere close to home: Kangaroo Valley, New South Wales. Distance from Sydney: 156km. Population: 856. Phone signal: unreliable. Perfect.

With our location locked in and our accommodation booked—a luxury farmstay at Barranca—we started to prep for the trip.

And in no time at all, departure day arrived. There’s nothing quite like packing up the car for a weekend away. As new-ish parents, it’s equal parts excitement and chaos: ram in the pram, pack the snacks, double-check the toys, the clothes, the child seat… and somehow make it all fit.

In our old car—the one that Claudia and I used to camp in as teenagers—it would’ve been a nightmare. Impossible, maybe. But with a practical SUV like the SANTA FE, it couldn’t have been easier. There’s the 642-litre boot, the hands-free Smart Power Tailgate, the one-touch folding seats, the loads and loads of space. Everything was packed in with plenty of room—and time—to spare.

With the car loaded up and ready to go, we rolled out of the driveway and headed south. Kangaroo Valley, here we come. But first, a quick detour: during our trip I learned three fun facts about Kangaroo Valley, and I’m going to share them with you during the next couple of minutes, just as I did with my (ever-patient) wife while cruising in the car. (Thanks, Claudia.)

Fair warning: there will be a quiz…

Ready? Here we go.

1.Kangaroo Valley—also known by its original name, Gangagruwan, meaning “place of many valleys”—is the only glacial valley in Australia.

OK, I admit, “fun” is a bit of a stretch. But still, the only glacial valley in the country—fascinating, right?

As we neared our luxury villa at Barranca, we opened the sunroof to drink in the fresh air.

The driveway leading to the property set the scene: peaceful, quaint and flanked on all sides with farmland. A pack of horses even cantered past the cabin when we arrived; it was picture-perfect.

Once unpacked, we spent the afternoon taking it easy; first by roaming the grounds, then by taking a brisk swim down by the creek. And to top it all off: a picnic next to the water. Beautiful.

_{Bubbles for three: a waterside picnic is just the thing for an easy-breezy afternoon.}

Cruising Barranca was a breeze, too, even on gravel roads. (To be honest, we kept finding excuses to drive around the property!)

After spending the day soaking up the landscape and taking some much needed R n’ R, we settled into our cabin and whiled away the hours next to the fire, gazing at the escarpment as the sun set over the valley. And with that, our first day was brought to a close.

The next day was filled with even more good vibes, as well as a peculiar sight…

_{Local legend: Hampden Bridge, Kangaroo Valley.}

Cue fact number three:

3) Constructed in 1898, Kangaroo Valley’s Hampden Bridge is not only the last surviving wooden suspension bridge in the country, but also one of the most significant examples of colonial-era engineering still standing in New South Wales.

After some more sightseeing, it was time to reluctantly head home.