Australia Day 2026 gave the Illawarra Chapter the perfect excuse to do what we love most: drive great roads, share good food, and enjoy even better company.
The day began at Hungry Jack’s Haywards Bay, where 28 people assembled in an impressive convoy of 14 Mazda MX-5s, plus an RX-8 and a Mazda 3. At the driver’s briefing, Bryan welcomed 23 members and five guests, including Slavka (riding shotgun with Tania), Steve and Tania in the RX-8, and Peter and Jill in the Mazda 3 whose presence was particularly special — Peter is the founding Convenor of the Illawarra Chapter, and it had been a few years since we’d last caught up. Their return was met with genuine warmth and plenty of smiles.
While the group gathered, Chapter Convenors Zan and Phil had already dashed ahead to Fitzroy Falls Reservoir Picnic Area to secure prime real estate and decorate the shelter. After a scorching 35°C the previous day, no one expected the Southern Highlands to deliver a chilly surprise — jumpers would be essential.
We set off at 9:30am, winding through the back roads of Marshall Mount and Calderwood before tackling the twisty ascent of Macquarie Pass. From there, the Tourist Road and the stunning Moresby Hill Road delivered narrow lanes and postcard scenery. After regrouping, we flowed through East Kangaloon and Kangaloon—roads we’d driven earlier in the month, but which felt entirely new from the opposite direction. Range Road dazzled with rollercoaster rises, rich farmland, towering hedges and immaculate stone walls, before Mittagong delivered the surprise highlight: the climb and descent of Mount Gibraltar via Oxley Drive. A missed turn by Bryan on the way down prompted a convoy U-turn and plenty of laughter. Ninety kilometres and one hour forty-five minutes later, we rolled into Fitzroy Falls—Phil’s lowered NC having bravely endured every bump along the way.
At the picnic area, another 15 members and five guests joined us, filling the shelter with 48 happy faces. First priority: rugging up. Beti, cocooned in picnic blankets yet still shivering, became an instant icon. Conversation buzzed, food was shared, lamingtons disappeared at an alarming rate, and the electric BBQs delivered sausages and onions in fine style.
The traditional thong-toss followed, with young Aries keeping the judges on high alert. Grant and Paul emerged victorious, while Giant Jenga entertained the kids and young-at-heart. Cricket, however, was no match for the lure of warmer clothing.
All told, it was a brilliant Australia Day run — great roads, great laughs, and a reminder that it’s the people who truly make the journey.
And then came the postscript no one saw coming. Later that very night, Peter and Jill officially rejoined the club, proving that some connections never really fade. As if that wasn’t enough, just a few days later they added a Stormy Blue NC to their garage. Clearly, the Illawarra Chapter hadn’t just been missed—it had been calling them back all along.
