Blog 36 - 18th to 27th March 2014

Tuesday 18th March -- we awoke to a cold and wet morning in the Grampians, but after breakfast in the camp kitchen, and then a browse around the shops in town for a coffee and scones, we ventured out into the bush to check out a couple more walks and lookouts. First up was Boroka lookout, high on the range with spectacular views back along the valley and over the town up to the lake.

Then we drove to Lakeview Lookout, which was a bit further along, and a short walk to a rocky outcrop for views overlooking the caravan park where we were staying and the lake. Back to camp for a relaxed afternoon, which included cleaning something out of the fridge that had died a fair while ago - yuck!!

Wednesday 19th - we packed the camper, hooked it back onto the Triton, and made our way south out of the Grampians towards the coast again. But not before we stop in at Mt William, which is the highest peak in the ranges. The sign at the start of the walk said "strenuous 1.8km climb" but we continued on. What we found was that "strenuous" simply means "all up hill", so we stopped for a few breathers along the way. But the view from the top was awesome, even with the clouds that were persistently hanging around.

Stopped for a quick lunch at Dunkeld, before driving towards Hamilton - I was tempted to pilfer a sign, but decided against it. Then to Macarthur to get some vegies for the roast tonight, and out to Mt Eccles NP which the Martins had mentioned was really nice. We set-up camp amongst the trees, and then collected some firewood for the night, before getting the roast going - the 2 ducks that we were given in Harrow and lots of veg - would be enough for 2 nights.

Thursday 20th - had a nice hot shower in the amenities block (one of the very few NP's in Vic with hot showers), packed oour gear and drove to Port Fairy. We went for a wander around the walkway around Griffith Island, stopping at the lighthouse and watching the surfers catching some breaks off the rocks. Then to Warnambool for a drive around and then some lunch down by the lake. Then out to the breakwater and some of the lookouts over the outlaying islands. We continue along the coast, finally arriving in Peterborough and set-up at the caravan park for 2 nights. We go for a wander across the road to the beach, as it is a lovely warm sunny day.

Friday 21st - we awake to a dull overcast miserable day - and today we plan to visit the sights along the Great Ocean Road (GOR) and take lots of pictures - should have done it yesterday. We start by back-tracking a bit from yesterday, stopping in at Halladale Point, Worm Bay, and then The Bay of Martyrs.

Then Massacre Bay, Crofts Bay East, and Bay of Islands. We u-turn and drive back through town and start heading east towards Melbourne, stopping first at The Grotto, which is a cave / tunnel carved out of the rock by the pounding of the ocean.

Next we stop at London Bridge, of which half fell into the ocean 24 years ago, but the island part is still standing.

From here to The Arches, but by this time the weather is getting worse, so we drive to Port Campbell for a warming coffee, before venturing inland to Timboon for lunch. The rain is now much heavier, and the wind is kicking in too, so we drive back to Peterborough hoping the camper is still intact. During a momentary lull in the storm, I check inside to find that one of the zippers at the bottom of the door was not fully closed, and the floor and everything sitting on it is swimming in cold water. Grab these few things, and back to the TV room to hang them out to dry and wait for the rain to ease off. We cook in the camp kitchen again tonight, having the 2nd of our roast ducks and vegies.

Saturday 22nd - after packing up the camper (sort of dry) we drive east along the GOR, stopping in again at The Grotto

and London Bridge to get some slightly better pictures. Next stop along is Loch Ard Gorge, which has lots of walks around the coastline, with many very rugged inlets and rock islands towering over the water. The views are magnificent, and it is amazing how many of these rock structures are still standing with the constant pounding of the waves.

On to the 12 Apostles, which no longer number 12, but are worthy of a wander around anyway. We had been warned about the crowds here, but didn't really expect to see THAT many people all wanting to take lots of photos - a bit of a shock to the system.

We stop in at Lavers Hill for lunch, before driving back down the mountain to Johanna Beach, a free campsite amongst the dunes in a lovely grassy area. Went for a short walk to the beach, and then back to set-up camp. With a bit of a sea breeze, it got really cold, really quick, so we were in bed early tonight.

Sunday 23rd - left camp and drove to Cape Otway lightstation, which is a short detour off the main road - lots of koalas in the trees as we drove along. Didn't bother doing the tour, but did stop in at Maits Rest rainforest walkway, which was a beautiful walk for 400m along a creek and very, very green, with lots of very tall trees that would be ancient.

Back to the coast at Marengo Beach before stopping in at Apollo Bay for a wander through town. Very pretty countryside, surrounded by hills.

Visited some art galleries, and then had lunch along the beach foreshore. Decided to go inland and find some waterfalls, stopping at Beauchamp Falls for a walk, again all down hill - 2.5kms return, but the falls were worthwhile.

Along some dirt tracks, trying to find Stevensons Falls campsite, but couldn't quite find it, so decided to camp at Dando's campsite, which turned out to be very nice in amongst the trees and beside a small creek. Got the fire going, and sat around trying to keep warm - the nights have changed since we arrived in Victoria.

Monday 24th - after a quick chat to the rangers, we found the correct road to Stevensons Falls and parked the car. The walk was only short, but the trees surrounding the area were awesome, and the falls themselves were really nice.

From here we drove along Turton Track - drive his road if you ever get a chance, it is spectacular - and got to Hopetoun Falls, where again the walk was all down hill, but the greenery was magic.

Saw a rare black Otway carnivourous snail too!!! Back to Apollo Bay, and then along the GOR, hugging the coast for most of the way. Stopped in at Lorne, where all 4 caravan parks are owned by the same people, so no use comparing prices. Set-up camp, then went for a walk to the other end of town, stopping in the pub for a beer. On the way back, had dinner at an italian restaurant.

Tuesday 25th - decided to stay in town another night, so had a slow start to the morning, before visiting the supermarket for a re-stock. Got some fresh rolls and a bbq chook for lunch, and then wandered back into town to look at the Lorne Sculpture Biennale along the foreshore and beach. Lots of weird stuff, but also some really nice works. Stopped in at the St Annies port and liqeuer shop for a few samples, and bought a couple of presents for friends. Left there a little bit tipsy and rosy-cheeked. Back to camp, where Gina drops in for a chat, and then dinner.

Wednesday 26th - bacon and eggs on the bbq for breakfast, before packing up and leaving town, stopping first at Teddys lookout for the view over the GOR and the ocean to the south.

Further south a few km's to Sheoak falls and another walk through the bush.

Then to Erskine Falls up in the mountains, again for another walk down hill, but it is well worth it to see a 39 metre waterfall cascading down onto the rocks below.

 Not sure what the 3rd warning sign means

Back to Lorne for lunch in the carpark overlooking the beach, before continuing along the GOR towards Aireys Inlet, where Gina lives, where we stop in at the Split Point lighthouse for a quick walk around and then the cafe for a coffee.

From here to the art gallery - some fantastic works and we chat to the owner for a while. Gina has kindly offered for us to stay with her for a few days. And not only that, but she has cooked pork belly and lentils for dinner, which we enjoy with a few wines and lots of chatter.

Thursday 27th - how nice is it to stay in an actual house with solid walls and a roof - quite a few more months before this happens for any length of time, but very nice anyway. We do some clothes washing, some grocery shopping for tonights dinner, and then stop in at the 60's diner in town for a coffee. Back to Gina's for lunch, and then a relaxed afternoon before she arrives home from work for dinner. Sure to be more wines again tonight too.

On a separate note, last Friday the 21st of March marked the 1 year (365 day) anniversary of our trip - it is so hard to believe that we have been traveling for a whole 12 months, but when we think back to where we have been and what we have seen, it all makes sense. We are so looking forward to the next 7 or 8 months, with the plan to travel into Melbourne, then Mildura, Broken Hill, Wilpena Pound in the Flinders, up the Oodnadatta track to Coober Pedy, then the centre and Alice, before Katherine, and then Darwin, Kakadu and Litchfield by about September. And who knows to where from there???

More to come soon.

Di and Hammo