Victoria in the Sunshine.

Tuesday we continued along the Great Ocean Road, a visit to the lighthouse at Airies Inlet, then via Lorne, Angelsea to Torquay. At Torquay we visited the giant tiled sundial on the backbeach to show Jim hen went to visit Claire & Lou where we had lunch. Mid-afternoon we moved on to Geelong and booke into a cabin at the Batesford Top Tourist Holiday Park. This park is almost 100 percent pre-fab cabins, jammed together with no open grasse spaces. It appears that Top Tourist are concentrating on cabin accomodation exclusively with little or no provision for open spaces, playgrounds etc. We drove to Ocean Grove where we had dinner.
Wednesday and we drove to Melbourne where Gail visited Pop while I took Chris & Jim on a short drive to Edwards Lake. Then onto the Hume freeway heading north, we diverted to the old Hume highway to visit Benalla and Glenrowan where we spent n hour or so visiting some of the Ned Kelly historic sites. Today is Gail's birthday so we have planned to stop at the Beechworth bakery for a special afternoon tea before stopping at Donna and Pauls new home in Beechworth. Glenice is currently visiting Donna, we all had a lovely birthday dinner and cake there for the birthday girl. Our plan from here is to travel home today (Thur) which is about a 600km drive.
The trip is almost over, one which we have all enjoyed immensley.
A special thanks from Gail to everyone who contacted her on her birthday yesterday.
Over and Out...
Kevin, Gail. Chris & Jim.
http://kevinandgail.blogspot.com

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Great Ocean Road.

Another visit to the Blue Lake for more photos of the incredible blue water, then on to the Lady Nelson Discovery/Information Centre where we spent an hour or so. We then drove to Caves Garden Sinkhole in the centre of Mt Gambier. This is a huge old sinkhole which has been beautified by the local councl and due to the heavy overnight rain had two magnificent waterfalls cascading down into the landscaped hole. A series of steps and landings enables visitors to descend to the bottom of the sinkhole which is about 40 metres across and 20 metres deep. We then drove to the outskirts of town to the Umpherson Hanging Gardens which is also in a sinkhole. This one has been beautfully landscaped by a series of owners over the last 100 years. The giant hanging ivy drops about 25 metres into the delightful gardens where there are BBQ and picnic facilities. Access is via a series of timber walkways and viewing platforms.
As it was still raining we continued on, crossing into Victoria then on to Warrnambool via Heywood. After a quick reccy of Warrnambool in the heavy rain we pushed on to Peterborough and checked into our motel around 4:30pm. As there is still a lot of daylight remaining we decided to drive to Port Campbell and beyond to view Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge. This turned out to be a great decision as despite the continuing rain we saw these two wonders of nature at their wildest best. The wind was horrific, barely able to stand still to take a photo, but this had the impact of whipping up the seas into a raging tempest which really magnified the spectacle of the rock formations. Despite this and the driving sleet rain we were able to get some great shots. Back into Port Campbell for dinner at a licensed tavern.
Monday morning dawned fine and clear as we continued back through Port Campbell to The Twelve Apostles. The visitor viewing area has been drastically changed since our last visit. There is a huge visitor centre on the northern side of the GOR with a pedestrian underpass across to a revegitated area wher new walkways and viewing platforms have been constructed. More photos in very pleasant conditions, then continued on to Lavers Hill where we detoured away from the GOR to visit the Otway Fly Tree Top Walk. This is a spectacular walk of about 1 hour among the giants of the rainforest high up in the Otway Ranges. The platform walk rises 25 metres above ground level and to 47 metres for those who dare to climb the spiral stairs to the lookout tower, which Chris did. As Gail and I had done this 18 months ago we elected to relax in the visitor centre while Jim & Chris did the walk. Upon their return we had our picnic lunch which Gail had prepared in the picnic area of the visitor !
centre. On departure from "The Fly" we drove via the Otway Ranges State Forest gravel road and rejoined the GOR at Apollo Bay some 46km later. Then on to Wye River, our overnight stop at the Big4 Holiday Park where we have a 2 bedroom cabin. We were fortunate to spot a number of koala's in the trees as we approached Kennett River then again later within the caravan park. A BBQ for dinner cooked in the camp kitchen, then a walk down to the beach rounded out yet another great day.
The Happy Wanderers.

http://kevinandgail.blogspot.com

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Has The Drought Broken ?

Thursday morning saw us on the road again facing a full day of driving in order to ensure we stayed ahead of the forecast torrential rains moving down from Central Australia towards Port Augusta. For once the forcasts were very accurate, for as we passed Iron Knob and Whyalla and approaching Port Augusta the rain caught up with us. Fortunately for the next hour or so it was little more than heavy drizzle, so we were able to press on passing Port Pirie, Port Wakefield, Gawler and then on to Adelaide. As you are probably aware all of these areas are now subject to extensive flooding in addition to Coober Pedy, Oodnadatta and Alice Springs, so it appears that our luck is holding out in relation to keeping ahead of the rain. Our intention now is to head to the Adelaide Hills area, however due to an error on our part we incorrectly phoned ahead and made an accomodation booking in Nuriootpa which is North East of Adelaide by about 70km, and in fact we were right in the CBD area be!
fore we realised this mistake. So, we called back to the motel and cancelled that booking after deciding that Hahndorf in the hills suited us far better.
Upon arrival in Hahndorf, a delightful small German village situated in a central location of the Adelaide Hills, we booked into the Hahndorf Resort set in 12 lovely acres on the edge of town. Today we travelled 765km, again in 2 hour shifts. After setling in we drove into the village for dinner at a great little restaurant called Zorro's where they served authentic Balkan cuisine.
The "Tour Down Under" international cycle race had completed its third stage here earlier this afternoon so the main street was still heavily decorated with baloons and banners. This event is held annually in January - at a time when European teams are beginning their intensive competition and training for the European cycling circuit. The race features professional riders from Australia and around the world.
We have decided to stay in Hahndorf for two nights to slow down a little following two days of intensive driving across the Nullarbor. Friday was mainly spent investigating all the quaint shops in Hahndorf, then a drive through the hills region to Gumerecha and a visit to the "Big Rocking Horse" toy factory. Dinner at the German Arms Hotel back in Hahndorf with a pianist playing non stop near our table rounded off another great day.
Saturday morning, departed this delightful area travelling south east via Murray Bridge, Meningie, Kingston S.E. Millicent to Mount Gambier. The skies are looking very threatening as we approach Mt Gambier, but we were able to visit the beautiful Blue Lake in Mt Gambier. The water in this crater lake is a very intense cobalt blue and looks fantastic at the present time. The colour of the water is definately not influenced by reflection from the sky as the sky is now an intense black cloud and the heavens are about to open in a big way. We managed a drive around the lake stopping at several lookout points before the rain finally caught up with us, it teemed for about two hours, but then eased. All is going well, the four of us are still good friends, the Subaru has not missed a beat and tomorrow we cross into Victoria....
Well, it is now Sunday morning and I have just revised the subject title of this blog entry. Originally I had called it "Floods - What Floods", however as it has absolutely teemed all night that hardly seemed an appropriate heading. Our luck in relation to keeping ahead of the rain may have run out. Only time and today's travel following the coast to Warrnambool and Port Campbell will tell.
The Bloodtree Road Travellers.
http://kevinandgail.blogspot.com

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Day Two- Crossing The Nullarbor.

Chris took the first 2 hour driving shift from Madura to Mundrabilla after a 7:30am depature. For this section of the crossing we ran parallel with the escarpment on our left. Then Kevin drove a 2 hour stint to Nullarbor Roadhouse where we stopped for our picnic lunch. It was during this later section that we stopped at two of the vantage points overlooking the Great Australian Bight, for the compulsory photo session and general leg stretch for everyone. The sheer cliffs dropping vertically to the Southern Ocean are a truly magnificent sight. After our lunch stop Gail got behind the wheel and drove a further 250km to Penong where we re-fuelled again. Jim drove the final leg today into and through Ceduna then south on the Eyre Peninsula to Streaky Bay - our overnight destination. We covered 802km today in very mild conditions, top temp 28 degrees which made it much easier on all and on the Subaru.
Dearest petrol to date was at Balledonia in WA, 165.9 cents/litre.
After checking in to a motel Jim and I drove out to the caravan park for a look then popped into the hotel for a quick beer. Diner for all was at the hotel where we enjoyed the very reasonable and delicious daily special, over-looking the water.
Back at the motel we planned tomorrow's travel.

Kevin & Gail.
http://kevinandgail.blogspot.com

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The Nullarbor.

Well our wishfull thinking re a drop in temperature for today has been realised. At 8:30am as we departed Norseman the temp was a mere 16 degrees C. The Eyre Highway has certainly received it's fair share of upgrading since our last crossing. From Norseman to Balledonia, a distance of 193km the road is a very wide 2 lanes with minimum bends. As we moved east the Nullarbor beckoned with its timeless landscape engulfing us with one breathtaking vista after another. Vast salt lakes, which are believed to be relics of ancient river systems are situated on both sides of the highway. Traffic is minimal so we are able to cruise along comfortably at the speed limit, consequently the huge distances between civilization are quickly gobbled up. The highway has now narrowed a little, but is a dead straight ribbon of ashphalt stretching as far as the eye can see.
A further 182 km to Caiguna where we had a picnic lunch stop under the shade of a picnic shelter adjacent to the roadhouse. Temperature is a mere 23, 20 degrees below yesterday at the same time. We swapped drivers back at Balledonia, with Gail taking over from me for her two hour stint. After lunch, Jim took a turn at the wheel for the next 100km, then Kevin again for the final 50km into Madura. Along the way we had to stop for some bushcraft roadside running repairs. A forward facing thin fibre/plastic cover had become dislodged under the tailshaft and every now and then dug into the road surface and sounded as though the arse end of the Subaru was about to explode. The inner front guard had also lost a retaining clip and flapped frantically in the wind at speed above 80km/h. A bit of wire picked up from the side of the road and my trusty Swiss Army knife solved the problems.
Arrived Madura around 4:15pm Central Western time and checked into the Madura Oasis Motel/Caravan Park/Roadhouse. A swim in the salt water pool went down very well, followed by dinner in the snack bar for Gail & I, the restaurant for Jim & Chris.
Tomorrow our target destination is Streaky Bay, south east of Ceduna, a distance of 750km.
Kevin & Gail.
http://kevinandgail.blogspot.com

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Esperance escapade.

Sunday morning up bright and early to a beautiful clear blue sky and quite warm conditions. This morning we went on the "Seabreeze II", a half day cruise catarmarine out to the off-shore islands. We saw Australian sea lions, basking in the sun on the rocky islands as well as a variety of sea birds. As the conditions were perfect the bow of the boat was able to nudge to within 5-10 metres of the rocky shoreline due to the very steep drop-off from the land into the sea. This enabled us to get good close-up views. At one point we stopped adjacent to a split rock outcrop where there were New Zealand fur seals frolicking in the surging water. A stop over of approx 1-1/2 hours at Woody Island where morning tea was provided followed by a short glass bottom boat trip in the immediate area surrounding the small wharf.
Lunch back at our cabin, then Jim and I went for a swim in the Southern Ocean at one of the many lovely beaches in Esperance. It was nice to have a two night stop as we are able to relax for a while.
Monday morning we checked out of the Holiday Park, spent some time in town looking around, then drove out to Bandy Bay boat harbour where the worst damage from the recent storms occured. It was difficult to determine the extent of damage until we saw some "before and after" photos in the window of a local shop. A weir was completely demolished by the rushing floodwaters which in turn caused extensive damage to a portion of the fishing fleet harbour.
Departed Esperance around mid-day heading north on Highway 1 to Norseman, a distance of approx. 200 kilometres. Today has been very hot, it was 30 at 9am, then 43 during our picnic lunch stop at Salmon Gums. Our overnight tonight is in a very nice chalet in Norseman. Tomorrow we hit the Nullarbor Plain, hoping that the temperature will be down a little on today.
Kevin & Gail.
http://kevinandgail.blogspot.com

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On The Road Again.

Departed All Seasons Hotel in Northbridge at 7am, then negotiated our way onto the Sterling Highway in the general direction of Fremantle. We stopped at Kwinana for breakfast, then continued on by-passing Fremantle to Mandura. Here Jim & Chris looked up an old acquatance from Mona Vale, Ted & Barbara. Gail and I attempted to contact Ed & Mary Crane but were unsuccessful so we joined the others for morning tea. Departed Mandura around 11am bound for Bunbury where we stopped for lunch and shopped for food & drinks. Continued on to Bussleton where we visited the Busselton jetty - took photos etc then pressed on to Cowaramup to our pre booked accomodation at Taunton Farm - a combined caravan park, chalet place. Our one bedroom cabin was quite comfortable with a queen bed in the bedroom and bunks plus a single in the spacious living area. We called in to a winery for tasting then visited a cheese factory where we sampled many of their products before purchasing some cheese, wine !
and port for later consumption.
Cooked a BBQ in the camp kitchen area then sat on our verandah and relaxed. We covered 304 km today.
Friday morning and on the road by 8am
bound for Albany via Pemberton where we visited the Gloucester Tree after mistakingly driving about 30km out of town to another fire lookout tree. Lunch in Pemberton then on to Albany where we are booked into the Albany Holiday Park, about 5km out of town. Jim & I drove into town, found a fish and chip shop and took them back to the cabin for dinner.
Saturday morning we were on the road by 8am, called into the town Sat morning market then drove out to the wind farm about 6km out of town. The huge wind generators make a very impressive sight, 12 in all spread out over a 3km stretch. Each blade is 34 metres long. As it was quite early we were the only visitors there. Departed Albany about 9:30am on the long drive to Esperance. Stopped at Ravensthorpe for lunch, then due to the recent cyclonic storms around Esperance we had to detour from highway 1 on a gravel road for approx. 126km in order to get through to Esperance. Arrived at the Pink Lake Holiday Park around 4:30pm and then popped over to an IGA shop for a few items. Today has been the first hot day we have had.

Kevin & Gail.
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