Victor Harbour

Sunday, Mar. 22

Before heading on, we pent the morning exploring Victor Harbour. We spent the morning on Granite Island without getting into another Fairy/Little penguin tourist trap. We did walk the bridge to the island and after all that walking, we caught the horse drawn tram back to Victor Harbour.

Granite Island Bridge (Victor Harbour)

Colin Riding the Horse Drawn Tram

We were heading into Adelaide today but please, whatever you do, don’t mention the Clipsal 500. We drove through Jervis Bay, home of the notorious Kangaroo Island ferry. With a price tag of around $600 for us the car and camper ($900 return to Tasmania) we have decided to give it a big miss and carried on to Adelaide.

Horribly Expensive Ferry

We passed through Brighton Beach be for heading onto Glenelg and West Beach, Adelaide Shores.

Brighton Beach

After tuning in the TV to catch the end of the race, and failing, we called it a night.

The Coorong

Friday, Mar. 20

As we left Robe, we pasted through Kingston, the home of the giant crayfish. We stopped there for lunch and I indulged in a Crayfish Kabab. (Mmmmmmmmmmmmm).

Olive in front of Kingston Giant Crayfish

We then ended up at 42 mile crossing where we set down tent pegs for the night then ventured along the 5km walk to see the ocean. This we could have driven with suitable vehicle preparation but we decided to walk this one.

Sally on the Beach at 42 Mile Crossing

42 Mile Crossing Campsite

Saturday, Mar. 21

Onward to Victor Harbour but before leaving the Coorong we stopped at the old Chinaman’s well to check out what was there. No water….

Chinaman’s Well

The Bottom of Chinaman’s Well

On the way out of the Coorong we found water so grabbed this pick,

The Coorong (West)

Next stop was Wellington where, unlike Kangaroo Island, we caught the free ferry across the Murray River before stopping there for lunch.

Murray River Ferry, Wellington (Free)

Shortly after (after avoiding countless wineries) we arrived in Victor Harbour where we stay in a Van Park. She was a windy night, Thar She Blows.

Robe

Thursday, Mar. 19

Robe is picturesque fishing village tucked in on the south east coast of SA. We did a drive around robe checking out interesting landmarks like the obelisk and the old Robe Gaol. Fairly and uneventful couple of days catching up with laundry and the likes.

Doorway Rock

Robe from Robe Lookout

Piccaninnie Pond, Mt Gambier, Beachport and Woakwine Range

Tuesday, Mar. 18

Today we crossed over into SA proper.

SA Border

We stopped at Piccaninnie Pond were we found the SA Police in force. The rescue squad were doing diving training in the pond and they raved about the ponds viability. We didn’t enter the water as you are suppose to register with conservation commission before swimming, snorkelling or diving.

Police Divers Surfacing in Piccaninnie Pond

We then passed through Mt Gambier, stopping to see the Blue Lake and take on fuel and supplies.

The Blue Lake

Then on to Beachport and driving through the Woakwine Range wind farm and over the

Woakwine cutting.

Woakwine Range Wind Farm

Beachport Jetty

Woakwine Cutting

Finally, onto Robe for 2 nights.

Nelson

Monday, Mar. 17

We had hoped to have camped on the Glenelg River but luck was not with us today. We checked out several of the camp sites in the NP only to find them all taken by the Variety Club having some canoe convention so we had to push onto Nelson. We found a good campground in Nelson but came across our first experience of SA camping rules. No Fires between September and April. This would be the norm between here and WA so we were happy we would always have Mt Eccles.

Nelson Campground

Bruce??

Mt Eccles NP

Sunday, Mar. 16

Mt Eccles NP is today’s destination. We were debating wether to do this as a day trip or stay at the park. We opted to camp at the park turning out to be one of the best choices we’d made on the trip. This park, albeit small, is truly unique. The camping facilities were excellent and the park offered everything from wildlife, bush walks and scenery in a neat little package.
Enough of my waffle, here’s the photo’s:-

Mt Eccles Camp Site

Mt Eccles Wildlife

Mt Eccles Lava Cave

Lake Surprise

Natural Bridge

Warrnambool, Port Fairy

Saturday, Mar. 15

Mike and Jan arrived in Port Campbell last night so today we’re going to Port Fairy. Our first stop was Boggy Creek Pub but we were too early and found it shut.

Colin outside Boggy Creek Pub

Then past Warrnambool where we called into the Cheese Museum. My attention was drawn to the Dave Lee Vintage Engine Collection with a unique collection of petrol and oil powered internal combustion engines.

Dave Lee’s Vintage Engine Collection

Our final stop before Port Fairy was Portland to check out the harbour. It was pissing down so we were surprised to come across the weigh-in for the annual Portland fishing competition. You can see the winning fish still on display. Nice tuna.

Portland Fishing Club Presentation

We finally arrived in Port Fairy and spent some time exploring this township. It is central to region with an Irish flavour with surrounding townships called Dublin, Cork and the like. Historically Port Fairy was called Belfast but its name was changed at some time due to the violence in Belfast (Ireland) at the time.

Port Fairy Main Street

Port Campbell, Shripwreck Coast

Wednesday, Mar. 12

Sally and I were feeling grotty and decided to head back to civilization. We decided to head to Port Campbell and stay a couple of nights to allow day trips to see the Twelve Apostils and other sites\around this area. The Van Park was great and the hot shower to die for.

Port Campbell Van Park

12 Apostles, Port Campbell

Thursday, Mar. 13

Mike and Jan are now running a day late with Jan holed up in bed with flew. We decided to stay an extra day in Port Campbell and tour the region. Today it’s the coast so its off the Twelve (11) Apostles, but first to Clifton Beach.

Sally gave the steps a miss and waited topside for me to grab a couple of shots.

Then to The Apostles.

Sally at the Apostles

Colin at The Apostles

There are heaps of geological features along this stretch of coast including these:-

Thunder Cave

The Arch

London Bridge

Friday, Mar. 14

Today we headed inland to Timboon to visit the Cheese Factories and the Distillery. I was a little disappointed to find out that the Timboon Distillery Wisky won’t be ready for another 2 years. Looks like I’m coming back one day.

Cape Otway

Tuesday, Mar. 11

We headed along the Great Ocean Road destined for Cape Otway. Mike had put us onto camps at Blanket Beach and he’d not let us down yet. We stopped at Eagle Rock Lookout and then Split Rock Lighthouse before our plans fell in a heap.

Sally and Colin at Eagle Rock Lookout

Split Rock Lighthouse

When we arrived at Blanket Beach, 6k from the campground, parks and wildlife had a sign out saying no sites available. We were low on time so instead of checking it out for ourselves, we turned around and headed for Aire River. This turned out to be a good alternative except we had to share it with some nosey locals.

Aire River East Campgound

Campground Locals

Anglesea

Monday, Mar. 10

It’s time to hit the legendary Great Ocean Road along the south coast of Victoria. We headed back south from Kilmore driving the Western Ring Road around Melbourne and stopping at the Melbourne Science Museum for a look-see. The Museum itself was a kid’s fest so I quickly detoured around to the old Spotswood Pumping Station adjoining the museum. This was, by far, more intriguing then seeing how a vacuum cleaner works.

Spotswood Pumping Station Steam Pumps

Then on south through Geelong past Cardinia Park (closer then my brother’s been to his favourite team’s home ground) were we caught fleeting glimpse of some of the hardware in town for the Avon Air Show. Our destination tonight was Anglesea were we stayed at the local van park

Anglesea Beach

Bass Stright to Kilmore

Sunday, Mar. 8

Farwell Tasmania as we left Devonport venturing back across Bass Straight to Melbourne. Again we passed Spirit of Tasmania I half way across the straight.

Devonport Harbour

Spirit of Tasmania I

Melbourne from Port Phillip Bay

Sunday, Mar. 9

We arrived in Kilmore yesterday after driving direct from Port Melbourne. Norma (Kay from Darwin)’s mum put us up for 2 night and was an excellent host. She guided us around on a tour of the region, seeing some of the devastation caused by the Black Saturday bushfires as well as her home town Kilmore. That evening she hosted a fantastic roast with Kay’s brother Denis along with her sister’s boys David and Chas.

Denis, Norma, Chas, David and Colin in Kilmore