Into South Australia

21st January Saturday

Airbed still going down. Up early, cloudy this morning, packed up , had a chat with John and Ann and did a book swop, finally left site about 10.30am. Dropped down onto Portland-Nelson Rd. towards South Australia,

heading for Mount Gambier, en route stopped at the Blue Lake.

 It has a strange phenomena as the water changes colour from grey to a wonderful blue from November to March. Carried onto info centre, where we found out we could camp in the National Parks for $5 per vehicle and as we have a 4WD we can go beach camping . Decided to stop in Mount Gambier showground tonight. As Colin put it "we had to nail the tent down" against the south east winds, yet when the wind dies down it is very hot. Walked into town but everything closes at 1pm on a Saturday, back at camp a couple told us in south australia and western australia only the big shops open on Sundays and next week, as Australia Day on Thursday a lot of shops might close for whole weekend to extend the holiday. Went onto facebook before dinner and had a chat with Laurie, heather, Liz and Ricky, isn't technology great, dinner of crackers and Philadelphia with tomato chutney followed by fruit salad. Colin went to bed as feeling really tired, I stayed up whilst computer battery charged. wind has dropped.

22nd January Sunday

Airbed still going down, will have to find a BigW at some point to take airbed back. Colin had a good nights sleep. No wind and sunny today, had a shower it was sooo hot could have stayed there. Been given a tip to stop ants climbing the guy ropes, put talc around the pegs(will give it a go). When left site went to laundrette then onto Coles to stock up on fresh food, decided to head for campsite at Geltwood Beach in the Canunda National Park as according to our information only $5 per night, when arrived it was $12 and no shade also a bit of a hike to beach so travelled on tthe Rendlesham Rd to Southend to the Kotgee Camping Area in the National Park, nice spot so will stay a night or two.

23rd January Monday

Bit of a warm night and it is hot already its not even 8am. There are ants all over the outside of the tent(hav'nt got talc yet), So blitzed them with fly spray and insect repellant. The sun is very intense today, both sat in shade reading, Rose read a brilliant book called The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson Did our chores later in the afternoon then had a shower, had to add cold water to the solar water as water is very hot. Much cooler evening.

24th January Tuesday

Up and packed by 8.30 but still did'nt beat the ranger so had to pay $12(got away with 1 night). Drove to Southend and parked at jetty for breakfast, the boats go out for Crayfish and are back in by about 10.30. Already very hot. Drove onto Robe Rd to use the Library, in South Austalia they give you a login and password to last the whole State, only trouble wifi is very slow so still have to put photos onto blog. Moved across the road in the shade for lunch under the trees by the sea,

lovely spot. Robe is a tourist town, the Diesel is $1.59 per litre, at least 9cents dearer than down south. Lokked at Camps book and decided to head to 42 Mile Campground in the Coorong National Park. Just north of Kingston S E on the Princess Highway we found the Big Red Lobster.

The campsite is very open but it looks like its had money spent on new toilets and replanting. There is a plague of bees on this site but we'll tough it out,

 left water in washing up bowl then left it on grass to attract them away from tent(it worked). Only one night here. It started to feel damp just before bed but still warm.

25th January Wednesday

Awake early so got up and packed up tent left site by 8am(beat ranger so free night), bit cooler this morning. Stopped at just after 9 at Meningie Lions Park rest area for breakfast, sun now showing. Drove onto Tailem Bend Library(sat nav playing up now) had to put photos onto memory stick then upload onto blog, lady in library very helpful. Didn't stop for lunch, back to Wellington and onto ferry to cross the Murray

(ferry cross the mersey keeps popping into Roses head), made sandwiches while on ferry. Then to Langhorrne Creek before taking road to Milang and Finnis and back onto road to Victor Harbou( much quicker than sat nav route). Victor Harbour seems a nice tourist town, found a BigW and exchanged airbed, it is in the sale so we got some money back so bought some chocolate and still got change, then bought a crossword book but still ended up $1.15 up. Decided to go to the Waitpinga Campground in the Newland Head Conservation Park, you can hear the Southern Ocean. Weather has clouded over again. The landscape is very flat and very dry with straight roads(shades of things to come). Had a walk over the dunes to the Southern Ocean.

 In the camp we sited 2 Wallabies feeding.

 After shower and dinner the sun finally came out, lovely, it is a nice site. Sleeping in vehicle tonight .

ps Waitpinga means windy bay.

26th January Thursday. (Australia Day)

Up and away early again(beat ranger yet again so another free night), drove down to the beach for breakfast overlooking the sea.

 Very windy so sat in L Rover, but sun trying to come out. We are on the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelade. Drove up through the Mount Lofty Ranges to McLaren Vale for fuel then onto Kangarilla and Clarendon towards Adelade, back to hilly twisty roads. Dropped down past the Happy Valley Reservoir, it looked beautiful looking over the water to the coast beyond. We headed towards the coast at Glenelg but couldn't find anywhere to park so went to HMS Buffalo Restaurant and Museum where we came across a Custom Ute Show. Sat in park and chilled and deciding where to go next when a bloke came over to talk to us(he'd seen the L Rover),he was an Ozzie who sounded English but had lived in the U.K. for quite a few years. He had just back to Adelade with his English wife, nice chatty couple. Headed north to Mallala to a free camp at the sports ground, land very flat and roads very straight again we are passing lots of vineyards(Mediteranian climate). Decided not to stay at Mallala and went a further 35kms further to Balaklava to a caravan pk only $15 for the night(payed this one). As the day has gone on the wind has got up to 35-40kph but the temperature is still a barmy 37degs, wind makes it seem cooler. Nailed tent down again. Will try new airbed tonight. Colin aquired a new friend today,sat outside tent having a beer when a chap on a disability scooter came up and started chatting(he liked his beer) for hours, even while we ate our dinner and Colin went for a shower, it sounds as though he has been barred from the campsite, he finally left and said he would be back in the morning to say goodbye. Got dark about 9pm, late night for us. Good News NIC HAD BABY TODAY ETHAN 8lb 3oz.

27 January Friday

LAKE ARGYLE IS THE BIGGEST ARTIFICIAL LAKE IN AUSTRALIA

Wind died down and sunny, new airbed is great. very lazy start to the day, left site between 10.30 and 11 am. clever Rose took us to Port Wakefield for shopping to find no shops so back to Balaklave for foor (what a wally). Put campsite at Port Parham Foreshore into satnav, it took us so far and at the end of one dirt road a dead end, so had to retrack before getting onto correct road. Is now very hot and windy, very flat landscape seems a lot of grain grown in the area. finally arrived at site, no shade but right on coast,

 but the tide goes out a long way. Neighbour sandra came over and told us where water was and that Dublin is is nearest town for groceries, it has a butcher, veggie shop and a general store, her husband Alan was doing maintenance on their caravan. Sad news from Laurie, Marion's dad had died, he hasn't been well for quite a while, but still a shock for her. Our neighbours Marion and Phil came back to site in their bus, nice people. we are pleased we will be here for a time, just what was needed.

West Victoria

14th January Saturday

Cloudy and showery this morning, forcast should brighten to 20degs today with sun tomorrow. Checked emails, Sandie is checking with Laurie as to whether their itinerary is doable. Went off to Cheeseworld at Allansford(free) had a look round museum and shop then treated ourselves to tea and coffee in the cafe before going to the cheese tasting, we both prefered the vintage cheddar, lovely. It seems this company is the largest and oldest surviving dairy manufacturer in Oz. Stopped off at Logans Beach on way back to camp, from July to October the Right Whales come to the area to calf their young. Back at camp picked up dirty clothes and went to laundry, found some really interesting magazines to read. when we got back to tent Colin did some tinkering and we found out there is some Greyhound racing tonight we are less than 100mtrs from track. After dinner went and watched one race, a bit underwhelming, nothing like Peterborough dogs,much much smaller and they race 8 dogs at a time.

15th January Sunday

There is a trash/treasure market today on the showground, went and had a look around, it is car boot sale/craft market, didnt buy anything. Sun finally came out after lunch but wind is still cold. Decided to do our food and fuel this arvo so we can get straight off tomorrow. Sent email to Karen to pick up fan belt from Rockies as over $50 here. Emailing Sandie about trip, she now realises their plans need changing, Colin also spoken to Laurie about them and he agrees. Had hearty dinner tonight of Mince, Onions Carrots and Spuds.

16th January Monday

Sunny, sunny, sunny, light wind. After lovely shower checked emails and Colin sent Sandie some info on how to save money on camping and fuel, also about not taking fresh fruit and veg across state borders(you'd never think you were in one country). We heading up to The Grampians today.



 Left site just before 10am and stopped at Tower Hill Reserve on our way to Port Fairy, as we drove into reserve we saw our first Emus

within 50mtrs of us, they werent as big as i thought they would be. Tower Hill is a volcanic formation from an eruption over 30,000 years ago, they belive the last eruption was about 4-5,000 years ago. We climbed up peak to Tower Hill(it hurt and it was hot) and you could see the water filled craters and over to the sea

and Warrnambool, we were told about this place by the caretaker at the last campsite and was worth a visit. We drove onto Port Fairy, thought we'd go to the beach, but nowhere to park as such a nice day, so got back in L Rover and drove to Hamilton and picked up some maps of the Grampians, carried on the A200 and turned off at Cherrypool to our campsite along 20k of dirt road


to Mountain Dawn Campground on the Rocklands Reservoir. It has been a hot and dusty day. There are only 2 other campers here, but it could take a lot more. Had a walk down to reservoir, the water is coloured brown like at Bear Gully.We sat in the shade as has got really hot then had a cold dinner, can't be bothered cooking. Left windows open in tent when we went to bed.

17th January Tuesday

Warm night, lots of blue sky with high cloud this morning. Park Ranger stopped and told us TOTAL FIRE BAN in force today(not even BBQ's the wind is warm today. After moving photos onto computer decided to drive to Balmoral, mainly dirt roads and corrugated. It is a little town with a general store(selling cheep chocolate), hardware store and cafe next to a small caravan park. There was a little rest area with a big gun situated in a corner, but nothing to say why. We walked down to the historic Court House

                                                         

but could'nt find the Gaol. Back to camp it feels hotter than yesterday think less wind, had a strip wash with water from solar shower(perfect temperature), it was so good, feel lots cleaner and not dusty anymore. Sat reading till bedtime, saw sun going down through trees turning the sky a lovely shade of red. Temp today 33degs.

18th January Wednesday

Bit of rain in the night, it is a lot cooler this morning. Packed up and left by 9am. Had a Kangaroo's cross the road in front of us on the dirt road, then back onto Henty Highway to Hamilton. On the road into town we stopped at the Big Wool Bales,

had a look around about the history of wool industry locally, there (Fokker Universal) starting a service from Hamilton to Melbourne, at one point due to goverment interferance he was unable to charge passengers, so he sold Oranges as tickets. it grew into an international airline(Ansett Airways) even becoming the official carrier for the 2000 olympics in Sydney, till the company folded in March 2002. It was quite a nice museum with a lot of memorabilia. we left museum and went out to Waterfalls Campground for the night. Weather now sunny and warm. A local old man came round to give us a leaflet about fire danger and told us if another man came round and told us he was a Ranger that he was an imposter, later on a younger man came round and advised us the old man is a one man crusade against campers. After a shower and a dinner of Skippy steaks had a walk to the falls, shame the water had dried up,

you can see by the rock formation it would have been quite spectacular.

19th January Thursday

Did'nt wake till nearly 8am. Colin onto Skype with Natalie about tobacco and there trip, signal not good. Left site 9.30. Before we left Hamilt on found a servo that filled our gas bottle $10 and let us fill up with water. Down the Henty Highway to Portland, it is on the coast and has a light house nearby at Cape Nelson

which we visited. Again a rugged coastline

you can see why they call it the ship wreck coast. Stopped at Yellow Rock

on way back to Portland, did'nt stop in town as could'nt find any free parking so drove to Surrey Ridge Campground in the Cobboboonee National Park, drove most of it on dirt road. We spotted an adult Emu with several babies on the road but as soon as they saw us they took off into the forest. A couple of german lads came onto site later on. Colin lit a fire which was nice except the wind kept swirling it round.

20th January Friday

FRIDAY FACT - Australia has  755 different reptile species, being the most in the world.


Airbed going down. Cloudy start and another late wake up, when I got up colin was talking to a chap who was checking the site for the Parks department, he was driving a 1976 short wheel base land rover (shortie), another person attracted by the vehicle, he stayed talkign for about an hour. After he'd gone had breakfast and Colin got his scruffs on and did some maintenance and moved an inside light to the back of the vehicle so we can see to cook when dark, Rose sorted out and cleaned the drawers, the cooker and front seat area, lovely shower later in day. another vehicle came onto campsite and put up a tent, another english couple who had been here since November but had bought a 4WD vechicle in Oz, they are hoping to be here up to 18 months by having 6 month multiple entry visa. Colin got the fire going and Rose made damper, whilst eating dinner damper in fire cooking. John and Ann joined us at fire with beer and we gave them damper - it was lovely with jam just like a scone. Good evening chatting.

The Great Ocean Road

6 January Friday

Good night's sleep, sun streaming into tent, lake like a millpond, the wind soon got up but from a different direction. decided we will stop a few nights. A fellow camper (Mary) told us how to find the library in Colac so we can finally update the blog and she said plenty of op-shops so hopefully can get some new books. The colombian family brought ove a bag of groceries to us as they are giving the campervan today, (tomato sauce, blackberry jam mmm) which was kind of them. Went off into colac and eventually found the library, brought the blog up to date with photos as well, took nearly 2 hours. Drove into town and parked outside an auto shop where Colin got a small grease gun and grease ($40). Found a bakery and bought a pasty and a pie then sat in park to eat, they were full of flavour, then went to camping/hardware shop on way back to Landrover, managed to get poles for awning. Back at camp after a cuppa colin used his new grease gun and greased all the propshaft joints (he's moving a bit better now!) and put some grease in gear box as well, no drips from diff-hooray. Had a shower but the wind kept it a bit chilly. Had a walk after dinner and chatted with neighbours. Everyone we meet loves the TV programme Escape to the Country, don't think they watch anything else, maybe Grand Designs.

7 January Saturday

It is sunny/cloudy with slight wind this morning, view is great, we have been watching our elderly neighbours packing up their caravan, it has been a hoot. They have a small trailer as well with doors at both ends, she had packed the trailer but was unable to lock the door properly at the back, he went to the other end and packed some more stuff in which then proceeded to push an empty container out of the back door, wish we had a video of it. Colin did some more maintenance of landrover, greasing etc then we just spent some time chatting with neighbours. A volunteer fire ranger stopped when he saw landrover and told us how to get to Red Rock Lookout, which overlooks Lake Caragamite (2nd largest inland salt water lake in Oz) had dinner out of tins tonight, spuds with mince and veggies followed by fruit and custard (getting our 5 a day). started to rain and wind getting up before bed.

8 January Sunday

It blew a hooley last night with a fair bit of rain. sun out but wind still gusting. Went out to a market at Birregurra and bought a cucumber then found an op-shop (charity) and found some books. Decided to drive back to Red Rock Lookout, amazing views

 the area used to be volcanic thousands of years ago and you can still see the craters,

 can see for miles over the lakes.

  Took different road back to camp and even found a dirt road.

                                                                 Nice post-box

  Got back to find the wind had knocked one of the tent poles over. There are waves across the lake and Colin has put some more pegs around tent, you can see the toilet tents bending in half in the wind, Maurie (nbour) says forecast is severe gusts up to 40 knots easing later this arvo. Hope so as we are sat in landrover out of the wind and it is being rocked. The caravan owners are taking down their awnings and toilet tents. Just had pancakes for dinner and went to bed to keep warm.

9th January Monday

The wind finally eased off, never been in anything like it. Cloudy this morning and Rose has trousers on, wind not so bad . Decided as long as not windy will leave camp tomorrow. Mundane day, went into Collac charged computer at library then into town food and fuel shopping. Colin suggested whilst in town we visit a couple of cheap $ shops(he needed cotton buds). By the time we got back to camp more blue sky than clouds but still very gusty winds. After dinner of stir fry and garlic bread(done under grill) had a short walk then bed, its warmer.

10th January Tuesday

The wind died down in the night but had a bit of rain. Putting the tent away in sunshine then it decided to rain again, Ozzie weather cant make up its mind up what to do. Left site after 10 after saying goodbyes. Arrived at Winchelsea and fan belt went(good job we had a spare), fitted fan belt only to find out bearing was knackered in adjustment pulley. A nice man(Glen Orchard) in a white van took Colin away and they got the old bearing out Then went to buy a new one, we are parked next to a company called Knuckleys who are agricultural engineers where they went to get the new bearing(what luck) Colin came back with bearing, business card and a bottle of beer. we are meeting so many nice people. Back on the road again and heading for Anglesea missing out Torquay, going across country via Moriac. Popped into info centre at Anglesea for local maps of the Great Ocean Road. The scenery is stunning and different around every bend,

good job lots of lay byes. We stopped at Aireys Inlet and walked up to Split Point Lighthouse

 from there you can see Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary.

The GOR is the worlds biggest memorial. It was hand built by returning WW1 soldiers in honour of their fallen comrades and officially opened in 1932. There is a memorial arch across the road at Eastern View.

The houses overlooking the ocean seem to be clinging to the side of the hills(they must cost a fortune).

 Camped for night at Big Hill Campground north of Lorne in the Great Otway National Park, only put out Awning so will sleep in L Rover tonight. Campers coming in thick and fast. Started raining at 5pm but no wind under trees. There is a bloke in a small camper van parked on a slope and he has cooked a dinner with his cooker on a slant-amazing.

 Campsite now full, so many coming in and driving away. But some are pitching tents on slopes

(should be fun in the night).

11th January Wednesday

Rained all night, glad not in tent. Trying to be sunny then rainy again, even had hailstones. Of the tents pitched on a slope only one remains, it seems they slept in car and tent blew away to our side of the site(great fun). The young couple next to us have just rolled up their tent into a carrier bag and thrown it into their car, took pity on them and made them a cuppa to try and warm them up. Finally left site(now muddy) and drove on Mount Sabine Rd to Erskine Falls.

They advise you not to take trucks/caravans down the access road, can see why, very steep. When we arrived at car park we had to use the parking barriers as our brakes(oops). Walked to the Falls, very pretty, surrounded by rainforest.

Back at car park got talking to an Irishman from Killarney who had to stop at the L Rover(as Colin says nobody stops to talk to us they stop because of the Land Rover). Sorry Mick and Lisa he didnt think much of the Irish in Wexford, they are nearly English. Left and drove into Lorne for a walk around, it is a pretty seaside town. Waiting for Colin outside loo's when the heavens just opened with hailstones.

 We thought we were in Austalia!!!!! When it stopped we walked around the shops and bought a sheet in an Op shop then had a pie and cup of tea for lunch. Restarted our drive along the GOR, there are not enough words for just how amazing it really is

(thanks Dodsey), the road hugging the cliff side and with wind today the surf is stupendous.

You have to keep stopping to take photos,

 even saw some seals at one point. We decided to look for camp site with cover and found free camp ground at Aire River East in the National Park, it is a lovelly spot. When we got tent out it was a bit wet from the rain, but didnt take long to dry in the sunny spells. Had a walk after dinner up to bridge across river, on way back stopped to chat with a couple of Geordies who have hired a campervan. Camp site filling up slowly.

12th January Thursday

Lovely nights sleep, heard a Koala in the night. Colin said had a bit of rain. Finally had breakfast at 10 30 after long chat with Geordie couple, gave them details of camping at Warrnambool Showground. Clouded over a bit as morning has gone on. Eventually got moving and drove to Cape Otway Lightstation, on the road people had stopped and stood in road taking photos of Koalas, there are quite a few in the gum trees(Koalas that is). Didnt go into lightstation as it was $17.50 each so just looked in shop and bought a sticker for Colin(lots of people complaining about cost). Drove back along GOR to Glenaire then drove to camp along Sand Rd.,it skirts around Lake Costain which has no water just fields with cattle in.

 Didnt do a lot rest of day.

13th January Friday (do we feel lucky)

As of today we are going to start a Friday fact about Australia.

Fact:- The Great Ocean Rd is the biggest war memorial in the world.

Packed up and left site by 9.30, back on the GOR,

 weather mixed. Just past Moonlight Head we dropped onto the Old Ocean Road, it is a dirt track that drove round an underground lake in parts, made a change from tarmac. Rejoined GOR at Princetown and stopped to see the 12 Apostles

(raining) then onto The Arch,

 London Bridge

 where the plaque showing your position and the coastline was the wrong way round,

it is back to front like a negative,then we drove onto the Grotto,

it is really an amazing coastline

 and the weather is improving(no jumpers or raincoats). Stopped for lunch at Peterborough in a car park overlooking the beach,

 started to rain again. Onto our camp site for the night at Warrnambool Showground, not bad $20 for the night with electric hookup and proper toilets and hot showers. Walked into town, just under 2kms,Found Aldi and treated ourselves to a bottle of wine $2.49 and a bar of chocolate(same price), yummy. had dinner and wine Colin pissed Rose happy. If there is anything sad about today its because its the end of the Great Ocean Road apart from that Friday 13th has been a good day.